Ganondorf's Castle, Descending into Glooms lair - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST

[@KinglyRed]

"THE POWER OF A SAGE CANNOT REACH YOU."

[@hokkaidohats]

Me: Oh no. Which one? I hope it’s not- oh it’s all of them. Welp.

[@DemSilkzTho]

​@hokkaidohats I actually found it so much easier fighting without sages because of how many times I'd accidentally activate one or when I couldn't active one when i need it because they'd literally run away from me

[@lumsey2804]

me: “Oh that’s just perfect…”

[@mrholeio3060]

​@@DemSilkzThoJust dismiss them in key items.

[@WinterBoiWoF]

Lol the way it says, "THE POWER OF A SAGE CANNOT REACH YOU." Then after the demon kings army, yunobo says, "READY TO SEE THE POWER OF A SAGE?!"

[@level5650]

This lead-up theme actually hit harder then Ganondorf’s actual boss music. It doesn’t feel like you’re approaching your final opponent, it feels like you’re drawing closer and closer to a confrontation with something utterly beyond your comprehension.

[@pancakes8670]

Another commenter pointed out that it feels like you're marching to your death. I love how they built the atmosphere around that, because it truly shows that Link is the Triforce of Courage for continuing on despite the feeling of impending death.

[@Chrome_crown]

The incarnation of evil itself.

[@DoctorpooandtheTURDIS]

It feels like you're venturing into the depths of Hell. There might as well have been a sign saying "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..."

[@caco3419]

​@@DoctorpooandtheTURDIS maybe it's the point nearest to where the demon tribe first appeared in ss, since in the prologue it shows that they came from a crack in the earth

[@talos.fractal_author]

Beautifully said. When i first entered this section of the game, i was in awe. I know Zelda Music is always spot on but this was next level. I was absolutely emersed in the scene and did not knew, what horror would follow

[@josh3658edwards]

My heart was legit racing during this sequence. There were so many points when I was thinking, “maybe I’m not actually ready to face Ganon…”

[@penguinninja4417]

Just had the exact same thing, yesterday. Heart was pounding, and I stopped several times just to breathe...

[@CommonPainW]

Same here I had finished all 5 temples and all shrines before beating the game but this song made me think I was gonna die

[@CommonPainW]

I didn’t die tho

[@kadet0906]

Oh I was ready, I went out and prepped 20 GOLDILIENS and cooked em up, I had like 60 life's on hand and I think I only used up like 30 you can never be too prepared

[@MetalHero73]

Lmao, dont be a baby and face ganon literally just landing hyrule. True dark souls experience for sure

[@Medicalguy]

And this is why Link has the triforce of courage. Nobody else would spearhead this descent than him.

[@brendatorres2216]

Even it is a game.. just seiing the castle abyss gives you the chills. This OST took me and feared me . 😅

[@mcfloridaman2192]

It’s cool how he leads the sages too

[@tender6440]

tears of the kingdoms version of link zelda and ganondorf i feel are the best interpretations of their characters and their piece of the triforce.

[@andimari9194]

@@tender6440the three best are OOT, TP, and this for link. Oot link has such a tragic story, TP link is one of the most badass and courageous as well, w this link being the most fleshed out. However this ganondorf is the best interpretation definitely

[@Plumpus3545]

@@andimari9194maybe for power scale because of him lacking any motivation.

[@jedgamesguy]

I heard this before I went down, but I explored all the way to the bottom to scout things out and man… this song is the definition of “you shouldn’t be here.”

[@Medicalguy]

Dude same... I snuck past all the enemies, slowly got closer to what felt like the core of the damn earth, took a look down at the final plunge and said to myself "I'll be back for you"

[@cherrupaws]

EXACTLY HOW I FELT it was terrifying!! 😭

[@Gojira2000]

Lol same here... scouting report: There's definitely some major evil crap down there 😂

[@carolyndambrosio840]

Any one else hear the zonei voices saying the battle for hyrule

[@jjg92114]

I made the fatal mistake of actually going down the first time. I really should have listened to my gut and all the signs and NOPED out of there.

[@MrSuperleobros]

No one else has said this from what ive seen but i just wanted to point out that the torch you find in the final area before the demon king army is AMAZING attention to detail because when zelda fell she dropped her torch in the exact same spot!

[@HylianDan]

Zelda played her part, and now she's gone - she's passing the torch to Link. There's also a famous scene in classic Japanese literature where a woman disappears and leaves behind a robe, like a cicada leaving behind its shell. The symbolism relates to aesthetic concepts like nagori and mono no aware that have to do with impermanence and rebirth... all to say that this fallen torch is a beautiful literary flourish! I was stunned when I found it.

[@MewFan15165]

And I used that torch to help in the demon king army fight

[@magnabueno5360]

I KNEW i wasnt the only one to notice.

[@Ga-inBot]

Yeah, a few fans pointed that out. There's also a guy that does really awesome videos about fun facts and he added this to one of his TOTK vids

[@silliest-astro]

@@Ga-inBotpointcrow

[@xboxemoji4773]

Walking to the final boss with this track like “I’m so ready for this/I didn’t prepare enough/ I’m gonna die I’m gonna die” on repeat

[@asura2020]

I was also legit scared of what was waiting for me but was excited about it too!

[@PC.NickRowan]

That was my reaction too. My hold time travelling downward trying to reach the point I was expecting and really hoping that there would be a shrine or light root that I could to warp to and from, but when I got to this point and realised that there weren’t any, I began to realise my lack of preparation was going to result in a series of many game overs to come

[@kingofflames738]

Same hear. The further down I went the more and more uncertain I became.

[@Wasserkaktus]

Just go in with lots of hearts, barbarian armor and a master sword with a fused silver lynel horn: You can make lots of mistakes with that setup yet kill him without difficulty.

[@Bigrog1988]

I just beat the game and didn't realize you could fuse the Master Sword. AHHHHHH I WISH I THOUGHT OF THAT - DUMB, DUMB, DUMB haha@@Wasserkaktus

[@mctankies]

This track sets up the final encounter with the Demon King perfectly. I was in awe during the build up.

[@carolyndambrosio840]

Me too

[@IdentifiantE.S]

What a masterclass! I hope one day to reach this level ! Thanks Nintendo ❤️

[@kadet0906]

I had to pull out my glider as the choir kicked in and I glided all the way down. As soon as my stamina would be down I'd waste a whole meal just to enjoy the music.

[@orange_turtle3412]

Ten thousand years of pain and suffering, death and destruction, hopelessness and despair. It all ends with that “Press A to Jump”

[@Chrome_crown]

For real.

[@Iffondrel]

I chickened out the first time. I had so many chills and goosebumps and decided I wasn't ready. Set a travel medallion and noped tf out of there.

[@Theprogamer-2006]

More than 10,000 years actually

[@ForTheMasterKhoga56780]

im going nerd mode ganondorf *was still reviving under hyrule castle* so he created CG ganon comes from ganondorf created ganon to show hatred for the people on the surface (hatred and malice incarnate)of ganondorf. calamity canon was the first form of hate but dbg was the last form with the most hate once cg was gone zelda and link went to investigate the gloom (more concentrated version of malice) to see the real ganondorf keywords: *was still reviving under hyrule castle.* then went calamity to upheval

[@SirKusKlown]

to hear this melody in the trailer in 2019, and to hear this epic version of it as im slowly approaching in on ganondorf gave me chills

[@atsuitski3279]

I know right!

[@EricKingOfWithers]

It’s also in the prologue

[@IdentifiantE.S]

Nintendo's musics are really incredible, and I draw a lot of inspiration from it for my own musics. Nintendo really are the bosses! The atmosphere is insane ! 😮

[@darkfunewolfcoop6768]

The music we hear during the trailer is actually the second phase of the boss

[@andimari9194]

@@EricKingOfWithersit’s a great tease in the beginning, and an “oh shit” moment when you finally return and hear the rest of it

[@EterniaLem]

How will they ever top this incarnation of ganondorf is beyond me, felt like fighting the fucking devil

[@Velnox]

Insane how we went from a weird bearded insect to the actual reincarnation of Demise, by far the best look they gave to the demon king 🔥

[@MYLAR.]

“Okay gang, let’s kill Satan!”

[@SoloJona]

I thought I would never find this. This is hands down the best track of the entire game.

[@robertbriggs5496]

Yea the end themes for this and BotW both take the cake (for me) for best music in the entire series.

[@salvadorguerrero8770]

Man I'm still searching for the theme that plays when you first encounter ganondorf mummified body not the theme when you're getting to him but the part that plays as Zelda and link walk towards ganondorf sad times 😭😢😢😢

[@Shadow14494]

​@@salvadorguerrero8770same

[@mikeybyrne9279]

​@@salvadorguerrero8770 if you're still looking, I think that track is just called prologue?

[@Christian-jc6gf]

@@salvadorguerrero8770 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGWmn5JrmLuBf68

[@hokkaidohats]

It was the choir kicking in at 2:02 that did it for me. Gave me chills. I wish I could experience that moment for the first time again. What an incredible piece of music.

[@Eta519]

I went down early and when I heard that I shit myself

[@katieanderson8877]

Anyone know what words they're singing? This seems like Zeltik's realm of expertise

[@andimari9194]

The constant descent of not only the music but of the depths is nothing short of masterful

[@hokkaidohats]

@@katieanderson8877 I wondered the same! I can’t make it out but it sounds like it could be Latin.

[@Nyxael5845]

​@@hokkaidohatsAll I hear is "O-di-tsa-ro" It's probably gibberish for all I know, but the choir's composition and tone is obviously based off medieval gregorian chanting.

[@yourmanzstan6279]

3:35 This. This part right here. The absolute fear this part induced in me when descending was like no other. The first time in ANY game that I’ve ever played that the music alone made me genuinely scared to keep moving forward. An absolute masterclass in invoking anxiety and fear into the player about what comes next.

[@comandantejavier4401]

That part of the music comes out when you are going to dive to get to ganondorf

[@orange_turtle3412]

And once youve reached the point where your confident you can face whatever’s down there, the music fills you with determination. It describes the absolute terror you are about to face, and when your ready, it tells you its finally time to end it all.

[@Wasserkaktus]

You need to play Subnautica and go on the port side of the wreck, especially at night. This is nothing compared to that lol.

[@rabbialmodovar7231]

I’ve swallowed my fear. I’ve been training to master my skills as a fierce champion. And now….I’m finally ready to face the malicious king of gloom, Ganondorf.

[@novamarpo3]

This is ABSOLUTELY true, OH MY GOD

[@flynnsarcade.1982]

This track builds dynamically the closer you get. It's unreal.

[@RealIb6512]

You know Link is truly the embodiment of courage when he didn't turn back at 3:30

[@MaruchanPrime]

That's what's so powerful about the moment, you don't hear it until you make the choice to dive down into the origin, it's the music's way of telling the player: there's no going back now.

[@swigglyforce5215]

Well i mean he couldnt cause he was in the middle of falling down a giant hole when that phase of the music started

[@iwasanMBTInerd]

​@@swigglyforce5215He could teleport out

[@moonlight33527]

​@@iwasanMBTInerdyou can't teleport when you're there

[@leven_doodles]

this was hands down one of the coolest things in the game. and the way you walk at the exact place where the game started... and then you get the rocks out of the way and see the rest of the murals you couldn't look at before... how it shows zelda and the light dragon... THIS GAME IS AMAZING

[@sir_vaughn2018]

It felt like how in gow 2018 the ancient jotunn murals showed events that just happened in the game

[@Unclevertitle]

I managed to not erase any of Zelda's original pictures from the Purah pad throughout the game. So upon reaching that mural again and blowing up the rocks I chose to complete her survey and took pictures of the remaining three murals for her. It would have been neat if the game acknowledged it... but I don't mind that it didn't.

[@MrMysteryreviewer]

@@Unclevertitle Same here. Those photos are the ones I won't delete.

[@bagarcia09]

This really was cool, but then if the rules of time travel would be applied here, then wouldn't that mean there were two Zeldas? Because in BOTW, Zelda sealed herself away for a 100 years for Link to recover and beat Calamity Ganon, which now with TOTK is a separate entity from Ganondorf. However, in TOTK, Zelda travels back to perhaps 1000 years into the past to become the Sage of Time and write the history of Hyrule while turning into the light Dragon to fix the Master Sword that was broken. However, if the Light Dragon always existed, then wouldn't that mean there were two Zeldas up until the point of where TOTK began?

[@austinslack4695]

@@bagarcia09 yes, for a while 2 of the same Zelda and Master Sword existed. but she always flew higher than the cloud barrier so no one would know of her existence until the time was right.

[@Nyxael5845]

To give you an idea how deep you go in the Hyrule Castle Chasm: 1. Hyrule Castle / Serutabomac Shrine (280 meters) 2. Hyrule's Surface (20 meters) 3. Hyrule Castle Chasm (-100 meters) 4. Camobatures Lightroot / The Depths (-510 meters) 5. Gloom's Approach (-990 meters) 6. Zonai Underground Ruins (-1090 meters) 7. Zonai Underground Bridge _The power of a sage cannot reach you._ (-1221 meters) 8. Forgotten Foundation (-1249 meters) 9. Imprisoning Chamber (-1294 meters) 10. Gloom's Lair (-1786 meters) 11. Gloom's Origin (-2470 meters)

[@ChunwunB]

Me: wondering why we haven’t popped out the other side of the earth yet

[@Nyxael5845]

@@ChunwunB At the deepest point of the Hyrule Castle Chasm you are at least 2,400 meters (7,800 feet) below sea level. Terrifying.

[@Mono_Autophobic]

​@@ChunwunBme wondering why Earth's core isn't popped up

[@chasaroonie9339]

Journey to the Center of Hyrule

[@noradosmith]

The Balrog is somewhere just under all that

[@bledge6673]

this song with the environment is probably one of the coolest and most unsettling things ive ever experienced in a game i walked through the entire area, paraglided off the cliffs, let myself take in the music and what i was looking at my heart was racing and i was getting really emotional after thinking about everything i did to get to this point, the sages, the shrines, the tough fights, getting back the master sword, finding all the tears, all of it, to get to this one moment, this one finale with the literal reincarnation of hatred and revenge and i was ready.

[@DragonChamp007]

I walked into this area about 1 hour after the tutorial island as I was dangerously exploring. Walking down these halls with this tune going off was an incredibly thrilling experience. Especially since I had no idea where I actually was.

[@nithyamani6142]

I went in there only with Yunobo and 5 hearts. Worst mistake of my life.

[@ZidaneTribal1989]

The buildup for Ganondorf in TOTK was magnificent. The music feeling more ominous as you approached him. As you dive deeper, it really feels like he desires to obliterate Link. Too bad he didn't have a helping hand 😂.

[@ericolens3]

oh stop, youre too punny

[@minombreesreal7296]

I like to think that the songs are the voices of the zonai trying to reinforce the seal of rauro with their songs as the last hope of containing ganondorf, but when the seal is broken what we hear is only the echo of the songs, they have no power in ganondorf, they are just the residue of the hope of the Zonai placed in Link

[@minombreesreal7296]

@Leeloo_the_fox In the same way that Rauru and Sonia helped link to recover Zelda's original body, being there in spirit

[@Chrome_crown]

Okay, just...yes. That could actually be cannon.

[@Fzdrgn]

The way it builds up as you get closer is great. Toward the end I was just deliberately slow-walking just for the extra dramatic sense of "It's time to end this".

[@scifisyko]

I was over the moon with this track, because it manages to do something that I don’t think has been done this well since OoT’s final boss music - threatening and ominous with a determined undercurrent of “I did *not* come this far to die now.” The feeling that *this* is your moment that’s been building for 10,000+ years, at long last.

[@Wasserkaktus]

Tears of the Kingdom is objectively better than Ocarina of Time. I know everyone laid Ocarina because of how innovative it was and Tears is built very heavily on Breath of the Wild, but the character development, plot, and most other aspects of the game are in fact better than what Ocarina gave.

[@mr.awesome6011]

Majora's Mask does this only over the endless repetition of a three dat cycle leading up to the giants stopping the moon and the mask itself becoming sentient and going insane to stop Link.

[@agure4061]

The song really makes you feel the weight of everything that led to this moment. In an era where the chosen hero wasn't born at the right time: Tens of thousands of years of reoccurring pain and suffering, the tragic loss of the life and love of the first king of Hyrule, the countless lives that were lost in the imprisoning war and the calamities, all of Zelda and links dead friends and family, Zeldas identity, everything countless generations sacrificed to prevent the evil from metastasizing. All because the chosen hero and the goddess reborn weren't there to fulfill their roles in the curse of demise. Then finally at 3:30 when link dives into the heart of Ganandorfs lair, for the first time in literally ages, the oldest legend begins again.

[@uhoh7545]

Goddess too eepy

[@shartsmcginty8056]

Doesn't "metastasize" mean "to spread," like when they find cancer cells from one organ in a completely different part of the body?

[@Jenna_Talia]

The hero not being present is what especially makes me feel confused cause it's never brought up. Not even the master sword is discussed at all in the memories. They would have existed by then, wouldn't they?

[@agure4061]

@@shartsmcginty8056 The malice and gloom seem exactly like that.

[@fourthknower9831]

Unless the Master Sword was somehow lost

[@seanobrien276]

It takes a certain level of musical genius to compose a theme that not only builds up as you go _down_ but also entices you into the darkness both figuratively and literally. I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one here who couldn't resist moving forward despite this theme totally putting me on edge. Closest comparison I can think of in the Zelda franchise is the Wind Fish's Egg theme from Link's Awakening--the original, that is. The Game Boy's technical limitations and the minimalist melody that come out of it evoked a pretty great "forbidden" atmosphere. It actually scared me as a kid lmao

[@markvo3137]

spirit tracks aIso did this but going up

[@cabypaby]

Even though it wasn’t as dark as Majora‘s Mask, this game still sent chills down my spine.

[@silverhand9965]

Yeah, Ganondorf in this game has such an amazingly intimidating presence. We's also been told that he's a cunning mastermind, but this is the first time he was truly felt that one On a more meta note, I think it was good to start with Calamity Ganon, a more beastial form of Ganon that took less to explain so that they could focus on establishing the world of BotW It allowed them to make players relate a lot more to the events set up by the Demon King in TotK

[@gahvin3936]

@@silverhand9965 you think so? i feel like his OOT appearance was his best appearance, i felt like there was a constant threat knowing he could be anywhere at anytime, but in TOTK he kinda just gets revived and goes into hiding waiting for link

[@silverhand9965]

@@gahvin3936 I mean, he directly creates the monsters that cause the troubles for the 4 races meant to inherit the stones and spies on you through the Phantom Ganons as well (they're revealed to be created to spy and sabotage during that Hyrule Castle boss fight, with fake Zelda being a Phantom Ganon as well) The reason he stays in his lair is because he's smart enough to realise Link is a very real threat to his return, same reason why the whole story up to that point is essentially him delaying Link for as long as possible in order to gather the power he needs. tl:dr his actions show that he genuinely does not underestimate Link and acts accordingly to deal with him. He was "defeated" once before in part because he thought himself unbeatable and got caught off-guard by Rauru and it's clear he learned from that failure

[@orange_turtle3412]

@@silverhand9965I fucking love how intimidating they make him. How he just slowly walks around the battlefield, chuckling at you when you parry his attacks and stumble back. And how with most boss battles, the second phase starts with the boss getting super enraged at you, but his essentially starts with “I forgot how fun this was.” You deplete his whole health bar and he still treats the fight as entertainment. He does not in any way see link as a threat to him.

[@orange_turtle3412]

@@silverhand9965I fucking love how intimidating they make him. How he just slowly walks around the battlefield, chuckling at you when you parry his attacks and stumble back. And how with most boss battles, the second phase starts with the boss getting super enraged at you, but his essentially starts with “I forgot how fun this was.” You deplete his whole health bar and he still treats the fight as entertainment. He does not in any way see link as a threat to him.

[@_malo_mart]

I remember getting the "destroy ganondorf" objective and wondering about where he could be, and realised the only place that would make sense was for him to still be under the castle, so i went down to see if i was right and what his fight was like just to prepare for later. I literally went down there for shits and giggles knowing therell be 0 consequences since im not trying to finish the game yet but the music and buildup genuinely made me terrified and i didnt want to go on anymore lol. This is like what younger me felt going up those final stairs in OOT but magnified by 100, i dont think ive ever felt so intimidated in my life, especially by a videogame lmao

[@michaelkinloch8934]

The dive to Gloom’s Origin was one of my favorite parts of the game especially with this theme going

[@theunpopularcuber9554]

Same. It's just a perfect scene: darkness surrounding the platform, which you are skydiving toward, along with the music building to its ultimate form.

[@MORJDK]

The final dive, when this music picks up, is sooo epic.

[@randehmarshgames4608]

The distorted chants are bone chilling

[@ArtzTrax]

This Ost is the perfect definition of *"YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE"* The deeper you go into the depths of *HELL,* the worse you feel.

[@elixir6104]

Words can't describe the thrill I felt when the game told me that the sages couldn't reach me. The calmness of the moment and Link looking around him scared me to my guts, the game literaly tells you "now, you are all alone."

[@Nyxael5845]

I figured at the time that the Sages were unable to reach Link because he was really far underground to reach him (the compass marks -1250 meters below sea level once the Sages dissapear), but no, Ganondorf's influence is just too damn strong, and the Hyrule Castle Chasm is extremely isolated from the rest of the Depths, as there is only ONE way to reach the final area, and only single exit that sends you back to the Central Hyrule Field Depths.

[@magnabueno5360]

"The sages' power cannot reach you here" And this is when I know I was done for.

[@b.o.j.1442]

Ocarina and twilight: ascending as the music grows Totk: descending as the music grows and transforms into ganondorfs old theme.

[@irlquicksilver]

I'll never forget the feeling of when I descended from the imprisoning room and mindlessly picked up the torch, only to realize a few seconds later *why* there was a torch there. I wish I could erase my memory and play this game for the first time again

[@minihulk4563]

The Legend of Zelda never disappoints with music. This just hits you in the feels.

[@crazy4gta1]

I always love seeing people say how BOTW had no music. Meanwhile the official soundtrack comes with 5 cds

[@michaeljakeem5009]

Music wasnt memorable except Kass theme ​@@crazy4gta1

[@novamarpo3]

AND THOSE FEELS ARE FEAR!!!

[@zeriah]

This track screamed “You better save now” at me. And I’m glad I did, cause my first try with Ganondorf didn’t end well in the slightest.

[@MiniMii550]

He broke my hylian shield which I saved exclusively for this very moment so you're not alone.

[@Ballsdeeeep69]

I lasted around 4 seconds because I lost all of my hearts except for like 2💀

[@Abbyxx812]

I uh. Cheated beforehand? So I had Majora's Mask, Thunder Helm, Zant's Helmet, and fully upgraded gear. In all actuality the only thing I really had to fight was Phantom Ganon and the hordes of monsters before you get to Ganondorf. I know that's not how it's supposed to go, but you know. Whatever works.

[@TobyDBZSkellington1]

It's like Satan is calling for Link and it gets more intense if he goes more into it. This is downright chilling. I love it

[@peradomato]

This truly feels like you're descending to hell to fight the Devil himself

[@biglion3179]

Only one that goes in order so extra credit to you my hero

[@rotatingsly5583]

Yeah I was wondering why no one had made a seamless version yet, so I decided why not make it myself.

[@robertbriggs5496]

@@rotatingsly5583 Yea man thanks. Just what I was looking for.

[@JoshyG]

@@rotatingsly5583 I have wanted this since I first heard it in game. Thank you for doing this!

[@elevate07]

​@rotatingsly5583 I just want you to know you're GOAT'd for this. Thank you!

[@lorinebiancarelli]

I've just done this area. I'm about to fight Ganondorf. I had my headphones on and was shivering all the way through listening to this fabulous, at the very least, eerie music. It gets you straight into the mood, but it's a work of genius. Without a doubt, and without question, my favorite piece of music in the whole game, which is purely a masterpiece and outclasses Breath of The Wild, which I nevertheless love with all my heart. ÉDIT : I finally beat Ganondorf and gosh, the ending. I must have cried for a good 20 minutes. The game is extraordinary. ❤️❤️

[@DesTr069]

I managed to hold it until the credits started playing, then I completely bawled my eyes out hahaha

[@HylianBean97]

The fact this was the first Nintendo game to give me PROPER anxiety!! I remember my heart rasing when beating Ganondorf in Wind Waker on Wii U, ToTK's had that haunting vibe!! 🥰

[@LordMalice6d9]

Why would you cry over a video game?

[@itsyeetorbeyeeted936]

Even though i was very much prepared to fight Ganondorf, the music the whole time i was descending just felt like it was telling me... "You shouldn't be here..."

[@AB-5482]

Whats SO eerie is being at the bottom of gloom's approach, when the music is building and you ascend one level higher and the music stops/tapers out so abruptly, just reminding you that you had gone too far, then suddenly going quiet... The musical score for this part of the game was so layered and effective.

[@decreasify]

this is honestly some of the best game music of any zelda game. for sure will win game awards

[@godot_24]

I came from the future, TOTK got robbed at the game awards

[@ollietheminion]

@@godot_24ikkkk all they got was best action adventure

[@ollietheminion]

stupid baldurs gate 3

[@happyhunting7002]

This is a perfect build up to Ganondorf, one of the most iconic villains in both Nintendo and video game history.

[@orange_turtle3412]

Notice the parallels between this and the song that plays when descending to ganondorf in the prologue. Its more or less the same song, but while that one had ominous horror movie piano in the background, this version has heroic strings. Its a “ending where it started” situation, but this small change subtly alters the mood from “oh shit what the hell is down there” in the intro to “im gonna go destroy whatever’s down there.” It adds a sense of finality as you are finally prepared to face ganon head on instead of running into his domain unprepared and getting your ass kicked.

[@edgytoucan3444]

And yet even then you still realize you’re unprepared and about to get your ass kicked when he goes sicko mode

[@mikeyboy672]

Never gonna forgot how insane and eerie it felt to fight my way down to the bottom only to discover that I was going right back to where it all started, and THEN it kept going deeper and deeper while the music got more chilling. What an experience

[@pridekitty]

this track does a really good job of letting you know you’re about to fight an evil that has existed for longer than you could ever imagine and has been spreading his influence underground for tens of thousands of years. good luck smile

[@carolyndambrosio840]

"Do not look away you witness a kings revial and the birth of his new world" Ganondortf

[@grantpotter8289]

"This world should be covered in darkness, not bathed in insufferable light."

[@ArminiusSilvanus]

This is basically Nintendo's strongest blueball track. I just want a climax to this.

[@RyeTheGoblin]

It’s cool how approaching Ganondorf is kind of an inverse Ganon’s Tower. Instead of ascending you descend..

[@Kyle-ur4mr]

This is a passacaglia, a musical form in which there is a bass that repeats over and over while the stuff on top changes as it goes on. You can see how it’s useful for video games but it’s also amazing at building tension. Wikipedia says they’re usually in triple meter (this is in 6) and serious in nature. I’m no passacaglia expert by any means but all of the ones I know of are in a minor key. One other aspect I love is how the reverse voices become so “clear” at the end. Almost like they’re not reversed anymore though I’m sure they are. We’ve been hearing just small hints of them throughout the game. Nintendo really did well at developing a musical narrative

[@CarlYoungII]

2:15 The swells from here all the way to the end is incredible. Reminds me of the organ growing louder as you approached the battle sanctum in OoT. Chills pure CHILLS… 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@superaleksibros2]

Every Final boss lair theme up to this point has been somewhat encouraging. The evil theme is pretty straightforward and it makes you feel heroic, like you feel really brave and want to do the right thing. This theme wants to make you turn away, heck even the fact that there are platforms over chasms that go even deeper tells you that you still have a chance to turn back. This theme initiates quite a primal fear.

[@Blade_Corps]

The final decent had my heart pounding, the music was so intense and amazing.

[@mist4848]

At 3:10, hearing the dramatically increase in volume genually made me want to go back, and the hyrule could save itself because I feared going deeper to see what was lurking down there

[@tyetnic]

When the choir comes in after you jump down the first diving spot, and when the chanting comes back in it’s very disconnected and sporadic, making it feel discordant and tense, but after you jump down into glooms origin and you’re falling, the chanting snaps back into order along with the full orchestra, I think that may be my favorite moment in any game in terms of tone and emotional drive.

[@ghostofhallownest5300]

One of the greatest build-ups to a boss encounter ever. The unique sequence of sounds, with the constant loom of echoes as you get close to fighting the menace himself is awe-inspiring, and proves why Nintendo themselves are the best at making games that immerse you in the moment. This game is the definition of goty. It is virtually impossible to replicate the massive love for a sequel to a game of a generation. One that is the father of elden ring and all these other games therein, but TOTK manages to top its brother and add elements of story and immersion that make this the true definitive experience. Bravo Nintendo.

[@c0mm0d0re]

*The power of a sage cannot reach you here…*

[@SebR173]

I loved this soundtrack The fact it gives you that feeling of "Well, this is it. It's all from here" and just staring at that jump button once you're near the gloom's lair

[@orange_turtle3412]

Who could have ever imagined “Press A to Jump” could be so damn climactic.

[@bagarcia09]

Unlike previous Zelda titles, the themes leading to Ganondorf were heroic and "save the day" like. TP and OOT tend to be good examples because of the stakes they presented against Ganondorf as a threat. TP specifically with how smug Ganondorf was like when he greets you to his "castle" and yet the Hero arrives because hes determined. However here in TOTK? It seems that the more you progress, the more you *shouldn't* be here. You *shouldn't* be heading deeper, but as the Legendary Hero of Hyrule, you *must* go. This isn't just to save the Princess and Hyrule anymore, this is all about writing history and fixing the mistakes of the past. This isnt just about being a hero, but ensuring history *doesn't* repeat itself.

[@haileeraestout5567]

Well It Did TWICE

[@Kal_El1994]

2:00 -- that choir singing is engrained in my memory now. The first time i heard that and walked towards the drop -- i had chills everywhere - what a moment

[@doodleking400]

It’s such a crazy feeling; the moment you prepare your first steps to fight something you are totally unprepared for, no matter how much you pack. You feel like you are facing something beyond a video game. it feels like you could die in real life. But in the back of your mind you feel “if I don’t, who would?” And you just keep GOING. I haven’t felt like that since I was a kid. I’m 28. This is absolutely masterful.

[@ChunwunB]

Game: The power of a sage cannot reach you Me :👁👄👁 Music:👹 Edit: NO MORE LIKE WE GOT THE NICE NUMBER

[@thehoovie6467]

Yeah that part also caught me off guard

[@marty7574]

I accidentally stumbled upon this part early as I was exploring the depths so I immediately booked it out of there

[@Only-Bonks]

The only sage power I needed is water It's a budget Daruks protection to me and it helps with flurry rushes if I fail the dodge

[@missingtexturez]

its one of the most ominous messages i've gotten in a game,up there with subnautica's deadzone prompt

[@link4585]

that line goes way too fucking hard.

[@NDD36]

One of my favourite ever video game tracks. The atmosphere, the area, knowing what you are heading towards. Fantastic

[@neomothdev2]

1. thank you for actually putting this together in order with the seamless transitions 2. WHY DID THE ZELDA TEAM GO SO DAMN HARD WITH THIS TRACK JUST FOR IT TO INEVITABLY CUT OFF SO DAMN FAST AS PEOPLE ACCELERATE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PIT AUUGHHGHGHJHMGMGJDNC now all i need is an ever so slightly extended variant so that the best part lasts just a tiny bit longer

[@adrian0399elloko10]

well when i was descending the depth of hyrule castle, i was going slowly, because the music was so freeking good. Also in the prologe i was going slowly, to match zelda speed of walking

[@danko8983]

@@adrian0399elloko10 me too, i literally came down paragliding, since i didnt wanted to cut the music, and also at the start i went slow, matching zelda's walking speed and speaking to her every 15 seconds to check all dialogs lmao

[@adrian0399elloko10]

@@danko8983 yesss so do I, every time the talk command appeared I talk to her. Tears of the kingdom was a awesome game for sure

[@Sunnycanoe87743]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaDdloGdiZxla9E&feature=share8 Gloom Lair (Transition 5)

[@Jaker788]

​@@danko8983As much as I loved the diving section of the song, I thought it was perfect if you just did a regular dive without acceleration. Doing the dive all the way down feels so much more epic, plus it's a short loop so it gets repetitive if you take too long.

[@dollyista]

the vocals in this track are beautiful

[@IAmLiterallyArthurMorgan]

you can tell the game is good when you don't even notice the near death threat message of "the power of a sage cannot reach you" because you are too busy vibing to the music

[@222CBK222]

It was a surreal moment returning to the prologue area, hearing this music, seeing the hidden murals, and finally making that final leap to face Ganondorf.

[@broden4838]

If you thought a lone Silver Bokoblin being the one guarding the way to the Dark Lord's chamber, you're sorely mistaken for what lies below...

[@azergamerpene5337]

I literally cried while is was descending to the final boss, noticing the game was about to end, not other game in my entire life made me feel like that

[@solidjet5859]

I need to detroy al my memories and play this amazing game for the first time once again

[@hippothehippo]

In spanish, the prompt that reads once you descend past the last checkpoint reads: "The power of (their) promises cannot reach you..." the atmosphere for the final boss in this game was the best of any Zelda ever. It’s one thing to see the English text that says “the power of a sage cannot reach you”, I feel the Spanish text is far more intense in making you feel so helplessly beyond the barrier of isolation. It’s not a superpower that can’t reach you, it’s the promise itself, their words and their care for you is so far away that it doesn’t matter. That’s terrifying.

[@euniesthebaws_freepalestine]

That is just absolutely metal

[@andimari9194]

The constant descent of not only the music but of the depths is nothing short of masterful

[@4Neraville4]

The first 10 Minutes of this game were perfect 🤣 this was the way i wanted the game to be in general

[@the_fruitsalad985]

This gives me chills dude oh my god

[@djrsbright]

The way the music in this game invokes feeling is insane. Masters in building anticipation. This is one instance of many but probably the greatest (aside from Zelda's moment) I had experienced in a game to date.

[@pgb8367]

I went in after only doing the rito dungeon. worst mistake of my life, that was some dark souls stuff.

[@Pianoman1234321]

Same but I did Zora. I thought I'd just find shriveled up Ganon down there, not the literal end if the game. I mean they encourage you to jump in the chasm slightly south of this one early in the game, so why not check this out? Once I realized it was the end game I just tried to get through it to see if I could, and once I made it I saved and quit to avoid spoilers 🫣

[@epalegmail]

@@Pianoman1234321 Good call. The ending spoils some important elements of the game progress

[@JazzyPenguin04]

I literally had that exact same experience lmao I did get quite a few good materials from being down there, tho

[@uhoh7545]

​@epalegmail that would've been a big bummer for me when I pushed through the clearly final boss shaped arena... (SPOILERS) If not for the fact that the second dragon tear I ever got was of Queen Sonya getting merc'd by the imposter Zelda... Even if I hadn't gotten that cutscene, I feel like I'd have pieced it together by the fact that half of the side quests are about "Zelda" actually randomly chilling all around Hyrule and being weird. Though either way, sequence breaking on a first playthrough really diminished her entire existence since Hyrule castle was empty save for a Korok on the topmost bell lol

[@TheRealSkulldozer]

Dawg it gave me catacomb vibes but somehow it was darker than the catacombs

[@hexedcrab]

I remember going below the castle for the first time. Just trying to explore a bit of the depths not realising it was end game area. The music alone but me on edge and made me so anxious, the part at 3:10 especially sent a chill through my body and made my hairs stand on end that I decided to leave immediately. Just relistenening to it is making my feel a bit tense. What a fantastic ost

[@Rohan-ec1qo]

The first time I reached glooms origin, I didn't even know this was the final fight. I was just getting all the lightroots for the depths. The entire time I was on edge and as soon as I saw 'demon king's army', I tp'd out. I didn't even have the master sword or the memories. Good times.

[@thewizardbrand]

Good times indeed🗿but your progress doesn’t save at that moment so you could of winged it out to try it

[@Velnox]

I get it, first time playing but if this masterpiece of a soundtrack can't give you the atmosphere of a game's climax I don't know what can 😂

[@haileeraestout5567]

Its Like EVERYTHING Is Coming Back To Link All The Battles All The Stories And When Zelda Mentioned The Imprisoning War The Master Sword's Hilt Was Glowing Which Would've Caused Link To Remember That Dark War Because Zelda Said:"He's Defeated Her Before" And This Indicates She CRIED For Her Master

[@DarkBandicoot]

Absolutely LOVED the vibe and music of desending further and further into the Depths. It was amazing and chilling and gave me goosebumps. I especially love the hymn-like male vocals that come in just before you finally reach the bottom (starting around 2:08). The ending overall was stunning!

[@karateLEMON]

The way it builds up as u get closer is pure magic. Perfect tension building, and I love how the music conveys to you that u have arrived.

[@madisrad64]

that backwards warp sound that happened when an enemy spotted you ( 4:03 ) while down here was enough to make my heart fall into my ass 😭😭💀

[@WaroftheDonuts]

I was exploring under the Castle not realizing where I was going, then I heard this playing. Kept exploring, stoned out of my mind. This music, and the setting is a experience I’ll never forget. My home theatre sound system was singing.

[@Mooseofmooseington]

The deep voices starting to emanate around the halfway point and grow stronger sound like they’re saying, “WHO SEEKS RAU-RU?”

[@TheNightmareAngelYT]

The Prologue's theme song grew and evolved much like Ganondorf did while Link was saving Hyrule and himself. It feels so weird going to the exact locations you walked down with Zelda without that many enemies, unlike other final dungeons. Just emptiness, not even Sages to help you. Especially when you get to the mural you saw before with Zelda, their pictures still in your Purah Pad. And the ones that were covered by rocks you can now clear out. When you clear them out, you see the history that Zelda made when she went into the past. The history YOU saw through the Dragon Tears across Hyrule. You then see where Ganondorf WAS, replaced with a giant crater and so much Gloom. It gives you so much goosebumps and makes you really feel like you've gone far in the game. Then, you see the final hole you need to dive down, where Ganondorf's army and The Demon King himself await. Your only choice is to dive down and proceed.

[@night66666]

The music and tensuin buildup as you go deeper and deeper really left me speechless AND IT WAS JUST THE FIRST SCENE OF THE GAME ! A perfect way to introduce TOTK

[@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941]

When I first read this comment, I said out loud "what the fuck is a tensuin" , then I realised it was just a typo X)

[@Caboose47]

I think this is the first game where I truly felt terrified to keep going, but kept pushing through. Mr. Miyamoto you've done it again, always releasing wonderful Zelda games.

[@superbowyiming]

But Miyamoto didn't make this game. Aonuma has been in charge for this series for years 😂

[@Caboose47]

@@superbowyiming Shhhhh, let me have my RTGame reference in peace young one...

[@JSW760]

This track is amazing🔥. Hearing this again in the end, building up to ganondorf and seeing what's behind the covered murals gave me chills😫🔥. Its a perfect mix of epicness and very eerie intense distortion.

[@HylianBean97]

This gave me Lord of The Rings vibes before fighting Ganondorf, Gandalf being feared by the Balrog before facing him It's got that aesthetic!! I HOPE the next Mario/Nintendo game continue this trend, having dark eerie aesthetic music before facing the final stage/boss!!

[@orange_turtle3412]

The deep vocals in this track also gave me huge lotr vibes. The game associating itself with lotr is probably a big reason this part felt so dark and ominous to me.

[@Ga-inBot]

Mario games dont need the ominous aesthetic ;-; I love the sappy and cute music in smb thnx

[@orange_turtle3412]

@@Ga-inBot This is zelda though

[@beneckersley17]

I love how in most games you have to ascend to meet the final boss almost as though you're rising to meet them but in tears of the kingdom you descend. You descend into depths so for down they're bellow an entire world that is already bellow Hyrule and as the song builds up it feels less like you're rising to meet a challenge and more like you're descending to a hellish place that even at full power you should not be. I also love the secrets you discover here and how you realise that even before Zelda meet Rauru and Sonia, her fate and yours were already written or at least they were up until now.

[@wayv7973]

I got every shrine and ever light root and all of the sages but even then I still questioned if I was truly done with the game and was ready to face ganondorf. It was such an amazing sequence.

[@tomjames9681]

As I did with the first game, I took a trip to explore HC while not entering the final areas until I’d done the rest of the story. The moment the choir section came in with the music, I stood for a second to appreciate it, then turned right the fuck around and went back. One of the most intense endgame runs in a game all thanks to music.

[@laserfloyd]

No matter how ready you are this track makes you question yourself, lol.

[@auraFireblood]

I love the voices in this part, the beginning and the main theme they sound so cool and i need an hour of just the voices in the main theme

[@espensele662]

When the horns come in at 3:30 and continue on, is PRIME Ganondorf's theme

[@orev-509]

I haven't felt a shiver run up my spine like this in a Zelda game since Majora's Mask.

[@Bibili255aw]

This build-up, the diabolical choir, the differents instruments coming one by one when you approaches the end, this is why I want to hear when I finally reaching the end of a game. This score is absolutely amazing, can't wait to listen to the official ost!