One standout feature in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is the extensive wardrobe customization for Link, offering various armor sets with unique gameplay advantages. This departure from the traditional Zelda games, where Link's attire was more functional than fashionable, marks an innovative shift in the series, likely to persist in future iterations.
While Nintendo has not disclosed the direction of the next The Legend of Zelda installment post Tears of the Kingdom, a return to the franchise's origins could necessitate significant changes to Link's current gear system. Yet, if Nintendo retains elements from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, there is one crucial feature that should be integrated, overlooked by both predecessors.
The Future of Zelda: Introducing an Armor Transmog System
Exploring Transmog Systems
Transmogrification, commonly known as transmog, has become popular in gaming for allowing players to change their gear's appearance without altering its attributes. This feature is vital in games where certain armor pieces offer unique benefits but may not match visually. For instance, the Monster Hunter series introduced transmog in Monster Hunter Rise through Layered Armor to address this discrepancy.
Advantages of Transmog for Zelda Post Tears of the Kingdom
In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, set bonuses were used to incentivize complete armor set usage over mixing individual pieces for aesthetic reasons. While visually cohesive, players might still desire a different appearance while retaining the set's benefits, highlighting the necessity for a transmog system.
With 35 armor sets and 30 individual pieces in Tears of the Kingdom, the diverse options make a compelling case for a transmog system. Although absent in the current game, future Zelda installments, especially following the existing gear system, may benefit from incorporating transmog. Alternatively, if the series reverts to its roots, outfit customization for Link could compensate for the absence of armor as a focus.
The absence of a transmog system in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom remains unexplained, potentially linked to emphasizing set bonuses. However, as The Legend of Zelda evolves, whether returning to its origins or moving beyond Tears of the Kingdom, integrating a transmog or appearance customization system is overdue, aligning with the modern gaming trend of extensive character personalization.