This One Zelda Trope Has Always Been Frustrating And Needs To Stop (2024)

There's one trope prominently featured in The Legend of Zelda that needs to change. With a total of 20 mainline entries, the Zelda series is full of tropes that can be found in multiple games. Whether it's the dungeons that often adopt typical environmental themes, like fire or water, to the familiar items usually at Link's disposal, each Zelda entry is bound to have at least a few of these staples alongside its more original ideas.

These tropes often make their way into Zelda games for good reason. Recurring features such as familiar enemies and mechanics are staples because they're so beloved by players, meaning their inclusion in a new Zelda game is often met with warm reception. However, there's one Zelda trope that has consistently made an appearance, despite being a constant source of frustration for the player. Its inclusion is often so dreaded by players that future entries in the Zelda series should work to avoid it entirely.

The Companion Character Is The Worst Part Of Zelda Games

Companions Are Often Incredibly Annoying

The companions of the Zelda series are often the worst part of their respective games due to their annoying and intrusive nature. Starting with Navi in Ocarina of Time, the purpose of the companion character serves as a physical manifestation of a guide, informing the player of where to go and what to do. The companion character helps to make Zelda games more accessible, allowing younger or less experienced players to enjoy the experience without getting lost or confused, ensuring that they remain on track.

The primary issue with the companions is how often they interrupt gameplay and cause frustration for the player. In titles such as Ocarina of Time and Skyward Sword, it's not uncommon for the companion to make an appearance as soon as any minor progress is made, only to remind the player of an objective they're already working towards, or how to use an item that they've likely familiarized themselves with. The constant interruptions take control away from the player, making them unable to play the actual game, ruining its overall pacing.

More importantly, the recycling of well-known information can feel condescending towards the player. Even Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto is aware of the problem, identifying in a 1999 interview (recently translated by shmuplations) how Navi would often say "the same things over and over." This repetition suggests a lack of trust in the player to be able to find the way forward, denying them the intuition and critical thinking that Zelda gameplay is built upon. Even for less experienced players, the constant reminders are likely to feel intrusive and unnecessary.

Another Strategy To Guide The Player Should Be Used

Players Should Be Allowed To Figure Things Out For Themselves

The constant issues with companions in Zelda games show that there needs to be a change to how players are guided through the experience. Thankfully, a different approach was introduced in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom that is far more ideal. Both games have the player starting in a small opening area – BOTW's Great Plateau and TOTK's Great Sky Island – asking them to use the tools at their disposal to find a way forward and gain the freedom to explore Hyrule. The characters in these sections interrupt far less, encouraging the player to find the way forward themselves.

This method works far better for Zelda games than companions, as the player is free to use their own intuition and problem-solving skills to learn the ropes. Both BOTW's and TOTK's opening areas are also small enough to prevent a new player from getting easily lost, while there's a plethora of visual cues in these areas to subtly guide the player in the right direction. The strategy of restricting the player makes for a perfect trade-off, easing players into the game while never directly controlling their actions, making for a more ideal method that future Zelda games could use.

It's unclear whether companions will remain a common trope of Zelda games. The inclusion of Tri in Echoes of Wisdom suggests companions might still stick around, despite the frustrations they cause. However, if future The Legend of Zelda entries want to make the experience smoother and less frustrating for the player, some strong consideration should be made about how the player is guided through their adventure and how frustrations can be avoided.

Source: shmuplations

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda franchise follows the adventures of Link, an elf-like Hylian, and Princess Zelda as they protect the land of Hyrule from the evil warlord-turned-demon king Ganon. The series is known for its mix of action, adventure, and puzzle-solving elements, often revolving around the collection of the Triforce, a powerful relic left by the goddesses who created Hyrule. Each game features different incarnations of Link and Zelda, maintaining core elements while introducing new characters and settings.

Video Game(s)

The Legend of Zelda , Zelda II: The Adventure of Link , The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past , The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening , The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time , The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask , The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons , The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords , The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker , The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures , The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap , The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess , The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass , The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks , The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword , The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds , The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes , The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom , The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom , Hyrule Warriors , Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS) , Cadence of Hyrule , Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Character(s)

Link , Princess Zelda , Ganon

Movie(s)

The Legend of Zelda (Live-Action)

Created by

Shigeru Miyamoto , Takashi Tezuka

Upcoming Films

The Legend of Zelda (Live-Action)

First TV Show

The Legend of Zelda

First Episode Air Date

September 8, 1989

Cast

Jonathan Potts , Cyndy Preston