Check Out This Video Analysis of Woodwork in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
Posted on December 05 2023 by Josh Wittmershaus
A few months ago I wrote an article on content creator Any Austin and their video analyzing the unemployment rate of Majora’s Mask’s Clock Town. That particular video provides a thoroughness that holds the games we know and love to a higher, real-world standard, even if that involves topics that may seem silly and trifling to some (not to me, though!)
A few days ago, Any Austin released another Zelda-related video; this one a discussion with his furniture-making friend on the quality and realism of woodwork in Tears of the Kingdom. The pair go to different locations in Hyrule and discuss the makeup of the furniture, including beds, boxes, and benches, all made of wood. The depths to which they dig into everything, from design to structural soundness, to the realism of the wood, is extremely impressive.
For example, Any Austin and his friend look at a table built in the bunker below Lookout Landing, analyzing how the benches look shoddy and quickly-built. They suggest that this is seemingly out of the necessity of needing something to have in the bunker as soon as possible, with little regard to form or function. For a game that focuses so much on building and physics, it may not be surprising that Nintendo put a lot of thought into the practicality and believability of the furniture in the game. Nonetheless, videos like this make me appreciate the attention to detail that much more.
The thought and effort that goes into game nuances like this are important, although often overlooked in favor of discussion on gameplay, story, and more “active” graphics. These details, however, can amplify an appreciation for these games. For example, Any Austin’s close-up look at the table in Rito Village made me realize how much work and thought went into developing designs specific to various regions. I mean, the table they discuss really does look like a bird, in my opinion!
What do you think of videos like this? Do you find the infrastructure and materials of Zelda to be realistic, in terms of practicality? Which furniture design was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Any Austin
Josh Wittmershaus is a writer at Zelda Dungeon. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, he now resides in Northern California. Aside from Zelda, Josh enjoys playing music, seeing live music, music history, and all other things music. He also enjoys skating, hockey, and the occasional political or philosophical thought exercise.