The Legend of Zelda seems to change the approach to game design with each new release. From the linearity that Link’s Awakening adopts on Koholint Island to the unstructured expanse of Breath of the Wild, the franchise never seems to stick to one philosophy for too long. However, there are plenty of recurring themes and items that make each Zelda game feels like it belongs to the previous one. Rupees, Heart Containers, Link’s brave personality and the majesty of Hyrule herself are more often than not essential components of each new entry.
Another mainstay in The Legend of Zelda is companions, who often show up to aid Link in his quest to rid the land of evil and restore peace to Hyrule. Not all journeys have a companion, but there are enough of them to make it feel like a loss when Link has to complete his task alone. Breath of the Wild feels lonely, and while this may have been designed that way, the loneliness is apparent from the opening stages of the game and never really goes away. Link’s struggle with the wilderness is the most important element of the game, but his association with other quirky personalities often makes for the series’ best moments.
S-layer
The King of the Red Lions: appear in The Wind Waker as a pivotal character to the story and gameplay, The King of Red Lions comes to Link in his hour of need, and is as helpful as he is charming. Not only does The King of Red Lions provide an informative and entertaining dialogue, but its shape as a boat makes it possible to travel across the Great Sea. His wisdom is clear from the start, so when it’s revealed that he is actually the King of Hyrule and Tetra the Princess Zelda, it makes perfect sense.
Epona: While not a traditional companion offering hints and engaging story moments, Epona is Link’s trusted friend and has become an expectation in every Zelda game that takes place in a broad, explorable setting. She is brave, loyal and helpful because she can travel around the country much faster and easier. In Breath of the wilderness, Epona is elusive but can be obtained, bringing more fame to the otherwise unorthodox game. Epona is as iconic and beloved as Zelda can get companions.
Midna: Twilight Princess is often criticized for its dull color palette, frustrating motion controls, and unbalanced difficulty. It was more acclaimed with its Wii U re-release that ironed out some of the kinks, but one of the things that has remained beloved since the game’s release in 2006 is Midna. The princess of the Twilight Realm, Midna, is first introduced to Link when he is in his wolf form and trapped in the aforementioned realm. At first, Midna comes across as playful but rude and cold, but over the course of the game, she gains a backstory and character depth that make her one of the most memorable components of the game. Twilight Princess.
A-layer
fi: As is common with Link’s companions, Fi can get really annoying at times. It’s a major weakness of her character because it makes her feel too persistent and impatient, but Fi’s presence makes that Skyward Sword never feels like a solo effort. She comes from the Goddess Sword Link is led to on Skyloft, confirming that he is the hero who would restore peace to Hyrule. As such, she is wise in a way that Link is naive, making the balance between the two Skyward Sword feel like a real collaborative achievement. Fi only appears in the 2011 game, but Breath of the Wild 2 may indicate the return of Fi.
Princess Zelda: With her name on the cover of all games in the series, Princess Zelda is perhaps more synonymous with the franchise than Link herself. Often she is frustratingly reduced to a damsel in distress, but other times she plays an important role in the story told as Skyward Sword and The Wind Waker, which are perhaps unsurprisingly some of the best stories in the series. Her appearance is Spirit tracks is significant, as she accompanies Link everywhere and is always one of the best parts of the oft-forgotten game. She has inherited some of Tetra’s personality and this time in many ways is the main character instead of Link.
loft: Link’s Loftwing inside Skyward Sword is a companion that cannot be forgotten. It dutifully fulfills its role in the game and it really ties into all aspects of the game’s lore. It may only be relevant to a single submission, but it goes a long way in making that submission the best it can be.
linebeck: An essential figure in Phantom hourglass, Linebeck is the captain of the SS Linebeck and accompanies Link on his journey to find and rescue Tetra, but has his own goal of discovering treasures aboard the Ghost Ship. His character is remarkably different from Link, which makes their dynamics pleasant to watch. While Linebeck is a pirate with expectations of power and courage, Linebeck is cowardly and selfish, and as such provides a fun and unexpected companion that is more often than not a total liability.
B-layer
Tatl: majora’s mask is a direct sequel to 1998’s Ocarina of Timeand some believe it’s the best Zelda game so far. appear in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, Tatl begins as a companion to another. Tatl and Tael are fairy dwellers of Termina, and when the former is separated from the latter, she relies on Link to help find her brother and prevent Skull Kid from destroying the land they call home. She’s frosty at first, but Link feels like a matter of trust and ultimately friendship. Much less annoying than any other fairy companion, Tatl feels like she has more personality to show off, and is undoubtedly less distracting.
Ezlo: Into the titular cap The Minish Cap on Game Boy Advance, Ezlo looks a lot like Cappy in Mario Odyssey in that his shape as an iconic character’s hat makes him an integral part of both the game’s presentation and story. Ezlo started life as a Minish (or Picori) and was turned into a hat by Vaati. His in-game inclusion is mostly functional, though, as he aids Link with hints, shrinking him to the size of a Picori, and opening up to be a parachute if needed.
C-layer
navigation: Navi is notoriously frustrating and often intrudes on the otherwise enjoyable experience of Ocarina of Time. Shigeru Miyamoto has even criticized Navi as the game’s weak point, and while she doesn’t help herself at times, she does help Link in ways expected of a companion. By giving hints everywhere, she undoubtedly makes the Hero of Time’s journey much easier and helped the franchise jump into 3D. When Navi Link Leaves on Ocarina of Time‘s conclusion, it is a sad but redeeming moment.
Ciela: Ciela is far from a bad addition to Phantom hourglassbut is largely forgettable thanks to being isolated in a game that is one of the few in the Zelda property that is not particularly loved. She was introduced to Link early on and lost her memory, quickly finding a place in the game’s story, but hitting too many stereotypes to be truly memorable Zelda companion.
Ricky, Moosh and Dmitric: The animal friends of the Oracle duology is cute, but like Ciela, they are quite isolated. How they affect the world around them earns them some points, but not enough to rise above this level.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 will be released for Nintendo Switch in early 2023.
0 Comments