Daily Debate: What Are Your Feelings on Status Conditions in Zelda?
Posted on September 15 2024 by Josh Wittmershaus
Inclement weather is no stranger to Hyrule and the Zelda series. However, it wasn’t until recently that a player had to greatly consider the climate when entering certain regions (aside from something akin to using the Goron Tunic in Ocarina of Time). In Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and now Echoes of Wisdom, certain clothing or concoctions appear to play a role in our ability to survive long periods of time in overly hot or cold environments without taking damage. This is not unique to Zelda, as many action-adventure games utilize what can be broadly referred to as “status conditions.”
Personally, while I enjoy some of the flavor that these status conditions bring to gameplay, there is a line in the sand that can be crossed. If you have to worry about multiple status conditions and how to fix them, on top of things like weapon durability and other statistical components of a player’s “build,” it can take away from some of the beauty in simplicity that Zelda does so well.
It would be interesting to see some of the status conditions utilized by other games — such as poison, madness, curses, or even being over-encumbered — make their way into a Zelda game. However, I’m quite content with the lighter approach to these conditions that the franchise has taken so far. Besides, I could never imagine them factoring equipment load into a Zelda game…it just, doesn’t feel like Zelda at that point.
What are your thoughts on status conditions? Do they belong in Zelda? Why, or why not? Weigh your thoughts in the comment section!
Josh Wittmershaus is a writer at Zelda Dungeon. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, he now resides in Northern California. Aside from Zelda, Josh enjoys playing music, seeing live music, music history, and all other things music. He also enjoys skating, hockey, and the occasional political or philosophical thought exercise.
