The New Legend of Zelda Plot Revealed at E3?
*Editor Note: This article contains one spoiler for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. You are warned. However, I’m pretty sure if you are reading this, you have already played Ocarina of Time. If not, I just shake my head and say, ‘Please go play it now.’
During the Nintendo Digital Hour at E3, The Legend of Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma revealed that the company is working on the next installment of the iconic fantasy game for the Wii U. The game is slated to release sometime in 2015.
He also showed us the gorgeous reveal trailer which you can view above.
However, one may notice that the hero Link looks a little off. Upon closer inspection of the protagonist, we can see that Link has some feminine features which make him look more like a girl. While this is not a bad thing (Link has always been a little bit feminine in every game), it seems at first glance that Nintendo has gone for more of a unisex appearance.
Take a look at this screenshot roaming the internet:
Now take a look at this screen from Skyward Sword:
Notice how Link’s features have shifted toward the feminine side?
Now notice his side bangs and then take a look at this picture of Princess Zelda:
Do you see how Link’s hair and ears now resemble Zelda’s?
While this may be done intentionally by the developers to draw in more women to the series, I have a theory that this is actually a crucial bit of information about the plot of the game.
To understand my theory, we need to go back to the N64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In that game, Zelda, in order to stay hidden from Ganondorf and protect Link, disguises herself as the Sheikah, Sheik. In this alter ego form, Zelda is quite a ninja-like protector of the innocent. She is very athletic and knows how to get around the dangerous world of Hyrule with ease.
So my theory is this: The person we saw in the trailer is actually Princess Zelda, in disguise as Link.
Nintendo did not make Link into a girl, rather, they purposely hid the identity of Zelda. Link doesn't even have his trusty Master Sword with him. He has a bow that shoots magic arrows. In previous games it was Zelda, not Link, who used the bow as her primary weapon. In fact, Link is not carrying a sword at all; and any fan will tell you that Link is a sword master first, bow master second.
Does this mean that something happened to Link? What reason does Zelda have to be, once again, in disguise?
What if we will play as Zelda for the first time ever in a Legend of Zelda game? What happens if along with the true, open world setting promised by Aonuma, we also are not in control of Link himself? Would series fans relish in delight to be able to play as the Princess, or would they revolt against Nintendo like Demise against Hylia?
What are your thoughts on the new design of “Link” and do you agree or disagree with my theory? Comment below!
Source youtu.be
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bt_5371July 16, 2014, 7:50 pmpretty nice theory but if you rewatch the trailer you'll see the sword is in the nap sack of the horse, near the shield
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topher339June 13, 2014, 1:06 amAlso I'd point out that the lack of the Master Sword does not imply that the person is not Link. Link never starts off with the Master Sword but always finds it sometime along his quest.
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topher339June 13, 2014, 1:01 amThis is, in fact, Link. Aonuma was quoted that when he said that he never said it was Link that,' “Actually that comment I made jokingly. It’s not that I said that it wasn’t Link. It’s that I never said that it was Link. It’s not really the same thing, but I can understand how it could be taken that way.
“It seems like it has kind of taken off where people are saying ‘oh it’s a female character’ and it just kind of grew. But my intent in saying that was humour. You know, you have to show Link when you create a trailer for a Zelda announcement.
“I don’t want people to get hung up on the way Link looks because ultimately Link represents the player in the game. I don’t want to define him so much that it becomes limiting to the players. I want players to focus on other parts of the trailer and not specifically on the character because the character Link represents, again, the player.”
However, it seems as though Aonuma loves to spice things up amongst Zelda fans as he recently spoke to Game Informer, bringing up Link’s androgynous appearance. In response to those thinking it could have initially been Zelda on the back of a horse in the distance, the producer said:
“That might be something that consciously we kind of did, but not to say anything specific – I am not saying anything specific – but, I am hoping people continue to comment, and I will continue to follow the fan comments and reactions to the trailer. I am certainly curious, and I am sure there are things we as developers can glean.” '
-http://mynintendonews.com/2014/06/12/aonuma-denies-female-link-rumours-says-it-was-all-in-jest/ -
topher339June 12, 2014, 11:51 amTheory seems sound. I don't know how these people think that the sword is in the bag, though. That bag is way to small to hold a sword. There is no sword anywhere on the horse either. Only thing is, the horse looks very much like Epona. And I can't think of many reasons Zelda would be riding Epona and not Link.
As for Zelda being the main protagonist in the game, I would hope not. It's always been about Link, aside from the CDIs, and should remain that way. People will still play it but I think most people would rather have Link. As for the idea of him being changed to look feminine to get more female players, Link is a dude, leave him that way. -
MARS_8998June 12, 2014, 12:54 pmaround 0:23 you can clearly see a shield and at 0:34-35 you can see the sword beside the bag.
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topher339June 12, 2014, 2:16 pmYou're right. I see it now. Thanks for pointing that out.
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I am having a very hard time seeing a sword. Could someone please point out the time in the video it appears? I'm looking underneath the larger arrow and can't see any sign of a sword
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T-MeisterJune 12, 2014, 1:26 amActually, a fan found the sword on the horse in one of the screenshots. It's underneath the larger arrow that link (or whoever it is) pulls out at the end. Though it is hard to see.
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SchwazJune 12, 2014, 1:25 amThe sword isn't missing. it's right by the special arrow on the horse.
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MARS_8998June 12, 2014, 1:25 amYou should pay more attention, the character carries at least two filled bags and what is clearly a sword and scabbard with him.
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Great theory! I didn't notice the sword missing.