Why the Zelda universe is worth immersing yourself in

The Legend of Zelda saga is a series of video games set in the kingdom of Hyrule centered around the adventures of one valiant hero, Link (so named because he “connects people together”, according to his creator) and his escapades to save Princess Zelda, usually from the clutches of the nefarious Ganon. 

The first instalment – The Legend of Zelda – was released all the way back in 1986, and since then, there have been no less than 29 additions to this epic world. However, despite its status as a certified classic video game franchise, there are still those who have never dipped their toe into the wonderful waters of the Zelda franchise.

So, with the release of Tears of the Kingdom just around the corner, we wanted to remind everyone just what makes this series so incredible. Oh, and before you set off on your adventures in Hyrule, remember: it’s dangerous to go alone! Take this [article].

Contents:

• Characters
• Combat
• Exploration
• Longevity
• Style

Characters

Of course, you’ve got your core cast of major characters – Link, Zelda, and Ganon – but the Legend of Zelda is fleshed out with a whole host of supporting characters that make your adventures that much more special. There’s Epona, Link’s trusty horse; Navi, the teeth-grindingly annoying fairy sidekick; the subtly creepy Happy Mask Salesman; and Ezlo the bird-hat – a magical nightcap with a beak that shrinks you in The Minish Cap.

And how could we not mention the most bizarre character the series has produced – Tingle. This weird little elf-man who rides around on balloons, makes maps and thinks he’s a fairy has appeared in several games and even has his own spin-off – the snappily titled Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland (to which there was even a sequel – Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love).

Combat

If you want to save a kingdom, you have to crack a few eggs, and Link’s body count over the years is proof of his dedication to the cause. The plucky hero is most often armed with his signature Master Sword and Hylian shield, cutting down Ganon’s minions with cries of “Hya!”. Over the years, however, he’s also branched out to using a bow and arrow, spears, and even a crossbow in Link’s Crossbow Training, essentially an FPS set in Hyrule.

The latest additions to the franchise even added extensive weapon crafting and degrading mechanisms. There’s plenty of swashbuckling fun to be had, just be very careful where you’re swinging that thing if there are chickens around…

Exploration

Another aspect of the Zelda-verse that has been integral since the very first game is the exploration. The worlds and levels of Legend of Zelda games are filled with hidden items, paths and enemies just waiting to be found, collected and/or dispatched. 

And as these levels have developed from the earlier games’ 2D side-scrolling dungeons to full-blown 3D landscapes, the possibilities for discovery have grown to epic proportions. From beloved classics like the Stone Tower Temple in Majora’s Mask to notoriously difficult hellholes like the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time, the variety of dungeons and landscapes to explore is practically limitless.

Link has taken to the seas in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass and to the skies in Skyward Sword and the upcoming Tears of the Kingdom, and even to a miniature world when he was shrunk in The Minish Cap.

Longevity

The Zelda series has now been running for more than 35 years, producing titles with staggering consistency, and the most impressive part is, most of them are great! Of course, there have been a few misfires – notably the two CD-i outings Faces of Evil and Wand of Gamelon, with horrible animation and ridiculous voice acting – which fans have tried to forget, but on the whole, this series has earned its legendary reputation with a whole host of stellar releases.

The saga also deserves recognition for the consistently fantastic titles of its instalments, from punny ones like A Link to the Past (because Link goes back in time, get it?) and names that just capture the spirit of adventure like Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild.

Style

The land of Hyrule has had plenty of looks over the years. From the bright and colourful Skyward Sword to the darker and more sinister Twilight Princess and Majora’s Mask, and from the 2D simplicity of A Link to the Past to the cell-shaded, cartoony charm of Wind Waker and the more realistic, majestic beauty of Breath of the Wild and now Tears of the Kingdom, the world and its characters have appeared in endless iterations over the years.

Whether you prefer the series’ humble 8-bit beginnings or its grandiose modern epics, one thing’s for sure: investing your time and money into this beautiful franchise is worth every last rupee.