Unlocking the Untapped Potential of Princess Zelda in Tears of the Kingdom

Politics, News Sept. 11, 2023, 7:03 a.m.

Princess Zeldas potential as a playable character in "Tears of the Kingdom" was a missed opportunity to enrich both narrative and gameplay, despite her proven combat abilities and character development.

In the vast and intricate world of gaming, few franchises hold the same legendary status as The Legend of Zelda. For decades, players have embarked on countless adventures alongside its iconic hero, Link, as they journeyed through the mystical land of Hyrule, battling dark forces, solving puzzles, and uncovering the rich lore of the series. Yet, despite the prominence of its titular character, Princess Zelda, it is Link who has consistently taken center stage as the player character, while Zelda herself often assumed the role of a side character or remained conspicuously absent from certain installments of the series.

Recent entries in The Legend of Zelda franchise, notably "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" and "Tears of the Kingdom," sought to elevate Princess Zelda's presence within the narrative, granting her a more substantial role in the overarching story. These games delved deeper into her character development and positioned her as a central figure in the game's lore, which left fans speculating whether this might finally be the moment when Princess Zelda steps into the limelight as a playable character. However, despite these promising developments, Tears of the Kingdom ultimately fell short of making Zelda a true protagonist.

In this article, we explore the missed opportunities and the potential benefits of granting Princess Zelda a more active role in the gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom, as well as the wider implications for the future of The Legend of Zelda series.

Throughout the series, Princess Zelda has consistently found herself bound by the chains of destiny. As the human reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia, she is perpetually thrust into a predetermined role, often requiring rescue by the ever-vigilant Link. This pattern of Zelda's narrative has been exemplified in titles like "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," where she endures hardships in the Adult timeline, only to accept her fate while sending Link back to the past to regain his lost youth. Similar scenarios play out in "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword," where Zelda seals herself in the past, placing her destiny solely in Link's hands.

"Tears of the Kingdom" initially appeared to break away from this formula, depicting Zelda as an adventurous spirit with a penchant for knowledge and a desire to aid others. She sought refuge in Hateno village, far from the confines of the castle, where she dedicated herself to research. Yet, inevitably, the weight of her destiny catches up to her, casting her into the past. In this time-travel scenario, Zelda becomes the sole guardian of the Master Sword's restoration, a crucial task to aid Link in defeating the present-day evil. Once again, she finds herself in the familiar role of a martyr, relying on Link to fulfill her destiny.

Zelda's character often feels more like a narrative device to propel Link's adventure rather than a fully realized character with her own agency. This narrative structure, while compelling, diminishes the potential for Zelda to be a true protagonist in her own right, especially considering her character development in "Breath of the Wild" and its follow-up titles. Furthermore, in "Tears of the Kingdom," the player can choose to confront the Demon King without the fully recharged Master Sword, rendering Zelda's sacrifice less essential and leaving all the power firmly in Link's hands, as it has been throughout the series.

While Princess Zelda played a central role in telling the story of "Tears of the Kingdom," it's arguable that having her as a playable character could have significantly enhanced the game. The non-linear storytelling approach in "Tears of the Kingdom" was a point of contention among fans, and having Zelda as a playable character could have rectified this issue by allowing players to experience the story in a more linear manner rather than through flashbacks. For instance, players could have been tasked with finding a way to send the fully recharged Master Sword back to Link, transforming it into a captivating mystery to solve, akin to the "Potential Princess Sightings" side quest that occupied a significant portion of the main game.

"Tears of the Kingdom" emphasized minimal necessary quest lines to grant players freedom of choice, a philosophy that can sometimes hinder the strength of the narrative. The game's world held untapped potential in exploring Hyrule's history, the enigmatic Zonai race, and the relationship between Sonia and Rauru, all of which could have been enriched with Zelda's unique perspective. As a dedicated archaeologist and scientist, she would have been the ideal character to guide players through these facets of the game's world, offering both depth and immersion.

The development team behind The Legend of Zelda series prioritizes gameplay above all else, meaning that any inclusion of Zelda as a playable character would have to enhance the gaming experience. Fortunately, "Tears of the Kingdom" provided ample opportunities for Zelda to shine in this regard. Her newfound abilities and integral role in the story could have translated into captivating gameplay possibilities.

Notably, Zelda had already showcased impressive abilities in "Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity," and "Tears of the Kingdom" expanded upon these by introducing the Secret Stone, further augmenting her power. Unlike Link, who typically relies on the Sages to harness their abilities, Zelda could potentially have direct access to the Stones, offering a unique gameplay perspective. Her participation in the original battle against the Demon King alongside Rauru demonstrated her willingness to engage in combat.

One compelling concept could have involved players seamlessly switching between Link and Zelda, allowing them to communicate across different time periods. This mechanic, while not entirely new to the Zelda series, could have been approached in a more dynamic and interactive manner. While Link has previously traveled to the past to alter the present, a switch between Zelda and Link could have introduced a fresh, innovative dimension to this mechanic. This dynamic exchange could have heightened player engagement and added depth to puzzle-solving and exploration.

Princess Zelda has showcased her combat prowess in various Zelda titles, demonstrating her capability to hold her own against formidable adversaries. Games like "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker," "Twilight Princess," "Breath of the Wild," and "Tears of the Kingdom" have all featured Princess Zelda in pivotal support roles during the final battles against Ganon. Her combat abilities, as exemplified in the Hyrule Warriors series, make a compelling case for her as a capable combatant on par with Link.

Beyond combat, Zelda has contributed to gameplay in other ways in past Zelda titles. For instance, "The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks" saw Zelda accompanying Link as a Phantom, serving as his guide and companion throughout the game. "Tears of the Kingdom" even commences with Link and Zelda walking together, emphasizing her readiness to embark on adventures alongside him. While a fully realized playable Zelda might be a stretch, offering downloadable content (DLC) that shifts the perspective from Link to Zelda could have enriched the game's narrative and provided players with a unique experience. Unfortunately, a recent statement by Eiji Aonuma, the series producer, indicated that there are no plans for additional content for "Tears of the Kingdom" at this time.

Despite the missed opportunities in "Tears of the Kingdom," fans still hold out hope for a future where Princess