...But I'd be a fool to believe such bollocks. Seeing as games these days seem to rely on escapism, the kind involving killing dudes and doing the type of thing that would unattainable in real life mind you, it seems that actual romance seems rather quaint, reserved for the likes of Bioware RPGs and the games of a previous era (Final Fantasy 8 anyone?).
Are there any hopeless romantics in the gaming community? Has the idea of rescuing a princess been cast aside? Has gaming grown up up to the point where fairy-tale idealism has been ditched completely? Did strong independent women like Lara Croft, Samus Aran and Jill Valentine make the damsel in distress obsolete? Or have many gamers realised that real women are in fact, more fun than pretend ones?
No matter, I'm a hopeless romantic and I feel no shame in saying so. And if there other people who share the same mindset then so much the better. So, in the hope that such people exists and are reading this I want to talk about another of the great gaming couples. It’s one of the longest running romances in the history of gaming and hands down one of the most recognisable. The faces may change but all in all, it still has the power to entice the interest of gamers everywhere.
That’s right, I’m talking about Link and Zelda
This is a strange couple to say the least: They see little of each other as the game(s) progresses and the worlds & persona they inhabit keep changing with each new addition to the series. Yet, in spite of it all, this is one relationship that keeps standing strong no matter the changing perceptions of the two involved.
When I look at the Zelda series, the more it becomes clear that it is a throwback to the fairy tales we are read to when we're kids: Those which involve a princess in some sort of danger and a prince/heroic figure stepping in to save the day. Also, like a fairy tale, Link, abides to the tried and tested formula of undertaking an adventure that begins at a humble level before achieving extraordinary success and recognition at the end of it. The only difference is that this isn’t a fairy tale that one is being read to – this is one where one is actually an active participant! They say people find comfort in familiarity and it’s the tried and tested formula that hooked a lot of young people in with the very first Legend of Zelda and still maintain their attention many years later (also, the exploration element and excellent gameplay didn’t hurt either).
So in a way it’s not hearing about rescuing a princess – no it’s actually actively doing things that result in the rescue of the princess. And a princess who, unlike Princess Peach, doesn’t send the player on a seemingly never-ending wild goose chase into the wrong castle.
Indeed, it is that notion of fairy tales that makes Link and Zelda compelling. Much like fellow Nintendo stable-mate Mario, Link is an everyman, coming from a humble background only to, as the game progresses, grow stronger with experience and the acquisition of a range of helpful items and power-ups. Indeed, it is that everyman quality that endears him to the player and builds a connection that makes the quests one that demands to be seen through to completion.
Zelda, meanwhile is shrouded in mystique. As stated before, we may not know much about her but it is that tantalizing sense of mystery that holds the attention and urges the player onward to, if anything, find more about this enigmatic princess. The sense of mystery that surrounds Zelda may have come across in different manifestations but ultimately, her beauty and her status make the quest of rescuing her from Ganon/dorf truly a battle worth fighting for. And, unlike her Nintendo stable mate Princess Peach, Zelda is shown to be a wise and capable ruler who is shown to be able to make major decisions and being deeply concerned with the welfare of her subjects.
Ultimately, I think the appeal of Link and Zelda lies in the fact they are both blank slates. Link may not utter a word but through his actions and his body language, he shows admirable virtues such as determination, intelligence and courage. As for Princess Zelda she, as stated before, maintains a degree of allure due to her long-standing sense of mystique: She may not be the player character but it is consistently her name in the title. In addition, Zelda may be a damsel in distress but she assists in Link in many, mostly subtle, ways.
And, in a strange way, that’s enough. Because of such little information been provided to the player, it is enough to propel the appeal of this relationship forward. True much of it is left up to player speculation but through the subtlest of indications, in the form of facial expressions and body language, we can see something come to the forefront. Thus, Link rescues Zelda, Link protects Zelda, Link blushes upon hearing Zelda’s name, Zelda protects Link in her many disguises, Zelda shows concern for Link’s safety and assists him in the final confrontation with Ganon/dorf.
And that for me is the appeal of Link and Zelda: The romance is presented within a real subtle manner. Indeed, its little moments like those I’ve described above that ultimately count for so much. It may not be obvious but the fact that it can capture the mind of the player, without them realising it, is a feat indeed. Sure the Zelda games may put forward some complications like Midna or Marin but honestly, the Hero of Time being without the Princess will just be unthinkable.
So that’s why I like the pairing of Link and Princess Zelda: It is practically a gaming take on the tried and tested fairy tale concept and it is furthered by subtle moments that really count for so much.
And, it would seem, my partner agrees with me.
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