Summary
The Legend of Zeldahas changed a lot over the years, evolving its settings, gameplay, core mechanics, and controls to constantly be the bar-setter in its respective field. It’s aNintendo franchisethat has still somehow managed to maintain its sense of identity despite going through often severe growing pains, using different design elements to keep the next game as fresh, but also as familiar as the last.Tears of the Kingdomis simply the most recent example.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis a game that uses concepts and constructs coined in 2017’sBreath of the Wild, but the implementation of conventional dungeons and a higher emphasis on storytelling makes it more in line with the franchise of old times. Something else that could be used in future games to give long-time fans a sense of nostalgia would be to give Link some kind of family ties. It’s something that has a lot of benefits and could be used to add more stakes to any future tales Nintendo wishes to tell.
Family in The Legend of Zelda Gives Link Something to Fight For
Like any game, TV series, or film franchise,family is used inThe Legend of Zeldato give Link a reason to overcome the obstacles that he does. Ultimately, it usually has an end goal of banishing the realm of Hyrule of evil, but the first carrot on the stick is often Link’s sense of duty to his family.The Wind Wakerbegins with Link simply heading out to save his sister, Aryll after having been taken by Ganondorf’s forces, and then gets wrapped up in something considerably larger.
In one ofTears of the Kingdom’s more subtle additions, it’s alluded to that Link and Zelda live together in thehouse that players can move into inBreath of the Wild. This is a small, but experientially significant inclusion that heightens the connection between the two and makes them feel like they have a familial relationship instead of simply one of a princess and her shield. To expand on the idea and make it a more overt part of the nextZeldatitle could bring even more stakes, as the feeling of fighting for family is something that people of all backgrounds can relate to. Thus, it would make a compelling narrative wrinkle for a franchise that is not that well known for its ambitious and unpredictable storytelling.
Family Can Give Gameplay Benefits inThe Legend of Zelda
Zeldais perhaps known most for its items, puzzles, and characters, and the former category is something that Link’s family has assisted with in the past. Link’s grandmother gives him his first shield inThe Wind Wakeras well as a bottle of Elixir Soup from time to time, which heals his magic and health while also doubling his attack power for a short period. LikeElizabeth throwing Booker items inBioShock Infinite, it shows that family can be used as a useful gameplay addition as well as just benefitting the story.
The Legend of Zelda Has Themes of Family Throughout
Though there are only a few instances of Link having a family of his own, the theme of family and togetherness is something that litters the series and has done for decades. Link finds a family withthe sages inTears of the Kingdom, and with it a sense of belonging too. InA Link to the PastandWind Waker,he starts his journey with his family behind him, but throughout some of the later games he finds people who fit the same role. It’s a smart change to convention and something that can be developed in new installments.
The most prominent family inThe Legend of Zeldais the royal family, which is usually depicted as the descendants of the Goddess Hylia, and allies itself with the hero throughout the franchise. It gives each game a sense of history and prestige, knowing that the people at the center of it all are so connected with the setting and wider lore. To give Link a distinctive lineage would do well to give futureZeldatitles more depth, providing a sense of real heritage instead of him usually being a one-in-a-million hero that comes from out of nowhere.
