Destiny: A Zelda cure-all?

The Zelda franchise is one that demands constant innovation. Every game must introduce new concepts and plot devices to create new experiences and to freshen interests in the latest games. But with every new idea, there is the threat that the developers could be stuck with those plot points throughout the rest of the series. If in one game, for example, you introduce the concept that the Triforce splits every hundred years, you would be forced to set every other game around this rule, and it could be restricting when you don't want to work with that concept anymore.

Nintendo, I have noticed, are fantastic at finding ways to stop such rules from developing in the series. In some cases, such as explaining why there are multiple Links, the developers/games are simply vague on the subject. We are pointed towards the understanding of a "spirit of the Hero" as well as a bloodline of the Hero, but there has not been much elaboration upon those points. Likewise, Nintendo have left vague hints at ALTTP coming possibly after TP or TWW, but they never left anything specific in case they don't want to deal with those placements later. In other cases, Nintendo find ways of introducing key items/characters or removing key items/characters in a manner that allows them to be ignored in other games in the series. The Twilight Realm is a perfect example of this; only becoming relevant when Ganondorf was sealed inside and becoming inaccessible when the Twilight Mirror was destroyed.

However, the biggest excuse Nintendo have to ignore one-off plot devices is to simply attibute them to destiny; specific prophecies that are fulfilled in the games themselves. ALTTP was the first game to apply this principle, attaching everything regarding the Hero and Ganon to the Great Cataclysm prophecy. Don't want the Knights of Hyrule to feature in other Zelda games? It doesn't matter, because only the ALTTP Hero is said to be destined to come from the Knights' bloodline, since the ALTTP Hero is the only Hero that the Great Cataclysm covers. But what if you don't want another Link to have to find three pendants to get the Master Sword? Same thing. What if you don't want to think about the Magical Mirror or the Moon Pearl after Link has finished with them? It doesn't matter, because only the Hero can use them!

By covering the events in a game with a prophecy, you are free as the developer to completely ignore them in later games, and set up some new events revolving around a brand new prophecy.

-OoT introduced the Sheikah legend, the prophecy of the Hero of Time and the splitting of the Triforce. When the Triforce split, the pieces were destined to go to people chosen by destiny. So what if the Triforce was touched outside of destined events? It doesn't matter, because the Triforce split is only regarded by the Sheikah prophecy.

-TWW's Great Deku Tree spoke of the prophecy that when Ganondorf broke free from under Hyrule, the King of Red Lions would find a Hero to defeat him. Thus, all the events regarding the Tower of the Gods and the Triforce of Courage were established to conclude the prophecy, and Ganondorf finally died.

-TP's prophecy came from the Twili themselves. Their hero would reveal himself as the 'divine beast', hence justifying the once-only appearance of wolf Link, the Hero of the Twili. And for the divine beast to appear, evil would have to attack the Twili (hence Ganondorf receiving the power of the Triforce of Power at just the right moment ) and Link would need the power to become the beast (i.e. the Triforce of Courage). Thus, the Triforce split in TP is also justified by prophecy.

Of course, the one question now might be; what justifies the prophecies in the storyline itself? My own answer, which I'm sure will be different from some of you, is that without evil, a Hero cannot rise. Many mainstream religions do not acknowledge the intentions of God; merely his actions (there are no rules in Christianity that says God has to do certain things in certain situations; he interacts with the world in a variety of ways). Regarding this, I think the games deliberately ignore the divine intentions in Hyrule, because they would obstruct the reason why Zelda games exist at all, to fight evil. All we know are the goddesses' actions; that they bless Hyrule with prosperity and fight evil in some situations. Nothing more needs to be said to understand the mythology.

Agree or Disagree?

Sorry I didn't reply to this at the other forum mate...
But I think I have to agree with this.
Nintendo uses destiny to clear up what ever little plot that is would otherwise
clearly be taken as an inconsistency.

Sorry I didn't reply to this at the other forum mate...

Which other forum?

But I digress. I most throughly and definatly agree with this theory.
Good job Raian.

Originally Posted by Pinecove

Which other forum?

He's referring to Zelda Legends. I was getting a bit annoyed that no one had responded to my topic there, and asked him to reply to get things rolling (it's now alright ).

I would say Nintendo's greatest way of not having to follow certain plots is not destiny, but rather, the intervention of the goddesses.

When Nintendo wanted a game centered around wind and sailing, they just called the goddesses down and they obliged by flooding Hyrule. Destiny cannot compare to the awesome power of the divine.

Although having the goddesses intervene between every game would wear thin after a while so other than that I heartily agree with what you have said regarding destiny prophecies and whatnot.

I agree.

I really hope the next game has nothing to do with the triforce.

We had OoT with the triforce, TWW with the triforce, and TP with the triforce. Though in TP they called it 'the power of the gods' - which I like better anyway. MM didn't feature it because it didn't need it. ALttP called it the golden power, etc. Enough with golden powers and triforces etc.

I'd like to see a new Zelda which feautures the triforce as the mark of Hyrule and the godesses and all that, but nothing to do with the triforce... PLEASE!

I'd like to see a new Zelda which feautures the triforce as the mark of Hyrule and the godesses and all that, but nothing to do with the triforce... PLEASE!

Same here. And oviosly the Light-Force can't be used again as it was absorbed in TMC. Unless they make a pre-qual featuring the HoM .......

I somewhat agree, but not entirely. In my opinion, the prophecy's are merly basic guidelines, and the numerous details and ways of going about are not written in the prophecy. For example, in OOT, Ganondorf did not need to gain the Triforce, Ganondorf could have done a million things to the Gorons, Bongo-Bongo didn't need to break out, etc. While there is the basic prophecy, it does not have an insight or possible control over anything else. Also, the prophecy is more of a message from the Goddesses to their people, telling them that they should not falter or surrender in their darkest hour.

Another thing I see is that Link is the only one truly made by destiny. Link is destined to drive evil from Hyrule (and other lands) and he was created just to fit this purpose. Now, that doesn't make Link a lifeless shell afterwards, but that is Link's primary reason for being. Link is not a cause, but an effect to intervene when things get bad. He ultimately represents Hyrule and its people taking action against their new threat. He is the right person at right time. He does not win because of destiny: he wins because he wins.

(Well, except in WW.)

Originally Posted by Pinecove

Same here. And oviosly the Light-Force can't be used again as it was absorbed in TMC. Unless they make a pre-qual featuring the HoM .......

Actually, that might require playing as a non-Link character. There are theories that the man who fits that description would have to be Swiftblade the First, when you consider his description of his technique coupled with the description of the Four Sword.

I would like to get more information on the Light Force, though. Perhaps it is an alternate reality version of the Triforce? That would make more sense than it being created by the Minish or its appearance being pure coincidence.

I agree, Raian. However I wish the developers would implement a more plausible reason for the actions in the games than destiny. Instead of having a boy be told it's what he is supposed to do to save Hyrule, I never really felt that personal urge, that moral dilemma, that moral question. They tried to do this Link's Uncle in A Link to the Past, then again with Aryll in The Wind Waker, and yet another time with Ilia and the children in Twilight Princess, but still...it never seemed a good enough reason. In Twilight Princess, for example, the kids are in Kakariko for most of the game...it doesn't really feel like an adventure for them...or an adventure at all, since you don't miss any of these people and don't feel like you've ever left home.

I'm just wanting a better reason to save the world...as odd as that sounds. Something to make my heart bleed to do such a thing. Maybe my expectations are too high.

Originally Posted by Raian

By covering the events in a game with a prophecy, you are free as the developer to completely ignore them in later games, and set up some new events revolving around a brand new prophecy.

Bingo. The developers care little about an overarching story and have done almost nothing with the mythology of Hyrule. When all is said and done it's more important to make a quick buck then it is to fully explore each possible option and flesh out the decisions of the characters. "Prophecy" allows each game to be jammed into the Zelda world with little effort. Rather than granting people a coherent timeline, the Zelda developers intend each title in the franchise to be a one-shot deal. I doubt that anyone will ever be able to construct a proper timeline that's 100% free of holes because no game was ever intended to be part of a chronology.

Originally Posted by Mabulous

Bingo. The developers care little about an overarching story and have done almost nothing with the mythology of Hyrule. When all is said and done it's more important to make a quick buck then it is to fully explore each possible option and flesh out the decisions of the characters. "Prophecy" allows each game to be jammed into the Zelda world with little effort. Rather than granting people a coherent timeline, the Zelda developers intend each title in the franchise to be a one-shot deal. I doubt that anyone will ever be able to construct a proper timeline that's 100% free of holes because no game was ever intended to be part of a chronology.

I agree. I am speaking within a single game. However, its gotten worse, especially with the failure of Twilight Princess.

I am repeating myself again but what the heck...

In the end, we are the minority. We, who look at everything as an evidence for some theory. We who understand some concepts of the game better then the average gamer. But you know what? Nintendo doesn't give a ****. Because they are a company who wants money and in whose interest it is to get as much gamers as possible no matter of age / gender / origin because they have profit. The fact that some trivial information in the game will destroy and obliterate every theory made by hardcore fans doesn't bother them at all. Zelda is a game made for a huge audience and Nintendo wants more audience. We are gambling with very very bad cards.

WOOOO 900th post!