[CONTEST] The future of Zelda technology - Sponsored by GameYeeeah!

Transform Bottle

Considering how Zelda games often include disguises (various masks in Majora's Mask) and physical transformations (masks in MM and wolf form in Twilight Princess), I think an interesting addition to the game would be some kind of magical item that allows Link to transform into monsters from the game.

Basically the way I see it working is like this: Link meets a magic researcher/inventor in the game who tells him about a new magic item he has been working on. This new item is a magic bottle which allows Link to absorb the souls of certain monsters in the game and then use the souls to transform into the monster later on.

So if Link slays an Octorok (as below), he can absorb its soul/magic and then transform into it. This new form would then allow Link to swim through water and spit rocks.

Obviously this would only work a few monsters with special abilities. So Link could transform into a Keese, for example, and be able to fly around (thus incorporating flying into the game with this new item). Or he could transform into a Leever and dig under barriers in the field. This item could add enormous amounts of exploration potential to the game.

Not only would this item allow for greater exploration, but it would make dungeons much more interesting. Certain dungeons could require you at certain parts to have a particular monster's soul in your bottle. Perhaps a puzzle requires you to fly around as a Keese and hit switches in a room to unlock the door. Or maybe you would need to transform into a Moblin in order to talk to other Moblins in the dungeon for clues on how to get through to the next floor.

This item would create tons of opportunity for interesting gameplay. It would allow for a lot more exploration, and could even allow flying, which is something the community has been discussing a lot lately. Not to mention that the disguises could present opportunities for mini-games with enemies, and possibly potential for espionage by turning into a monster and sneaking into the main antagonist's stronghold early in the game to learn what kind of evil plans he has in mind.




My illustration of the Transform Bottle absorbing an enemy Octorok's soul. Please excuse my severe lack of artistic ability.

The allure of Zelda is, in part, it's time era. It is a medieval society on the verge of industrial revolution. In games like Wind Waker and Spirit Tracks we are subjected to minimal technological advancement in the topic of transportation. So it's natural that we'd see this idea perused in future games as well. Now that land and sea have been covered, only the sky remains. My naturally conjures an image of Link in a steampunked/Da Vinci style airship/hot air balloon.

However, it's important to look at how air travel would affect Hylian society and even what led to air travel. Let's say this future game in question lies after Twilight Princess in the timeline. One of the most noticeable differences about Hyrule in TP from Ocarina of Time was how broken the landscape was; ravines as far as the eye could see. While trains would at one point be implemented, a better method of travel would be sought due to the hazards of building bridges over this terrain. However, both air and train travel would lead to an expansion of Hyrule's borders as new lands were discovered. Other races/cultures would be discovered as well. These cultures would mingle with the residents of Hyrule, and naturally the population would increase. If no natural disaster as devastating as the flood or man-made disaster as population-wiping as the Imprisoning war occurs between TP and this Future Zelda, the we'd finally get to see a populated Hyrule that would require ascension of new land and be interested in diplomatic relations with other lands beyond their borders. We'd see a larger Castle Town, which would be more of a city than a town. (Karariko Village -> Karariko Town, etc.) There would be a larger demand for food, as well, and it's natural that there would be an expansion of enterprises such as Lon Lon Ranch and the livestock/agriculture villages such as Ordon; So it natural to assume that parts of Hyrule Field would become subject to farmland. One could theorize that Kokiri Forest would be swept aside for room, but the spiritual culture of Hyrule is too strong to disregard things such as the forest, especially knowing that particular forest's history. In short, the use of transportation technological advancement in an unhindered Hyrule would open the world up to the player in a way it has never been before, and in a way that the Zelda developers have been hinting at for years.

With technological advancement in transportation is natural to assume that advancement would follow in other niches of technology. However, I feel this would soil Hyrule with too much of our own world. It's better to keep things at the steam and burning oil level, and avoid electricity. But, in order to push how far Zelda could advance before it's no longer Zelda, it's important to analysis something that is often overlooked in the series: magic. In the newer games it is namely Zelda and Ganondorf who display magic, and Link's use of magic is fairly limited to what it was in previous games and what it could be in future games. Link's sword used to shoot lightning bolts (magic bolts) at his enemies. It'd be great to bring this element back, especially with Wii graphics. Besides increasing the use of those chosen by the Gods, I see magic leaking more into the citizens of Hyrule. Several other races have exhibited different forms of magic (Geurdos, Sheikah, etc.), and, if my theory about mix breeding and increase of population were true, one would expect magic to become more every day. Magic would become the driving force behind technological advance rather than science. That being said, I still expect more metal and gunpowder to make an appearance in future games. Gunpowder isn't as exact as bullets, so the art of swordsmanship would prevail, but it would add more variety to weapon choice for Link, and other characters. Continuing with weapons/items. I see the Hero's bow fading away in a steampunked Future Zelda, and becoming a crossbow, which seems very likely after Crossbow Training. Also, with the combination of increased amounts of metal items and metal structures and magic, I see the two interacting more, especially if we continue on this idea of Link using his lightening-esque powers more (possibly some sort of metal rod in-addition to his sword, as a tool for channeling the magic, which would work nicely with puzzles). A return of the magnetic boots, as they were seen in TP, would accent this lightening/metal idea nicely, both logically and visually. Replacing Link’s shield to give it a more rustic-bronze look will also add a nice visual element, and, since it is metal, will also interact with magic, similar to how the mirror shield acted in Ocarina.

Turning away from technological theories to plot theories, I would hope such a Future Zelda would focus a story that brought together the Twili (only reference), Sheikah (return of), Dark Link, and Vaati. All of which share vague, but strong connections, that if all drawn into one story, would fill in a lot of canonical blanks for fans. It'd also provide us with two popular villains that are not Ganondorf for a change (it'd be nice to see Dark Link play a larger second-in-command role alongside Vaati).



Below is just a quick mock up of boxart I had in mind for such a Future Zelda. It's very rough, and there's a lot of things I'd change about it, but I'm way too busy wit finals to work on it longer. The background had a train, but I scan with too many layers of transparent paper. Once again, not much time, but you'll notice I gave Sheik that lightening rod I was talking about.

Originally Posted by Labrynian Rebel

Since Zelda seems to like stealing awesome items from Mother 3, they should definantly have Link use Wall Staples

I agree! This gave me an idea of another way technology will occur in the next zelda by copying Mother 3!

What if Ganondorf somehow built a factory similar to the Chimera-making factory in Mother 3? A chimera factory takes two animals - crossbreeds them or something - and then makes one new MONSTER! For example

A pig+petunia = pigtunia


A snake +hen = slitherhen


etc.

Now what kind of monsters would he make? Here are some ideas that I had

Keese+deku nut = KEESU NUT


Deku nuts that fly and stun you! DANGER!

And what if he cross breeds a Goron With a Moblin?

A Goblin! (oh wait...there already are goblins...)

Maybe we'll call this a Moblon then




Imagine a world with a whole load of crossbreed zelda badguys!

The clawshot boots and gauntlet

This is an improvement on the double clawshot. Instead of Link having two bulky clawshot things on his arms with the double clawshot, Link can wear a pair of boots that act like a clawshot plus a pair of gauntlets that act like a clawshot. I decided gauntlets so Link could hold his sword while hanging in the air. The boots and the gauntlets can be synchronized wen attached to a target, letting Link do any acrobatic act from flips to back handsprings midair, and letting him still be able to hold his sword and fight with it. It works the same way as the Double Clawshot does except it has four claws instead of two and it is more lightweight and maneuverable (Meaning that you can run using your boots and you can grab stuff with your gauntlets.) each gauntlet and each boot lets out two claws on chains to provide extra strength.

Origin: The double clawshot is found in a forest temple of some sort with lots of ivy
on the walls and on the ceiling. This gives Link no specific target that he has to latch on to, making puzzles harder and primarily making it possible to latch anywhere on the ivy and preform his acrobatic move.

Dungeon puzzles: One puzzle that I thought of could be done in a corridor like room in the forest like temple. there are two platforms in between which there is a bunch of poison water like you see in the swamp in Majora's Mask. On the walls are those green tentacles you see in the forbidden woods in the Wind Waker, and flying in between the tentacles are a bunch of Keese. There is ivy covering the walls and ceiling. You need to get across to the other platform quickly so the keese don't get you but it needs to be agile to avoid the tentacles and if you have to, you need to be able to hold a sword to defend yourself. So put on your gauntlet and boots and swing like a monkey across the corridor without receiving any damage.
Another puzzle could be used outside of a dungeon too. say your on floor one of a dungeon and there are two clawshot targets on either side of you above you on the next floor (floor two) and right above you on floor three there is another target. You latch on with our gauntlets to the second floor targets then you latch on to the third floor targets with your boot clawshot and you have just gotten up three floors very quickly.

Boss battle: The boss's lair will have ivy covering the walls and ceiling so can swing around the lair without hindrance. The floor will fall out from beneath you and
dragon like boss like you see in the city in the sky will fly up out of the abyss below and I should probably save the rest for the design a boss contest. The clawshot gauntlet and boots will add an extra boost of excitement and difficulty to the battle.

how about some new stuff for Epona.
in the next game that features Epona, you will be able to equip different Saddles and Bridles and shoes and stuff. in order to get through a swamp of quick sand, Epona equip the Hover Horseshoes. in order to traverse steep mountain slopes, She must have Horseshoe cleats. and I like that she was in a Horseback battle with Ganon. They should do that again, but have her wear armor that you progressively get throughout the game and can upgrade. Also, how about some not-so-necessary-but-still-pretty-fun stuff, like the Saddle of Pegasus, which lets Fpona go twice as fast! and the Bridle of Volvagia, which lets Epona breath fire! that'd be awesome.....

Giving link a shield that could also be used as a weapon, like thrown as a big shurikan would be awesome. I also think that we need to expand on the horsback fighting, and make the bossesjust a tad more interesting. And GOD, stop showing the freaking weakspot in the opening cinimatic XD.
Examples of this are: Ghoma (oot) King Dodongo(oot) Pyrus Or was it Fyrus(TP) Stalllord (tp and LCT) Just about every other zelda boss from the 3d games XP

Hmm what else, oh dual swords would be awesome!

i would say an armor that covers LINK's body where you would be able to have your master sword in your right hand but with an option to switch it to a pistol. also you would have your shield in your left hand and a rocket pack so you can fly a certain amount of time.

More time travel would be awesome, and some more stealthy stuff would be really cool.

the next step would be making it more like 16th or 17th century, maybe add some single shot guns, change of clothing style, different architecture, and so on.

The N.A.V.I
-----------------
Nano
Atomic
Voice
Instructor
-----------------
The N.A.V.I is an earpiece device that helps guide link throughout his adventure. The N.A.V.I would be a device that would replace Fairies, Gossip Stones, and Pirate Stones. It also comes with a “HEY!” ring which you may silence when you want to!

Magic should be the new tech.

Make the magic meter useful for something other than your Deku Leaf or your Lantern.
Link could gain more magical perks, like by using a magical item he could make himself a temporary vehicle, a magic car for example, a car made from magical energy that could be used instead of Epona.
He could use magic to make a projectile weapon similar to the slingshot or the Heroe's Bow, which would shoot magical beams or particles at an enemy, or could even be used on special panels on ceilings or walls to open doorways, much like the boomerang hitting switches to open doors.

That is the new tech that I think would benefit Zelda, instead of the more modern stuff, I'm sure for many gamers, one of the reasons we play Zelda (it may not be a major reason, but a reason nonetheless) is because of it's more medievel/magical setting. Technology would eventually turn Zelda into something else entirely, while more magic might stay more true to the Zelda feel.

That's what new "tech" I think should be in Zelda.

I think that a good idea would be to have more villages in the Hyrule world. So more than just Kakariko and Castle Town. Seriously, In Twilight Princess, you had this huge overworld, but barely anybody inhabiting it.

So this is what I think that sould be cool in a next Zelda :
Link could use a new system of "drugs". Like pills.
Let me explain it a little bit.

In many situations, when Link fight a boss, he must use a weapon to defeat him but with the new system, he simply eat some pills that gave him a new ability. Like he can strech or detach some part of himself or to make him bigger or smaller, can run faster or even play with his weight.

But, if you use too much drugs, Link can be easily tired, have illusion or can be sick.

Btw, sorry for my english. I know it can be a little bit messy...

My idea for future technology in Zelda would be cities in the sky. Not like the Ooca though. They would be attached by the ground maybe by organic means such as enormous tree trunks or maybe by interwoven steel rods. The cities would have a large base at the top, like a steel or wooden bowl. On their trunks/rods and the bowl things, they would have canons for protection for the ground and above ground. The towns/cities themselves would be in the bowl things. Within the supporting rods/trunks would be a main beam that could transport people down.

I think telephones will be used again. They were briefly used in Link's Awakening, but as far as I know, that

idea was dropped in following titles. But I think that old fashioned designed telephones could stand a chance in

another Zelda title.

Personally I'm not exactly sure what we're going to have next but they always seem to come up with something epic.

However I'm not that good.

I reckon in future zelda games we might get something like disguises. A cape but it'll actually make you invisible. It'd be something you can only use in certain dungeons and to use it you have to power it up with terminals. It'd only last a little while and could potentially take the place of safe zones like you get in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit tracks in the main dungeons to avoid Phantoms.

I've always pictured a futuristic Zelda game since the Gamecube was announced.

As for me, not necessarily an item, but Epona would still serve as means for transportation around the land of Hyrule, in the form of super advanced bike.

The new tech is the Triforce! I mean, we never get to use it. Even if it's at the end, like when Samus goes nuts at the end of Super Metroid. I've always loved the idea of Link going into Godlike mode, even if only for a short time.

A cannon mounted Epona, or some form of Triforce throwing stars. Yes.

Wrist scanner. This item would work like Metroid Primes scanner, and you would be able to scan enemies/item and add them to an encyclopedia of your own working.