Why doesn't the King of Red Lions get as much praise?

Whenever I hear discussions of sidekicks and guides in Zelda I always hear about Navi, Midna and now Fi. I feel like the King of Red Lions doesn't get as much attention. He was afterall in one of the most beloved zelda games in the history of the franchise. Whether or not you enjoyed the graphics, TWW had one of the greatest stories in my opinion. The King of Red Lions was very helpful and wasn't annoying like Fi and Navi. He hardly ever stop the game to tell you pointless things like how Fi interuppts your gameplay to state the obvious fact that you are low on hearts. Instead he gave you enough information for you to continue onward in the game. In my opinion he seemed to be the most wise and level headed of the sidekicks in all the games.

The King of Red Lions brought back all the nostalgic memories from OoT. OoT was one of my favorite games and while I was playing TWW it only made me miss the adventure of OoT even more. I feel that with all the cut scenes and dialogue involving the King of Red Lions, I appreciated OoT and the history of Hyrule even more. That is one of the reasons why I enjoyed TWW so much as well.

The only other sidekick that compares to the King of Red Lions is Ezlo from TMC. The only thing Ezlo has that the King of Red Lions didn't have was a sense of humor (not annoying like Linebeck).

I can understand why Ezlo doesn't recieve as much attention since GBA was a major platform console nor was TMC a major title. That is not the case for TWW. It is usually ranked as one of the best games on various polls and zelda forums (its ranked number 3 here at ZU).

What are your thoughts? Differences in opinions is welcomed

He was a good helping character, yes, but i felt like he could of done so much better. I mean, the extra characters were more help than him. All he did was took me places and thats it.

Others can see it differently, but thats how i feel about it

Originally Posted by Pourri

He was a good helping character, yes, but i felt like he could of done so much better. I mean, the extra characters were more help than him. All he did was took me places and thats it.

Others can see it differently, but thats how i feel about it

I understand what you are saying. I could also argue the same for Navi since Link received a lot of assistance from zelda/Shiek, Rauru, Impa, Deku Tree, the owl etc. In SS and TP you received many help from other characters as well.

I think it's more of the fact that he wasn't always "there" around Link, compared to those like Navi, Tatl, Fi, Midna, Ezlo etc who would constantly follow you around in some way into dungeons and temples.

I also found that Link shares somewhat of a "deeper" connection around female companions.



But that's just my guess there.

but im just talking about WW though

I don't really feel like he was all that memorable. As Pourri already pointed out, the only thing I really remember him doing was taking me places and telling me where to go.

Unfortunately, because the whole sailing the sea thing gets kinda tedious, it makes KoRL seem quite boring. Journeying with KoRL is kind of like riding in a car with someone that you don't know too well, like a Taxi driver or an uncle that you're not really close to... you're both just sitting there in awkward silence, you have nothing in common, so neither one of you really know what to say to break the ice, so you just sit there quietly the entire ride until you get to your destination.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

I think it's more of the fact that he wasn't always "there" around Link, compared to those like Navi, Tatl, Fi, Midna, Ezlo etc who would constantly follow you around in some way into dungeons and temples.

I also found that Link shares somewhat of a "deeper" connection around female companions.



But that's just my guess there.

True. Sometimes annoying people stand out more than calm and quiet individuals.

Originally Posted by Pourri

but im just talking about WW though

Right, my mistake.

Originally Posted by TurkeyMcBean

I don't really feel like he was all that memorable. As Pourri already pointed out, the only thing I really remember him doing was taking me places and telling me where to go.

Ok, like I mentioned if Ezlo was incorporated into a main title do you think he would get more praise?

In WW you had several help charakters throughout the game, so that way we definitely didnt get bored so easily. I for my part really like the King of Red Lions.
"eh is a pretty cool guy and doesn't afraid of anything"

To me the boat always felt more like a talking Epona than a sidekick character.

I honestly never saw him as very helpful. He sometimes gives hints on where to go but almost never does he have much to say on how to defeat an enemy or give some kind of strategy. It occurs a couple times through the Pirate's charm. But normally that is only for a story based setup or if you screw up in an area a few too many times. In dungeons you were by yourself and mostly did not have the help of any other character to tell you what you were supposed to do in various situations.

It is a bit strange but I think the main contributing factor here is that he does exactly what people want from Navi and Fi, he mostly leaves you alone. He does not constantly drop hints and suggestions all the time. In fact he pretty much stays silent until an important cutscene or otherwise some level of interaction is necessary and Link must as always remain silent. I think that this leaving the player alone causes everyone to sometimes forget that he is a character too and not so much an item that sometimes speaks to you. You can go a very long time in this game without his interaction or input. This is not so true with Fi, Navi, and sometimes Midna.

I liked him, mostly because he doesn't have as many opportunities to be annoying. I suppose he could have been more involved, especially when you find out he's a spirit possessing a boat instead of a talking boat, but I don't think there's anything bad to say. Even people that don't like sailing probably don't blame the king personally for that.

The fact that he's not in your face and interrupting gameplay is probably why he's not mentioned as much. I don't think he has a whole lot going on in the positive category to gush about him a lot, so he just doesn't get talked about as much.

the only difference between the korl or any other companion was that the korl made silly noises I enjoyed.

I would say he's a bit underrated. I wouldn't consider him the same type of sidekick Navi or Fi is to us, but he still is our adventure partner for that game. The only partner I think that tops him is Midna since she has her own character, depth, and development. The only thing the KoRL lacks is development since he's the same guy pretty much the whole way through. You just learn more about him as you go along. He's definitely one of the best. More interesting than most of the sidekicks out there (besides Midna IMO).

Probably because he isn't with you all the time is the reason people don't put him in the same category as the other game partners. He doesn't give you information or hints like the others do and he only travels with you when sailing. He more of a character than an asset like Navi, Tatl, and Fi are.

He should get more praise for being just a travel companion and that's why I like him.
He's not as annoying as the others who constantly interrupt you.
I think he fit into the story well and never felt out of place.

All I know is that it was awesome having the King of Hyrule as a companion.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

I think it's more of the fact that he wasn't always "there" around Link, compared to those like Navi, Tatl, Fi, Midna, Ezlo etc who would constantly follow you around in some way into dungeons and temples.

I also found that Link shares somewhat of a "deeper" connection around female companions.

I completely agree that this is why he is an underrated and less talked about character. I personally loved him as a companion and agree that he is the most wise and level of all of the sidekicks; the only sidekick I liked better was Midna. ((And that was because of her humor and sarcasm... and because I just love Midna lol xD ))

The King of Red Lions was my favorite companion!
He felt to me like an old grandpa

Whut? He escorts you around the great sea, Has a canon to blow enemies up and a salvage arm to dig up treasure... for free. How is that "not" helpful?

I think he doesn't get much praise because he's a father figure, and father figures aren't usually the most popular ones I think.

But I honestly think Ezlo is the more underrated sidekick than the KoRL specifically because he's in a 2D handheld Zelda and they aren't the most often talked about Zelda games sadly. Heck as somebody sorta mentioned, the male sidekicks as a whole seem more underrated which is kinda sad but yeah... =/ Except Linebeck but since many fans have such a bloody hatred towards Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks (With the latter I just don't get the hate with since I thought it was a good game imo) it isn't surprising they remember him so well at least.

I totally agree with what you're saying. He is underrated! People seem to be moaning because he 'didn't do much' or 'he didn't go in the dungeons with you' or 'didn't get captured/wounded'. Well the reason for this is because HE'S A BOAT. Of course he couldn't have the same adventures as Midna/Fi, because he wasn't always there.

I mainly love him for being a male companion, but also because he was one of few people to actually make a wish on the Triforce!!! Also, something else we have to remember which hasn't been brought up yet: he's the only companion in the series that has died. The King of the Red Lions was in fact Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, and he sacrificed his own life in order to 'scatter the seeds of the future'.

As a boat, maybe he wasn't that great, but as a person, he was incredible.

Originally Posted by Ningan the Lone Ninja

Also, something else we have to remember which hasn't been brought up yet: he's the only character in the series that has died.

At least he died in peace on his own will and with wishes fulfilled followed by a less than stellar Phantom Hourglass. There's the solider in the Back Alley, Darmani, Mikau, and the Deku Butler's son who also died, and tragically.