Warning: This article will contain
Spoilers for the Story of Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
breaks many conventions of the Zelda series. It's completely open
design philosophy allows the player to experience the game completely
at his own pace. Wherever you want to go you can go, only hindered by
your own abilities and preparation. But as much as some things have
changed some stayed the same. The Story is such a foundation. It's
basically the same in every Zelda game, and I'm happy about that
fact. And while some details may change the overarching plot of good
versus evil and the trifecta of the TriForce is always the same.
And this is a good thing. The basic
plot will always give you a feeling of familiarity, while the details
can change to keep things fresh. The Legend of Zelda with it's
different timelines and incarnations of Link, Zelda and Ganon is
perfect for such an approach to storytelling.
Breath of the Wild is no exception to
this. But with its completely open design the developers faced the
problem of portraying the story properly. After all you could easily
miss important parts simply by heading in the ''wrong'' direction.
All Open World Games have a problem
with linear storytelling. If you're supposed to reach different
places in a specific order to not mess up the story progression the
game can't be completely open. Twilight Princess and it's semi Open
World come to mind. While Hyrule in that game was huge for the time
it only opened up piece by piece. So while you had kind of an open
World it was segregated by the story progression.
On the other Hand you have games like
Skyrim, where you can go anywhere anytime, but because of that the
Main Story lacks any urgency. ''Oh no Alduin is back and feasts on
the souls of Sovengarde... well first let explore this dwarfen ruin
and after that maybe I will...''
Breath of the Wild solved this Problem
by putting most of the Story in the past. It is not a perfect
solution and the game has definitely some flaws in that department
(the weak characterization of Ganon comes to mind), but overall this
allows the player to explore the Story at his own pace and leisure
and in the end still have a cohesive Story arc.
Well I have writtne a lot already, so
let us finally come to todays topic. Amongst the critical praise for
the Game one critique did catch my eye.
Some of you may be sick and
tired of the topic, but I think it's worthy to discuss. Feminist
Frequency called out the the fact that once again Zelda needs to be
saved by link. They lamented the use of this tired trope. Once again
Zelda is nothing more than a Damsel in Distress. Well that is simply
not true. But before I talk about the power dynamic between Zelda and
Link and why she isn't a Damsel, but a very capable Hero in her own
right, let us take a look at her Character Arc in Breath of the Wild.
Oh and once again this will contain Spoilers.
Struggling with herself:
As mentioned earlier most of Breath of
the Wilds Story plays in the past. You'll experience this by visiting
specific places in the World and unlocking Links lost memories. These
cutscenes play 100 Years in the past, shortly before Ganons
devastating attack. Via these memories we get to know the four
champions of Hyurles races and Princess Zelda. For me this portrayal
of Zelda is one of the best and most fleshed out in the entire
series. We learn that she is plagued by self doubt. While Link
ascended the ranks, became the youngest Royal Knight in the History
of Hyrule and drew the Master Sword out of it's socket, she still has
to awaken her powers. Zelda can't even hear the voice of the Master
Sword. When exploring Hyrule Caslte you can stumble across Zeldas and
the Kings diary, which delve deeper in this subject.
We learn that Zelda lost her Mother at
the young age of six. This robbed the young princess of her teacher,
and even though the King noted that she never cried or faltered
during the funeral, it left a huge hole in Zeldas life. Torn between
her duty and her inability to awaken her powers Zelda would've needed
the guidance of her Mother more than ever. Because of this the young
Princess focused on studying the ancient technology of the Shiekah.
This is never outright stated in the
game, but I believe this was because of Zeldas fear that she would
not be able to awaken her sealing powers. Instead she hoped that the
Divine Beasts and Guardians would be able to defeat Ganon instead.
This self doubt also shows itself whenever Zelda lashes out at Link.
He fulfilled his destiny. He wields the Master Sword. Every time she
looks at him he reminds her of her own failure. Through this we get
to know a Zelda, who seems much more relatable and human than her
previous incarnations.
Over the course of the story we also
see that Zelda grows to care for Link. We see her grow as a person
and finally, in her most desperate hour, she manages to manifest her
powers to protect the one, who has always protected her. After Link
is put to sleep in the Shrine, she then brings the Master Swort back
to it's pedestal in front of the Deku Tree. At this time Zelda knows
what she has to do. If Ganon is left unchecked he would destroy
Hyrule. But she also knows that she alone can't hope to defeat the
Calamity. This is clear, when she asks the Deku Tree to convey her
message to Link. But when the Deku Tree stops her, telling the
princess that she herself should talk to Link, the young women takes
heart from this words. Determined she steps into Hyrule Castle alone
to fight Ganon. And for one Hundred years she has just done that.
Zelda is a strong personality in this
game, not because of that, but because we saw her growth first hand.
At least if you collect all the memories. The player can understand
her struggle and even if she is somewhat bratty in some scenes, it is
all understandable. She is a young women, who has always struggled to
fulfill her destiny. But finally she does just that and bravely steps
up to defend her land against the Calamity. So where is she a damsel?
Let's talk about that.
The definition of Strength:
On first glance nothing has changed to
older titles in the series. Zelda is trapped inside the castle with
Ganon and Link has to safe her. So she still is a Damsel in Distress?
Yes, but only if you don't care to look any further than that. Only
with a very superficial view on the game and the Story you could come
to the conclusion that Zelda is a Damsel.
First of all the Dynamic has completely
shifted. Not Zelda is being held captured by Ganon, but the exact
opposite is the case. Zelda is keeping Ganon contained within the
Castle, so that he can't destroy the rest of Hyrule. She is there as
of her own free will. Sacrificing her own freedom to keep her beloved
country safe. This far from Damsel behavior, which is often
characterized by the Damsel having no own agency. She only exists to
be saved by the Hero.
With Zelda we have a completely
different picture. Not only does she has her own Story arc and
character development via the Memories, but she also is the one to
safe Link and all of Hyrule first. Without her Link would have
perished one hundred years ago and the whole land would be destroyed
by Ganon by now.
But she still needs to be saved by Link
in the end I hear critics cry. Yes that is the truth, but so what?
Zelda is no Damsel, but she isn't a Mary Sue either. She has limits.
She is not a fighter. Link represents Courage. She represents Wisdom.
Link fights Ganon and she banishes him. Both need each other to
triumph.
If you're not convinced lets take a
look at the situation without Zelda in the Picture. First of Link
would've found a completely different Hyrule. Most likely everything
would have been covered by Malice and most, if not all, of the Land
would be dead. Certainly all other Races would've perished, which
means Link would've been truly alone in this destroyed and hostile
world. Ganon would've been able to take on his full powered form.
Also Link wouldn't have the Light Arrows to fight the monster.
Now lets say despite all this Link
manages to defeat Ganon. Without Zelda he would not be able to banish
him. Ganon would simply regenerate and attack again until he finally
overpowers the Hero.
You see Links and Zeldas relationship
is co-dependent. One can't succeed without the other. Link may be
able to defeat Ganon in combat, but he can't deal the final blow.
Zelda may be able to keep the Beast in Check, but she can't damage
it. None of the two is all powerful.
Zelda is no Damsel in Distress in
Breath of the Wild because she is portrayed having her own agency.
She has her own story and path. She chooses to make the ultimate
sacrifice in order to make Links victory possible.
And lastly I want to mention the true
ending. This cutscene is one of the best pieces of Storytelling in
recent memories. It only plays when you manage to collect all
memories first. In that scene we learn that keeping Ganon in check
for 100 years and then finally banishing him has completely depleted
Zelda of her powers. She can't hear the voice of the Master Sword any
more, nor does she have her sealing powers. But she is ok with that.
She has finally come to terms with herself. And she is already
looking forward. She and Link will rebuild Hyrule. And now she can
finally research the Shiekah technology without any pressure. Even
though she fulfilled her destiny there is still a lot more to do.
Simply said Zelda isn't defined by her role as incarnation of the
Goddess.
Calling this Zelda a Damsel in Distress
only shows that you have a very limited understanding of Tropes and
Storytelling and/or haven't truly played the game. Either way it is a
pretty stupid complaint.
Like I said earlier Breath of the Wild
has some weaknesses and is by no means a perfect game (even though it
comes very, very close), but its incarnation of Zelda is one of the
strongest and best developed female characters in the franchises
history. It's just that the game doesn't hand these facts to you on a
silver platter, but you'll have to work for it.
No comments:
Post a Comment