Does Zelda Die in Tears of the Kingdom? Does She Love Link?
by Swetha P | Updated May 16, 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Tears of the Kingdom is an action-adventure game developed and published by Nintendo exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. As the highly anticipated sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it maintains the beloved open world of Hyrule while introducing exciting new elements to enhance vertical exploration. Once again, players assume the role of Link, who joins forces with Princess Zelda to confront the malevolent Ganondorf, who seeks to destroy Hyrule.
The game's development was led by Nintendo's EPD division, with director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and producer Eiji Aonuma returning to their roles from Breath of the Wild. It was initially revealed as a teaser at E3 2019, building anticipation until its full unveiling at E3 2021. Despite a delay from its original 2022 release date, Tears of the Kingdom finally hit the shelves in May 2023 to widespread acclaim.
With numerous improvements over its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom has captivated players and critics alike. The expanded open world allows for even more immersive exploration, and the game encourages players to experiment and discover with its innovative features. Embarking on this captivating adventure, players navigate vast landscapes, overcome challenges, and uncover the rich lore surrounding the epic battle against Ganondorf.
Does Zelda Die in Tears of the Kingdom?
The opening of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom focuses heavily on storytelling and expands upon the events that occurred in Breath of the Wild. However, it may confuse some fans as Princess Zelda appears to die within the first hour of gameplay. This unexpected turn disappointed players who were hoping for Zelda to play a more significant role, perhaps even becoming a playable character, instead of being relegated to a mere objective.
For those without context, it's important to note that Zelda's apparent death is not permanent. When she falls into a hole beneath Hyrule Castle, she is actually sent to the past. There, she assumes the role of the Sage of Time and fights alongside the first King of Hyrule and other sages against the Demon King. The game leaves Zelda's fate after the Imprisoning War as one of its mysteries, but there are no indications that she dies thereafter.
It's worth mentioning that Zelda does not die in the game's ending either. While we won't spoil the details, players can rest assured that she survives. Some fans may have desired a more poignant and tragic narrative, but throughout the Zelda series, neither Zelda nor Link has ever permanently died. They may face temporary setbacks like comas or being turned to stone, but they always manage to overcome those obstacles in the end.
Does Zelda Turn Back from a Dragon?
At the ending of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the spiritual projections of Rauru and Hylia appear to lend Link extra energy, causing the dragon's body that Zelda had transformed into to disappear. This reverses the spell and restores Zelda to her original Hylian form. The game establishes that the dragon spell Zelda willingly took on was believed to be irreversible, but the blessings of the kingdom's two founders make it possible to undo it.
As Zelda's original body is restored, Link's right arm also returns to normal, leaving behind traces of Rauru's touch. This suggests that the gods had carefully orchestrated events, including Ganondorf's defeat and Link's involvement in Zelda's recovery. After Rauru and Hylia disappear, the arena where Zelda and Link are located dissolves, leading to a scene where Link is falling from the sky.
He spots Zelda falling below him, unconscious and quickly dives to reach her. Link tightly embraces Zelda as they plummet into a small lake on the continent. Later, Link is seen carrying Zelda's unconscious body out of the water and laying her on a field of grass. Zelda awakens to find Link alive and well, realizing that he has indeed defeated Ganondorf.
She believes that her sacrifice had proven useful and mentions having seen Hyrule's former glory and meeting different people during her trip into the past. The ending of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom marks the conclusion of Link's main mission of finding Princess Zelda. However, players can continue playing the game and exploring its open world, with the save file being marked with a star to indicate reaching the end of the campaign.
It remains uncertain if Link truly ended Ganondorf's cycle of reincarnation, leaving the possibility of his return to pose a threat to Hyrule in the future. The game's ending, true to the Zelda franchise, leaves some questions unanswered while providing a satisfactory conclusion to the current story arc.
Did Zelda die in Breath of the Wild?
Den of Geek, it is not definitively stated whether Zelda dies in Breath of the Wild. The game leaves Zelda's fate intentionally ambiguous, allowing room for speculation and interpretation. Throughout Breath of the Wild, Zelda's fate is tied to her ongoing battle against Calamity Ganon. It is revealed that Zelda possesses the power of the Triforce and is the key to sealing Ganon away.
However, the game does not provide explicit details about her ultimate outcome. The game's ending implies Zelda may have survived the events of Breath of the Wild. The scene shows Link and Zelda standing together, looking toward a new future for Hyrule. This ambiguous ending leaves room for players to draw their own conclusions about Zelda's fate.
It's important to note that the Legend of Zelda series often features characters facing perilous situations but ultimately overcoming them. While Zelda's exact fate in Breath of the Wild remains open to interpretation, it aligns with the series' tradition of preserving the main characters, even in the face of great challenges.
Does Zelda Love Link?
The Minish Cap stands out as a memorable entry in the Zelda series, offering exceptional dungeons, a captivating story, and the introduction of a genuine romantic arc between Link and Zelda. Their love for each other is unmistakable in The Minish Cap, evident in their interactions that range from adorable to heartwarming.
The game beautifully portrays Zelda's affection towards Link, and their deep connection is established in their shared childhood experiences. It's worth noting that The Minish Cap's significance extends beyond being a potential origin point for the series; its most compelling aspect lies in the early development of Link and Zelda's romantic relationship, predating even the events of Skyward Sword.
Overall, while there are instances in the series where Zelda and Link's relationship appears to have romantic undertones, it is not a universal or definitive aspect of their connection. The interpretation of their bond can vary and is ultimately left up to the player's own interpretation and personal experience with the games.
Does Zelda Die in Tears of the Kingdom - FAQs
Yes, the sequel is titled The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
The game leaves Zelda's fate ambiguous, but there are indications that she survives.
The nature of their relationship varies throughout the series, but in The Minish Cap, they have a clear romantic arc.
No, there is no official game or storyline where Zelda transforms into a dragon.