The Master Sword is as synonymous with the Legend of Zelda series as the Triforce or Zelda herself, but its implementation in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, along with its predecessor Breath of the Wild, raises some questions. Tears of the Kingdom's crafting mechanics, open-world exploration, and minimalist approach to storytelling have all helped establish it as one of the best games of 2023, though the many changes it and Breath of the Wild make to the Zelda formula significantly impact the role of the Master Sword.