An M rated Zelda game, could it work?

[wordsmith]

*text*

Anyone else think this is a damn good idea, and something that sounds like a LoZ game? Other than the Link-shagging-Zelda thing (just... wrong. She's a princess, not just some woman), I think this is pretty good. You could do it like the drink-driving in GTAIV (controls go screwy, you can't swing straight without massive effort) or like the Blackwood Company sequence in Oblivion (you take some stuff, walk into a settlement, see some mobs attacking and kill them. You return later after you've come down and see that you've killed a village of innocents)


EDIT:
A) Swearing- Yeah sure, why not.
B) Blood- Maybe, more realistic sword play isn't *that* important
C) Gore- Nope, that's blood gone too far.
D) Tits/Ass/Genitalia- Why is it needed?
E) Sex- Again?
F) Dark depiction of Link- Possibly: Maybe a decision to save one or another. Zelda or a whole village

 

[Mr. Fister]

One of the reasons that I like being at The Escapist forums is because I have no need to post my opinion as much, since there are several other people who already have. I'm still posting my opinion, but it's nice that I don't have to do so all of the time.

I think Twilight Princess is about as "adult" as the series will ever get. Zelda doesn't need to be more mature; most of the games have storylines much deeper and enriching than "save the princess," TP especially. Besides, it's totally unnecessary, and would really only appeal to the people who think they're mature because they only enjoy "adult" things like blood, guts, and sex.

And personally, I enjoy playing as a "light" Link. It just wouldn't feel the same if Link wasn't the embodiment of justice, courage, and kindness that he is in just about every non-cdi entry. That, and Link is meant to be a character that everyone can relate to, which is why he isn't dark or outspoken.

I know, right? I mean, I put Zelda (at least, the Twilight Princess version, who I felt did way more than get kidnapped) on my list of best female characters ever, just below Samus Aran, Tali Zorah nar'Rayya (Mass Effect) and Alyx Vance.

Bit of a nit-pick, but I felt the OoT Zelda did much more than the TP Zelda, who had an intentionally toned-down role. Yeah, TP Zelda did that one thing in the middle of the game (which I won't go into detail about), but OoT Zelda helped out Link in numerous places when she was disguised as Sheik. That, and OoT Zelda didn't get kidnapped until close to the end of the game.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I know, right? I mean, I put Zelda (at least, the Twilight Princess version, who I felt did way more than get kidnapped) on my list of best female characters ever, just below Samus Aran, Tali Zorah nar'Rayya (Mass Effect) and Alyx Vance.

Bit of a nit-pick, but I felt the OoT Zelda did much more than the TP Zelda, who had an intentionally toned-down role. Yeah, TP Zelda did that one thing in the middle of the game (which I won't go into detail about), but OoT Zelda helped out Link in numerous places when she was disguised as Sheik. That, and OoT Zelda didn't get kidnapped until close to the end of the game.

True. Though truth be told, I'm still playing through OoT for the first time (and I'm stuck on the Water Temple. Quelle suprise, ne c'est pas?). I'm somewhat of a heretic, in that the first Zelda game I played was Phantom Hourglass, then Twilight Princess, and I'm currently in the middle of playing through both OoT and Windwaker.

 

[funksobeefy]

I think, if done right, sex could be a good thing in the game. Think about it, there is a lot of movies that have sex, some of them are used to show that the characters are really in love, a movie I watched the other day was like this, they showed sex as this sensual moment of love between and young boy and girl. It wasn't "yaar tits!" you were happy when it happened because both characters were leading up to it and you knew it was the best thing to happen to them.

So if done right, a mature Zelda game with a well done love story between link and the farm girl Malon would not only show a more mature side of gaming (one were all trying to achieve) but also something more akin to as Oscar movie then a video game. Especially if tied with a darker version of link and Hyrule itself.

 

[Haberdasher]

Eh, I don't think so. Although, interestingly enough, it worked for Conker in BFD.

 

[commit97]

......I can honestly see this working....
A realistic Hyrule, with the peasants acting like the oppressed,paranoid, scared people they are, realistic amounts of blood (Link does fight with a sharpened sword afterall, ¬_¬), and Link is what, one (young, possibly teenage) man again a whole army, a young man who never appears to bathe or change clothes, despite sewer levels and one infamous level inside a creature's intestine? Obviously sex and nudity are pointless, but still possible ( I can imagine the "stewarld hero of the land" attracting SOME female attention.) Change the in-game AI,so Link can't do "heroric" things like openly steal the peasants' stuff and smash open their stores of food. Link *would* have to resort to steal and violence, he's one man against a super-power.

Just re-release Wind Waker at the same time, and the sales wont be a problem. (¬_¬ I really hated that game)

 

[Nechti_Visara]

The games don't really need any of that, I don't think. They're good enough as it is -- and you couldn't really add any... ehem... "different" elements to really make it work.
As for the "dark depiction of Link"... How is that even possible? I mean, he doesn't talk, so that rules out swearing, and he's the respective Hero of the land, so that rules out most behaviors shown in what I think you're going for.
It would be possible to have a game along the same lines of the Legend of Zelda games that is rated M, but it would be a poor idea for it to ACTUALLY BE a Zelda game. People are too accustomed to Link as he is to change him now.

Interestingly enough, this idea might work FOR the Zelda series if it was a game based off of the actual Dark Link. This is probably a BAD idea, but it could potentially work.

 

[AdmiralWolverineLightningbolt]

wind waker was fucking awesome and if you didnt like it then you're not a real zelda fan or even someone that appreciates good gameplay since it's genious throughout!

but a TRUE sequel to wind waker would be much appreciated on wii

 

[AndyFromMonday]

Cutting off Ganon's head in a fantasy world with blood all over the place with Link laughing maniacally whilst cutting more of Ganons limbs? No, just no.

 

[Boxinatorizore]

B
C
D
E
F

 

[Azeban]

Video game designers use the elements OP listed as a crutch...i.e. instead of an interesting story, they just curse alot so that children think the game is "cool." A good example of this is Gears of War. It has a terrible story, but kids like it because there's gore and cursing.

Zelda doesn't need it. The Zelda stories (while similar to one another) are masterfully crafted epics.

 

[demon lord 2037]

Sure, I mean its possible to make zelda a m rated game....... All you would need to do is add (h) all of the above. Also more peopl might like zelda more if it had more blood and gore.

 

[IamQ]

A) Swearing - No, these guys never talk, and swearing in subtitles would never work.
B) Blood - Yes, but to make it an M rated game only cuz of blood, they'd have every single thing to make the screen to go red.
C) Gore - I guess, but it wouldn't fit in.
D) Tits/Ass/Genitalia - no, they never have any relation between any characters, that would put them in situations that would show anything.
E) Sex - I already answered that.
F) Dark depiction of Link - Yeah, sure.

 

[Finbark]

I'm pretty sure they could make a darker LoZ, with mild amounts of gore, and still keep it T. The darker depiction of Link would be cool on it's own though.

 

[sirsolo]

Seems like something a few free-style developers would do as a free internet game (that wouldn't be all that good)...

*Does a little searching*

Yes. E) Has been done. Im scarred for life.

 

[Simon Hadow]

Hmmmmm... I think this might actually be a great idea, it already has a relatively dark atmosphere (if you go by the universe introduced in twilight princess), so all you have to add is some blood, maybe some cursing (in a sensible fashion, not just to throw them in there) and you might actually pull this off.

Suggetion: For the attack learning system introduced in Twilight, with the whole wolf howling to the rock thing, I think that could actually lead to some golden gory material, and , Link could definetley pull off a "bad guy" sort of charecter if you got an option between good and evil, and you gave him a darker costume.

 

[Weaver]

Video game designers use the elements OP listed as a crutch...i.e. instead of an interesting story, they just curse alot so that children think the game is "cool." A good example of this is Gears of War. It has a terrible story, but kids like it because there's gore and cursing.

Zelda doesn't need it. The Zelda stories (while similar to one another) are masterfully crafted epics.

i fully agree!

 

[Fightgarr]

I don't see why people need to force juvenile pleasures into Zelda. Why do you think it would make a better game to hear Link say 'Shit' or to have a gratuitous sex scene involving Zelda. Part of the beauty of Zelda is that it introduces a younger audience into gaming. Because of its age-accessibility it becomes a gateway game to other good single-player games. Make it M rated and its just another juvenile, violent hack and slash. It may as well be God of War then.