The Most Tragic Zelda Story No One Noticed | Ferren Discusses The Hero Of Time

[@xShadowsithx]

In my opinion, the Hero of Time is the saddest incarnation of Link we have seen so far. On his journey, Link suffered a lot, including the loss of his parents during the Hyrule civil war, which is tragic. His childhood was stolen from him when the Great Deku Tree called for him via Navi. A 9-year-old boy is forced to fight deadly enemies and help the races of Hyrule with their problems. He is then fooled by Ganondorf, and the sages put him to sleep, stealing most of his teenage years from him so that he could wield the Master Sword, still basically having the mind of a 9-year-old child. He made friends and even had love interests during his journey, but after the defeat of Ganondorf, he is sent back by Zelda to his own time, stripping him of all his relationships. Additionally, his closest friend, Navi, leaves him. But his suffering does not stop there. In search of Navi, he is cursed by Skull Kid into a Deku scrub, which terrifies him. Trapped in the dimension of Termina, Link must solve even sadder fates and heal cursed souls. Every time he puts on a transformation mask, Link feels the suffering of the soul within the mask. After Majora's Mask, Link grew up and likely got a girl (the hints mainly point to Malon), but after his death, his soul could not rest until he taught his ancestor, the Link from Twilight Princess, all the relevant things to progress and defeat Ganondorf for good.

[@ferrenYT]

Right? It's why I feel like in comparison to the sequels beyond OoT and MM, the stakes have never been higher. I pray that we see a return to from in future Zelda titles. Even if they keep the large open world map - I think it really makes a difference when we get to see the overall effect this type of journey has on the character (Link).

[@xShadowsithx]

​@@ferrenYT I like how Twilight Princess gave us a connection between the Hero of Twilight and the Hero of Time. This Link also suffers during his journey, and his best friend and main love interest, Midna, must leave his world at the end of his journey, which makes the ending very bitter as well (in the manga, they kissed each other before Midna said goodbye forever). However, the level of suffering is far less than that of the Hero of Time. I'm also very unsatisfied with what Nintendo did with Tears of the Kingdom. There were good concepts to make it much darker than Breath of the Wild, but these were not implemented consistently. The story showed us how Zelda paid the ultimate price as she was transformed into the Light Dragon, but they could also have shown us how Link, the Hero of the Wild, is burdened by the disappearance of Zelda at the start of the game. Zelda is not only a friend to him; she is HIS princess, whom he had sworn to protect. There is much evidence in the game (hints and the finale) that they are in love with each other in this incarnation. If my love disappeared into oblivion, I would suffer a lot. In my opinion, Nintendo lacked the courage to point that out directly.

[@stephenhasty252]

😢😢😢 hero of time 4 ever 😢😢😢 thats why Majoras Mask is so special

[@ETHomerin]

There's no better Link than the Hero of Time. I feel like I've seen this analysis or another deep one similar. There's a million OoT videos but there are a few that are total gold. Part of the magic of OoT and MM is that they end abruptly with ambiguity. The tragic unknown fate as to how Link became the Hero's Shade... who knows. I always like to make an even sadder theory. My scenario would contradict some stuff but why not lol: The Hero's Shade is not the true Link, but a reflection of him. The part he left behind when leaving his world again. Perhaps a combination of his feelings and a part of the magic from the Ocarina. Since TP Link is descended from him, he obviously had a kid with someone. Because of the subtext, I'm going to say Malon. But imagine this Link as an adult felt a new calling he couldn't resist. Then one day as an adult, he plays some ultimate song, let's say song of the goddess from SS, on the Ocarina and unlocks its full power. A portal opens up and Link understands. He is terrified. He's being pulled through. He tries to resist. Then Navi shows up. She left to return for this moment; to give Link courage. He goes through the portal, and arrives in the Temple of Time in the same way he did on that lost journey as if he had just pulled out the Master Sword as a kid again. The game ends with Sheik waiting for him. "I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time." This is the downfall timeline. It was all the same Link. And we know his tragic fate. So happy to see people still enjoying this story and interpretations of it!!!

[@MediaJames]

When you are a kid you earn the spiritual stones and when you are an adult you earn the sage medallions. I like to think that the stones represent nature made items and the medallions represent man made items.

[@ferrenYT]

That's a very well made point honestly 🤔

[@DragonBallUltra2024]

Not to sound like a know it all, but i been knew all the messages and real life lessons shigeru and Anouma put in this master piece. i love this game more than any other game. ocarina of time is not a game... its a lore. Ocarina of time is literally the best game ever made, its success is beyond rivaled by any other Nintendo game. it won multiple awards, its appear on all Nintendo platforms since release. Hero shade being link from oot brought me to tears... when i first learn that beating Twilight princess i hade to ball my eyes out. OOT is a reflection of life. This game taught me life at a young age. time changes everything, relationships, places, nature, etc.

[@ferrenYT]

It really is truly a wonderful game, so glad to have met someone else who feels so strongly about the game!