The Legend of Zelda franchise has always been a staple of innovation and excitement in the gaming industry. The release of the latest installment, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, is no exception. As we dive back into a new yet familiar version of Hyrule, the game offers a plethora of fresh abilities and powers to explore. One ability that has particularly piqued my interest is Ascend, a mechanic that began its life as a developer's cheat code.
Ascend Zelda Tears of the Kingdom's Trip Down Memory Lane
The Ascend Tears of the Kingdom mechanic brings to mind the good old days of the Game Genie, a device notorious for its cheat codes that altered gameplay in ways developers never intended. These cheats made the games more intriguing and engaging, allowing players to experience their favorite titles in new and unexpected ways. The Ascend ability in Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom carries forward this spirit of imaginative gameplay.
From Debug Code to Gameplay Element
In a recent interview with Polygon, the game's director, Hidemaro Fujibayashi, and series producer, Eiji Aonuma, delved into the origins of the Ascend ability. Fujibayashi said:
I don’t think we’ve shared this anywhere else, but — the Ascend ability was actually the result of a debug feature that we have in the game.
When I was exploring the caves, I would get to the destination where I was trying to get to, and once I checked it out, I would just use the debug code to get to the top. And I thought, Well, maybe this is something that can be usable in the game. And it was right around that time that Mr. Aonuma said, “It’s a pain to go back.”
And to be blunt and honest, cheating can be fun. So that’s why we decided to drop it in there.
The Ascend ability was showcased in a 10-minute gameplay demonstration back in March, demonstrating how Link can swiftly reach the top of buildings, mountains, and towers by effectively swimming through the ceiling. The cheat code that was initially designed to help developers quickly exit cave systems during testing evolved into a core gameplay mechanic.
A Nod to the Past, A Leap into the Future
The inception of the Ascend ability serves as a beautiful nod to gaming history. It pays homage to the charm of cheat codes while introducing a new, innovative mechanic in a modern gaming landscape. This ability illustrates how even a cheat code, primarily used to simplify the development process, can morph into a creative tool that enhances the gameplay experience.
This evolution of the Ascend ability is emblematic of the creative prowess and ingenuity of the Zelda team. It not only provides a unique gameplay element but also gives players a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of game development. As we continue to explore the world of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom, we can look forward to experiencing more of such innovative mechanics that push the boundaries of gaming.
~Smash
