The Next Zelda Game Needs to Borrow One of the Best Elements From Majora’s Mask

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The Legend of Zelda series centers around a cycle of rebirth – not just for its main characters, Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf, but for the kingdom of Hyrule itself. Hyrule is known for its beautiful landscapes – wide-open fields, dense forests, and impressive mountains. While each game presents a slightly different version of the land, many players feel they know Hyrule’s geography intimately. Though Nintendo consistently creates stunning worlds, Hyrule is starting to feel repetitive. It’s time for the series to move beyond Hyrule and introduce fresh, new settings. This wouldn’t be a radical departure, as it’s been done before, and could open up exciting new possibilities for the games.

To keep the Legend of Zelda series fresh, Nintendo should expand beyond the familiar setting of Hyrule. Previous games like *Majora’s Mask* and *A Link Between Worlds* successfully introduced unique and engaging new worlds, and the next installment would benefit from doing the same.

Termina Proved Zelda Can Thrive Outside Hyrule

When *The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask* came out in 2000, many people first thought of it as a side story to *Ocarina of Time*. But it soon became one of the most unique and popular games in the Zelda series. This was partly because it moved the action away from the familiar land of Hyrule and introduced players to Termina, a brand new world to explore. The game showed that Zelda stories didn’t *need* to take place in Hyrule to be successful and that the series could flourish in new settings.

Termina offered a different experience than Hyrule, embracing a more unsettling and otherworldly atmosphere. Players discovered new lands and cultures, all while a falling moon created a constant sense of urgency. Unlike the familiar landscapes of Hyrule, Termina felt unpredictable, and the time limit added a layer of tension to every decision and journey.

By moving away from the traditional setting of Hyrule, Nintendo gave its developers more creative freedom. This allowed *Majora’s Mask* to be a surprisingly dark game for a Nintendo title. Unlike other Zelda games, it wasn’t bound by existing stories, didn’t include the villain Ganondorf, and featured very little of Princess Zelda. This independence allowed the game to stand out and is a major reason why *Majora’s Mask* is considered one of the greatest Zelda games ever made.

A New Setting Could Show Fresh Stories and Characters

The characters in Termina were just as crucial to the game’s impact as its world and story. From memorable side quests like Anju and Kafei’s to the poignant stories behind the fallen heroes’ masks, the people of Termina truly stuck with players. The image of the giants holding up the moon is iconic and a major part of what makes the Zelda series special. Unlike Hyrule, which always hints at renewal, Termina feels more immediate and real – its fate genuinely hangs in the balance with the looming threat of the moon crashing down.

The story of *Majora’s Mask* is so unusual, it couldn’t have taken place in the familiar setting of Hyrule. Hyrule is too established and traditional for such a bizarre tale. The *Zelda* series needed to move away from its iconic world to explore the themes present in *Majora’s Mask*. While other games, like *Wind Waker* with its flooded Hyrule and *A Link Between Worlds* with the parallel world of Lorule, hinted at this possibility, *Majora’s Mask* was the first to completely break away. This bold move is a major reason why the game remains so beloved by fans.

Both *The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom* and *Twilight Princess* explored a more serious tone while staying connected to the familiar world of Hyrule. The new areas – the Depths and Twilight Realm – were fun to explore, but Nintendo didn’t fully commit to developing them. If they had, these games could have been even more remarkable and distinguished themselves further within the already excellent Zelda series.

Exploration Thrives When Players Don’t Know What to Expect

Breath of the Wild felt like a new beginning for the Zelda series, with a fantastic opening area and a level of freedom and exploration unlike anything seen before. However, despite its innovations, it still relied on familiar Zelda tropes and locations. Tears of the Kingdom falls into the same pattern, largely keeping Hyrule the same except for the addition of the Depths and Sky Islands.

As a huge Zelda fan, I think looking back at how different *Majora’s Mask* was is really inspiring. It showed how much fun it can be to try something totally new. Now, with *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom* under their belts, Nintendo has a real chance to make the next Zelda game something truly special. Honestly, I hope they don’t just stick to the Hyrule formula – I’d love to see them take a completely fresh approach and really break the mold!

While Hyrule is a famous and beloved setting, it’s starting to feel repetitive. Even with new versions and changes, the world remains too predictable, hindering the Zelda series’ potential. Key locations like Hyrule Castle and Death Mountain appear in almost every game. Though these places are series hallmarks, seeing them again and again makes them less exciting. This constant reuse of familiar environments unfortunately takes away the joy of discovering new things.

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2025-09-14 18:14