The Next Zelda Game Can Fix TOTK’s Wasted Story Opportunity

The next addition to has a chance to make use of a narrative direction which shied away from. The latest entry in the franchise has an impressive story told with a wide array of unique characters. However, also arguably wasted several opportunities, which its successor is now perfectly poised to incorporate into itself.

It is difficult to be directly critical about ’s story, as it is undoubtedly an incredible experience. Nevertheless, some parts do seem more notable for the absences they highlight rather than what they actually include. For example, one memory seemingly sets up a boss fight which then never occurs by teasing Twinrova, which can be incredibly frustrating for those who recognize the characters involved. Beyond this, it can be disappointing that for a game which follows in referencing so much of the wider lore, also seems to ignore certain long-running traditions and lore details.

Although ’s plot has some notably dark moments, for the most part its story is a hopeful one. Link resolves the Regional Phenomena and helps the Sages awaken with no long-term negatives, and even the Draconified Zelda is restored at the game’s conclusion after so much emphasis is placed on the process being supposedly irreversible. However, this does run counter to the initial impression given by ’s trailers; the Upheaval and creeping Gloom of Ganondorf were as mysterious as they were ominous, and seemed to promise a much darker narrative than what ultimately came to be.

Excluding enemies, very few characters die in. Ganondorf’s death is, naturally, both a foregone conclusion and a victory for the heroes, but Sonia and Mineru’s are more saddening and unexpected. However, Sonia’s death is essentially backstory for the main plot, and it is possible not to see the memory detailing it at all depending on individual gameplay. Meanwhile, Mineru’s own passing on is easy to interpret as a relief – after millennia spent as a spirit, she can finally be reunited with her family after