Warning: The following content includes spoilers about the game. If you do not wish to know about these spoilers, do not read any further. The spoilers will most frequently tell you what happened, not how they happened. There are some instances where this may not be the case.
The Legend of Zelda is a series of games published by Nintendo. They are played on many different systems made by Nintendo such as the Nintendo64, the GameCube, and the Wii U. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the story about how a boy named Link goes on an adventure to save Princess Zelda and others. During Link's travels he has a number of tools that he acquires during the game. This includes his bow and arrows, a sword, a shield, and the Wind Waker. The Wind Waker is a magical conductor's baton which allows link to change the direction of the wind, control objects, and summon entities. It is the most crucial tool in the game and so the game was named after it.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker was directed by Eiji Aonuma. This piece of electronic literature uses sounds, a simple story-line, and a bunch of mini-quests to engage each player in the story of Link. Each player has freedom to control Link at will by using a controller from the GameCube or from the Wii U. This gives the user the feeling that they are in control of the outcome of the game and helps to immerse them in the story. Contrary to how the name of the game might make you think, this is a story of how Link saves Zelda and his sister as well as how he defeats the evil opposing them, Ganon. This is one story in the Zelda series and there are more to come.
The game was designed to show how Link, the protagonist, fights and defeats evil. Because this is the case, a large portion of this game is making sure that you are following the story. You can ignore the story if you want to, but there is only so much that you are able to do until you have to go back onto the story track. Because there are different types of locations and events, there is a number of different types of music’s depending on what you are doing. During parts of the game where you are sailing, there is music that makes you feel like venturing out to new areas. When you are fighting bad guys or bosses, the music is more intense so that you feel like you need to be on guard for anything that could happen. The music also serves as a hint that something may be happening soon. For example, when the game changes from day to night, sharks will attempt to attack you in the water. You won’t always see them before they attack you, but you will hear the change of music and know that something is about to happen.
The graphics in the game differ depending on where you are. This game’s world is vast and there are many different islands that one can visit and interact with. The major islands have to do with the story, so the player will visit them the most often. On the smaller islands or reefs you might only visit them once. On some of the islands there are ancient fairies that give you things to help you out in the game. These fairies are only seen once, so you might decide never to visit those islands again. The reefs are simply there for you to fish for treasure. They tend to be made up of several rock formations protruding from the water with treasure spots nearby. The reefs frequently have sharks appear around them to make it more difficult the get some of the treasure hidden there.
Below this paragraph is the introduction story to the game. It explains the history that happened throughout this game before Link was born and why some things happen the way they do. The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is also a story of how history repeats itself, so knowing the introduction is a key part in playing the game. If you would rather watch a video that was taken from the game that says the same content, visit the YouTube link just below the quote.
“This is but one of the legend of which the people speak. Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a prosperous land blessed with green forests, tall mountains, and peace. But one day a man of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself… With its strength at his command, he spread darkness across the kingdom. But then, when all hope had died, and the hour of doom seemed at hand…a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil’s bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. This boy, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time. The boy’s tale was passed down through generations until it became legend. But then…a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom. The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed away by the hero…once again crept forth from the depths of the earth, eager to resume its dark designs. The people believed that the Hero of Time would again come to save them. But the hero did not appear. Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the gods. In their last hour, as doom drew nigh, they left their future in the hands of fate. What became of that kingdom. None remain who know. The memory of the kingdom vanished, but its legend survived on the wind’s breath. On a certain island, it became customary to garb boys in green when they came of age. Clothed in the green of fields, they aspired to find heroic blades and cast down evil. The elders wished only for the youths to know the courage of the hero of legend.” Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyTgvancEok
The introductory story is important because it gives us the background information as to what happened in the past and why it is happening now. It helps the people playing the game to understand why some of the events of the game are happening. For example, we never would have known why Link needs to wear his green outfit to fit the story or why getting the sword of legend is crucial to defeating the evil creatures that we see throughout the game.
The story continues on Outset Island where, when kids become of age they are garbed in green. Everything is animated. A giant bird, clutching a blonde girl, is soaring over Outset Island. Suddenly it is attacked by a pirate ship. The pirate girl, Tetra, that was in the bird's claws falls into the forest on Outset Island. Link goes to investigate with a sword, finds and saves Tetra, then watches as his sister is taken by the bird. One of the game’s messengers tells Link that his sister is being taken to the Forsaken Fortress, so Link gets a shield from his grandmother and sets off with pirates on a new adventure to rescue his sister.
Eventually Link receives a boat of his own to use, the King of Red Lions, which has the ability to speak to Link. Then he sails the ocean, explores new places, goes through dungeons, acquires powers for himself and for the Wind Waker he carries. Eventually Link defeats Ganon, rescues Zelda and the other girls captured by the giant birds. Then the King of Hyrule wishes that Hyrule and Ganon would be washed away. This ends the story.
This work of digital literature is significant because it is a perfect example of how some games are really just interactive stories. Even though throughout the game you have the freedom to control your character, you are still set on a specific story. There is an introduction, a body, and a conclusion just like all written works. The only difference in the introduction is the history of Hyrule, the body is how that same story is being repeated today, and the conclusion is that Ganon is killed. Hyrule along with Ganon is washed away due to the power of the Triforce. This game is significant to me because it is one of the first uses of digital literature that I was intrigued by. Every time I play this game I enjoy it as much as I would if I was reading a book.