Without DLC, Zelda: TOTK Didn’t Build On One Of BOTW’s Best Ideas

Although offers many hours of content to enjoy, its lack of DLC sadly prevents it from capitalizing on one of the best aspects of With all the possibilities that additional content could have offered, not having any DLC has understandably been a disappointment. This can be particularly frustrating when considering ’s own successful DLC, which seemed to provide the perfect precedent for to incorporate some additional features in turn.

In many ways, seems to have left plenty of room for DLC. For example, although the game’s main plot is complete, there are some more minor stories in which seem unfinished, such as Penn’s search for purpose at the home of the missing Kass. Similarly, DLC could have also introduced new locations and even mechanics, most likely based around the Sky, to take advantage of the amount of space the game world’s upper realm has. Instead, there will be none of this, despite there being at least one major DLC feature which would have undoubtedly improved.

Nintendo’s incorrect choice to skip DLC for Tears of the Kingdom raises questions about the game's future and its impact on the Zelda series.

’s DLC introduced the Trial of the Sword; a three-part gauntlet which rewarded completion by powering up the Master Sword, spread over Beginning, Middle and Final Trials. The concept of the Trial of the Sword in itself was very enjoyable.

Similar to the Shrine quest on Eventide Island, it tested the limits of a player’s skill with minimal equipment, creating a level of difficulty not seen anywhere else in the game. However, there is no equivalent to the Trial of the Sword in , nor will there ever be with no DLC.

There is no equivalent to the Trial of the Sword in, nor will there ever be with no DLC.

The Trial of the Sword places an emphasis on the various mechanics of, from tactical use of the Sheikah Slate’s runes to skills like agile paragliding and the use of bullet time archery. While solving Shrines in both and naturally makes extensive use of