Continuing the Story of the Hero of Time

At the end of Majora’s Mask, the Hero of Time rides off into the distance on Epona, towards another adventure. Since then, the Hero of Time hasn’t appeared in another Zelda game, except for a cameo as the Hero’s Spirit in Twilight Princess. Should the story of the Hero of Time be continued? What kind of things could they do with him in another starring role? Hit the jump to find out!

Link has been the name of the main character that the player controls in every Zelda game, but throughout the series there have been many different “Links.” However, the Link in Ocarina of Time had his story continued in Majora’s Mask, a game that takes place directly after the events of Ocarina of Time in the timeline where Link remains a child. This Link is known as the Hero of Time and his story didn’t necessarily end when the credits rolled in Majora’s Mask.

There are many different ways that Nintendo could continue the story. The first way that would be the easiest to accomplish would be to have Link stumble upon another place that needs his help, the way Termina did in Majora’s Mask. The threat doesn’t necessarily have to be a giant moon in the sky this time around, but some kind of similar threat that would require the assistance of the Hero of Time to save everybody. I’d really enjoy seeing another enemy like Majora, who isn’t just an incarnation of Ganon, but rather a normal being who desires power or just strays away to the path of evil. The depth of a new enemy could really make the comeback for the Hero of Time memorable.

Another interesting thing they could do is introducing a new evil to the land of Hyrule. Princess Zelda could call upon Link to help her kingdom once again and while it could be stale visiting the same world from Ocarina of Time, there are many ways they could expand upon the world. Things could have changed in the time that Link’s been away or a new evil could have altered the world. I’d like to see a villain that actually seizes control of Hyrule and has soldiers taking control of all the different towns in Hyrule. Castle Town could be run by soldiers and Kakariko Village could be under the control of the new evil, adding some variety in the way that the world changes after the villain introduces himself/herself. Maybe there are even some citizens of Hyrule that have convinced themselves that the villain is a wholly good leader, as a nod to communism. While the series doesn’t usually explore deep themes like that, even a similar theme could be dark and innovative.

Another thing to consider with a continuation of the character of the Hero of Time would be a way to conclude his story, a finale to the trilogy of the Hero of Time. While Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask had Link fighting for different objectives, the theme of time is relevant in both titles. Using the theme of time for an end for the Hero of Time opens up many different doors. Whether Link finds a way to travel back in time or forward in time (with or without the transformation of his physical appearance like in Ocarina of Time) there are many new, innovative ways to continue with the consistent theme. Something that I would like to see with a new title would be a clear, definite end to his story. Something dark like the death of a main character (possibly even Link) or something more plausible like a cutscene that shows the Hero of Time settling down and putting away his sword would add depth to the conclusion and finalize the story of the legendary Hero that’s remembered by many characters in Zelda titles that take place later in the timeline.

As many fans of the series seem to agree that Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask are two of the best games in the series, it would make sense to bring back the Hero of both of those games. With Nintendo bringing back old elements before, (like the world in A Link to the Past being remade for A Link Between Worlds and the Link from The Wind Waker appearing in Phantom Hourglass for the Nintendo DS) it wouldn’t be far off to assume that they could possibly continue the story from a game that was released so long ago. What do you guys think? Should the Zelda series explore the return of the Hero of Time? How do you think they could continue the story of Link after Majora’s Mask? Leave your comments below!