The next major open-world game players have to look forward to on the Nintendo Switch isThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. It differs a lot fromPokemon Sword and Shield, which has players collecting creatures. In comparison,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomfocuses on Link as he battles monsters throughout Hyrule. Despite the vast differences between the titles, they do share an odd similarity, as they both feature large geoglyphs.
Geoglyphs have been created by several cultures around the world, and it seems bothPokemonandThe Legend and Zeldahave been inspired by them. InSword and Shield, the influence is seen in the artworks that can be found on some hills, and these resemble the hill figures of Great Britain. Though the game hasn’t been released yet,Tears of the Kingdomtrailershave shown large, glowing artworks that are similar to the Nazca lines of South America. It is not yet known what these artworks mean, or what role they play in the game’s story.
RELATED:Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s Talus Aren’t the Only Enemies with the Strength to Support Their Peers
Geoglyphs in Pokemon Sword and Shield
Cultures around the world have created large artworks on the ground that can only be seen from above. These are known as geoglyphs, and they inspire awe due to their size and religious significance. The geoglyphs found along the English countryside are some of the most interesting. They are known as hill figures, and they commonly depict humans and horses. These amazing artworks are created by either digging trenches or using stones or chalk.
InSword and Shield, players explore the Galar region. On some ofSword and Shield’s grassy hills, including in Turffield, players can find large artworks that look very much like hill figures. This isn’t too unexpected, as the Galar region is inspired by the United Kingdom. Much like the hill figures in real life do, the geoglyphs of Galar add a bit of mystery to the natural environment, and it lets players know that the inhabitants have a rich history.
Nazca Lines and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdomseems to chronicle Link’s greatest adventure yet. ThoughLink will be back in Hyrule, things look a lot different, as chunks of the kingdom have been turned into floating sky islands. Fortunately, it appears that Link will have a selection of new tools that’ll help him navigate. Interestingly, in one of the trailers, players see massive artworks on the ground that look very similar to the Nazca lines of Peru. The Nazca lines – which are found in the Nazca Desert of Peru – are some of the most famous geoglyphs. The artworks are typically made of a single unbroken line, and they depict various animals, including monkeys, dogs, spiders, and birds.
The geoglyphs inTears of the Kingdomare notable for a few reasons. Most remarkably, they seem to glow green. This is interesting, as green seems to be the color of a new kind of magic that will be prominent in the upcoming game. Secondly, the artworks appear to be meant to be seen from above, which encourages players to question who created the geoglyphs, for who were they created, and why. DespiteTears of the Kingdombeing very close to release, gamers still know very little about the plot or gameplay, which means fans will likely have to wait until the game is out before theseburningTears of the Kingdomquestionsare answered.
Gamers havehigh expectations forTears of the Kingdom, mostly becauseBreath of the Wildmanaged to raise the bar for open-world gaming. With the right amount of creativity,Tears of the Kingdommay manage to do the same. It appears that the game is drawing widely for its inspirations, including from South American cultures. This could result in an unforgettable experience.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis scheduled to release on May 12 on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom May be Reimagining a Horrific Ocarina of Time Mini-Boss
