Issue 2
We’ve made it to the second journal entry. Maybe this a real recurring newsletter after all?
The first journal entry kept to the same Echoes of Wisdom theme, but this week I’ve decided to feature more variety. I’m am considering publishing one themed entry each month that could feature new and old content while the second entry each month would focus on current events and new projects.
There’s a little bit of everything this week. I am sharing a set of phone wallpapers that I love, a smart video, a Christmas-themed Zelda album, and more.
Of course, I also need to take a moment to mention the 15th anniversary of Spirit Track‘s release. It’s among my least favorite Zelda games, but it’s still brought me a lot of joy over the years.
I’ve just realized that my plan for two issues each month is being thwarted by the first month of publishing having five Sundays. Oh well, see you in two weeks.
~An Adventurer
A Very Zelda Christmas
With Christmas less than two weeks away, I thought it was fitting to feature something holiday themed.
A new Zelda fan album by DarkNuck combines popular Zelda musical themes with traditional Christmas carols. It’s not the first time I have seen an album like this, but I enjoyed listening to this one more than the others I have heard. I think I’ll continue listening to it as the holidays approach.
You can listen to the new album on YouTube, or you can find it on any of the usual music streaming platforms.
A deep-dive into enemy variety
A common criticism of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom is that the games reuse the same enemies, so Impapedia has published a video comparing the enemy variety across the Zelda series.
I agree with their conclusions about how the physics engine encouraged the developers to emphasize variants instead of creating more unique types of enemies.
An In-Depth Look at Enemy Variety in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Impapedia.
Check out the Dungeon Runners newsletter
Dungeon Runners launched in November as a new section of Zelda Dungeon that focuses on Zelda speedrunning.
This week, I learned that they also have a newsletter. The Dungeon Runners newsletter is a downloadable PDF, and you can sign up to be notified of new issues by email (a feature that I plan to implement here in early 2025).
If you have even a small interest in speedrunning or glitches, check out the latest issue to stay informed.
Blibloop’s adorable wallpapers
While scrolling through social media last week, a Zelda wallpaper by Blibloop caught my attention — an isometric diorama of Link and his grandmother from The Wind Waker.
Blibloop has shared 9 wallpapers in total on Instagram. Most of them are Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom themed, and I think there’ s something here for everyone.
When was the last time you changed your phone wallpaper? The year is almost over; maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.
While you’re checking out the wallpapers, also check out Blibloop’s store selling prints and pins and their game, Minami Lane.
The Legend’s Cookbook+
An updated version of The Legend’s Cookbook is now available to purchase. Now titled The Legend’s Cookbook+, the revised edition includes new recipes inspired by Tears of the Kingdom.
For those unaware, this cookbook has been around for a few years now and features recipes inspired by the Zelda series.
Zelda Universe shared a picture and additional information about the new cookbook as well as other products available from the same store (mostly enamel pins).
New revised Legend’s Cookbook+ and pins now for sale, Zelda Universe.