The Romance Thread IV: The Debate Continues

My big complaint with TP that there seemed to be no balance in character development. You can say Midna was overdeveloped and Zelda underdeveloped. Illia's case, it goes from "This is your love interest whether you like it or not" to "She has lost her memory and is now useless" as she does not move from the sanctuary after the escort mission. Even after you recover her memory she stays in the sanctuary being completely irrelevant until you beat the game.

As with the budding romance with OOT/TP LinkxZelda I too think along with gilderpilot that Zelda may have to slightly initiate and hand hold Link into a romantic relationship but not revert to blatant flirting as Malon would.

I think my name says it all. I love Zelda. It should always be that way. Oh. How come peach will kiss mario in the mario games, Why wont that happen in The legend of Zelda?

I stand corrected. I guess according to I Love Zelda's avatar and sig Zelda can be a little more foward than subtle.

Originally Posted by I Love Zelda

I think my name says it all. I love Zelda. It should always be that way. Oh. How come peach will kiss mario in the mario games, Why wont that happen in The legend of Zelda?

Because hordes of angry Link/Malon, Link/Midna, Link/Ilia shippers would burn Nintendo's corporate HQ to the ground.

Even if Zelda was underdeveloped in TP, at least she helped Link, as did Midna. What did Ilia do? She was more of a burden than an ally, and in the beginning of the game actually impeded the player's progress slightly. In my opinion, if Nintendo was trying to set her up as Link's love interest they failed, because I immediately disliked the character (first impressions are powerful). It's a good thing they leave things fairly open to interpretation, rather than saying "Link ends up with X, like it or not."

I think TP would have benefited story-wise if Zelda had been given equal development as Midna. That way, when Midna left, she could have been conflicted over her desire to stay with Link, and the knowledge that it's in the best interests of both their worlds that Link remain with Zelda and she returns to look after her own world. It makes me wonder if, if Link is the hero of the light realm, is there a hero of the twilight realm? (I've heard some people advocating a Dark Link/Midna pairing, which is interesting but there's the whole thing about Dark Link being, you know, evil and all)

Originally Posted by Sirius B

Because hordes of angry Link/Malon, Link/Midna, Link/Ilia shippers would burn Nintendo's corporate HQ to the ground.

Even if Zelda was underdeveloped in TP, at least she helped Link, as did Midna. What did Ilia do? She was more of a burden than an ally, and in the beginning of the game actually impeded the player's progress slightly. In my opinion, if Nintendo was trying to set her up as Link's love interest they failed, because I immediately disliked the character (first impressions are powerful). It's a good thing they leave things fairly open to interpretation, rather than saying "Link ends up with X, like it or not."

I think TP would have benefited story-wise if Zelda had been given equal development as Midna. That way, when Midna left, she could have been conflicted over her desire to stay with Link, and the knowledge that it's in the best interests of both their worlds that Link remain with Zelda and she returns to look after her own world. It makes me wonder if, if Link is the hero of the light realm, is there a hero of the twilight realm? (I've heard some people advocating a Dark Link/Midna pairing, which is interesting but there's the whole thing about Dark Link being, you know, evil and all)

Theres that, But I love Zelda. Dark Link cannot be a HERO if he's evil. Midna is from the Twilight realm and she's not evil. Dark Link was in Tp anyway, though he was called something else. an invoker i believe, Anyway, Link and Zelda have been in every game. Malon has only been in one Zelda game. As with Illia. Remember Oot's Saria. The whole thing where Illia sheads a tear is EXACTLY what saira doea on the bridge entrance to the (can't spell it) kokiri forest. She is alot like Saria, save for the attitude. Nintendo has even hinted at the two being togather. There are mangas on it. I really can't spell. Sorry.

Originally Posted by Sirius B

Because hordes of angry Link/Malon, Link/Midna, Link/Ilia shippers would burn Nintendo's corporate HQ to the ground.

It's true. I know some people may disagree with me, but I think if Nintendo initially wanted to keep Link and Zelda in the spotlight romantically, they made a mistake in introducing Marin. I've never played LA, so I'll say that right out, but I don't think Marin was supposed to be completely seperate from Zelda in concept or why else point out the resemblance to Hyrule's Princess?

But regardless of initial intent she gained her own following and then Malon, Saria, Medli, Ilia etc came along. I don't see them reverting to one love interest ever again because everyone's opinion varies so much on this.

Originally Posted by Sirius B

Even if Zelda was underdeveloped in TP, at least she helped Link, as did Midna. What did Ilia do? She was more of a burden than an ally, and in the beginning of the game actually impeded the player's progress slightly. In my opinion, if Nintendo was trying to set her up as Link's love interest they failed, because I immediately disliked the character (first impressions are powerful). It's a good thing they leave things fairly open to interpretation, rather than saying "Link ends up with X, like it or not."

Ilia being pretty much nothing but a love interest was a good deal of the reason why I didn't like her. That and game's assumption that we would automatically have affection for her: if they had taken the time to develop the relationship between them properly, I likely wouldn't feel such antagonism for her.

If nothing else, she makes a good case of why we shouldn't ever see a relationship like this take center stage again: she had to be awkwardly thrown into the plot at various points to make her relevant, to make us remember her. A character like her can't carry the plot because she's ultimately
irrelevant to the big picture.

On a slightly different topic, and still with this romance debate: I came across a wedding in a movie I just saw, and the vows had me thinking.
-"to keep and to love"
-"forsaking all others"
-"In sickness and in health" were several points.

If I ask myself, who can I see Link honestly making these vows to, I keep coming up with Zelda. With Ilia and Malon, he's perpetually going to be leaving for Hyrule and others...he couldn't honestly promise to be there to look after them and to forsake others. The same situation exists with Zelda, but it's mutual and there's the difference. They would have an understanding as her people come first to her as well.

Forsaking all others also means choosing one person to make a special emotional bond to, and I can't under any circumstance see him breaking his emotional connection with Zelda: at least with OoT/MM, WW/PH and MC Link here. There's more there...she's the one he seems to open his heart to and I'm not sure he could honestly promise to sever that for another woman. With TP Link, I think he's in trouble because Ilia seems to be in that place, yet he will be called away from there. The other Link's...LoZ/AoL Link has Zelda, ALTTP Link also has Zelda but Marin may confuse him, FSA Link has Zelda, and the Oracles I haven't played. So thoughts?

I may be bias because I think Midna is gorgeous but in TP he should have definately hooked up with her, because its the story of unrequited love, love that could never be. And I think if he wasn't the hero, he should of definately gone with her, Zelda is old news, he can have her whenever he wants, that's boring.

He constantly has to save her, she is like one of the "girls" at a club that you know everyone has been with, and when you like her and try to change her she just goes back to her old ways.

In OoT Malon definately she is cute has a great laugh, and they both click really well, and she gave him the song that would tame the horse that he would forever need, its the best gift he could have recieved, a life long companion.

Copats, did you just call Zelda a whore??? I must say, that kinda mean...

Also: Link-Midna wouldn't work because thay are a DIFFERENT SPECIES! Inter-species is bad! And Malon doesn't really get too much developement and isnt even a main character! She gives Link a chicken (at one point), teaches him a song and she actually doesn't GIVE Epona to him (I'm pretty sure he kinda 'borrows' Epona), it's more like she lets him keep the horse. I mean, Malon is cute but inconsitant (only in one game).

Also, I read on 'Wiki' that at least one person in Nintendo wants a Zelda-Link romance.

Originally Posted by Blackfire667

Copats, did you just call Zelda a whore??? I must say, that kinda mean...

Also: Link-Midna wouldn't work because thay are a DIFFERENT SPECIES! Inter-species is bad! And Malon doesn't really get too much developement and isnt even a main character! She gives Link a chicken (at one point), teaches him a song and she actually doesn't GIVE Epona to him (I'm pretty sure he kinda 'borrows' Epona), it's more like she lets him keep the horse. I mean, Malon is cute but inconsitant (only in one game).

Also, I read on 'Wiki' that at least one person in Nintendo wants a Zelda-Link romance.

Yeah wel there goes LinkXIllia too. If two species are close enough a relationship is possible. If you haven't seen it yet this is what Midna actually looks like.

Other than the fact that she's tall and has unusual eye color she looks like a human/hylian.
I agree however that species is a breaking factor in some relationships. LinkxMedli or LinkxRuto cannot work becuase both are in a different bilogical class. As a bird and a fish respectively they can not breed with a mammal.

Originally Posted by Blackfire667

Copats, did you just call Zelda a whore??? I must say, that kinda mean...

Also: Link-Midna wouldn't work because thay are a DIFFERENT SPECIES! Inter-species is bad! And Malon doesn't really get too much developement and isnt even a main character! She gives Link a chicken (at one point), teaches him a song and she actually doesn't GIVE Epona to him (I'm pretty sure he kinda 'borrows' Epona), it's more like she lets him keep the horse. I mean, Malon is cute but inconsitant (only in one game).

Also, I read on 'Wiki' that at least one person in Nintendo wants a Zelda-Link romance.

For the record, Malon appears in more than one game: she's in an Oracle ( Seasons? ), FSA, MC and has two similar characters in Majora's Mask. They are however somewhat different than her, and the other roles are minor at best.

I can't say I like that portrayal of Zelda much either, mainly because it strikes me as totally incorrect. She's spiritual, compassionate and the princess with the pure heart ( or something to that effect, in Minish Cap's words )... the utter opposite of that type of girl. If she gets kidnapped it's hardly her fault: it's part of a stereotypical plot to give the hero a goal, and the work of a smart and deadly adversary.

I may be bias because I think Midna is gorgeous but in TP he should have definately hooked up with her, because its the story of unrequited love, love that could never be. And I think if he wasn't the hero, he should of definately gone with her, Zelda is old news, he can have her whenever he wants, that's boring.

So, Link should be with Midna because he can't be with her? That makes no sense. But even if they could be together, I think they'd both be wise enough to realize it wouldn't work between them because they belong to different worlds and have mutually exclusive obligations. Midna is the ruler of the Twilight land, and Link is the hero of the light realm. To put their own feelings before the greater good of their respective kingdoms is selfish in the extreme.

Secondly, have you ever experienced unrequited love? It's one of the most miserable experiences you can imagine and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. For Link to pine away for someone he can never be with, he would essentially be consigning himself to misery. Far better he choose someone that will actually return his affections, and that being with would not put his kingdom at risk.

Zelda boring? It seems to me a great deal of arguments are just appeal to novelty. "Girl X is new and exciting, girl B is old and boring, therefore Girl X is better for Link." Unfortunately this doesn't have anything to do with compatibility.

In OoT Malon definately she is cute has a great laugh, and they both click really well, and she gave him the song that would tame the horse that he would forever need, its the best gift he could have recieved, a life long companion.

A horse is not a lifelong companion. A horse that's well-cared for has a lifespan of 25-30 years at most. Given that Epona is at least seven years old, she's only going to be around for a fraction of Link's life.

As for Midna's attractiveness, she doesn't do a thing for me. Her skin looks like she's been chugging silver nitrate, and ironically, the less clothing female game characters wear the less I like them.

i think zelda or saria because they were the main 2 girls and when i was very little i thout saria was links gf lolz

Originally Posted by dark hero link4

i think zelda or saria because they were the main 2 girls and when i was very little i thout saria was links gf lolz

Once again Saria is out of the picture. Saria will always be a child, Saria is bound to the Sacred Realm, she said that "Saria will always be your friend" That means she knows a romantic relationship cannot develop. kyu

Originally Posted by Sirius B

Even if Zelda was underdeveloped in TP, at least she helped Link, as did Midna. What did Ilia do? She was more of a burden than an ally, and in the beginning of the game actually impeded the player's progress slightly. In my opinion, if Nintendo was trying to set her up as Link's love interest they failed, because I immediately disliked the character (first impressions are powerful). It's a good thing they leave things fairly open to interpretation, rather than saying "Link ends up with X, like it or not."

Ditto on this quote 100%. But in regards to your Dark LinkxMidna pairing, I'm unsure that it will work as I percieve Dark Link's idea of romance would be cheating on Midna as often as he can and I doubt Midna would tolerate a jerk womanizer playing with her heart. Though I found Midna to be a sort of Ruto like pairing for Link, the ending cutscene where she reveals her true form and flirts with Link and then followed by his infamous sigh of arousal was evidence enough for me that Nintendo intended Link to be physically attracted to her and that he might have wanted to pursue a romance. Plus the mirror shattering cutscene with Link's obvious disappointment further supports this IMO. Though I personally find the Midna and Ruto pairings a little bizarre I still like them both better for Link than Illia or Saria anyday without a doubt

Ha, in TP I think Link's best match is Ashei, believe it or not. I mean, both have swords, why not a pair that does the same job?

In most other games, Zelda would be my choice, of course.

However, you do bring up some good points, Ganonslayer.

Originally Posted by Ranil

Ha, in TP I think Link's best match is Ashei, believe it or not. I mean, both have swords, why not a pair that does the same job?

Alright, another person who sees the potential of the Goth-Knight.
We need more AsheixLink fanart pronto.

Ashei isn't even a main character, is she? If I recall correctly, she really doesn't get too much development. So it seem un-likely for Nintendo to hint at any romance there (but feel free to keep thinking the opposite). There really doesn't seem to be a romance possibility in TP (except maybe Ilia, but people seem to hate her)...

By the games indication in TP there is no evidence to support a LinkxAshei pairing for sure. Despite that I still like Ashei for Link than the ever annoying Illia. Heck..I even like LinkxTelma better than LinkxIllia. The sugary sweet and innocent but also bratty personality of Illia made me wish that I could make her die a slow and horrible death. On top of that she looks hideous with that huge and deformed melon head of hers.

I like the Zelda in OoT, but hate her in TP because she isn't really a character you see much, or learn about. I would have to say Malon goes best overall though, because she was in my eyes the best OoT character. Ashei's cool too.

I don't get it. Why does everyone hate Ilia so much? I don't really like her alot, myself. But why all the hate???

Also: Zelda in TP looks nicer (graphics evolution helps) but in OoT she had much, much more development. It's not fair...