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Articles by Michaela El-Ters
Why Tears of the Kingdom is a Problematic Sequel
May 12, 2025 marks the two year anniversary of Tears of the Kingdom. As the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom was under immense pressure to succeed. Many fans of the 2017 juggernaut were excited for the open-world experience and player freedom Tears of the Kingdom promised would return, and its high sales seemed to reflect this. But as time has gone on, some of the reception towards Tears of the Kingdom has soured.
How to Survive the Swarms in Warhammer: Vermintide II
Warhammer: Vermintide II is a first-person action game developed by FatShark. First released in 2018, FatShark has enhanced the experience significantly, adding essential quality-of-life upgrades, additional character classes, and new levels, making Vermintide II the most accessible it’s ever been for new players. While the new player experience was streamlined last December, the tutorials don’t tell you everything.
Impressions of Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Live in Concert
The Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse films are some of my favorite film adaptations of Spider-Man. Featuring absolutely gorgeous comic book-inspired animation that leaps out of the screen and a bright color palette, these movies have an incredibly distinct visual identity. The musical score for Across the Spider-Verse, particularly its expert blend of symphonic, rock, and electronic instruments and melodies, punctuated each scene perfectly.
Zelda Deserved to be the True Hero of Her Own Story in Echoes of Wisdom
In the nearly 40 years of the Zelda series, Echoes of Wisdom is the first mainline game to feature the titular princess as the main protagonist. It was a welcome change of pace that I genuinely want to see Nintendo continue to explore in future entries. But as I fought the final boss and watched the credits roll, I found myself somewhat disappointed and wanting more from the overall experience.
Impressions of Avatar The Last Airbender In Concert
I recently attended the Avatar The Last Airbender In Concert showing at the ASU Gammage Center in Tempe, Arizona. Avatar: The Last Airbender, in my opinion, is one of the greatest animated shows ever created. With stunning animation and set pieces, meaningful world-building, an endearing cast of characters, fantastic music by Jeremy Zuckerman, and one of the best written redemption arcs on television, this show is beloved for many reasons.
George Lucas, the Decimation of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and its Impact on the Film Industry
You may be thinking to yourself: what is The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles? The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles is a TV series from the 1990s created by George Lucas that follows a young Indiana Jones’ adventures before he becomes the swashbuckling hero we know and love in the Harrison Ford films. Why am I talking about a 30 year old series that is largely unknown and dimly remembered?
Trails Through Daybreak is Renewing My Love for the Series
My official entry point for the Trails series was Trails of Cold Steel for a series of Let’s Play recordings several years ago. I liked it, but I was unsure of the direction the games might take. As the final scene played out and the credits began to roll, I was hooked. I immediately jumped into Trails of Cold Steel II, and it quickly became my favorite in the series. Trails of Cold Steel II grabbed me with its darker storyline in contrast to its predecessor.
MOVIE REVIEW: Deadpool & Wolverine
The third installment of the Deadpool trilogy, Deadpool & Wolverine‘s opening weekend exceeded expectations, to say the least. According to Variety, not only has it set the record for the biggest R-rated movie opening weekend, it’s also the eighth-highest grossing movie in box office history. Is it worthy of the hype and praise? In this review, Michaela and Sofi set the record straight. It’s been a long time coming for the third Deadpool film.
Why Pokémon Fan Games Are Better Than Mainline Pokémon Games
As I’ve gotten older, it feels like the Pokémon main games have gotten worse. I grew up playing the beloved games with friends and greatly enjoyed the team-building. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow captured a generation, with great successors like Gold and Silver changing up the formula. For me, the last installment I thought was the best and genuinely excellent was Generation V, Pokémon Black & White.
Why Pokémon Fan Games Are Better Than Mainline Pokémon Games
As I’ve gotten older, it feels like the Pokémon main games have gotten worse. I grew up playing the beloved games with friends and greatly enjoyed the team-building. Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow captured a generation, with great successors like Gold and Silver changing up the formula. For me, the last installment I thought was the best and genuinely excellent was Generation V, Pokémon Black & White.
Daily Debate: Should Echoes of Wisdom Fall Outside of the Downfall Timeline?
Earlier this year, I wrote a Daily Debate about why Princess Zelda needed her own spin-off game. Now, with the announcement and release of Echoes of Wisdom later this year, that wish is coming true. I’m beyond thrilled for this spin-off. Nintendo is very wisely reusing the assets from the Link’s Awakening remake to give this game a charming visual identity, and the echo ability is perfectly in line with Zelda’s character.
Impressions of the Sonic Symphony World Tour
Last week, I went to the Sonic Symphony World Tour, produced by SEGA and presented by MBP Live on Saturday, June 15, 2024. We went to the showing at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. I’ll be upfront: I did not grow up playing Sonic games, and because of that, I was hesitant to attend this concert. Would I appreciate hearing live performances of music to a franchise that I didn’t have any nostalgia or direct connection to? I ultimately decided to attend to see if I would like it.
Rebirth's Ending?
Spoiler warning: This Boss Rush Banter will cover the final chapter of Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. After 110 hours, I watched the credits roll for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth. I enjoyed this game immensely and am thrilled and excited for what part three has in store. Interested to see what other fans thought, I perused discussion forums and was admittedly surprised by the outcry of anger and frustration at the ending. So, what are your thoughts on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth‘s ending?
Should You Play Hades II on Early Access?
Supergiant Games just released the heavily anticipated sequel, Hades II, on early access. Available on PC through Steam and Epic Games, Early Access enables gamers to play through the game and provide feedback while Supergiant Games continues to develop and polish the experience. As it’s not the final product, though, the story is incomplete, and some characters will have placeholder art until a later date.
Season 1 of Stranger Things is Perfection
There are few and far between seasons of television that I think are flawless productions, with incredible writing, superb acting, and perfectly paced episodes. Even more difficult to find is a show that maintains its quality start to finish. Stranger Things started off with a deeply gripping premise, and while fans can argue about the quality of later seasons, one thing many fans can agree on is the quality of its first season.
Daily Debate: What Were Your Thoughts of the Pre-Recorded Zelda Orchestra Concert?
Nintendo released the pre-recorded Zelda Orchestra Concert on February 9, 2024 for music enthusiasts and Zelda fans around the world to enjoy. Nearly 30 minutes long, the concert featured a variety of songs from Zelda games old and new, such as main theme from Tears of the Kingdom, “Ballad of the Goddess,” “Zelda’s Lullaby,” “The Ballad of the Windfish,” and many more.
Daily Debate: Would You Have Enjoyed Exploration in Tears of the Kingdom More if it Used a New Map?
We can all agree that Tears of the Kingdom is a sprawling game. With the Sky Islands and The Depths to explore, along with the morphed landscape of Hyrule, the sheer level of content and routes you can take as a player is almost overwhelming.
Daily Debate: Should Princess Zelda Have Spin-Off Games Like Princess Peach?
With the upcoming release of the latest Princess Peach spinoff, Princess Peach Showtime!, on March 22nd, 2024, it’s made a glaring hole in the Zelda series library all too obvious: why hasn’t Princes Zelda been the titular hero of her own adventure? The Zelda games continue to innovate and expand on the formula, and yet Nintendo refuses to budge on this one component.
Daily Debate: Which Item or Power-Up Should Return in a Future Zelda Game?
Through the unique stories, characters, equipment, and gameplay mechanics, each Zelda game has a distinct identity. While there are recurring elements, some installments like Twilight Princess have the distinction of having unique items no other game has. Which one-off items or power-ups were your favorites, and which ones do you wish would return in another Zelda game? For me, it’s the Bunny Hood. In Majora’s Mask, the Bunny Hood grants super speed to the wearer, allowing Link to move much faster.
Daily Debate: Does Tears of the Kingdom Strike the Right Balance Between New and Returning Characters?
The challenge nearly every sequel faces is introducing new characters and giving them enough screentime for the audience to get to know them, while bringing back recurring characters in a satisfying way and not just for the sake of fanservice. It can be tricky to strike the right balance, and some games do this better than others. Tears of the Kingdom, overall, does a pretty good job at striking the right balance, but I don’t think it’s perfect.
Daily Debate: What's Your Favorite Version of the "Great Fairy's Fountain" Melody?
I think there are few songs that are as synonymous with Zelda as “Great Fairy’s Fountain.” This track can be heard in many Zelda games, including to A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and more. It’s evolved significantly over the years, with each version incorporating different instruments and even vocals to give it new life and personality.
Daily Debate: Should Link Have Awakened as a Sage in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda is titled the Sage of Light and Time. It marks the first time we’ve ever seen a Sage associated with more than one element, and while it’s cool on paper, I question if it was ultimately the best choice.
Tears of the Kingdom
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In a vacuum, Tears of the Kingdom‘s lore is impressive and expansive. I love the idea of meeting the first King and Queen of Hyrule, learning the history of the Zonai, and exploring Zelda’s powers and abilities. It’s a neat expansion of the conflict we saw 10,000 years ago in Breath of the Wild‘s prologue. But compared to the whole timeline(s), it doesn’t add up.
Boss Rush Banter: Does Final Fantasy XVI Earn its M-Rating?
Final Fantasy XVI marks the first M-rated Final Fantasy game. Plenty of video games have told dark and bleak stories through a lighter tone and colorful visual identity, but I think there’s something to be said for game developers choosing to go all the way with telling a mature and adult storyline with the appropriate gravitas.
Daily Debate: Did You Want to See Rauru More in the Main Story of Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. When I first booted up Tears of the Kingdom and got to the Sky Islands, I was immediately intrigued by Rauru’s character. Throughout the tutorial, Rauru could be found standing next to Steward Constructs or sitting on the cliffside. I particularly enjoyed hearing his reminiscence about the Temple of Time and how they would listen to the bells.
Daily Debate: What Do You Think About the Dragon Lore in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In Tears of the Kingdom, past memories of Zelda during her time with King Rauru and Queen Sonia reveal that there is a forbidden act called “draconification.” As Mineru describes it, “To swallow a Secret Stone is to become an immortal dragon…one blessed with eternal life,” but there’s a cost. The individual can’t change back, and they end up losing themselves.
Daily Debate: Do You Wish Castle Town Could be Rebuilt in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Bustling with people and commerce, Castle Town is an important location in many Zelda games. In Breath of the Wild, very little of Castle Town is seen before its destruction, and 100 years later, it remains in ruins. With Guardians swarming the area and Castle Town’s location being in such close proximity to Hyrule Castle, it made a lot of sense that people would stay far away.
Daily Debate: Do You Wish Your Dream House Was More Customizable in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. In Breath of the Wild, I spent a ridiculous amount of time and Rupees to get Link’s House in Hateno Village built. What’s that, Zelda’s doing everything she can to keep Calamity Ganon at bay and she needs my help? Please hold, I am building my house.
Daily Debate: Do You Want the Zonai Race to Return in a Future Zelda Game?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Introduced in Tears of the Kingdom, the Zonai are said to be descendants of the gods that came down to Hyrule from the sky. The only Zonai we meet are King Rauru and his sister Mineru, and their designs resemble something like goats or llamas (or even the other dragons in Tears of the Kingdom), but with elongated and pointed ears like rabbits.
Daily Debate: Should Another Zelda Game Feature a Timed Castle Escape Sequence Like Ocarina of Time?
The build-up to Ocarina of Time‘s final battle is among one of my favorite moments in the Zelda series. Everything about this final act is incredibly cinematic. After defeating Ganondorf’s first phase, his floating castle begins to crumble, and Link and Zelda make their escape. Zelda uses her magic to unlock the doors while Link fights enemies and debris falls from the sky. Small details, like Zelda reacting with a gasp when Link is injured, add to the tension and stakes.
Daily Debate: Which Version of Link Has the Best Swordsmanship?
Link’s swordsmanship in the Zelda series has evolved considerably over the years. But which version of him has the best skills and swordsmanship? After all, each one has a unique flair in combat that you could make a compelling case for (or against): Ocarina of Time Link uses multiple types of swords effectively on his journey, ranging from the Kokiri Sword in his youth to the massive, two-handed Biggoron Sword.
Daily Debate: Where Did the Divine Beasts Go in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As far as sequels go, Tears of the Kingdom does a great job of bringing back familiar characters and gameplay mechanics from Breath of the Wild while expanding the story and worldbuilding. I’ve been enjoying revisiting familiar locales in Hyrule to see how they’ve been changed by the Upheaval.
Daily Debate: Do You Miss the Old Zelda Formula?
Spoiler Warning: The comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Following Tears of the Kingdom‘s critical and commercial success, the future direction of the Zelda series is at an impasse. The Zelda series has been known for its classic formula of more linear story progression and traditional dungeons. Both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were incredibly popular and successful games that dramatically shook up the traditional Zelda formula.
Daily Debate: What is Your Favorite Zonai Ability to Use in Tears of the Kingdom?
Spoiler Warning: This article and the comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom replaces the Runes from Breath of the Wild with a variety of new Zonai abilities Link can use for combat, exploration, and crafting: Ultrahand Fuse Ascend Recall Autobuild Many of the Zonai abilities were showcased before the game’s release, but now that we’ve had a chance to really use and apply them, which one is your favorite?
Daily Debate: Does the Open-World Nature of Tears of the Kingdom Hurt the Story?
Spoiler Warning: The comments section may contain spoilers for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom and its predecessor’s open-world nature encourages players to tackle the game at their own pace. Players can choose to unlock all of the Memories and complete the dungeons before fighting the final boss, or they can head straight there following the tutorial.
The Stone Tower Temple Embodies Everything Great About Majora's Mask
The Zelda series’ reputation for expertly crafted dungeons and puzzles that cleverly incorporate important key items is unparalleled in the video game industry. So much of what makes the series special is the emphasis on coming up with creative solutions and thinking outside the box, and these principles are perfectly encapsulated in Zelda‘s dungeons. What Makes a Dungeon Good? There isn’t just one thing that makes a dungeon memorable and fun to explore. There are many factors that come into play.
Daily Debate: Do You Want a More Linear Story in Tears of the Kingdom?
There’s something to be said for designing a game around the player’s ability to completely curate their experience. In Breath of the Wild, players could choose the order they completed story beats in and unlocking some or all of Link’s Recovered Memories, and these decisions impacted how they experienced the game. It shook up the Zelda formula significantly, with previous games like Skyward Sword being considered too linear.
Daily Debate: Which Zelda Game Do You Like to Replay on Halloween?
Dripping with strange visuals, discordant music, and a dark and apocalyptic storyline, Majora’s Mask is a game I’ve come to associate with Halloween frequently over the years. From the disturbing statue of Link in Stone Tower Temple, to Pamela’s zombified father in Ikana Valley, The Moon as it’s pulled closer and closer to Termina each day, the Happy Salesman’s dramatic shifts in demeanor; I could go on about all the terrifying imagery and how it traumatized shaped me growing up.
Daily Debate: What Kind of Sidequests Do You Want to See in Tears of the Kingdom?
The Zelda games have a reputation for featuring high-stake stories and compelling sidequests. Many sidequests, such as “Anju and Kafei” in Majora’s Mask and “From the Ground Up” in Breath of the Wild, greatly enhance the player’s experience with the game. Whether you learn more about the story, characters, or make a meaningful impact on Hyrule’s landscape, these sidequests can often be just as satisfying as playing through the main story. Of course, not every sidequest can be this excellent.
Daily Debate: Should a Future Zelda Game Include a Secret Boss?
One of the earliest games I played that included a secret boss was Kingdom Hearts. I remember challenging the Platinum match in Olympus Coliseum, quickly recognizing Sephiroth’s hair and sword and immediately freaking out (and getting a game over not long after). The Secret Bosses in the Kingdom Hearts series have a reputation for being extremely challenging, requiring precision movements, blocks, and quick strikes during short attack windows to achieve victory.
Daily Debate: Has Your Perception of a Zelda Game Changed Over the Years?
Have you ever gone back and watched a movie or show you absolutely loved as a kid, but discovered it didn’t hold up as well as you remembered? Or a book you never gave a chance as a kid, but read it in adulthood and absolutely loved? I’ve had both of these experiences numerous times about movies, shows, books, and even video games.
Daily Debate: What is Your Favorite Moment in a Zelda Game?
The Zelda series benefits from having epic, world-ending stakes with every installment. With the grandiose stories of good versus evil, we get to enjoy truly wonderful moments and experiences as players.
Breath of the Wild
Many Zelda game endings are pretty ambiguous. Twilight Princess, The Wind Waker, and Majora’s Mask all feature endings that are satisfying and resolve the immediate conflict, but also leave things pretty open ended, too. It’s a tactic that works well for these games and I don’t usually find myself wishing for more from the ending. But an instance where I felt I wanted a little bit more closure and resolution was Breath of the Wild.
Daily Debate: What is Your Favorite Instrument to Play in the Zelda Series?
You could say that music is the life blood of the Zelda series. The inclusion of diagetic music (referring to melodies that can be heard not just by the audience, but the characters as well), and its impact on the story and gameplay makes the series truly special. Link can learn a variety of melodies across numerous instruments like the ocarina, harp, trumpet, guitar, and drums. So what’s your favorite instrument to play? To me, the ocarina has become synonymous with the series at large.
Daily Debate: If You Could Add a New Type of Arrow to Link's Arsenal, What Would it Be?
From iconic weapons like Master Sword and the Hookshot, to classic weapons like Bombs and the Bow and Arrow, these items have become synonymous with the Zelda experience. There have been some variations over the years, such as the Rune Bomb and elemental Arrows like Fire, Ice, and Light, and it’s a smart way to reuse weapons while updating their utility in the series for puzzle-solving and combat. Personally, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Bow and Arrow and it’s been my go-to for many years.
Daily Debate: Should Nintendo Resume the Yearly Zelda Game Release Schedule?
Maybe it’s because information on Breath of the Wild 2 has been scarce and an official release date hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s easy to forget that we haven’t had a total drought of Zelda content. With the Skyward Sword remake last year, the Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity spinoff a year before that, and the Link’s Awakening remake before that, there’s been a somewhat steady and consistent stream of Zelda game releases.
Daily Debate: Should the Master Sword Take on a New Form in Breath of the Wild 2?
The Master Sword has seen better days. The blade of evil’s bane has a long history in the Zelda series, and its condition has noticeably deteriorated in the most recent installment. After Link’s final stand in Breath of the Wild, the Master Sword was returned to its pedestal where it rest for 100 years. In that time, the blade began to rust and chip. Gameplay wise, when Link was able to wield the weapon again, there was a time limit to how long he could use it before its power would be drained.
Daily Debate: Should a Future Zelda Game Feature a Resistance Group Like Twilight Princess?
At the time of its release in 2006, Twilight Princess was a departure from the cartoony graphics and light-heartedness of The Wind Waker, landing closer to Majora’s Mask with its tone and dark, mature storyline. In many respects this works to Twilight Princess‘ advantage, with Zant imprisoning Princess Zelda and Hyrule overtaken in the twilight, it allows for a unique opportunity to approach the story differently.
Daily Debate: Should The Recovered Memories in Breath of the Wild Have Been Playable?
Breath of the Wild was a first for the Zelda series in many respects, including the unlockable (and optional) Recovered Memories quest. These vital memories in Link’s past expand on the story and Calamity Ganon’s return 100 years prior. They go a long way to characterizing Link, Zelda, the Champions, and King Rhoam. I enjoyed unlocking these flashbacks quite a bit and seeing the history unfold, but I do wish there was more substance and interactivity in this mainline game.
Fan Fiction Friday: The Song on the Leaves - Chapter 4
|| Previous Chapter || -Seventy Years After the Seal- When Saria played her ocarina with Fado on the violin, she felt transported to another world. Ever since Fado became her apprentice, he had taken on his role very seriously. Saria tried to teach him everything she knew about the Sage’s power and their history, including sealing magic and imbuing their instruments with power. Fado discovered he had an affinity for calming the winds and unofficially dubbed himself the Wind Sage.
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