Daily Debate: Have Zelda Games Ever Helped You Get Through a Difficult Time?

The Legend of Zelda is no stranger to difficult topics. Loss and growth are common themes in every story. Some games, such as Majora’s Mask, beat the drum of loss harder than others. As art is often reflective of life, these somber moments can pull on heartstrings we weren’t even aware of. Or pluck heartstrings you are all too aware of.

Yet, at their core, each Zelda game is a story about hope. They are tales about a young adventurer who, by genuinely caring for the world around him, helps save it from the ultimate evil. While we may not be called to fight a giant, evil, wizard pig man to save our world, it doesn’t make our struggles any less difficult to go through. These messages of hope—coupled with the victory of overcoming challenging gameplay—can help us overcome life’s most difficult challenges.

Personally, Ocarina of Time helped me deal with a very difficult move. Much like Link, I was forced to leave my childhood home behind. Suddenly, I was thousands of miles away, in a strange new environment. Key story elements and zones in the game were, quite frankly, therapeutic. Ever since then, each Zelda game I’ve played has always found me when I needed it the most.

So what about you? Have these games helped you overcome a difficult trial in life? Do these stories seem to find you when you need them the most? If you’re comfortable, feel free to share with us in the comments below.