The Loneliness of The Wind Waker

[@metalgamer21]

Hit the nail on the head with this one. I'm so glad that my first LoZ game was Wind Waker. When I first played it I just loved the idea of sailing the great seas, looking for sunken treasure and exploring cool islands, but as I played and replayed the game more and more I realized that it was telling a deep story about personal growth and moving on from the past. I never even realized how the game is also about bringing fragmented communities together and I think that's so cool! Once again, amazing video and analysis on an absolute gem of a game.

[@hist150project5]

Locke

[@meeps0283]

I really appreciated this video. It's a shame that video essay which are as well thought out as this one don't get more recognition.

[@JacquelineMerritt]

I mean, you may not be able to control the algorithm, but you can still share it around the web to spread it around :)

[@meeps0283]

@@JacquelineMerritt I will as best as I can ^^

[@kirukuschler1876]

I think another huge Theme of Wind Waker is the Theme of freedom. You are free to explore everything, free from desteny. You free the sages deep inside Medli and Makar, you free the King of red lions from his endless quest, you free Hyrul from evil.

[@ExcursionsVirtuelles]

Wind Waker's Ganondorf is my favorite incarnation of the character. Heck, even though I was already in love with Ocarina of Time then, it's probably Wind Waker and its incredible ending that made me a fan of the saga. Thank you for this analysis! It's nice to remember how well this game is written.

[@biglion3179]

This is legitimately one of the best video essays on a Zelda game I've ever seen. I keep coming back to it even 2 years later. This is fucking criminally underrated

[@cps10149]

Right

[@Hakajin]

You know the series director, Eiji Aonuma said that he had just become a father when he was working on the game; that's why he wrote The King of Red Lions as like a father figure. But I think there's actually a lot more to it than that, because like... Although things have gotten worse, we knew about climate change back then (Japan in particular has always been environmentally conscious). So I feel like there's this sense of speaking to upcoming generations about the world they'll inherit. Actually... I was about Link's age when I played the game (got it the day it came out). Great video!

[@Enigma2Me]

9:38 I think it's also interesting to note that Zelda only became subject to kidnapping and thus enabling Ganon's plans as an end result of how the King handled things. It's interesting that King made this decision however, because I think it's also possibly indicative of the mentality you mentioned for his character arc. That he himself was rigidly stuck in the past, and in direct parallel to Ganondorf (assuming I remember things correctly about the Wind Waker's story), sought to return to the expected status quo. One of those possible status quo was the mindset of Zelda being needed to kept away from danger and that she needed to only exist to fulfill a specific destiny in a specific way. But in a dark irony, by reverting Tetra into Zelda and then locking her away under the sea, he unintentionally took both Tetra's own agency (thus tying into the theme of choice) and her connections to the outside world. As such, instead of aiding the situation, she was made isolated and vulnerable, and easy prey for Ganon. I think it's likely that this mistake would have ultimately played a part in the King realizing that he was clinging to a past that no longer worked, a mindset and status quo that would ultimately sacrifice the future seeds for the sake of preserving his own selfish desires, something that probably would have only been further exemplified by the effectiveness of Link and Tetra fighting Ganondorf together.

[@laserphasers1016]

watched this video a while back and still think about it sometimes. windwaker's always been my favorite, and this articulates why the themes hit so hard very well, great stuff

[@dissonanceparadiddle]

This is so well done. I love that this texture pack fixes tetra getting white washed when she's revealed to be the princess

[@aaronyayger]

I wouldn't say she's white washed, that's probably just her actual skin color and she's tanned. I think she should have stayed tan, too, though.

[@popstarrowlet]

​@@aaronyaygerthat's probably what they intended it to be but even then it's kinda stupid

[@WCircuit7224]

The whole tan to white comes from the fact that zelda needed to look as different as possible to hide from ganon. Zelda's original skin color is white.

[@ripmxrcus]

beautiful video man we need to spread this video around

[@blueknight0782]

I'll admit that I didn't "get" Wind Waker when I played it years ago. You work makes me want to play it again now. Thank you.

[@biglion3179]

Toon Link is wearing an Ocarina of Time outfit, and now I'm thinking of an unlockable Hero of Time outfit that halves damage taken.

[@spencermerrell2755]

Wind waker clicked to me really hard for its purpose and meaning. Ganondorf was really close to becoming a good man and he could have been a rightious leader for the seas. Except for the fact that he had major depression and allowed his thoughts to take over him. Makes me wonder how lonely he was just sitting next to a fire thinking what could have been

[@shinnkun3730]

man for some reason i really want a zelda game with good ganon and new bigger threat boss. Haha He fights along with the hero link to atone his sins.

[@poenpotzu2865]

Power revealed Ganons true nature. For all his bravado and self righteous banter, all he wanted was power.

[@ShadowWizard224]

Loneliness is the perfect word that describes Wind Waker.

[@thewindisblowing7520]

The messages of traditional heroism in this game are everything to me! Thank you for making this. Something about how Link isn't some "legendary hero" but simply a person, someone anybody can be, by way of prioritizing doing what is right and good for the world has always sat with me very close to heart. I knew I liked the heroic theming of Wind Waker but never knew how to put it into words until this. It's the kind of stuff that makes me want to cry.

[@haxmax5352]

Did not expect to give up some man tears watching this video but hey, life comes at you fast. Fanstastic video highlighting the sorrow of Ganondorf and the King, clinging to their lost worlds.

[@Mike09017]

Thank you. Your reflections and thoughts even made me shed a tear. You deserve more subs than this.

[@PalaeoJoe]

I think it's sad that we see the land they founded was named 'New Hyrule'. It kinda defeats the purpose of The Wind Waker's message to let go of the past.

[@queencancerous5332]

This is best Zelda story ever told honestly

[@Skyehoppers]

Uh this is the best analysis of the Wind Waker's story on KZbin. Like for sure. I've been looking. Excellent work, really!

[@Peachdelity]

Found this video now and I’m so glad I did. This was my very first Zelda game as I watched my Dad play it. I’ve played it over the years more times than I can count on my hands but the true story and meaning behind this game became so clear to me watching this video. Thank you for making this definitely will show my Dad this video because this video gives such a clear picture of the true story of this game and the intentions behind the characters!

[@bamajama13]

I'm not crying, you're crying..

[@trucy123]

Wow. What a thoughtful look at The Wind Waker, some really interesting ideas I never considerd.

[@SharkieTheDork]

That was a beautiful analysis. Wind Waker is my favorite Zelda, but it's been a few years since I've played it. I really enjoyed this video looking at its story and themes in a more mature lens.

[@anonymousanon3055]

Nice video, thanks for making and sharing!

[@ODUBlue]

I'm playing this game now, May '23, after a false start during lockdowm in '20. And starting over vs resuming that file is one of the best gaming decisions I've ever made. I'm coming out of some severe mental health struggles (doing much better now 🙂), and this game is blowing my mind. You outline the reasons why the Hero of Winds is my new favorite perfectly well; no need to re-list them here. But those reasons you list 1) show you totally get it also, 👊🏻 Kindred Spirit 2) give me a hope and optimism about myself and my potential more than any other Zelda has. It's been a really special experience. Thanks for making something out of love for beautiful art.

[@kigut7443]

windwaker is my favourite zelda game, and if more zelda games were like it, maybe i'd be more invested in the lore of zelda. wonderful essay, it really put in to perspective the things i enjoyed about it! also, i strongly appreciate that you appear to have used a mod to keep tetra's skin tone consistent when she becomes the princess. that always bugged me how she became whitewashed upon transformation. great work, you deserve more views!!

[@JuilanXAnime3188]

I totally agree before wind waker the Zelda series wasn’t that lore heavy with continuity until OOTs distance ADULT TIMELINE Sequal the Wind waker. I wish Nintendo would do more Zelda games like this as well breath and tears were ok I guess but just didn’t do it for me like Wind waker did aka the days when Nintendo actually Really cared about Continuity lore and direct connections of the past.

[@kairi123able]

you really got it exactly how i always read the story too. this is an amazing video, and i love the texture packs in the clips !!!

[@rickrijks4560]

This is further evidence that The Wind Waker has a heartfelt message about moving on- while the past doesn't shape us, dwelling on it consumes us, destroys us. And this is in one of the most colorful Zelda games. GG Nintendo!

[@Yuri-vh5iq]

It's so sad. But also, I can't fully grasp how brave the developers were with this game, this end of Hyrule and also with this new art style ehich was overwhelming rejected then.

[@emacsterm2949]

I find Link so intriguing in this game. He is not in the lineage of the hero. He’s just some kid. And so many seem to miss that.

[@NamelesssSpinda]

Wow, it's almost painful how little views this has.

[@codyt8541]

This was really good!

[@tigerfestival3928]

I really enjoyed the video, thanks for this analysis. Ocarina of time was my first Zelda game and Windwaker completely rocked my world... I associated Zelda with the lush landscape of hyrule in oot, so the sailing and lonely ocean was such a departure from that, while still staying true to the soul of the series. The nuance that you described here was a bit lost on my younger self though so it’s really nice to revisit the game through a more mature lens. Thanks again, you got a new subscriber ❤️ and I love you too!

[@RevaneCrowford]

that was very good ​WW was the only zelda game I played, but I played it a lot

[@Aemyn]

This is very nice!

[@ilitardo160]

Wait why the hell doesn’t this have more views? I watched the video without looking at the views and the amount of comments, so I just assumed that this was from a big channel. Damn bro this stuff is good, make more👋👍🏼

[@veronicamcghie5238]

This was a really good video

[@MadnessInLivingColor]

Great video! Was going to say “Well done dude” but I guess since it’s Jacqueline.. well done fellow human! Love the analysis.

[@doorcurtain8523]

I'm leaving a like and a comment solely to show appreciation for using a mod that keeps Tetra tan-skinned when she rediscovers her heritage. But yes, The Wind Waker's themes and story are very important. As a kid I didn't like that Ganondorf in this game suddenly became more relatable and tragic after the moustache-twirling evil man he was in Ocarina of Time. Nowadays I think making characters that used to be straightforward evil into more interesting and rounded people is a positive even if it messes with continuity, because continuity was holding good storytelling back. Man I want another beautiful Zelda game that uses the Wind Waker / Four Swords art style again, but for Switch, and not another top-down one, I mean a third-person game like most 3D Zeldas.

[@darkbeetlebot]

I gotta admit, non-whitewashed tetra looks way better.

[@MinerTommy]

Great video!!!

[@GymLeaderEd]

Great video!

[@ikennasmash1030]

Good stuff.

[@darrenobrien314]

This video made me realize how easy it is to identify with TWW Ganondorf...when I played this for the first time, I remember being a pissed off kid, hating how the Hyrule of my childhood was just washed away and wiped clean by these nameless gods...I kind of sympathize with Ganon's anger over all that, but didn't even realize it at the time. I think I was angry with Nintendo...like you guys replaced all THAT with THIS? Now I see it all had a deeper meaning...

[@KOTEBANAROT]

This is very good. (The voice acting bits were cringe tho, i skipped them)

[@chancemitchell4147]

Lmfao, Dark Skinned Zelda is best Zelda by far

[@Moscato_Moscato]

And subscribed!

[@BBrostik]

Hey great video man! Just also wanted to know where this amazing HD texture pack/emulator is from since it looks so damn good. (Also judging from the controller UI in the top corner, it looks like you can configure a Playstation controller with this, so I just wanna know what exactly this is)

[@prinxen1733]

*Did you unwhitewash Tetra or is this in the HD cus I haven't finished that *As an aside I'm loving the video so far!!

[@Nova-gh5yr]

This is definitely a mod Link here is also wearing adult Links clothes from oot

[@JacquelineMerritt]

Mod I'm using :) forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-hypatia-s-tloz-the-wind-waker-hd-pack-v2-0001a

[@1020percent]

A great analysis of the game and its story. I just feel bad for the two sages, aren’t they trapped in their dungeons forever now? Or do they get to go home since Ganondorf got got.

[@d3va383]

How did you get the oot link outfit? And the shields also look different. Is it a mod/texture pack

[@susiehaltmann3342]

Is it bad that I actually agree with Ganondorf. This is the one time where I think he’s in the right. He just wanted Hyrule back for now instead of conquering the world. Also why did the King flood the already flooded Hyrule in an attempt to kill ganon. Because that worked so well the first time

[@jaimuzyka3177]

What is the WW mod you’re playing during the video

[@spacecadetlostintransit]

12th birthday

[@butthatsjustmyfilthyopinio5083]

What mod are you using to get Link and Tetra to look like that?

[@JacquelineMerritt]

It's this pack! Been meaning to add this link to the description lol forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-hypatia-s-tloz-the-wind-waker-hd-pack-v2-0001a

[@mementomonsters]

👾🌈

[@GearoxButaBox]

I'm not sure if I misunderstood or not, but I disagree that Link was just a random boy who saved the world, and not the reborn hero. As said in the beginning of the game, the elders hoped that one day, one of the boys will know the same courage as the hero of time. Yes, Link travelled across the seas to save his little sister, and then set out to save something greater--the world. He found his courage, and that way, _we_ found that he was the hero reborn. He was yet another incarnation of the hero, which could be also be backed up by the fact that he wields the triforce of courage and the master sword, a sword which chooses its master, the sword which has chosen Link time and time again.

[@kingkcheifre]

i subbed! not only to help you make this career a reality, but because i genuinely enjoyed the video essay, and want more zelda videos from you