Views on Partners

So. Basically, the trend in Zelda games, particularly newer ones, is to make Link have some kind of partner, or a sidekick. Examples are Tatl, Navi, and Midna. What are your views on this?

Do you think the next Zelda game should even have a partner? Someone who tells you what you've gotta do, or points you in the right direction, or reminds you every now and then? Or do you think the idea is idiotic?

Personally, I'd like to see a game where Link only has himself. Rather than having a sidekick, he gets hints from signs, townspeople, and any other key characters in the game, rather than having someone with him 24/7. Or, rather, he would just have no hints at all, therefore making the game harder.

Thoughts?

Eh.
When it comes to unimportant characters like Navi, sure, no sidekic.
But when it comes to characters instrumental in the story, you keep 'em.

Well, in my thread about idears for a new game, I was voting for a no partner in the next one. Simply for the reasons you stated plus, to put more emphasis on Link the hero! I'd rather the game is more based around Link and getting back to that feel of say LoZ or AoL. I don't mind Navi or whatever but I think not having a sidekick might be the way to go.

Yea, not having a side kick would be a "good different". The side kicks in the other games don't really help me out that much anyways.

Well, it could be a yes or a no, as to some partners lead to sequels (Navi and Majora's Mask), and some are just real dumb, don't help you, or cause you to do other things then then your real goal (Tatl, Minda, Minda).

So, it really depends on what kind of sidekick they give Link, but, I would choose no sidekick, as it may produce a harder and more enjoyable game if there is no sidekick.

My opinion:

Get ride of partners and have Link speak for himself. I want a Zelda game that is all about Link-- a personal quest, much like Majora's Mask, but gets deeper into Link's character.

Originally Posted by Kee Something

My opinion:

Get ride of partners and have Link speak for himself. I want a Zelda game that is all about Link-- a personal quest, much like Majora's Mask, but gets deeper into Link's character.

If that happens, I would vote for voice acting for Link, but not so that when he's walking he'll say dumb phrases or something, like I've seen in many a video game.

Yeah, I'd like Link to go it alone. Really make him a lone adventurer. I was genuinely irritated by the fact that, in terms of plot, the focus was more on Midna than Link in TP (Ganondorf monologued to Midna!). The partnership of Link and Tatl in MM was good, but I think it might be time to put him alone. Wind Waker KINDA did this right?

All the sidekicks were plot devices. (Even Navi)

Navi=give boy without fairy a fairy
Tatl=remind of navi and part of basis for story
KotRL=king of Hyrule
Midna=basis of story really
Ezlo=made the magic hat that gave vaati power

In some ways, the sidekick are good. They can help move the story but at the same time they can take over the story. (Ezlo and Midna for example, and I bet Navi had the most Text in OoT)

Heres the question though... would a Zelda game like that have any way to mention Zelda? What villian would we face? (Ganondorf needs a break, bring Vaati into 3D I say) Theres a difference between quest for self and quest for the world.

Personal quests can be rather fun (like MM awesome game) and it looks like if TP has a sequel, that's where it's going... and it looks like PH will be that way aswell... (infact that's kinda confirmed)

I'm not saying good, nor am I saying bad. It could go either way.

Well some of the parters have been entertaining (Ezlo, Midna) and endearing(Midna again), but some have sucked (Navi, Tatl, KORL). The KORL in particular was a compleate tool (actually calling this guy a tool isn't enough, hes a whole tool shed). Navi and Talt were basically instuction manuals with wings. If the new guides could be more like Midna (or preferably be Midna) or at least like Ezlo than I say guides ftw.

Midna was very annoying, and the entire story focused on her. It's not supposed to be Midna's story, it's Link's quest to save Hyrule as he knows it, and stop it from being consumed by twilight. We DON'T need another Midna. We need another Tatl. Tatl had personality, and you could see it fluxuate through the story. She was sassy at times, but she ultimately began to appreciate Link and what he was doing.

Navi - Okay, just got a little annoying at time, but I thought she could be somewhat helpful

Tatl - Great, exactly how Musical Zombie wrote it.

King of Red Lions - From what I remember, fairly helpful, wasn't too annoying either, but also lacked a personality.

Elzo - No idea, never play MC

Midna - Attention stealer, but with quite a personality, maybe too much of one.

I think a partner can be a good idea, but it has been too readily employed in newer Zelda games just to have a "guide" character, not a fully developed character that happens to be the partner.

Navi was a prime example of that.

Tatl was much better, as she actually had a story- she was helping Link to save her brother.

The King of Red Lions began the trend of important characters as partners, which I think works a lot better than guides like Navi.

Ezlo similarly was an important character as a partner. I found him enjoyable and suitable for the lighter tone of The Minish Cap.

Personally, I thought Midna was pitch perfect. The game is named after her, after all. There are many layers to her character, and I enjoyed watching her treatment of Link change, from a person to be used for the greater good to a close friend.

I hope they continue the trend with Shiera in Phantom Hourglass. I also hope Nintendo doesn't feel like they need to put a partner in every game.

Originally Posted by Kee Something

My opinion:

Get ride of partners and have Link speak for himself. I want a Zelda game that is all about Link-- a personal quest, much like Majora's Mask, but gets deeper into Link's character.

Link was never meant to have a character, or at least, a very deep one. There was always a sense in Zelda games (especially the early ones) that you were Link, or more accurately that Link was simply a vessel you used to explore and do things you wouldn't be able to do (or have the courage to do) in real life. In later games, considerably because of the shift of focus in mainstream games to have you play someone else, Link was given a personality, if only bits of one. While he's still far from a developed character, he's (or they are, Links in general in the newer games) a far cry from the 2D hero(s) we used to have. I'd rather go back to what Link was, but because of how storytelling takes such center stage in moder (especially modern 3D) games, I doubt this will happen. So I'm fine simply having Link the way he is.

Originally Posted by musical zombie.

We need another Tatl. Tatl had personality, and you could see it fluxuate through the story. She was sassy at times, but she ultimately began to appreciate Link and what he was doing.

I agree. Well, sort of. I'd rather have Link have no partner, but if Nintendo is going to pair him with one, I'd like it to be someone like Tatl, who actually seems like a character in the game, rather than simply a way to tell you things you need to know.

I Liked Tatl. She had an actual personality and at the same time had a part in the story, while she didn't hog the story like Minda. Minda was fun too, but she became annoying at some times. All Elzo did was ***** at you, so I REALLY hate that hat. Navi pushed you throught the story, instead of being really helpful. No personality what so ever.

I wouldn't mind another sidekick like Tatl, or even a Minda, but other than that just leave sidekicks out.

I'd like to see a partner with more personality than navi, someone more like midna. But I'd also like to see the ability to see some info on the monster you've targeted like Navi/Tatle OOT/MM

I think if Link were to have a partner in the next game, he/she should be more like Tatl, who was still an important part of the story, yet didn't hog the spotlight (*cough* MIDNA *cough*). Navi was just a Captain Obvious and wasn't really a big part in the story (for the most part). The King of Red Lions was alright, playing a major part in the story WITHOUT hogging the spotlight (*cough* MIDNA *cough*) but was just boreing. Ezlo was awesome, but was not very helpful from what I remember, kinda like Navi.

So, if Link were to have a partner, he/she/it should probably be a major part of the story without being the center of attention or the major focus of the game. But, I'd rather Link go it alone, or at least mostly/partly alone, anyway.