InThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, players are invited to explore the world of Hyrule not just on land, but across the skies and even beneath the surface. One of the most interesting early quests that showcases this verticality is Upward and Forward. This quest encapsulates the essence of the game’s movement systems, puzzles, and evolving mechanics. It’s a blend of exploration, challenge, and story progression that encourages players to master the tools at their disposal. For those diving into the world of Zelda TOTK and wondering how to tackle this unique mission, understanding the goals, steps, and rewards of the Upward and Forward quest is vital.
Overview of Upward and Forward
What Is the Upward and Forward Quest?
Upward and Forward is a side quest inZelda: Tears of the Kingdomthat focuses on both vertical and horizontal traversal. It involves navigating to a specific sky island, using Zonai devices, and applying your understanding of new abilities like Ascend, Ultrahand, and Recall. The quest represents one of the earliest opportunities to truly test your problem-solving skills using the game’s physics and mechanics.
Where to Start the Quest
This quest can be found in the early to mid-game phase, typically discovered on the Great Sky Island or a similar introductory region. You might come across it naturally while exploring, or it could be triggered by speaking to a Zonai Construct or reading a tablet near a shrine or launch pad.
Quest Objectives and Progression
Understanding the Challenge
The main objective of Upward and Forward is to reach a high-altitude location that appears out of reach at first glance. The player is encouraged to construct a method of transportation using Zonai tools and creative thinking. The challenge lies not in combat, but in building and maneuvering efficiently.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
While your specific location may vary, the typical steps of the quest include:
- Speaking with a Construct or interacting with a terminal to begin the challenge.
- Identifying the destination island or platform in the distance above.
- Using available materials such as fans, rockets, and gliders to build a functioning flying device.
- Activating your Zonai Device Dispenser if more components are needed.
- Navigating through the air while managing battery usage and maintaining balance.
- Landing safely at the target point to complete the mission.
This quest may also involve timing or rotating structures, encouraging use of the Recall ability to rewind moving parts, or Ascend to reach interior heights.
Recommended Abilities and Equipment
Key Abilities
To complete Upward and Forward, it’s highly recommended to be comfortable with these abilities:
- Ultrahand: The core of your building toolkit, used to move and attach Zonai components.
- Recall: Can be used to reverse movement of platforms or flying objects, useful if you fall or miss your jump.
- Ascend: Helps when inside structures or below overhangs, allowing you to rise vertically through solid surfaces.
Useful Zonai Devices
You’ll most likely need a combination of these Zonai items:
- Fans – for propulsion.
- Steering sticks – to control your flight direction.
- Gliders – to carry you safely through the air.
- Rockets – for a quick burst of altitude.
Gather Zonai charges to fuel these devices and manage your energy usage during flight. Consider expanding your battery capacity at Device Labs if you’re struggling with power duration.
Tips for Success
Plan Your Construction
Before launching, test your flying machine near the starting platform. Ensure it has enough propulsion and is balanced. An unbalanced craft may tip mid-flight, wasting resources or forcing a retry.
Use Environmental Clues
Look around for launch rails, fans embedded in the ground, or prebuilt gliders. Nintendo often includes subtle hints or partial structures to help players begin building with a clear vision. Sometimes, sky islands have wind currents or strategically placed Zonai pads that make the flight easier if used properly.
Save Before Launching
Always save your progress before attempting the flight. A poorly executed jump or mid-air collapse could send you falling all the way back to the surface. Quick saves allow you to retry without starting from scratch.
Quest Completion and Rewards
Final Steps
Once you’ve reached the top and interacted with the goal object be it a shrine, construct terminal, or treasure chest the quest will complete. In some cases, you may need to solve a short puzzle or complete a shrine trial to fully finish the objective.
Typical Rewards
For completing Upward and Forward, players often receive a combination of the following:
- Spirit Orb or Light of Blessing (if the quest ends at a shrine).
- Rare materials such as Zonai charges, large crystallized charges, or gems.
- Unique armor or equipment from a chest.
The reward is valuable, but the real benefit is the mastery of vertical traversal and the increased confidence in using Zonai technology effectively.
Why Upward and Forward Matters
Teaching Core Game Mechanics
This quest is more than a side activity it’s a teaching moment. Upward and Forward introduces or reinforces concepts like creative construction, managing physics-based travel, and using abilities in combination. It’s an elegant way for players to experiment and learn by doing.
Expanding Exploration Possibilities
After completing this quest, players often feel more confident when facing the skies. From this point forward, flying between sky islands, reaching high-altitude shrines, or solving aerial puzzles becomes less intimidating. The game rewards experimentation and creativity, and this quest is a stepping stone toward embracing that philosophy.
Related Challenges and Quests
Similar Quests Worth Trying
- Harness the Wind: Another early quest that involves manipulating wind currents and gliders to solve puzzles.
- The Skyview Tower Tests: Some of these towers require flight or glider construction to access the top.
- Battery Expansion Missions: Found near the Forge Construct locations, helping you increase Zonai battery life for future flying devices.
Optional Cave and Shrine Exploration
Often, completing Upward and Forward leads players to new areas above or below the surface. Look out for caves on cliffsides and shrines tucked into floating islands. These hidden locations often contain unique loot or armor sets and further reward exploration beyond the quest’s end.
Upward and Forward is a beautifully designed quest inZelda: Tears of the Kingdomthat embodies the spirit of vertical exploration and creativity. It challenges players to think differently, combining building mechanics with thoughtful navigation and resource management. By completing this quest, you gain more than rewards you gain the knowledge and confidence to tackle the many high-flying challenges Hyrule has to offer. As you continue your journey across the skies and caves of TOTK, the lessons learned here will propel you ever upward and always forward.