The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild featured one of the most intricately designed open worlds in video game history, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is no different. But for new and old players alike, it can be a little daunting to pick where to head first.
After the game's tutorial portion ends, players are free to choose Link’s next destination. There are plenty of villages and towns littered around Hyrule to visit, including some new to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of Kingdom. But there are particular villages in the kingdom that players will want to head to first for specific items, particularly useful outfits, and other materials.
6 Lookout Landing
Once Link leaves the tutorial area, he’ll find himself in the middle of Hyrule near the newly established Lookout Landing. Built upon the Sacred Ground Ruins, here players will find Purah and Robbie at the Research Tower, who are deep in research regarding the Zonai, much like Zelda was at the beginning of the game. There are a variety of amenities there, including Mub’s Shop, where the Hylian outfit is available for purchase. In addition, Hetsu makes his appearance for the first time here, and Link can also pray to the Goddess statue within the Emergency Shelter located under what used to be a fountain.
Players can focus on updating the Purah Pad here, which starts with talking to Robbie. He’ll invite Link to explore The Depths of Hyrule to help Josha in her research, which eventually leads to Robbie returning to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, where he’ll be able to update the Purah Pad further, including the Shrine locator, Travel Medallions, and the Hero’s Path mode.
5 Kakariko Village
In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Kakariko Village was typically the first place players would find themselves venturing to. However, it’s a little different in Tears of the Kingdom, as the map has changed significantly - as has the village. Now run by Paya, it’s covered in ruins that have fallen from the Sky Islands.
The townsfolk are obviously preoccupied with researching these mysterious ruins, and the merchants require Link to undergo some quests for them to fully operate. This includes making Sunny Veggie Porridge for the “Gloom-Borne Illness” quest to lower the prices of Lasli and Claree’s clothes shop Enchanted, in addition to clearing some monsters from a ruin to complete the “Codgers’ Quarrel” quest so High Spirit Produce can be restocked.
4 Hateno Village
Hateno Village has changed considerably since players last saw it in Breath of the Wild, having been taken over by fashionable mushrooms courtesy of Cece. The fashion designer calls for a mayoral election when Link first comes into town, causing a whole host of drama in the process. Aside from this, Hateno Village is home to a new school run by Symin, in addition to the Kochi Dye Shop, where Link can change the fabric of his paraglider.
As players explore the village, they’ll soon discover that Link’s old house is now shared with Zelda. The Princess has made the home her own, including a little private study nook in the well nearby. Link can find his hair band in a chest down there and Zelda’s journal, where she has written about making an improved Champions Tunic for Link. She writes that she hid it in Hyrule Castle’s Sanctum, which can be activated by lightning two torches next to the throne.
3 Rito Village
When Link arrives at Lookout Landing, many who have made it their home suggest that his first port of call should be Rito Village in Hebra. It's challenging to get to the village itself, as a mysterious tower of wind has covered the area in snow. The bridge is also broken and without Revali’s Gale, it’s hard for Link to get there. However, players can light a fire and pop a pinecone on for an extra boost of a gust to make their way over there.
The adult Riots aren’t in the village, as they’re searching for the little food they can find, but Link can still purchase items from the younger Rito, including the Snowquill Tunic, Headdress, and Trousers outfit at Nekk’s Armor Shop.
2 Goron City
After completing the “Tulin of Rito Village” main quest, players should venture to the volcanic Eldin region on their main questline journey. Goron City has been overwhelmed by a strange substance known as Marbled Rock Roast, which has hindered all the adults. Again, this doesn’t stop Link from buying things from the Goron Guston Shop and the Ripped and Shredded armor shop. Players will need a lot of Goron Spice for side quests, including the school in Hateno Village and for Ralera in Lurelin Village.
Unlike in Breath of the Wild, Link won’t need flame protection as he walks around Goron City or the foothills of Death Mountain, as the volcano has finally stopped spewing lava everywhere. The only places he’ll need the Flamebreaker outfit or Fireproof Elixir is to explore the mines and caves of Eldin, in addition to the main quest involving the Fire Temple in Death Mountain itself.
1 Tarrey Town
Tarrey Town has seen significant expansion since Link was last there, with Hudson and his construction business taking advantage of the fallen Zonai equipment. Players also have the opportunity to build their own dream house courtesy of Hudson’s business, but first must complete an adorable quest helping Hudson and Rhondson’s little daughter, Mattison. Once finished, players can put Link’s house together, choosing specific rooms like a kitchen, bedroom, and horse paddock.
In Tarrey Town itself, Link can get Fused items taken apart by Pelison without destroying the base weapon or the attached item, while Fyson is the only merchant to sell monster extract.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is available for the Nintendo Switch.