Tears of the Kingdom builds a stronger Link between gaming and The Kingdom of Heaven

Don’t judge me! I recently completed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, although it’s been out for over 3 years now. I bought the game in February and played it when I was free from work and study. I finished it in August and I have to say playing Zelda Tears of the Kingdom was satisfying. Looking at the final cutscenes, I said “Amen,” being moved by iconic scenes that closed an epic parable. I'm grateful to the developers for refining Breath of the Wild's flaws to create a complementary sequel that enhances the original without outshining it. 

Zelda was part of my Deconstruction Journey

Not that anybody asked or cares, but Zelda played a big part in my deconstruction journey. Over ten years ago, I was in a dark place and almost gave up on my faith after personal struggles and setbacks. The lack of unity in the church discouraged me the most, especially with all the scandals, abuse, and illogical teachings that felt inconsistent with an all-knowing, benevolent God.

Zelda: Breath of the Wild was the first AAA game I played after taking a break from video games for years. When I played it, I was blown away by its novelty and beauty. I was amazed by the depth the developers achieved in recreating Hyrule—paying homage to classic Zelda titles while delivering a fresh, rich experience.

Somewhere down the line while playing this game, something deep within my soul brought me back to Scriptures. While navigating Link through Hyrule being in awe of it’s land and considering the terrors of the enemies you fight, I was brought to a familiar passage in Philippians.

Therefore, my beloved, just as always you⁺ obeyed, not only as in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of His good pleasure. Do all things without grumblings and disputings, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. - Php 2:12-16 BLB

As much as I was entertaining philosophies like solipsism, and nihilism, I found some truthfulness behind the simulation theory. For I understood that the virtues I held in most regard, like patience, discipline, and self-control were all virtues limited by human mortality. No human can control how long they live on earth, how healthy or sick they may get, how tall or short they may be, how others treat them, etc. Many times, our thoughts, words, and actions contradict themselves in chaotic fashion, especially when faced with adversity. Nevertheless, my childhood was spoken to while playing Zelda Breath of the Wild. From deep calling to deep, I heard once more these groundbreaking words of Jesus.

Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matt 18:3

Make no mistake, Breath of the Wild is a pivotal game in the Zelda series that gave us a vast surface through an open-world Hyrule, but Tears of the Kingdom expanded this playground vertically. TOTK gave new mechanical abilities like Ultrahand and Fuse that gave the player more freedom for expression and navigation. The narrative still feels like a legend, that gives more questions than it answers which is fitting it the intent of Zelda is to present a mysterious parable before players.

Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and the Kingdom of Heaven

As I reflected on my time with the game, I couldn't help but notice how deeply its world design and themes mirror eternal truths. Here are 6 key takeaways about Tears of the Kingdom that are shocking and might change the way you game forever:

1. The Depths are consistent with Scriptures from the Bible (Deuteronomy 8:7; Psalm 71:20; Psalm 107:26; Psalm 130:1) — Descending into the abyss of the Depths—a place of utter darkness, trials, and unseen treasures—reflects the biblical narrative of God bringing His people through the lowest places, deep waters, and the heart of the earth to refine them and bring them back up.
   
   A song of ascents. Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! - Psalms 130:1 BLB
   
2. The Sky Islands are a shadow of what it will be like when Heaven comes to Earth (Psalm 18:33; Isaiah 58:14; Habakkuk 3:19; Amos 4:13) —
   
   Walking upon high places, untethered from the decay of the world below, echoes the prophetic promises of God causing His people to tread on the high places of the earth in a restored, heavenly reality.
   
   Setting my feet like does, even on the heights He makes me stand. - Psalms 18:33 BLB
   
3. The Kingdom of Hyrule is part of the inheritance of the Saints (Romans 8:32-39; 1 Corinthians 3:19-23; Ephesians 1:10-23; Revelation 21) — Our innate desire to explore, steward, protect, and enjoy a beautiful realm like Hyrule points directly to our true destiny: inheriting a renewed creation where all things in heaven and on earth are brought together under Christ.
   
   The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. - Rev 21:7 BSB
   
4. Jesus is the Good Serpent and Dragon (John 1:3; Hebrews 1:1-4; Revelation 4:11) — While dragons in modern media often represent destruction, TotK presents noble, sacred dragons formed by sacrifice. Scripturally, Christ is the ultimate creator and sovereign who took upon Himself the likeness of what was broken (like the brass serpent lifted up in the wilderness) to bring light and life to the world.But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live.
   
   And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. - 1 Cor 8:6 BLB
   
5. Link, Zelda, and the people in Hyrule heard and need the Gospel too (Daniel 7:14; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Romans 1:20; Romans 8:19-23; Colossians 1:23; 1 Pet 4:5-6) — The overarching plight of Hyrule—trapped in a cycle of corruption, dark magic, and endless struggle—shows a world crying out for a salvation that no single hero's sword can permanently secure. It highlights our human longing for the one true, everlasting Gospel that frees every corner of creation once and for all.
   
   if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. - Col 1:23 BSB
   
6. Prayer and Thanksgiving should be a regular part of Gaming (Luk 21:34-36; Eph 6:10-20; Ph 4:4-13; 1 Th 5:15-22; 1 Peter 4:7-11) It might sound like a buzzkill to pray and give thanks while playing video games, but the more you taste the goodness of God—and the beauty and allure that the hope of the Gospel brings—the more you will pause to pray and give thanks in joyful anticipation, that the land of Hyrule is just one small parcel of the Promised Land by God, keeping yourself from falling into ungodliness.

Heavenly Father,

You have spoken so many great and wonderful things to us that often go unnoticed. The heavens declare Your glory, and the earth with everything in it points to Your goodness—yet our eyes and hearts are so easily carried away by fleeting pleasures. LORD, we confess that we are fallen creatures; if You had not taken us by the hand, we would fall into a bottomless pit of despair and destruction. Thank You, LORD, for opening our eyes to spiritual realities and allowing us to glimpse reflections of Your beauty, even through digital worlds like video games. Thank You for saving us and transferring us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Your beloved Son.

Today, I pray even while my soul feels heavy with darkness. My body is not yet full of light, nor is my heart fully enlightened by the Gospel (Luke 11:34–36; Ephesians 1:18). But You have given me Your Spirit, and You are the strength of my life (Psalm 27:1; John 1:1–5). Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Stir within me, O LORD, and take full control of my mind, my will, and my speech, so that I may glorify You in everything. Preserve me until Your glory fills the earth, until the former things pass away and there is no longer any need for the sun or stars, because Your eternal light eclipses all creation. (Revelation 21:23).

In Christ’s name,

Amen.

I’m glad I finished Tears of the Kingdom, and I will be giving it a second playthrough, waiting for the remake of Zelda Ocarina of Time. Growing up, you have Game Informer and other gaming magazines that gave reviews about video games, interviews, and sometimes walkthroughs. Not too many attempt to reconcile these games to Christ. I write this to you to show how hypocritical it is to say “Life isn’t a game,” when Christ works in all of us. The question isn’t so much whether or not Life is a Game, but how real is that game, and whether you will win that game. There is Good News in the Gospel, especially under the Theology of Universalism, something God created by and for Jesus knowing this Life isn’t a Zero Sum Game before God. Until next time. I love you.

As Always,

James