30 Day Zelda Challenge: Favorite Link

Okay, this is probably unusual, but thus far my favorite Link isn’t canon. I liked Hyrule Warriors way more than I ever expected. I mean, the actual story line that they put in. So while it isn’t necessarily canon, I loved it��as a Zelda game.

And to despite it not being my favorite, I find my favorite Link comes from it. While not totally out there in his origins, I do like how it all began. He’s a cadet, much like in Skyward Sword, but unlike then he’s quite unknown despite his skills. He does get the attention of the Princess, but probably because she’s looking for it. If she had not sensed the darkness coming to Hyrule, I doubt she would have been walking by the training yard at just that moment.

What’s more is he learns a lesson during all this. More than that of his destiny, he learns something other Links do not: that it’s not all a solo journey. We the players learn that lesson, as we often need help from non playable characters to enter temples, access parts of Hyrule previous locked to us, etc, but Link doesn’t. We are controlling of him, and still are in Hyrule warriors if we so choose, but his character must learn the lesson. He is more flawed in that his constant fearless bravery gets him into trouble. Yes, we still follow direction to put him there, but it’s integrated into the story line.

It’s also interesting to see him get kind of creeped-out by Cia’s obsession with him. I mean, the room of paintings? Kinda creepy. We see a lot of Links become obsessed over, and maybe a little startled by it, but never do they eye up a space or person with quite as suppressed a shudder as he does the room full of paintings.

Another thing, his costume. I know there was a lot of flack from gamers and hardcore Zelda fans that he didn’t have the “traditional” Hylian shield. Technically, neither did the Link in Skyward Sword, Zelda 1 or 2, and possibly some other games that I can’t think of. But despite this lack of iconic shield I actually enjoyed the new take. I mean, a scarf may not be the best accessory in a war, but he does look pretty snazzy. It’s something I hope to see more of in the future.

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