Zelda Dungeon Talks: Should Link Have A Companion In Zelda Wii U?
Posted on March 17 2015 by Josh Tasaico
In most Zelda games, Link has a companion that accompanies him throughout the journey. These characters provide more characterization for our hero, usually doing all the talking for him and most closely interacting with him. These characters all play an important role in their respective games; whether it be Fi delivering messages, Navi and Tatl giving advice, or Proxi somewhat giving voice to Link in Hyrule Warriors. It’s generally known that some people despise Navi and Fi, but with that being said, do we want someone alongside Link in the upcoming Zelda Wii U title?
In this week’s Zelda Dungeon Talks, various staff members give their opinions on this topic, and elaborate on their reasoning.
Question: Would you like to see a companion by Link’s side in the upcoming Zelda game? Elaborate on your answer.
Jon Lett – View Profile
I have always preferred Link to have a partner in his adventures, and I doubt that any future game should break the trend. Not only does having a companion with you at all times take away any real sense of loneliness, but it also, in a manner of speaking, gives Link a voice. Midna, Tatl, the King of Red Lions – they do the talking for you, interacting with other characters so that Link having a long pause doesn’t act as you giving a response. Also, the companions in Zelda games never feel intrusive. They give you more interesting puzzles and adventuring options, rather than make you feel like you are doing a game-long escort quest.
Alexis Anderson – View Profile
I tend to enjoy Link having a companion, especially when they’re well integrated with the story. Navi and Fi had little effect on plot in their games, so I didn’t care too much for them while Midna and Tatl had more meat to their relationships-of-necessity with Link. However, with Zelda Wii U being an open-world style game, I don’t see how a companion can be properly incorporated. The Link in this game appears to be far more independent than those of recent titles; he can even ride wild horses making Epona less important. A companion really isn’t necessary for this Link in a way that would be important to the storyline. Having another Navi style companion could make sense for describing enemies. But maybe not; if the players are being encouraged to figure more out on their own then enemy descriptions would be undesirable. So, as much as I would love to see another meaningful companion, I don’t imagine it working out in Zelda Wii U.
Andrew Kiser – View Profile
I really enjoy having a companion along for the ride. It’s a nice way to move the story along as the companion usually acts as the voice for Link. However I would like to see a more useful companion like we had with Midna. She was a unique companion in that she added abilities like being able to climb unreachable spots, attacking multiple enemies at once, and was the source for warping. I personally would love to see Link have a constant Hawk companion (like the Hawks from Twilight Princess) that could also be used like the Beetle item for scouting and retrieving items. Of course having the Hawk fit into the story would be fun if it was a magical or transformed Hawk akin to Ezlo from the Minish Cap.
Alasyn Eletha – View Profile
Yes, I believe Link should have a companion in Zelda Wii U. I feel as if the very taciturn Link is much more tangible as a character with a companion or a guide, as opposed to seeming more inanimate when he does not. I guess, in a way, that means I like playing the games as Link, not that Link is myself as the player. I really enjoy there being a plot to games. Watching the development between Link and his sidekicks throughout franchise (as, using Midna or Tatl as examples, it usually takes some warming up for the companions to really consider Link a hero), is one of the main reasons why I love these games so much. In my opinion, no matter how great it may turn out, I’d be disappointed if Link winds up without a companion in Zelda Wii U.
Ethan Hunt – View Profile
In honesty I don’t know whether I would want a companion or not in this game. I think it depends on the overall vibe and feel of the game, which I don’t think i’ve seen enough of to make a decision. Typically in the 3D games, I love characters like Navi, Tatl and Fi etc. because they give you names and explanations of each enemy which I think is really cool. However, if this game is supposedly harkening back to the original game on the NES (some are even speculating it may be a remake of that original map), then I think a lonely and more traditional approach without a companion would give a better atmospheric feel. In a non-linear experience, sometimes it’s better to just delve in and get lost in a world without the computer giving you pointers all the time.
