Poll: Should Link be female in the next Lengend Of Zelda
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Well, after all, each new Link is supposed to be a reincarnation of the previous one, scheduled to be born again every few milennia some 10 to 16 years before things are due, once more, to go pear-shaped courtesy of Ganon. Keeping this in mind, a female Link IS already a definite possibility - just a tiny slip-up of fate waiting to happen!BlumiereBleck said:
And personally, I think it would be awesome. (ESPECIALLY if we could get a reaction shot from whatever deity is responsible, ala the wizard from the third Discworld novel who passes his staff, and therefore his wizardly powers, along to a girl by mistake!)
I've actually thought that this would be a cool idea for awhile now. If Nintendo did this, I'd be all over it.
I'm cool with Zelda being the main character of a game. That'd be awesome. And maybe the option to have a female Link? Maybe?
I don't really see the point, though. Link is a dude. That's how he is. I'd much rather see Nintendo make a new, compelling female character than just give a male character a sex change.
I don't really see the point, though. Link is a dude. That's how he is. I'd much rather see Nintendo make a new, compelling female character than just give a male character a sex change.
You just blew my frikin mind!GloatingSwine said:
And that would be quite awesome.
Come on Nintendo pull another Metroid on us!
Personally, the lore and characters over the time have been rich enough that I wouldn't mind there being a game featuring playing as Ganondorf or Zelda again as long as CDi isn't involved. Not something dumb like a rip off of Bowser's inside story, but a legit game where you see all that Ganondorf goes through as being the only male gerudo for a 100 years, which isn't to say every woman wants his nuts or something, but more like the trials of becoming a leader, and possibly what makes him evil at its root whether it is a demonic possession by the spirit of Ganon, or he is just the reincarnation with evil built in or if he becomes evil on his path to gain the power that he desperately craves.
Same for Zelda, growing up and hearing the legends, possibly training herself to become a better leader or just out of paranoia of 'evil's approach'. Her quest to find the chosen one and assist him in preventing darkness from ruling the world. Honestly, after finishing and re-reading my own rant, it occurs to me, Link is the only one who doesn't prepare himself for anything, except during the journey he is already on. He doesn't lead and isn't trained in any respect to lead, he is a good fighter with a determined heart and the courage to go on ahead even though it looks dismal, that's his character in a nutshell. Zelda and Ganondorf had to worry about their people, their conquest, their rule, and make plans and changes to allow them, whereas Link gets his quest dropped on him by old men, royal protectors, tree spirits, and the occasional fairy.
As for the female link thing, it's okayish, but its more cliche and pandering than you would think at first glance. In many stories where the elements are rehashed in a different time, the main characters traits often change, but gender as a 'major' change is just sad. Even if you were to market it as 'girl power' or 'female empowerment' or 'equality' the minute that those commercials come out, most fans will stand up and say "Hey why didn't we just use Zelda instead of rule 63 Link?" and it is that question that will bust a hole in their credibility.
Same for Zelda, growing up and hearing the legends, possibly training herself to become a better leader or just out of paranoia of 'evil's approach'. Her quest to find the chosen one and assist him in preventing darkness from ruling the world. Honestly, after finishing and re-reading my own rant, it occurs to me, Link is the only one who doesn't prepare himself for anything, except during the journey he is already on. He doesn't lead and isn't trained in any respect to lead, he is a good fighter with a determined heart and the courage to go on ahead even though it looks dismal, that's his character in a nutshell. Zelda and Ganondorf had to worry about their people, their conquest, their rule, and make plans and changes to allow them, whereas Link gets his quest dropped on him by old men, royal protectors, tree spirits, and the occasional fairy.
As for the female link thing, it's okayish, but its more cliche and pandering than you would think at first glance. In many stories where the elements are rehashed in a different time, the main characters traits often change, but gender as a 'major' change is just sad. Even if you were to market it as 'girl power' or 'female empowerment' or 'equality' the minute that those commercials come out, most fans will stand up and say "Hey why didn't we just use Zelda instead of rule 63 Link?" and it is that question that will bust a hole in their credibility.
according to the manga, she was even a double agent working for Ganondorf. She was basically hiding right under his nose which makes her even more badass.Gearhead mk2 said:
and yes, that would be quite the awesome game to be had.
OT: I don't think I need to reiterate but genderbending link would be a poor idea. What difference does another chromosome make when there would be no other meaningful way to adress that change? Cutboard cutouts don't satisfy anyone and having some social pressure upon the heroine (girls can't be heroes, societies trying to discourage her from even embarking on the journey, has to fight for her right to even try to be a hero even though she's the chosen one and the "official hero" is nothing but a fraud... the more I think about this... the awesomer it gets... I need to write this shit down)?
I dunno if that would work in a Zelda game when you have a silent protagonist.
But really, if you changed the protagonist, a lot of the key structure of the game, the main relationship between characters and the whole point of the game, why bother calling it Zelda anymore? Why not trying to establish a new IP that has these things in mind from the get go?
*looks at Beyond Good & Evil* Oh... right :/
Link = Male
Zelda = Female
And f*** MovieBob for wanting anything different.
I would be intrigued by Link and Zelda reversing roles though. Maybe Prince Link or even Princess Zelda saving Link because he is a promised savior. In any case, Zelda has proven herself to be a capable fighter and I would not mind seeing her as a protagonist.
Zelda = Female
And f*** MovieBob for wanting anything different.
I would be intrigued by Link and Zelda reversing roles though. Maybe Prince Link or even Princess Zelda saving Link because he is a promised savior. In any case, Zelda has proven herself to be a capable fighter and I would not mind seeing her as a protagonist.
No. It's like Mario and Princess Peach, it would ruin the sexual tension.
On a more serious note, no, because Link is Link. I'm getting a bit fucking sick and tired of people saying "Should such and such a character, who has no ability to change form or appearance and is for all intents and purposes a static bodied lifeform, change gender/race?". To which I say NO. THAT IS MINDLESS ARBITRARY MERIT-GRABBING/FAKE CONTROVERSY/UNNECESSARY AND STUPID. I think the same way about James Bond being black. Doctor Who could be a woman, possibly, because he regenerates and changes appearance, if it's canon that the ability encompasses gender I can't say anything against it. But Link is a person in a world with no known way to change genders. Introduce a new character, or here's a novel idea, have Zelda as the protagonist. Voila! Character progression!
On a more serious note, no, because Link is Link. I'm getting a bit fucking sick and tired of people saying "Should such and such a character, who has no ability to change form or appearance and is for all intents and purposes a static bodied lifeform, change gender/race?". To which I say NO. THAT IS MINDLESS ARBITRARY MERIT-GRABBING/FAKE CONTROVERSY/UNNECESSARY AND STUPID. I think the same way about James Bond being black. Doctor Who could be a woman, possibly, because he regenerates and changes appearance, if it's canon that the ability encompasses gender I can't say anything against it. But Link is a person in a world with no known way to change genders. Introduce a new character, or here's a novel idea, have Zelda as the protagonist. Voila! Character progression!
I dunno about y'all, but I did have a story written for a LoZ game. Wrote it about (now that I've found it, HOLY SHIT) 4 years ago.
Basically, it starts out as a normal Legend of Zelda game except that when Link succeeds at retrieving the Master Sword, Ganon appears, holds a random NPC hostage (one that Link helps along his way) and not only captures and imprisons Link, but magically seals the Master Sword inside a box/case. They return to wherever Ganon has his base of operations.
Zelda, sensing the Master Sword's quick emergence and then disappearance and then realizing something has happened to Link, has to travel Hyrule incognito to increase her magical abilities, infiltrate Ganon's lair, rescue Link and unseal the Master Sword. Once done, they would have a two-on-one battle with Ganon. After which, they'd escape and then realize...the quest ain't quite over yet.
After this, you could either have the game be switchable between Zelda and Link, or you could have the both of them travel together combining their talents and powers as they continue to fix up the rest of Hyrule before fighting Ganon again at a later time.
What I'm trying to say is if you wish to give Zelda more of a part in the game, have it written and executed well in the game. Link doesn't need to undergo a genderbend to accomplish what the OP has asked, but giving the player access to Princess Zelda and her magical abilities and giving her a reasonable quest of her own would seem to me the best choice in this debate.
Basically, it starts out as a normal Legend of Zelda game except that when Link succeeds at retrieving the Master Sword, Ganon appears, holds a random NPC hostage (one that Link helps along his way) and not only captures and imprisons Link, but magically seals the Master Sword inside a box/case. They return to wherever Ganon has his base of operations.
Zelda, sensing the Master Sword's quick emergence and then disappearance and then realizing something has happened to Link, has to travel Hyrule incognito to increase her magical abilities, infiltrate Ganon's lair, rescue Link and unseal the Master Sword. Once done, they would have a two-on-one battle with Ganon. After which, they'd escape and then realize...the quest ain't quite over yet.
After this, you could either have the game be switchable between Zelda and Link, or you could have the both of them travel together combining their talents and powers as they continue to fix up the rest of Hyrule before fighting Ganon again at a later time.
What I'm trying to say is if you wish to give Zelda more of a part in the game, have it written and executed well in the game. Link doesn't need to undergo a genderbend to accomplish what the OP has asked, but giving the player access to Princess Zelda and her magical abilities and giving her a reasonable quest of her own would seem to me the best choice in this debate.
you know what, link is a different character in almost every subsequent game anyway. I don't see why not. It would be an interesting change.
It's not like it would change anything about the gameplay. I'm not saying he should be female but I see no reason why he shouldn't. If they were to give it a try, I wouldn't mind at all.
It's not like it would change anything about the gameplay. I'm not saying he should be female but I see no reason why he shouldn't. If they were to give it a try, I wouldn't mind at all.
I don't see a reason why I would want Link to become a girl. Really, even after reading this thread nothing actually catches in my mind as a reason why I would want a female Link.
I'd like to see a more involved and proactive Zelda sometimes - in her own game, in a game with Link (maybe you play a few levels as her helping somewhere Link can't be or two things need to happen simultaneously so they work together with the player handling both / switching between etc.) or whatever.
I'd like to see the whole franchise on a non-Nintendo console because I hate the Wii and the controller concept that goes with it and that has prevented me from enjoying a series I followed fairly fan-girlishly through my earlier life. (Motion control just isn't everyone's cup of tea - nothing against those who do enjoy it).
I've never had a problem with Link being a guy and I think the reasons to tamper with that character's gender are really not problems having anything to do with the character or the game he is in, but a bunch of surrounding issues that should find redress elsewhere and in other ways. Issues that I, by the by, do feel are important and should be addressed (the gender issue matrix) for the record, before anyone starts up. Link is a guy. He can stay a guy and that's fine and dandy by me.
I'd like to see a more involved and proactive Zelda sometimes - in her own game, in a game with Link (maybe you play a few levels as her helping somewhere Link can't be or two things need to happen simultaneously so they work together with the player handling both / switching between etc.) or whatever.
I'd like to see the whole franchise on a non-Nintendo console because I hate the Wii and the controller concept that goes with it and that has prevented me from enjoying a series I followed fairly fan-girlishly through my earlier life. (Motion control just isn't everyone's cup of tea - nothing against those who do enjoy it).
I've never had a problem with Link being a guy and I think the reasons to tamper with that character's gender are really not problems having anything to do with the character or the game he is in, but a bunch of surrounding issues that should find redress elsewhere and in other ways. Issues that I, by the by, do feel are important and should be addressed (the gender issue matrix) for the record, before anyone starts up. Link is a guy. He can stay a guy and that's fine and dandy by me.
Remember that Critical Miss comic in which Erin criticizes Ubisoft for having this franchise with an established cannon that can let you go anywhere, but they stuck around the Renaissance up until the latest iteration? We have a similar situation here. We have a setting in which we have a legend that repeats over and over again (hero named Link, with the help of a princess named Zelda, defeats a power-hungry general of evil named Gannon), but the specifics of the legend are conspicuously absent (as with all legends). What we have here is a vehicle. As long as the basics of the legend stay the same, practically anything could happen. For instance, I saw a picture on Kotaku months ago of a dark-skinned Link. Why not a black Link? Why not a Link with red hair? Why not a more modern Hyrule? Why not a post-apocalyptic Hyrule? Why not an underwater Hyrule? Why not a Gannon born into the body of a Zoran? Why not a Zelda who is the Vice-President of a major trade consortium in an Internet-age Hyrule?
I'm not 100% sold on the idea of a female Link, but that's not to say I think a game set in the Zelda universe with a female protagonist wouldn't be good. The Hero of Time IS Link in my opinion. That doesn't mean there can't be other heroes, or indeed heroines.Alcaste said:
I don't think there should be a game based solely around Zelda though. She simply isn't interesting enough. In Wind Waker her pirate alter ego was really interesting, but when she became the princess, bam, boring. Perhaps someone could hammer some decent characterisation out of her, but right now, I think she doesn't deserves her own game.
Done in Wind Waker, sort of...scienceguy8 said:
because if I remember correctly, the legend states that Ganondorf is a Gerudo King and both Link and Zelda are Hylian. Not 100% on that though.
That's an interesting idea, could get kind of Tron-ny which would be cool.
I'd personally be fine with it given the already well established use of "reincarnation" that the Zelda games use. However, they would have to make is somehow involved in the plot or it is just a gimmick to which I am opposed. I don't see any way that would work and the game still feel like a traditional "Zelda" game though. Then again didn't they say Skyward sword would be the last traditional Zelda game?
I can't think of a single reason why Link couldn't be female. In the second place, it's not as if Link is a character with a personality or a history beyond maybe "He herds goats and likes this girl with a weird flock-of-seagulls haircut" instead of just an avatar; but in the first place, even if Link was a character with a personality or a history, so what? What, exactly, about Link is so specific to being male that he couldn't be female? The closest thing I can come up with to a distinctly male character trait Link has is his bow, in that a woman would have to be careful not to filet her nipple off with the bowstring.
All the people who are asking how the sex change would improve the series are, in my opinion, missing the point. They ought to be asking how it would make the series worse, and it just wouldn't. It wouldn't matter even a little bit. Between the complete lack of any appreciable downside and the fact that it would seem like a step (a tiny and possibly misguided step, but still a measurable one) away from the gender exclusion this industry is so famous for, and I'm for it.
And then there's another reason I'm in favor of it...
All the people who are asking how the sex change would improve the series are, in my opinion, missing the point. They ought to be asking how it would make the series worse, and it just wouldn't. It wouldn't matter even a little bit. Between the complete lack of any appreciable downside and the fact that it would seem like a step (a tiny and possibly misguided step, but still a measurable one) away from the gender exclusion this industry is so famous for, and I'm for it.
And then there's another reason I'm in favor of it...
Anything that angers people who would say something like this is, as far as I'm concerned, a positive thing. Seriously, screw anyone who's so insecure about his place in the world that he sees a voiceless avatar's breasts as a personal threat. I can't be diplomatic about that one. Everything that makes the world seem more inhospitable to someone who freaks out over the idea of a chick wielding the Master Sword is something I would like to see come about.lisadagz said: