"Zelda U": Link's look and feel
E3 is less than two weeks away, and if you're a Legend of Zelda fan, you know what that means. Last fall Nintendo promised to officially unveil the next Zelda game, slated to arrive on the Wii U sometime in 2015. GameTrailers released a "hopes and dreams" type video detailing what they want to see in a new Zelda game. You can watch the video here.
One of their sticking points is greater character customization. They want the option to play a male or female hero, as well as be granted full control over the look of that hero. Similar to an MMORPG like World of WarCraft, GT's editors want to change the hero's race, skin color, eye shade, and every detail down to finger-nail length and color. As a Zelda fan for nearly 25 of my 32 years, I have a slightly different opinion on the notion of changing Link's time-honored look.
I wouldn't mind Nintendo giving you the option to choose Link's gender. In fact, I encourage it. I can't think of any dialogue in any Zelda game that was dependent on Link being a male. At the character's core, Link is a brave hero who conquers great challenges because no one else has the courage to undertake them. It's for this very reason that I hope Nintendo NEVER EVER caves to mainstream pressure and gives Link a voice. Link's actions are infinitely more important than words. There's something courageous about a young hero who, when faced with a terrifying challenge, gasps or widens his eyes--a reminder that Link is human (figuratively speaking) and feels fear--and then steels himself and nods, resolved to press on. He does what no one else can or will do--he, or she.
2003's Wind Waker showed Link's courage better than any other Zelda game. How many times did other characters scoff at the idea of itty-bitty Link doing anything worthwhile, only to marvel upon realizing Link was the one responsible for some heroic deed? Even better, Link rarely admitted to or bragged about accomplishing heroic deeds. He didn't need credit. He did the right thing because it was the right thing to do. A female would fit that mold just as well as a male.
(That said: if we're going to play as a female, let us play as Zelda. I've always wanted to experience an adventure from her point of view. Link comes from humble beginnings, but Zelda is a princess. I envision a scenario where, much like Samus at the outset of a Metroid game, Zelda has tons of weapons, magic, and armor at her disposal, only to be cast out of, or forced to flee Hyrule Castle and start from scratch.)
I don't want to muck about with any other character customization, though. Link should always start out with a green tunic and (before long) a sword and shield. From there, I'm up for GEAR customization. Give me lots of tunics, boots, swords, shields, and other equipment (earrings, gauntlets, etc.) that I can swap in and out. More gear means more visual options: after I finished the Water Temple in OoT, I stuck with the Zora (blue) tunic simply because blue is my favorite color. Switching tunics gave me a modicum of choice, even though it was surface-level. Link's arsenal in Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Skyward felt sorely lacking.
One of their sticking points is greater character customization. They want the option to play a male or female hero, as well as be granted full control over the look of that hero. Similar to an MMORPG like World of WarCraft, GT's editors want to change the hero's race, skin color, eye shade, and every detail down to finger-nail length and color. As a Zelda fan for nearly 25 of my 32 years, I have a slightly different opinion on the notion of changing Link's time-honored look.
I wouldn't mind Nintendo giving you the option to choose Link's gender. In fact, I encourage it. I can't think of any dialogue in any Zelda game that was dependent on Link being a male. At the character's core, Link is a brave hero who conquers great challenges because no one else has the courage to undertake them. It's for this very reason that I hope Nintendo NEVER EVER caves to mainstream pressure and gives Link a voice. Link's actions are infinitely more important than words. There's something courageous about a young hero who, when faced with a terrifying challenge, gasps or widens his eyes--a reminder that Link is human (figuratively speaking) and feels fear--and then steels himself and nods, resolved to press on. He does what no one else can or will do--he, or she.
2003's Wind Waker showed Link's courage better than any other Zelda game. How many times did other characters scoff at the idea of itty-bitty Link doing anything worthwhile, only to marvel upon realizing Link was the one responsible for some heroic deed? Even better, Link rarely admitted to or bragged about accomplishing heroic deeds. He didn't need credit. He did the right thing because it was the right thing to do. A female would fit that mold just as well as a male.
(That said: if we're going to play as a female, let us play as Zelda. I've always wanted to experience an adventure from her point of view. Link comes from humble beginnings, but Zelda is a princess. I envision a scenario where, much like Samus at the outset of a Metroid game, Zelda has tons of weapons, magic, and armor at her disposal, only to be cast out of, or forced to flee Hyrule Castle and start from scratch.)
I don't want to muck about with any other character customization, though. Link should always start out with a green tunic and (before long) a sword and shield. From there, I'm up for GEAR customization. Give me lots of tunics, boots, swords, shields, and other equipment (earrings, gauntlets, etc.) that I can swap in and out. More gear means more visual options: after I finished the Water Temple in OoT, I stuck with the Zora (blue) tunic simply because blue is my favorite color. Switching tunics gave me a modicum of choice, even though it was surface-level. Link's arsenal in Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and Skyward felt sorely lacking.