Botw: This is it. You've worked hard to get here, and you've grown more and more powerful with the powers and knowledge you've acquired. Now exact vengeance upon the calamity!' Totk: You shouldn't be here. This place is cursed. Turn back now, there is a great evil in the heart of the castle...
I actually came here really early in my playthrough and at a much lower power level than intended. I took on the Horriblins in the tunnel by alternating between an electric weapon to stun them and my strongest weapon to damage them; it was tough, but I defeated all of them with only the blue one remaining. I was nervous about that fight as I thought it was some special ice variant or something, but I psyched myself up, rushed in for the battle and... killed it in 5 seconds. That's when I realized I probably wasn't meant to be here right now. 😂
Anyone else get pissed that fake Zelda decided to hang out in Zelda’s room for a bit? That was what made me switch from cautious to aggressive in this sequence.
The “Crisis at Hyrule Castle” quest line is peak story telling in Modern Zelda and proves why linearity is vital to tell a good story. The atmosphere and tone as you chase Zelda in Skyrule Castle is eerie. The music grows as you defeat more monsters and learn that this really isn’t your Zelda. By then, Ganondorf knows that the player/Link is aware, so he lures you back to the sanctum only to drop the facade. The reveal and Phantom Ganon boss fight is challenging and well worth the build up. However, all of this is ruined if you go for the memories first as the suspense is killed. This just proves that we need a mix of open world and linearity.
Yeah, I feel like if they were a little more subtle with fake Zelda's role in the Fire Temple Questline, and if they locked the memories until you complete this quest, it would've had a far greater impact
@farhaanj4330 If the game alured to being possessed, it would have made more sense. After all in some cutscenes she is told countless time that eating a secret stone will change you forever. Being more vague on how would have nailed it IMO
@@izyg9274I feel the same way. They could've made this so much better by being more vague on what Puppet Zelda actually was, even if we knew something was wrong.
I 100% agree, and that's also why I think if you want to have a meaningful narrative experience in TOTK you *need* to create that linearity yourself. Because Nintendo has yet to overcome the challenge of the open world system directly clashing against a strong narrative (which is usually what Zelda games are). Therefore, it's difficult to not understand the criticism about TOTK having a more subdued story not unlike BOTW... **BUT** If you do care about TOTK feeling like an old school Zelda or not, TOTK actually also gives you that option : During my first playthrough, what I did to achieve that, is that I talked often to NPCs, like I went back to Purah between each main dungeon and always followed her advice as to where to go. I also did the geoglyph in chronological order (the order is displayed in the forgotten Temple), and I purposefuly distributed them between each temple, meaning I did like 2-3 geoglyph between each temple but not more. Overall that allowed me to feel like the games' story and characters were more much prominent and impactful.
After hearing this for the first time in game, I initially thought it was too subdued compared to BOTW. But now, after listening to it attentively, I've come to realize just how many layers there are to this track. It now sits at the top of my favorite Hyrule Castle themes. You did a great job putting this together.
Thanks Mike! I had the opposite experience actually, when I reached this point in TOTK I ascended and was super excited to put this theme together as a result.
I think its meant to be subdued. To me both versions of it sounded haunting, knowing what happened here in BotW where Link storms the castle as a lone warrior, and once you play the game, what the castle's purpose is. It's now been claimed by Ganondorf but not really. He doesn't care for it, only moving it out of his way. It's a neglected ancient citadel now, left to rot in ruins since none of the citizens can repair it just yet and Zelda and Link aren't staying there. It isnt the grand Hyrulean capital any longer, nor the location of a 100-yrs-sealed princess and demon king, Link's final ultimate target, where a climactic battle between a champion of light and a king of darkness takes place. It is just...there. no longer serving any sort of purpose besides the one we learn about, which now has been disregarded as well since it was lifted. Which makes this Sky rendtition and the battle that DOES happen there even more meaningful with the memories we now see and personally experience with this structure. It's like an echo of the past in the remaining ruins of said past, and Ganon taunting us with that. This Sky version is a but more determined, climactic, and focused, which contrasts the sad, empty,, and devastated Ground version, but both still sound...haunting.
I've routinely tried to convince people who haven't played TOTK yet that this is the superior theme compared to BOTW (which itself is hard to top) because of all the emotional/thematic layers this has, especially in the context of the game.
I think this version is too clever not to have as the totk Hyrule Castle theme. However, it won’t beat the botw Hyrule Castle theme. It’s too perfect in every way.
Hyrule Castle in botw = Chernobyl during the meltdown. Malice is the graphite. Hyrule castle in totk = Chernobyl after the meltdown, ganondorf is the elephants foot lurking underneath. Gloom is the radiation.
In my headcanon, Link was seething the whole time following "Zelda" around the castle. He knows this isn't her. And when Ganondorf drops the act, he makes no small display about how mad it made him. He doesn't even chop the last puppet. He stomps its head into dust.
@@daveyc02909 it feels like this theme is referencing different parts of the regional phenomena: Gerudo is definitely the strongest with the drone at the beginning of the main theme 0:29 which is in the gerudo town theme before you clear the sand shroud, and 0:55 with this particular violin tremolo which is heard in the "Defend Gerudo Town" theme It feels like the frigid tremolos from the Hebra Rising Island Chain and Wind Temple are referenced at 1:09 and 2:10 Goron Fire Temple gongs at 2:47 during the battle theme The choir and woodwinds at the bridge theme 3:08 and 3:20 feel very Water Temple I recognize some of these might be reaches/overlap with the hyrule castle staples but I think it's really interesting either way, especially with the gerudo elements so clear
@@error13_genderexpunged I think you might be reaching with this one. Sorry. Reusing instruments is just sort of a thing that happens when you want a consistent sound within a medium. These songs are meant to remind you of Link's trek through Hyrule Castle in BotW and his efforts to try and find Zelda, not harken back to the first four dungeons.
Love the echoes of zelda's lullaby toward the end. Adds such an ominous darkness to an itherwise beautiful and uplifting theme. Ganandorf's evil us trying to overpower it yet Zelda perserveres in the face of such great darkness.
I love how the composers used the theme from BOTW but totally made it new for this game. I would have loved to see how they might have done this with all the villages and towns. I mean I guess they did it a bit for Rito Village, Goron City, Gerudo, and Zora's Domain but the final versions are just the same as BOTW.
A really solid version. Although i wish the more bombastic version could have appeared at least a little bit in more battle heavy areas after the whole quest, since it is kind of just stuck in the first section of the song after THAT sequence.
This is probably the most intense sounding theme Hyrule Castle has ever had. It’s uncertain, it’s creepy, it’s crawling with danger. Sure, the Guardians are deactivated and destroyed, but that still doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. It’s crawling with monsters, including the dreaded Boss Bokoblins, Gibdos, and Gloom Hands. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less powerful, prepared, or courageous. You WILL defeat Ganon! You WILL find and save Zelda again! You will take Hyrule back from Ganon’s grasp and free everyone from his tyranny!
I went and raided the castle after reading Zelda's diary regarding the improved Tunic she made. The echoing screaming in the background reminded me of the first TOTK trailer with the shadow of Ganondorf being impaled by Rauru.
it would have been nice seeing how good it was in botw, but it wouldnt fit. botw hyrule castle was infested by a great evil and all the damn guardians, making it more of a siege. in totk however, its just mostly empty with some random monsters and the fact that the castle is just in the air now makes the mysterious mood fit
![Lightning Temple [All Phases Seamless Theme] - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/taydEbTLZ9E/mqdefault.jpg)
![Lightning Temple [All Phases Seamless Theme] — The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST](/img/tr.png)
![Beneath Hyrule Castle [All Phases Seamless Theme] - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vrkHFDEbzIo/mqdefault.jpg)
Botw: This is it. You've worked hard to get here, and you've grown more and more powerful with the powers and knowledge you've acquired. Now exact vengeance upon the calamity!'
Totk: You shouldn't be here. This place is cursed. Turn back now, there is a great evil in the heart of the castle...
best way to describe this version of the theme.
I actually came here really early in my playthrough and at a much lower power level than intended. I took on the Horriblins in the tunnel by alternating between an electric weapon to stun them and my strongest weapon to damage them; it was tough, but I defeated all of them with only the blue one remaining. I was nervous about that fight as I thought it was some special ice variant or something, but I psyched myself up, rushed in for the battle and... killed it in 5 seconds. That's when I realized I probably wasn't meant to be here right now. 😂
Anyone else get pissed that fake Zelda decided to hang out in Zelda’s room for a bit? That was what made me switch from cautious to aggressive in this sequence.
The “Crisis at Hyrule Castle” quest line is peak story telling in Modern Zelda and proves why linearity is vital to tell a good story. The atmosphere and tone as you chase Zelda in Skyrule Castle is eerie. The music grows as you defeat more monsters and learn that this really isn’t your Zelda. By then, Ganondorf knows that the player/Link is aware, so he lures you back to the sanctum only to drop the facade. The reveal and Phantom Ganon boss fight is challenging and well worth the build up. However, all of this is ruined if you go for the memories first as the suspense is killed. This just proves that we need a mix of open world and linearity.
Yeah, I feel like if they were a little more subtle with fake Zelda's role in the Fire Temple Questline, and if they locked the memories until you complete this quest, it would've had a far greater impact
@farhaanj4330 If the game alured to being possessed, it would have made more sense. After all in some cutscenes she is told countless time that eating a secret stone will change you forever. Being more vague on how would have nailed it IMO
@@izyg9274I feel the same way. They could've made this so much better by being more vague on what Puppet Zelda actually was, even if we knew something was wrong.
I 100% agree, and that's also why I think if you want to have a meaningful narrative experience in TOTK you *need* to create that linearity yourself.
Because Nintendo has yet to overcome the challenge of the open world system directly clashing against a strong narrative (which is usually what Zelda games are).
Therefore, it's difficult to not understand the criticism about TOTK having a more subdued story not unlike BOTW... **BUT**
If you do care about TOTK feeling like an old school Zelda or not, TOTK actually also gives you that option :
During my first playthrough, what I did to achieve that, is that I talked often to NPCs, like I went back to Purah between each main dungeon and always followed her advice as to where to go.
I also did the geoglyph in chronological order (the order is displayed in the forgotten Temple), and I purposefuly distributed them between each temple, meaning I did like 2-3 geoglyph between each temple but not more.
Overall that allowed me to feel like the games' story and characters were more much prominent and impactful.
Bro you think took is peak storytelling? Lmao
After hearing this for the first time in game, I initially thought it was too subdued compared to BOTW. But now, after listening to it attentively, I've come to realize just how many layers there are to this track. It now sits at the top of my favorite Hyrule Castle themes. You did a great job putting this together.
Thanks Mike! I had the opposite experience actually, when I reached this point in TOTK I ascended and was super excited to put this theme together as a result.
I think its meant to be subdued. To me both versions of it sounded haunting, knowing what happened here in BotW where Link storms the castle as a lone warrior, and once you play the game, what the castle's purpose is. It's now been claimed by Ganondorf but not really. He doesn't care for it, only moving it out of his way. It's a neglected ancient citadel now, left to rot in ruins since none of the citizens can repair it just yet and Zelda and Link aren't staying there. It isnt the grand Hyrulean capital any longer, nor the location of a 100-yrs-sealed princess and demon king, Link's final ultimate target, where a climactic battle between a champion of light and a king of darkness takes place. It is just...there. no longer serving any sort of purpose besides the one we learn about, which now has been disregarded as well since it was lifted. Which makes this Sky rendtition and the battle that DOES happen there even more meaningful with the memories we now see and personally experience with this structure. It's like an echo of the past in the remaining ruins of said past, and Ganon taunting us with that. This Sky version is a but more determined, climactic, and focused, which contrasts the sad, empty,, and devastated Ground version, but both still sound...haunting.
@@Saben.C-SpoonYou genuinely couldn’t have put that better. Well done sir, I agree. How heart-wrenching.
I've routinely tried to convince people who haven't played TOTK yet that this is the superior theme compared to BOTW (which itself is hard to top) because of all the emotional/thematic layers this has, especially in the context of the game.
I think this version is too clever not to have as the totk Hyrule Castle theme. However, it won’t beat the botw Hyrule Castle theme. It’s too perfect in every way.
Hyrule Castle in botw = Chernobyl during the meltdown. Malice is the graphite.
Hyrule castle in totk = Chernobyl after the meltdown, ganondorf is the elephants foot lurking underneath. Gloom is the radiation.
lol I thought of that to great comment
anyone else just fucking lose it when zelda's lullaby kicks in
Yes.
Me too :)
Yes
In my headcanon, Link was seething the whole time following "Zelda" around the castle. He knows this isn't her. And when Ganondorf drops the act, he makes no small display about how mad it made him. He doesn't even chop the last puppet. He stomps its head into dust.
Funny how this head canon is infinitely better written than the actual story of TOTK
One of the best iterations of the Hyrule Castle theme by far, absolutely incredible
True. And there are definitely some good ones.
I love the references to all the regional phenomena themes, reminding you that the castle is the center of it all
Hmm what do you mean?
@@daveyc02909 it feels like this theme is referencing different parts of the regional phenomena:
Gerudo is definitely the strongest with the drone at the beginning of the main theme 0:29 which is in the gerudo town theme before you clear the sand shroud, and 0:55 with this particular violin tremolo which is heard in the "Defend Gerudo Town" theme
It feels like the frigid tremolos from the Hebra Rising Island Chain and Wind Temple are referenced at 1:09 and 2:10
Goron Fire Temple gongs at 2:47 during the battle theme
The choir and woodwinds at the bridge theme 3:08 and 3:20 feel very Water Temple
I recognize some of these might be reaches/overlap with the hyrule castle staples but I think it's really interesting either way, especially with the gerudo elements so clear
@@error13_genderexpungedthe Gerudo elements make sense seeing as Ganondorf is the one doing all of this
@@error13_genderexpunged I think you might be reaching with this one. Sorry. Reusing instruments is just sort of a thing that happens when you want a consistent sound within a medium. These songs are meant to remind you of Link's trek through Hyrule Castle in BotW and his efforts to try and find Zelda, not harken back to the first four dungeons.
You are doing gods work posting all of these songs seamless. The transitions are so smooth
Hahahaha, this one was pretty straightforward with only three seams, but thanks! 😅
Love the echoes of zelda's lullaby toward the end. Adds such an ominous darkness to an itherwise beautiful and uplifting theme. Ganandorf's evil us trying to overpower it yet Zelda perserveres in the face of such great darkness.
The part with the the old game versions of hyrule castles theme is so good
Love how you can always hear an incomplete Ganon botw motif in some of totk tracks.
Zelda's also transitions into Ganon's
This slaps hard
What a masterpiece
The more I listen to this the more it grows on me but I do wish they would have had more of BOTW motif's in it.
Damn I love this theme 2:11
that is the original theme of Hyrule Castle
from A Link to the Past
I love how the composers used the theme from BOTW but totally made it new for this game. I would have loved to see how they might have done this with all the villages and towns. I mean I guess they did it a bit for Rito Village, Goron City, Gerudo, and Zora's Domain but the final versions are just the same as BOTW.
How they managed to top the epic brilliance of BotW's Hyrule Castle theme is incredible. And it wasn't even the final dungeon this time!
Now, this version of Hyrule Castle is a mix between Desolation and the versions of BOTW and ALTTP, with Zelda's Lullaby
Is awesome! :)
They should have used the battle theme more like when you just encounter some enemies after the whole phantom chase
A really solid version. Although i wish the more bombastic version could have appeared at least a little bit in more battle heavy areas after the whole quest, since it is kind of just stuck in the first section of the song after THAT sequence.
This is probably the most intense sounding theme Hyrule Castle has ever had. It’s uncertain, it’s creepy, it’s crawling with danger. Sure, the Guardians are deactivated and destroyed, but that still doesn’t mean it’s any less dangerous. It’s crawling with monsters, including the dreaded Boss Bokoblins, Gibdos, and Gloom Hands. But that doesn’t mean you’re any less powerful, prepared, or courageous. You WILL defeat Ganon! You WILL find and save Zelda again! You will take Hyrule back from Ganon’s grasp and free everyone from his tyranny!
I went and raided the castle after reading Zelda's diary regarding the improved Tunic she made. The echoing screaming in the background reminded me of the first TOTK trailer with the shadow of Ganondorf being impaled by Rauru.
Time stamp for Zelda’s lullaby
3:27
I going to admit it... hyrule castle in TOTK is significantly less dangerous than in BOTW
omg no way
No red lasers pointing at you every five seconds
*fast paced piano begins suddenly*
Maybe because that's not the final area.
Because it’s not the endgame area
I really hope ZREO reorchestrates this game's songs too lol
After: noooo they ruined this tiene 😢
Now: It is the best zelda theme ever O.O
Tienes toda la razón XD
@@franciscosotovillegas4480 es ya escuchándola bien, es un soundtrack con mucho poderío
Ngl I kinda wish they used the BotW hyrule castle theme
it would have been nice seeing how good it was in botw, but it wouldnt fit. botw hyrule castle was infested by a great evil and all the damn guardians, making it more of a siege. in totk however, its just mostly empty with some random monsters and the fact that the castle is just in the air now makes the mysterious mood fit
wait, there's a hyrule castle in the sky?
Even though it’s technically on the surface map, this theme is internally labeled as a sky theme
@@dyltheisprod Ah, thank you for clearing that up!
There’s 1/3 of it still left on the surface that broke away from the main portion.
@@Pysnpai actually 2/3 of the grounds are still on surface
(Spoilers)
I love Puppet Zelda in this game. She's so smug lol