​Daily Debate: Should Link Have a Companion Other Than Epona in Zelda U?

Link always has friends help him along his journey. In Ocarina of Time, Epona was Link’s faithful steed, galloping from one end of Hyrule Field to another. Epona was not present in much of the game however, as Navi was Link’s main companion.

It has been confirmed that Epona will appear in Zelda U. Due to the game’s open world, it seems as if the player will be using Epona more than usual because of increased travel time. Should Link have a second companion as well?

Obviously, Epona can’t talk. Unless Nintendo pulls a Disney and lets Epona converse with Link, exploring Zelda U‘s open world could be a lonely journey. Some fans, such as myself, would enjoy this. Adventuring alone (with only a horse) could be the feeling that some players crave.

But other fans may feel out-of-place or odd without a speaking companion, as it has been a staple element of several recent Zelda games. Then again, NPCs offer a similar opportunity for interaction with characters beyond Link. Traversing the landmass of Zelda U without encountering any friendly NPC’s could be a turn off, and it would be a highly unusual choice in game design. As such, I’m sure we’ll at least be able to speak to these on our quest.

What do you think? Should a companion other than Epona be included in Zelda U? Would you enjoy the feeling of solitude in the mass forests of its open world? Join the Daily Debate!

Artwork by: Attyca