Summary
The Legend of Zeldais one of the longest-standing franchises in video game history, with its games spanning over five decades. All canonicalZeldagames follow Link - in various forms - as he embarks on heroic quests to fight evil. With twenty games in the main series, the franchise has told many stories, and theZeldatimeline is considered to beone of the most convolutedand confusing around.
It’s no surprise, then, that across the many games in the series, numerous themes have been raised. The games vary in atmosphere, some of them farmore sinister than others. But as is natural in a thing created by humanity, the consideration of life, sacrifice, and existence is certainly touched upon in multiple games. There’s plenty of depth to be found in each installment, but some venture far more into philosophical topics than others.
The Adventure of Linkis the second-everZeldagame. It follows Link directly after the events of the firstThe Legend of Zeldaas he tries to rescue theoriginal Princess Zeldafrom a centuries-long slumber. As he undertakes this quest, Ganon’s minions seek to end his life, as they believe pouring Link’s blood over the deceased Ganon will restore him.
Despite its humble graphics,The Adventure of Linkdeals with some heavy themes. Princess Zelda was cast into her eternal slumber after refusing to share the secrets of the Triforce with her brother, causing his wizard friend to attempt to kill her. Unable to control his power, the wizard ends up killing himself, and Zelda’s brother must live with the guilt of his selfish actions. These notions of greed and power are echoed throughout the game, particularly later on when Link must battle Dark Link (his ‘shadow’) to test his true intentions and the purity of his heart. While it doesn’t quite delve into any complexities, the game nevertheless has motifs of knowing one’s true intentions and virtue.
Any gamers who completedTears of the Kingdomwill be familiar with its surprisingly heart-wrenching story. Aside from the hundreds of side quests and adventures, the main narrative is one of dedication and sacrifice for the greater good.
At the center of these themes is Zelda, who encounters various levels of displacement and foresight as she’s transported back in time. As players discover Zelda’s memories with the Zonai, they will come to know Raru, Sonia, and the Sages, all while understanding that they will not be successful in their quest to defeat Ganondorf. There’s a poignance in their sacrifice, especially asthe Sages pass their powerand vow onto their descendants.
There are also messages of perseverance, seen through many Hylians' willingness to fight back against monsters in a brazen refusal to allow Hyrule to fall to ruin. As well as this, the adaptation and survival of the Gerudo people underground as their town is ransacked, echoes this message. Without spoiling too much, all these examples coupled with Zelda’s selfless actions to protect her home, provoke considerations of loyalty, belief, and understanding one’s place in history.
Link’s Awakeningis one of very fewZeldagames that does not actually involve Princess Zelda at all. After leaving Hyrule, Link washes up on the mysterious shores of Koholint Island where he meets Marin, a young girl who says that if she was a seagull, she would fly around and explore the world. A strange owl tells Link he must wake the island’s protector, The Wind Fish, to leave.
Although many players may not realize it until the end, the entire game is laced with a philosophical undertone. Link will have to defeat nightmarish enemies and go up against a boss that takes the form of Link’s previous villains - already prompting players to look inward at Link’s fears and the impact of his adventures. After completing his quest, it is revealed that the entirety of Koholint is partof The Wind Fish’s dream. Everyone Link has met and all he’s seen will disappear, and he will wake up back in the middle of the ocean.Link’s Awakeninghas one of the saddest endings in the franchise, and only players who make it through the entire game without dying will be able to spot Marin in her bird form, looking down on Link from the sky.
A Link Between Worldsfollows Link as he tries to rescue both Hyrule and its ‘dark’ counterpart Lorule from ruin. Using his ability to flatten himself into a mural and move between the two worlds, Link must work with Zelda, Hilda, and Ravio to defeat Yuga - an evil mage. By design,A Link Between Worldsis an incredibly charming and creative game that successfully marries old-schoolZeldawith newer ideas and concepts.
Philosophically speaking, the entire game is concerned with the distinctions between right and wrong, and how perspective - which is even built intothe game’s mechanicsvia Link switching from 3D to 2D - is incredibly relevant. When introduced, Hyrule and Lorule appear to be good and evil iterations of each other. However, it’s revealed that Lorule wasn’t always such a dismal place and has fallen to ruin through the destruction of its Triforce.
This already muddies the idea of good and evil as straightforward concepts. It is then furthered by the reveal that Hilda, who appears to be an ally, has technically been working against Link the entire game. However, her intentions are not evil - even if they don’t benefit Link. The setting, story, and mechanics ofA Link Between Worldsdemand players to have perspective, and to not accept notions like good and evil at face value.
Majora’s Maskis well known for being one of the darkestZeldagames ever made. It takes place in the bleak realm of Termina, where everybody and everything appears to be miserable. In the sky there is a large and terrifying moon that will crash into Termina in three days, thereby ending the world. Meanwhile, Skull Kid has stolen and donned Majora’s Mask, which is essentially evil incarnate.
Most gamers who playedMajora’s Maskwill have immediately noticed its dark tone andmorbid storyline, making it unrivaled regarding philosophical themes. The people of Clock Town are perpetually dejected and can be seen arguing in the square about whether to evacuate the town or press on with the upcoming festival - which could lead to economic ruin if it goes poorly. This, in and of itself, is a consideration of existence, weighing up the value of human life against monetary gain.
The game also places a heavy, unsettling feeling upon the player with its countdown to doomsday. As time passes, players will be met with a screen that states the next day has dawned, along with the number of hours remaining before the moon hits Termina. From the very start, players are confronted by characters trying to come to terms with death, and a sense of doom literally hovering above the planet. The Kingdom of Ikana is crawling with the dead, and is where Link can learn the “Elegy of Emptiness.” NoZeldagame before or since has roamed into such somber and impending territory, and it’s certainly enough to send any player into a spiral.
