Zelda Dungeon Talks: What New Or Returning Ability Would You Have Link Possess In Future Games?

We have seen many different special abilities and powers given to Link throughout the years. Transformation masks, wolf form , painting form, time travel and the list goes on. Through these abilities we have been given faster methods of transport, unique ways to travel through Hyrule and other regions, ways to reach normally unreachable places etc. We as fans generally receive all these things well. They add something new to the series and it gives us one more things to look forward to, while we wait for a game to be released. So which of Link’s abilities would you like to see in a future game? Would you like to see a completely new one?

In this week’s edition of Zelda Dungeon Talks, various staff members will give us their opinion on the topic.

Jon Lett – View Profile

I know that the series has used time travel as a gameplay system numerous times before, but Ocarina of Time did what I think was most impressive. In that game, you were able to see the distinct changes throughout the entire world over the seven-year jump. I want to see that again some time. You could say that Oracle of Ages did this as well, but that had you traveling between the present, and far in the past. You did not really get to see the intricate changes between each time period, as they were so far apart, and most changes between times were large, like changes to the landscape. Ocarina of Time, on the other hand, has only a seven-year difference, letting you see two sides to the lives of the same characters, and since you are sent to the future, you get to see, and fix, the effects of having evil reign of Hyrule with no hero for several years. I would love to see that kind of time-travel again, with detailed interaction with characters and locations between two relatively close time periods.

Kevin O’Rourke – View Profile

Something that I would like to see a return to the Legend of Zelda series would be magic. The games before Twilight Princess featured magical abilities that Link could use. In these games a magic bar would be the main problem behind using these skills. If the player spent all of their magic and needed it for a certain area then that could create some frustration especially if it locks you out of progression. While I’d like to see a return of magic spells, the mechanics behind the spells could be incorporated a little better. Having spells that are required for mechanics that involve puzzle solving or anything for progression could be implemented into the game with cooldowns or a limited amount of uses in an area. Magic can work in The Legend of the Zelda if the magic bar is ditched. The 3D games can take a cue from Link Between Worlds and how it used it’s items.

Brandon Schmitz – View Profile

One of the things that I admire most about the Zelda series is the way in which each entry distinguishes itself from one another. Although the franchise definitely has its own formula, there’s usually at least one major gameplay mechanic that helps each game feel unique. From Majora’s Mask’s three-day system and its emphasis on masks to Twilight Princess’s wolf mechanic — Link rarely possesses the same abilities for long. That said, I’d like to see the Zelda team continue to mix things up as it moves forward. That’s not to say that I never want to see any of Link’s old tricks return — another game that features transformation masks or a wall painting ability sounds fantastic. I’d rather see them downplayed for the sake of new abilities, though. Skyward Sword’s timeshift stone mechanic is still one of the coolest things I’ve experienced in a video game, though a part of me wishes that it had been more integral to the game as a whole. I’d love to see a Zelda title take a similar concept and make it an essential part of the overall experience, just as A Link Between Worlds’ aforementioned wall painting mechanic is a seamless part of that game.

Alexis Anderson – View Profile

I can’t say that I’d necessarily want any previous abilities to resurface. I see them as gimmicks that go along with each game, but as they aim to give each game a unique gameplay element I understand the need for them. Masks would be fun to have again perhaps, because they can pretty much serve any function, but I don’t want to tire that out (I’m worried the novelty would wear off, or masks would seem out of place in any setting that wasn’t Termina). As for something new, I really want Link’s companion to play a more important role. This wouldn’t be an ability for “Link” per se, but I’m thinking along the lines of how Midna helped with combat while riding Wolf Link. I’d love to see how an upcoming companion could aid Link during regular battles.

Thomas Jacobs – View Profile

Seeing a return of magic would be very fun. The last time we saw this properly was back in Wind Waker. Sure, A Link Between Worlds had a mechanic like it, but the bar there worked for all weapons, including bombs, the bow and all your other stuff. But magic as used in the older games (A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask and Wind Waker) was a lot of fun and added an interesting resource that allowed Link to use powerful abilities, but at a cost. Sure, the Fire Rod can do a lot of damage but you can’t use it indefinitely, so you have to make choices. Do you pack some Magic Potion so you can use it some more? Do you scavenge for drops that refill your magic? Or do you save it all for the boss, where the weapon might be very useful? It also allows for abilities that are normally far too powerful to use all the time, taxing the player heavily but being very useful if properly deployed. So yes, I would like to see magic return to the world.