“He’d never say that”: Why Nintendo decided against letting Link talk in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

"He'd never say that": Why Nintendo decided against letting Link talk in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

As a dedicated Zelda fan with countless hours spent traversing the mystical land of Hyrule, I am utterly relieved that Nintendo chose to preserve Link’s silent demeanor in Echoes of Wisdom. While some may find it peculiar to play a character without a voice, for me, it only adds to the enigma and charm that surrounds this timeless hero.


In Zelda: Twilight Princess, it was initially planned for Link to gain a voice and engage in actual dialogue. However, as anyone who has played the game can attest, Nintendo didn’t fully implement this idea. Recently, they have disclosed the reason behind their decision not to provide Link with a voice in Twilight Princess as originally intended. Here’s why – and surprisingly, we can understand their reasoning.

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Why Link doesn’t speak after all

"He'd never say that": Why Nintendo decided against letting Link talk in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

During an interview with Famitsu, Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma and director Satoshi Terada shared that they considered having Link speak to guide Zelda, but it seemed off. Aonuma pointed out that since Link has always been silent, introducing dialogue didn’t align with the bond players have built with him over the years.

Upon testing several dialogues, the team found that providing Link with a voice seemed to disrupt his enigmatic aura. Terada noted that all their attempts felt “wrong,” primarily due to the lack of knowledge about what Link might actually say. Consequently, Nintendo opted to leave him silent, integrating this choice into the narrative to maintain the traditional, mysterious Link ambiance.

Regarding the forthcoming live-action Zelda film, there’s speculation that Link may start speaking for the first time. Director Wes Ball aims to make the movie feel authentic and is drawing inspiration from Miyazaki to build a world that is serious and realistic. Fans are intrigued to discover if Nintendo will maintain the silent hero tradition or allow him to speak in the film.

Frankly speaking: I’m pleased that they kept the tradition of a silent protagonist in the Zelda series intact, even though some newcomers might find it peculiar. For me, it’s not a problem that Link doesn’t speak; instead, it adds to the game’s unique charm.

In a realm such as Hyrule, brimming with tales embedded within its virtual landscape, it’s unnecessary to feature a verbal hero, since the surroundings are more than capable of conveying the narrative on their own.

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2024-11-13 18:39