Daily Debate: How Much Sci-Fi is Too Much When it Comes to Zelda?

Classic medieval fantasy and gaming are forever connected. A high-fantasy setting that involves kingdoms, castles, elves, and sorcery is fertile ground for writers and designers to use familiar tropes while still having options to create unique worlds. The expectations and archetypes that come from fantasy entertainment — any established genre, actually — provide efficient touchstones between author and audience. But the surroundings become comfortable, and the fans can become complacent.

One of the easiest ways to creep out of the shadows of Middle Earth and The Forgotten Realms is to introduce some technological progress to your imaginary world. Creators don’t have to look any further than fantasy’s bookshelf cousin, sci-fi to do so. The hybrid genre of science-fantasy has become every bit it’s own thing in the last two generations or so. The most exciting example from my formative years was the sharp turn to sci-fi that Final Fantasy took with its sixth installment. A choice that has stuck, Final Fantasy XVI notwithstanding.

Then there’s The Legend of Zelda, which has one of the single most recognizable fantasy settings in all video games: Hyrule. Zelda‘s environment has mutated across many of its games, but until very recently stuck close to its own simplified version of medieval fantasy. Breath of the Wild changed that in a single game. As soon as Link awoke in a cryochamber, older fans of the series knew this wouldn’t be the Hyrule they grew up with. It’s famous trailer prepped them by giving an exciting first look at Link’s tech-infused archery and the rampaging Guardian behind him.

Given how Breath of the Wild is already enjoying a legacy as one of the best games ever made, it’s safe to say that the audience took to the sci-fi infusion. But a franchise as old as Zelda can’t help but have taught fans what to expect from it. When The Champions Ballad introduced the Master Cycle Zero, and Age of Calamity had technology as the source of its time travel mechanic, I thought for sure they’d reached the limit of sci-fi tech that players would accept. But maybe I’m wrong? Maybe any amount of tech is acceptable as long as its power source is magical in nature? Heck, maybe there’s a demand for a fully-fledged sci-fi Hyrule?

What’s your take? How much science fiction do you care for in your Zelda games? Has Breath of the Wild already surpassed your appetite for it? Describe your fantasy/sci-fi border below.

Andrew Millard

Andrew is a writing teacher in the American Upper Midwest. He has been playing Zelda games since 1990.