This article is part of a directory: The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom - Complete Guide And Walkthrough
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As a sequel to Breath of the Wild, there are plenty of familiar faces in Tears of the Kingdom. However, as Link seems to have been away for what seems to be at least a year, things have changed since you last explored Hyrule.

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Many of the characters you know from Breath of the Wild have grown or changed in the time since then, and meeting them again is one of the most enjoyable things about the game if you played the previous title. Here are some of the biggest character changes you’ll notice as you travel around the kingdom once more.

Spoilers for Tears of the Kingdom’s main story below.

10 Hudson And Rhondson

Hudson and Rhondson in Breath of the Wild and Hudson Rhondson and Mattison in Tears of the Kingdom

If you completed the Tarrey Town side quest in Breath of the Wild, you will have seen this town come to fruition thanks to the work of Hudson and Link. At the end of the quest, Hudson marries a Gerudo named Rhondson, and they live happily in the newly-built village together.

Returning to Tarrey Town in Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll find that the town has flourished in your absence, and that Hudson and Rhondson are now parents to a young girl named Mattison. As part of the side quest Mattison’s Independence, you’ll help the family out, learning more about them and their dynamics.

9 Paya

Paya in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Impa’s granddaughter, Paya is shy around Link in Breath of the Wild, and you can discover in her diary that she has somewhat of a crush on him. She’s also dedicated to the Sheikah, and you can find her lovingly polishing the family heirloom in Impa’s house.

When you meet her in Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll discover that Impa has passed down her role of Chief to Paya, leaving Paya in charge of Kakariko Village. She’s grown into herself more in the time that’s passed and is a steadfast and responsible leader for the Sheikah village.

8 Purah

Split image of Purah in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Purah can be found at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab in Breath of the Wild, where, despite being over 100 years old, she has the appearance of a young child due to an experiment with runes gone wrong. She’ll help you to upgrade your abilities on the Sheikah Slate.

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In Tears of the Kingdom, Purah now physically appears to be around 20 years old, and she is usually found at Lookout Landing. She’s just as interested in technology as ever, having created the Purah Pad, which can create maps of the area and take photographs.

7 Teba

Split image of Teba in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Teba is Rito Village’s most skilled archer in Breath of the Wild, and he assists Link in calming the Divine Beast Vah Medoh using his abilities. Sadly, he becomes injured during the mission, but is determined to train his son Tulin at the Flight Range near to Rito Village.

In Tears of the Kingdom, Teba has taken over the role of the village’s Elder, no doubt because of his bravery in helping Link during Breath of the Wild’s events. His new responsibilities mean he has to remain in the village, though, to help his people during the uncertain times of the Upheaval.

6 Yunobo

Split image of Yunobo in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Greatly contrasting his ancestor Champion Daruk, Yunobo was shy and nervous in Breath of the Wild, and Link had to protect him while confronting Divine Beast Vah Rudania. In Tears of the Kingdom, it's clear that the experience with Link and the years in between have helped him to grow more confident.

When you first meet him in the sequel, he’s not quite himself, under the control of a mysterious mask that makes him act rude and abrasive. Once that’s gone, though, the kind-hearted Goron makes a return, with a dash of self-assurance that helps him become a Sage.

5 Tulin

Split image of Tulin in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Once Teba’s young chick, Tulin has grown by the time of Tears of the Kingdom, and is eager to help Link in his search for the missing Princess Zelda. He’s a skilled flier like his father, and uses his ability to manipulate air to help Link with the Wind Temple and calm the storm surrounding Rito Village.

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However, his eagerness tends to make him act before he thinks, which makes the older members of Rito Village worry for his safety when he’s exploring Hebra and they’re unsure of his whereabouts.

4 Riju

Split image of Riju in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Riju became the Gerudo Chief shortly after her mother passed away, inheriting the throne despite only being a child herself. In Breath of the Wild, she’s conscious that the other Gerudo compare her to her mother and are wary of her leading them at such a young age. Riju feels especially guilty when the Thunder Helm, an important Gerudo heirloom, is stolen by the Yiga Clan.

While she’s still young in Tears of the Kingdom, it’s clear that she has grown into her role and has more confidence leading the Gerudo. When protecting Gerudo Town from the Gibdo monsters alongside Link, she uses her Lightning ability with great prowess, and proves herself to be a worthy Chief.

3 Sidon

Split image of Sidon in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

In Breath of the Wild, Sidon is the charming Prince of the Zora, and in Tears of the Kingdom, he’s just as charming, but he has more responsibility on his shoulders. When you meet him in Mipha’s Court in Tears of the Kingdom, he’s cleansing the Zora’s water source of sludge, ever dedicated to his kingdom.

However, unlike his carefree, happy self in Breath of the Wild, he’s concerned about his people, his father, and his fiancée, Yona. His experience with the Calamity has shown him how dangerous things can be, and he wants to make sure he can protect everyone. With some wise words from Yona, though, he’s able to shake his fears and help Link bring peace to the domain, which results in his crowning as King of the Zora.

Split image of Link in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

At the beginning of Breath of the Wild, Link awoke in the Shrine of Resurrection with no memories of what had happened 100 years prior. In a journey that took him all across Hyrule, he defeated the Blights infesting the Divine Beasts, took down Calamity Ganon, and recovered his memories of the past, including those of Princess Zelda. Due to his amnesia, he lost parts of his stoic personality and became more expressive with the NPCs he interacted with.

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In Tears of the Kingdom, he’s still reserved, though you get to see his sheer determination to protect Zelda as her swordsman. At the beginning of the game, he doesn’t hesitate to jump and reach out for her as she falls to the Depths below, risking his own life to do so and losing his right arm in the process. He also shows great concern for her when speaking with Rauru atop the Great Sky Islands, even without speaking.

1 Zelda

Split image of Princess Zelda in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Most of what you learn about Zelda in Breath of the Wild is seen through memories. She’s under pressure to awaken her power to stop the Calamity, but she has a great interest in Sheikah technology, which her father, the King of Hyrule, sees as a hindrance to her royal duty. She’s also resentful that Link must guard her, as it’s a constant reminder of what she must do.

After Calamity Ganon is defeated, Zelda is able to fully immerse herself in her passion. Exploring the ruins beneath Hyrule Castle with Link, she’s excited about the possibility of learning more about the Zonai, and isn’t reserved about her interests in the slightest. The pair also seem to have grown closer, as Zelda easily shares her excitement with Link, and Link helps her in small ways, such as holding her torch while she takes photographs of the murals.

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