Thanks to Nintendo, we recently had the chance to go hands-on with a preview build of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. As the follow-up and direct sequel to one of the best games of all time - and something new in the Zela series, no less - it's no wonder it's one of the most anticipated releases for 2023.

And with that, even just a few hours in a reimagined Hyrule with islands in the sky to explore was more than a little overwhelming. In a good way.

It’s not unusual for a developer to describe an open-world environment as a “go anywhere, do anything” playspace that houses a player-choice-driven cinematic tale. What is unusual is for a developer and game to deliver on that promise. A lot is riding on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and hype will do that. After spending a few hours in its reimagined world full of sky islands, it's difficult to form a fully-realized opinion of the game.

It was chock-full of so many memorable and stand-out moments that it’s hard not to feel humbled and overwhelmed by what’s in store. In a good way.

What is immediately apparent is that even as a direct sequel, Tears of the Kingdom presents the familiar world of Hyrule and the rules and mechanics of Breath of the Wild in a new way. This is Nintendo amplifying the physics-based sandbox elements found in Breath of the Wild but in a way that feels integral and intrinsically tied to all aspects of the game.

As seen in the recent gameplay presentation from Nintendo, there is a focus on using objects both found and ancient in origin (called Zonai Devices) to overcome obstacles and even create vehicles ranging from makeshift cars to boats to rocket-powered balloons and aerial gliders.

Read Our Full The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Hands-On Preview

And it is EPIC.

Not only do we get to see more of the floating island-laden Hyrule in this long-awaited sequel, but there are also plenty of snippets of new engagements for link from new puzzles and environments, to new communities, allies and, of course, enemies.

In this sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you’ll decide your own path through the sprawling landscapes of Hyrule and on the mysterious islands floating in the vast skies above. Discover new destinations, dangers, sights and puzzles that will require your wits and resourcefulness to overcome. Can you harness the power of Link’s new abilities to fight back against the malevolent forces that threaten the kingdom?

The trailer is jam-packed with goodies for the keen-eyed, and we can see this being poured over until the game's release, come May 12 for Nintendo Switch.

Check out a handful of screens below.