Quick Links
Breath Of The Wild did a good job of easing players into its new format, and Tears Of The Kingdom does its best to prepare you even more. After a slow introductory walk with Zelda, Link will wake up in a chamber in a new area called the Great Sky Island.
This acts as the hub area for the Sky Kingdom and holds the Temple Of Time. It also acts as a general tutorial for Link's new abilities, the mechanics, and the types of dangers he'll encounter during his adventure. It's not as straightforward as it might seem, so here's how to get through the starting ordeal.
To The Temple Of Time
After Link awakens, you'll have a clear path forward where you'll learn about running, climbing, swimming, diving, and Stamina. Make your way through the chamber until you get outside. You'll see the Temple Of Time looming in the distance, and you just need to head directly toward it.
There may be some hostiles, but you can ward them off with one of the nearby Tree Branches.
Once you reach the Temple, a cutscene will inform you that your arm needs more power in order to open the doors. Specifically, you'll need to reach and complete three local Shrines.
Ukouh Shrine
If you start off by facing the entrance to the Temple Of Time, this Shrine will be directly to your left. It will be visible atop a rocky formation, which you reach by going up the surrounding steps and climbing the wall.
When you reach and enter the Shrine, you'll get the Ultrahand power. Using Move will help you complete the Shrine test, and you can find the full guide for it here.
In-isa Shrine
From the first Shrine, you can continue counterclockwise around the Great Sky Island. Make your way past enemy Soldiers and Archers to reach a wide river that you'll need to cross. Use the Move power to assemble a raft using the surrounding logs.
Two logs are more than enough, but you can cut down trees for more if needed. Stick the logs together and then attach one of the sails on the ground to it. Place the raft in the water and use the wind currents to ride it across the river.
Climb the nearby rocks to reach the Shrine and get the Fuse power. You can find the full guide for it here.
Gutanbac Shrine
This final Shrine is the trickiest, being found at the top of a snowy peak. Continue counterclockwise from the previous Shrine until you reach a stone archway by a cave.
Climb the stone archway, taking breaks on protrusions when you need Stamina. As you do, use Move to bring the nearby Zonai platform up to the top of the archway. Bring the platform to fill the gap between the top of the archway and the snowy ground.
Cook batches of Spicy Peppers and eat them to stay warm as you make your way up the snowy path. This will take you through a cave with a spiraling incline. Go up and be cautious of Like-Likes. When you exit, you be able to spot the Shrine on top of the peak.
Use logs on the ground and from the trees to make a long ladder and place it against the wall of the peak with the Shrine. Climb up the ladder and enter the Shrine to get the Ascend power. You'll use this to navigate the Shrine's platforming, and you can find the full guide for it here.
Return To The Temple
With all three Shrines complete, Link's arm will now have enough power to enter the Temple Of Time. Return to it and go through to encounter a vision of Zelda. She'll take Link's hand and grant him the Recall power. Use this to climb the nearby turbines and reach another chamber with a Goddess Statue and another sealed door.
This door requires literal strength in order to open. Unfortunately, you only have three hearts, but a fourth Shrine will appear on the map.
Nachoyah Shrine
This Shrine is located near the Room Of Awakening. Fast travel to the Room's point, and you'll be in a chamber with another set of turbines. Use Recall to climb these turbines as well. When you make your way to the top, follow the path to reach a chamber with the Shrine. You can find the full guide for it here.
After finishing it, leave through the nearby opening to get outside to some tracks with Zonai Gliders. Use Ultrahand to place a Glider on a track, get on it, and then ride it back to the Temple Of Time. Go to the Goddess Statues and spend the Light Orbs from the Shrines on a new Heart Container. Use your extended health to open the sealed door and finish the tutorial.