Goddamn, Jacob. This is exceptional. I understand. It can be very scary for a creator to step out of their comfort zone with the type of content they release, but this was an unironically, delightfully entertaining video essay, and I would absolutely love to see more in this vein.

I absolutely love that every single monster drops fuse parts that match the strength and challenge of that monster actively incentivizing seeking out strong monsters to take them out. It doesn't feel like you have to baby all your stronger weapons because who knows when you'll find another, just fuse with something strong and you have it again! BTW you can recall the ranged attack of Taluses and ascend through their bodies, it is so satisfying to pull off. You can even muddle bud the ones with Bokoblins and it'll just absolutely launch them off.

I actually didn't realize that the light dragon was the one flying around the beginning of the game, I saw yellow and my brain said Farosh, and basically rewrote my memory to be Farosh, so going through the dragon tears in order and seeing the light dragon, realizing that it was her who parted the clouds for us, watching over us from above the whole game, it absolutely nailed me in the gut.

I remember getting the last Dragon Tear and realizing that Zelda is the Light Dragon just shattered me. I had a moment after getting the Master Sword where I was like, "Zelda's gone, and the sword is restored. Why do I fight now?" It truly did break me near the end. But even with the Insane Demon Dragon battle, she still came to help as a Dragon. And I just lost it when she was reverted back, and we saved her. A Fucking Masterpiece of a Game this is.

Ascend has made me laugh so hard several times. Discovering someone who has been stuck in a cave, and they ask how you got here, as they were sure they had checked all the possible ways out, I just can't help but think about Link shrugging and flying through the roof of the cave. If I had more talent, I would draw link just being the most mind-fucky cryptid in Hyrule, dropping out of the sky in front of people, disappearing through the roof, climbing on a big rock and just riding it into the fucking sunset.

during that final dive to catch zelda i was sobbing. link diving like a madman desperate to correct the mistake of losing her in the beginning of the game, the music, the emotion. i was a wreck

As a fellow Zelda need, D&D nerd, and father (congrats), I have a lot of the same thoughts on the game. I wish more games, especially TTRPGs, had the flexibility we see in TOTK.

I also cried many times during my first playthrough. All the story beats were so great! From losing so much, to slowly gaining strength, wisdom and courage to find Zelda. Then realizing she sacrificed herself to help you succeed! Just wow! And finally facing the big bad and rescuing Zelda in the final moments of the game. It was so emotional and rewarding. A true masterpiece of media!

Tears of the Kingdom's story made me cry *multiple* times. And the ENDING??? I cried for like. 20 minutes straight after I beat the game. The whole credits, I was just sobbing. And then the post credits cutscene made me cry even more... Even just watching the footage you showed of the ending in this video made me tear up again. You put it so perfectly. It was just... The fact that the story came full circle. Link failed to save Zelda at the beginning... and once you collect the Dragon Tears, you - or at least I did - feel like it might be *impossible* for Link to save Zelda this time around. He can save the day, he can save Hyrule, save the Kingdom and it's people, stop Ganondorf in his tracks... But he might not be able to save *Zelda* . So when he does... It just made me *sob*.

Man you absolutely NAILED how I felt playing this!!! The moment I realized what Zelda had to do I just felt every possible emotion and it was absolutely incredible!!! And the way her yes changed during that cutscene sent shivers down my spine and it reminded me of Majora’s Mask with how it was just so bone chilling and I absolutely ADORED IT!!!

"With the world at your back you can find that courage within you and overcome," Actual chills, what a powerful line.

I think what makes the gameplay of BOTW and to a bigger extent TOTK excellent is that it takes the best part of the immersive sims genre (organic world, crisp systems, emphasis on player figuring it out by themselves) and mixes it with the epic adventure that is the Zelda series. The result is the ultimate world to explore, both physically and mechanically.

Hey Jacob just in case you’re wondering I love that you’re doing what you want and not feeling compelled to just do DnD, of course I love you’re dnd stuff but it’s great that you’re doing what you’re passionate about

Dude. I'm in tears from your description of why you were in tears. Mourning your own emotions is the exact perfect way to describe it.

I loved the Colgera fight immediately just because of Wind Waker nostalgia but I SCREAMED when the dragon roost motif played

You're so right I LOVE this masterpiece. The bossfight was super intense and the ending it was so awesome. The way the story was told made me really feel like I had to save Zelda and that she wasn't just the princess that needed saving but also another hero that fought with you just at a different time. Honestly I could go on and on about this game it is just so good.

This dude speaks his feelings and I respect him for that

When I found the shrine that teaches you about the rocket shields I yelled in surprise. The moment I clicked the button that made the shield launch me in the air, my mind was completely blown. The absolute freedom this game gives you is outstanding. Every moment just kept impressing me over and over. Also OMG the LTTP remix of the Hyrule castle music is GODLIKE.

I had to stop at the spoiler warning sadly, but I'll be back to finish this soon!! Wonderful video, feels magical. Really enjoyed myself :) I would totally be okay with more videos like this if they happened.

Thank You Jacob for this video. The feelings you envoke through your creations can't be put through words. Congratiulations to you and Spencer with the baby

Talking about the post game depression reminded me of how much I didn't want the game to end, to the point that I started getting unintentionally sloppy during the final fight with Ganondorf because I was having so much fun in it. It was pulse pounding, gut wrentching, edge of my seat fun that I hadn't had in gods know how long. This was a wonderful video Jacob.

As someone who just finished the game today, it’s a masterpiece. I obviously don’t have the emotional attachment to it that you have, but it blew my mind time after time. It was so good.

TOTK is the closest a game I’ve played has ever come to the freedom and immersion of dnd, so it makes sense that we all love it

25:02 the best part is that you could dive *into the ice* which feels incredible! Also, I feel you at 31:30

I think my main issue with the Yiga clan hideout in BOTWwas it felt like I was doing the right things and still not succeeding. I remember using the bananas to lure guards away and then them immediately turning around as I tried to sneak past or another guard coming off his patrol path across the room just to alert everyone as to my presence. That being said it felt great to actually get through once I finally got lucky

You *really* are a magnificent storyteller. Thanks a lot for this video, it really hammers home just how special this game was, and even how special BotW was, even if you had problems with it. And really, how special this entire series is, even with how every entry does something different. It's crazy to think where they even go from here and if they can even manage to capture this kind of magic again, but, how many times have they surprised us already? Let's sit back and enjoy.

I held off on finishing this video and just beat the game with my 9 year old absolutely giddy with joy for that entire final battle. Jacob your opinion aligns directly with my feelings for the game and I feel like this really is a once in a lifetime experience. I'll always have small critiques of a game but my goodness did you nail it with this video. Your work is not in vain and please show us what you're passionate about. I feel like those videos are so enjoyable. I still sing "sneak attack run away" every once in a while.

The decision to go on unspoiled and end the video short was a difficult one. Watching you react to this game is as entertaining as it is nostalgic I can not wait to wait to watch the Arcane Arcade videos.

Jacob takes the plunge and completely transitions into "this channel is trying to be more positive". Truly, what a great video. You shouldnt be nervous, its your perspective, not your topic association that we respect

Despite being such a departure from your regular stuff, this was great! Totk is a huge game with a lot to talk about, but you really nailed down the most important things about the game for you succinctly, whilst not compromising on expressing the depth of emotions that you felt. That’s certainly no easy task, but the effort on your part is apparent and really paid off!

The other day I was about to go up some (real life) stairs and then tried to ascend through the roof instead. Totk has messed up my brain!!!!

The story of Tears of the Kingdom is absolutely brilliant. I love it so freaking much. It's so mindblowing and I would give a lot to experience it for the first time again. This one is truly the Legenda of ZELDA.

This video is a masterpiece of reflection. I felt as though I experienced the game all over again, but with you - your emotions and points resonating deeply. Simply splendid, Jacob.

Started this video a few weeks ago, just beat the game 20 mins ago and came back to this. The effort and commitment you obviously put into this script and stuff deserves all the credit it gets Jacob. God fucking damn I love video essays and this has got to be my favorite. ❤❤❤ I’d love to see more of these in the future

I stopped watching the vid at the spoiler warning (thanks for the heads up btw) because I was pretty close to finishing the game. Went back to finish it, cried my eyes out several times, sat in awe, fell in love with the ending, and immediately came back to hear the rest of what you had to say. I gotta say, you really took the words right out of my mouth with this one. I even realized a couple things because your video gave me a second chance to see the ending before I complete it again, like how the shot with Link reaching out at the end mirroring the shot at the beginning where he fails to catch Zelda, and I cried AGAIN. What an exceptional game, and what a wonderful talk you had. Keep it up, Jacob! You're doing great.

I still get goosebumps hearing the ocarina of time music ❤️

29:41 I genuinely don’t get why people hate Patricia summersett’s voice acting so much. This was amazing (It might be her faux royalty British accent, but I never found that dumb or cringe, just a voice actor voice acting)

There is something Truly magical about the Saxophone wailing at you in the trailers that Specifically makes me cry. Its truly beautiful.

I really like this video, it's super good and probably my favorite on the channel to date. I hope you make more of these essay style videos, your passion really shone through with this one.

I got the master sword and did all the memories super early, and the entire rest of the game really immersed me as I was thinking the entire time about how much I wanted to dropkick Ganon and save Zelda wich made the boss fight so worth it.

Your passion shines through in this video. I couldn't help but be happy for you that you had such a profound experience playing Tears of the Kingdom. We should all have something in our lives that makes us feel the entire spectrum of emotions that this game clearly made you feel. Awesome video and well done.

Never seen your content before but this was really beautiful. I love how sincere you were about the emotions it brought you and your history with the series.

I have loved watching your progression as you grow, you seem like the kind of person that interacts with the world in such a genuine way and grasps all life has to offer and I aspire to be like you.

As someone who tested this game, it means the world to me to see so many people enjoy this game so thoroughly. Enjoy!

Link: Battle Master Fighter/Monster Slayer Ranger Zelda: Light Cleric Tulin: Maybe Hunter Ranger Yunobo: Storm Herald (Desert) Barbarian Sidon: There’s an Oath of the Open Ocean Paladin in D&D Beyond I think Riju: Some kind of Fighter/Draconic (Blue or Bronze) or Storm Sorcerer Ravioli: Samurai Fighter (purely for its mechanics) Daruk: Totem Warrior or Ancestral Guardian Barbarian Mipha: Life Cleric Urbosa: Same classes as Riju, except she takes different fighting styles and stuff

Jacob please keep making more videos like this!! its really entertaining to listen about things that made you feel emotions and passion for

Thank you so much for this, this was the first video of yours that I’ve seen and it’s sooo good, your editing and humor and sincerity are gorgeous

I love this game so much. This is the most pure and fun exploration in any game ever.

Bombs work well in the early game, but they scale terribly, even when upgraded, in the late game. Sure, it preserves resources, but they are hardy the best choice for any situation besides blowing up some barrels or demolishing a destructible part of the landscape.

Can’t beat that epic saxophone in TOTK. Looking forward to seeing more 😊

Thanks for making me cry, bro. I'm going to watch this with my parents when I'm sober. They'll get it. You're a great communicator.

I am 100% there with you on hating BOTW shrines but LOVING TOTK shrines. They ALWAYS felt like they were teaching you something, I ALWAYS felt like I had a massive BRAIN BLAST moment in them coming up with a cool solution.

By far my favorite part about the wind temple was the boss theme, having it mix the main theme from dragon roost Island which is a rito inhabited island with the boss theme that you fight with a rito was crazy. Like the original theme was very happy, but this theme felt very powerful. The first section of it where it's not playing the flute was amazing and very well orchestrated but as soon as it added the flute in for the second verse it felt like this was a resurgence of the rito and wind waker. It's like Koji kondo said to us personally, hey do you remember wind waker, I sure do, And guess what these guys are back.

I absolutely loved everything about this video! Great job bruv!!!

Your personal touch ("the summer we got a pool and I would dry off in the living room while playing through dungeons as a kid") Beautiful. Keep being you. We need you. We all need you. Desperately

Hell yeah dude, btw Ganondorf is gaming's best warlock.

You know, I really appreciate your criticism of BOTW. It’s my favorite game but it’s cool to see different point of views.

I absolutely love when you find a new game, or book, or movie, and so deeply and personally connect with it. I've never played TOTK, but I'm glad you got to have this experience! For me, the most recent example was Elden Ring. I'm a casual gamer, but since it's release I have sunk 200+ hours into Elden Ring. It's not a lot compared to some, but the last game I played that much of was CS:GO around 2014-2016. It had been so long since I played a game where it was all I could think about as I went about my day. The sense of discovery and challenge was absolutely wonderful, and beating the game for the first time felt like an honestly huge personal victory for me, especially since I had never played or beaten another souls game before. Just everything about it is perfect to me, and I could gush for hours about everything I love about Elden Ring. But for now I will just say video games are fucking cool and I'm so glad to have been born in a time where I get to have these experiences.

Love the cinematography. Very enjoyable video! You did a great job putting this together.

Ocarina of Time has the highest level of storytelling of the entire series, Tears of the Kingdom has the highest level of gameplay design. Those games are in a class of their own.

Wooooooo I want Gannon to destroy me 🥶

Thank you, Jacob. I love watching your videos. You always make me happy.

Bro I have been sub for long, iwanna be honest since you were during your video... I don't often watch everything you do, but this new style of video has made my whole day! You real made me emotional and nearly dropped a tear with you because I, too, have finished TOTK and felt the way you felt . I have the chance of reliving tho thanks to you , your edit, the soul you've put into that video made me shiver. I hope you got to relive it too by making this. Well done, please make more of this format of just pure love for what you like!! Hope you go far.

I love how the TotK devs saw people complaining about the BotW music and simply chose to score the SHIT out of TotK. The music in this game is so damn good and it really does create an amazing power fantasy. Unfortunately, the difficulty is quite lacking but whenever they release the DLC it's gonna be sick.

“Then I played ALL OF THEM” I an feel those words. Rarely does hearing someone speak impress upon me such and deep empathy.

Gosh, your "pathos driven" gush about tears of the kingdom, is probably the best one I've seen on youtube, I mean, yeah it's probably because of the emotions you're describing while playing the soundtrack and memories to perfection, (amazing editing) playing with my own feelings from exploring and completing the game. But gosh, you made me tear up dude.

I loved this video, thank you for taking the chance to share it with us and I can't wait to see more of anything you'd like to put out

Hands down one of my favorite xp to level 3 videos, I had just finished the game today and started feeling the emptiness seep in but this video made me smile harder than ever knowing someone had been transported back to those old days just sitting in front of the TV on a rainy day and going on a unforgettable journey. thank you ❤

Liked and commented for the great video you did. Honestly one of your best ones i have seen and it shows this is a passion project executed to perfection. Your commentary left me with a few tears of my own

That was beautiful. Got me crying right along side you

I loved this script! Excellent job! The editing only added to the experience.

Loved the video. Who doesn't love hearing about such genuine passion?

I've been subscribed for a long time but this is the first video you made that made me cry. Your sentiments about this game match mine in a way I've found hard to put to words. Thank you for a wonderful video! I hope you, Spencer and Marcy are well, keep making great videos❤

Epic second half to this video. Really well edited and constructed. You gained a new viewer

Jacob, every single thing you said on this video resonated true with me, from the criticism to the experience with Breath of the Wild compared to the bliss that was Tears of the Kingdom. In fact the only thing that was different is the timeline since I'm a tad younger than you, but between this and your DnD videos, I wanted to thank you for expressing your thoughts on this game that so much resembled my own that I just couldn't put to words. To see you being a father is so inspirational, and the final words you impart in the video have given me the strength to pursue going to a 4 year university that I've been on the fence about for a year now. Thank you so much for making this. Tears of the Kingdom is Game of the Year.

Thank you for sharing your experience with this series with us.

You made me teary when talking about the wind temple. As a father I haven't made it far on the game because my 1 year old daughter tries to take over my controller or switch. it's very cute watching her move Link around and slashing at nothing. I can relate to the feeling you get going through the temple and fighting the boss, reminds me of those childhood days. I'll probably play again and try to finish the story then come back to this video, Lol Amazing video Jacob!

Your passion for this game came out in spades. You did such a good job at telling us WHY this game is special to you. I love seeing any content where a creator is genuinely passionate about a topic and I hope this video is received well because I absolutely loved it. I like Zelda a lot and I also grew up with a Gamecube but I have never had the chance to play many of the other Zelda titles aside from Twilight Princess. I love Twilight Princess and the emotional journey it gave me as a kid so this video definitely spoke to me at that level. I don't own a Switch and I have not played Breath of the Wild but you did a great job at explaining and demonstrating why your experiences with these games were so vastly different. That description of the wind temple and the way that it was executed just floored me and, for the first time, I feel compelled to get a Switch and experience this game for myself.

The content and the delivery really hit me where I live. Excellent work!

Great editing. Great everything. This whole video had me engulfed.

i love finding video's that you just glide through

Awesome to see someone share the same enthusiasm I had for the incredible moments in TOTK. Excellent video.

Okay so I've literally never played Zelda and I legit cried watching this. I absolutely loved this video. Way to go man, Love to see you keep growing and being vulnerable with us. Cuz that be scary. Came here for the DnD content, stayed for Your content.

Man so much effort went into this video. So much good editing and custom b roll. Must have taken forever. Awesome bud.

Loved this video, made me think and feel. Nice work Jacob.

I come back to this video so often, it always makes me realize how badly we had a lets play of your first time through, but all the same, I will always come back to this video because it feels like gushing about Zelda with one of my good friends. I know like you said this is different from the typical DnD content, but I'd love to see more videos like this

I love how you first jokingly open up with cheesy poetic lines but actually commit to it at the very end in the most fitting and organic way possible

Honestly the I LOVE A THING HEAR ME RAMBLE type of video essays do more to me than the well thought-out dissertations

This is one the best edited videos about video games. Bravo!!!

This is such a great video!!! And can I just say, the editing is exceptional!!!!

follow the passion, it always makes for better stories and better results. This was excellent.

Great video. I’m about 10 years older than you so it’s all shifted back by two titles. But all those feelings, and what you say especially about being Link, actually feeling like you’re doing these heroic things, especially in TotK where you only succeed because of Zelda and the sages… I find it so beautiful and heartwarming.

This was so good I'm excited to see more of this in the future

I love this video, brilliant to see Jacob talk about passions other then d&d. Would love to see more videos like this in the future

Jacob!! I have been watching your content for years and I just want to say this is now my favourite video of yours. I feel like we had the same childhood experience with Zelda (I even loved Skyward Sword) and playing TOTK brought me right back to that time. Well done for making this video - it is always scary and a risk when you step out of your creative comfort zone, but I think you nailed it 😊

I love that sound that plays every time you enter the depths. Never gets old.

Holy crap, I’m crying. This video is so beautiful and perfect encapsulates the beauty of the game.

Incredible editing holy hell I was blown away.

I've watched your videos on and off, not necessarily a regular viewer. This video, however, hit hard. I appreciate you referencing your 'pathos' in the situation, while still managing to capture your emotions in a logically substantial way that could be understood without having the same background experience. Good scripting, good editing, and good research/prior knowledge; continue growing and making excellent videos.

Jacob, this is probably my favorite video you’ve ever uploaded! Please do more like this! It was so fun to watch and to see/hear how passionate you are about Zelda. 9.5/10 video, please do more