One of the greatest aspects of The Legend of Zelda is its vast array of iconic characters. Almost every entry is filled with its own cast of unique individuals that either aid or work against the player in their adventure, helping to create a real, tangible world in the process. More importantly, the dilemmas and challenges that certain characters face connect directly to the main story of their respective game, making them an invaluable part of the player's journey.

Unfortunately, both Breath of the Wild and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom, falter when it comes to their most prominent side characters. Despite showing initial promise, the characters in BOTW and TOTK fail to leave a big enough impact on the player and their journey, resulting in a bevy of wasted potential. The way in which BOTW and TOTK fail to utilize one of the Zelda series' strongest aspects proves detrimental to both games' narrative, and shows the need for a potential third game to improve on this.

The Champions & Sages Struggle To Leave An Impact

None Of The Characters Get A Chance To Shine

Upon introduction, the Champions in BOTW and the Sages in TOTK are presented as important characters in the narrative. While the who make up either team are different, the purpose of the Champions and the Sages is the same: protecting Princess Zelda and saving the kingdom of Hyrule. This is most evident in the way that the Champions and Sages help the player, whether that be assisting them in reaching major dungeons or granting a range of abilities that can be used in combat and traversal.

However, beyond their assistance during gameplay, the Champions and Sages have little influence over the narrative. For example, the Champions almost exclusively make appearances during flashbacks in BOTW, which provide little context about each character's significance and connection with Link. Meanwhile, the personal journeys that each Sage goes through in TOTK are often sidelined to maintain focus on the player's mission in conquering the temples and obtaining the Secret Stones.

The Champions and many of the Sages are given major roles in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, although the events of this game are not considered part of the series' canon.

The primary issue surrounding the implementation of the Champions and Sages is how almost none of the characters are given a chance to truly stand out. Since BOTW and TOTK place less emphasis on narrative in favor of granting the player a greater sense of freedom, each character's struggles and development is put on hold in order to allow the player to take initiative. As a result, the Champions and Sages struggle to have the same impact that many other beloved characters in the Zelda series achieve, as players are denied the opportunity to connect with them.

Each Character's Story Had A Lot Of Promise

Characters' Stories Are Often Rushed Or Pushed Aside

What makes this decision particularly disappointing is how the Champions' and Sages' stories showcase a huge amount of potential. When a member of either team is first introduced, players get a brief glimpse into that character's own dilemmas and their struggle to overcome them. Not only would following each character's journey allow for a player to better relate and connect with the Champions or Sages, but it would also compliment and strengthen both BOTW's and TOTK's core themes, resulting in a stronger overall narrative.

The Gerudo Chief Riju is an example in either game of players being able to witness a character's journey properly unfold. In both BOTW and TOTK, players follow Riju as she comes to with her responsibilities as a leader, while also struggling to take control of the lightning power she possesses. Riju's internal conflict regarding the gargantuan role bestowed upon her is something that any player can connect with, reflecting the responsibilities that come with entering adulthood, while only emphasizing the theme of destiny that echoes throughout both games, making her story a major highlight.

The character stories in Zelda games aren't simply a means of adding more narrative elements.

The journey that Riju goes on during BOTW and TOTK is emblematic of the importance of having fully realized, complex characters within Zelda games. By giving characters the space and opportunity to develop and grow during the adventure, it often serves as a reminder to the player of the importance of their mission and the people they must save. The character stories in Zelda games aren't simply a means of adding more narrative elements, but help in making whatever location the player finds themselves in feel like a real, tangible world, creating a better sense of immersion overall.

Yet, the Champions and Sages are repeatedly denied the opportunity to do this. Whether it's Lady Mipha's feelings towards Link having little importance in BOTW, or Tulin's initial recklessness being easily resolved in TOTK, the characters' journeys are often rushed or pushed aside, denying the player a chance to truly connect with them. It not only prevents these characters from having the same impact and relatability as other iconic Zelda characters, but it prevents BOTW and TOTK from fully immersing the player in their version of Hyrule.

How A Third Game Could Do Its Characters Justice

The Characters Deserve To Have More Complete Narratives

If a potential third game set directly after TOTK is released, it's clear that a different approach needs to be taken for its own cast of major characters. One major way this can be accomplished is simply by giving these characters more time in the spotlight, allowing them to go through their own journeys and overcome their own struggles. In doing so, the characters are able to become fully realized individuals, with their own desires and doubts that a player can connect with in the same way so many past Zelda characters have achieved.

Moreover, the characters would benefit from having their personal journeys be better incorporated into the overarching narrative. Riju's ability to fulfill the role bestowed upon her is not just a compelling story on its own, but feeds directly into Link's journey throughout BOTW and TOTK, as he fulfills his own destiny to become the hero of Hyrule. By better incorporating characters into the main narrative, it not only gives them ample opportunity to shine, but only strengthens the themes and messaging that the game is trying to convey.

While BOTW and TOTK strove to grant the player more freedom in their approach, it came at the cost of one of the Zelda series' strongest aspects. Well-developed characters in The Legend of Zelda games are crucial in creating that sense of immersion that the series is known for, and the lack of time granted to the Champions or the Sages ultimately hampered BOTW's and TOTK's own attempts at engrossing the player. If a direct sequel to TOTK does come to fruition, more time and focus should be placed into giving its cast of characters the attention they deserve.