In the 38 years (yes, it’s been that long) since the first Legend of Zelda game in 1986, we’ve all noticed one particular fact, Link doesn’t talk. He’s what devs call a silent protagonist. These characters are there to help fully immerse the gamer into the hero’s role without pre-planned personality interference. It makes the games feel more morally realistic when a gamer is using their own feeling to make sense of a situation. BUT!
A lot of gamers have never heard the Hero of Hyrule’s voice outside of the “HYAAA” or “HA!” when he uses his attacks or dodges to the side. Does this mean that he’s never spoken a word over the history of the Legend of Zelda?
No, there have been several instances in the long life of the Zelda games where he’s spoken a couple of lines or is more expressive than usual. Not very many (I can literally count them on one hand) and sometimes in a spin-off from the main game itself, but we won’t count those spin-offs because they aren’t part of the main game itself. Now, let’s see which games show us a more verbal hero!
Zelda II: The Adventure Of Link
The second game of the Legend of Zelda franchise but probably the hardest you’ll ever play. It said that you need the reflexes and a deer to even make it through the game! That doesn’t stop this game from having one of the best combat systems for the NES. This action side-scroller was an industry breaker during its time.
It was also the game where Hylians weren’t just static NPC that you had to work around because they just took up space. He could interact with the environment around him and talk with the Hylians, giving us the first line that he spoke within the series.
He finds a mirror under a table while exploring the Water Town of Saria and says, “I found a mirror under the table.”
Short, simple, and to the point. Just like Link!
Link’s Awakening
The next game holds the crown of being the first handheld in the franchise (Gameboy, woot!). This one took the story very seriously, including what is now the ever-present existential dread that comes with Link’s character. Spoilers for those who haven’t finished the game, but Koholint Island is a dream world, and to win, he must wake up and end the dream.
This leads to the dialogue “… … … What? Illusion?” This is the only time he says anything and it reveals the shock he felt when hit by the realization that he’d been stuck in a dream state.
Wind Waker
The GameCube debut for Legend of Zelda is not the most talked about, often overshadowed by the N64 games, but it will be a great game. This is where he is his most expressive! Frowning, smiling, commanding NPC to do what he wants (wait, is that legal?)
In commanding NPC to complete tasks, Link has to grab their attention with a “Come On!” call. A few instances where Link is given the ability to talk within the Legend of Zelda franchise.
Skyward Sword
In this game, he doesn’t have spoken dialogue, but it’s where the devs gave him the ability to move his mouth when a dialogue option is selected. So he can communicate with NPCs and is given options to choose from when talking to them. We see a personality where you can choose snarky, kind or confidant answers for him to use.
Breath Of The Wild
We didn’t know whether to include this Legend of Zelda game as we never see Link speak (stoic as ever in this one). However, we find that he’s not a completely blank sheet of paper when it comes to his personality. If we count written words as a way of communicating and speaking your mind then this game needs to be in this article.
In the original Japanese version we find Link keeps a journal during his travels where he often writes down his thoughts, something useful considering his amnesia. He makes comments about wanting to see Zelda again and also to see her smiling face in real life once more (ack my heart!)
We even find that he’s spoken with Zelda in one of her journal entries. She questions him about being silent, and Link (the boss that he is) replies that rather than talk, he would rather do actions to not put more.
Do You Agree?
We’ve found out that Link isn’t the stoic brick wall that we just use to swing a sword. He’s a silent protagonist that helps players channel their own thoughts and feelings into the journey that Link is on. We feel more emotion when we see ourselves as the hero rather than using pre-planned dialogue to spice up the game. Does that mean Link has no personality? No, he does, and we can see it in these few games. Do you agree?
