The ending cutscene of A Link to the Past is one of my favorites in the series. As Link extends his hand to claim the Triforce, his deepest desire comes to fruition. Every one of Ganon’s wrongdoings is restored as the King of Hyrule returns, Link’s uncle is revived, and Kakariko Town celebrates Sahasrahla’s homecoming. The grand finale is the return of the Master Sword to the Lost Woods’ pedestal, and Link is seen exiting the forest to live out the rest of his days in peace. The cutscene then fades, and the player is left with a sense of grandeur and accomplishment.
As the credits begin to roll, the triumphant melody quickly transitions to one filled with melancholy and sadness. Why would the development staff include such a desolate theme immediately following a victorious conquest? Should the player not reflect on their accomplishments and feel satisfied? If so, why does the musical arrangement elicit feelings of mournful regret?
Perhaps the answer lies in thoughtful speculation of the hero’s life after Ganon’s defeat. Although peace is always preferable to conflict, there is something romantic and exhilarating about the struggle. We never want to relive the strain of battle, but we crave the excitement and adrenaline those moments afford. Maybe feelings of trepidation crept into Link’s mind as he exited the Lost Woods and began to wonder if normal life would be filled with the same passion and thrills.
Completely engulfed in a tranquil forest, Laurence Manning explores the emotional depth that follows Link’s triumphant conquest in her arrangement of A Link to the Past’s ending credits. The intro is purposefully andante as if to suggest the hero is beginning to reflect on the past. Link explores his journey in the first verse and chorus, which are filled with subtle moments of happiness and sorrow. It is almost as if Link is contemplating his future existence. How should he live the rest of his life?
Laurence then transitions into the song’s bridge and final verse, and a noticeable shift in tone ensues. Confidence emerges as the melody evolves into the game’s main theme and the mood crescendos into reassuring conviction. The strength of the chords induces feelings of ambition and suggests that Link is optimistic about his purpose in a peaceful new world. Laurence celebrates this climactic resolve by emerging victorious from the serene forest into a beautiful open field surrounded by a still lake.
As I contemplate my own unexpected transition and reflect upon a decade’s worth of thrill and excitement, Laurence’s composition engulfed me with a sense of hope and comfort. The next chapter holds no promise of passionate fervor, but a calm, lush field is waiting for each of us just beyond the clearing. We need only find our purpose in a brave new world.
