Although The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has some useful features, one is actually quite cruel within the context of the game’s story. Breath of the Wild has an expansive narrative, although many of its smaller details can be missed depending on how one plays the non-linear title. One such detail, which can be uncovered through a thorough exploration of the world, can cast a seemingly innocent core aspect of gameplay in a very different light upon reflection.

Although Breath of the Wild’s two endings).

Link Easily Receives Divine Guidance In Breath Of The Wild

The Goddess Statues Of Hyrule Respond Easily To Him

The Goddess Statues found across Hyrule allow Link to exchange his Spirit Orbs for new Heart Containers and Stamina Vessels in BOTW, allowing the hero to grow stronger as he completes more Shrines. Naturally, this mechanic is a key factor in Link’s growth throughout the game; although it is possible to complete the game without any such upgrades, doing so is still one of the most difficult challenges possible in BOTW. Notably, this exchange is enabled by Link praying to the statues, prompting the representations of the Goddess Hylia to speak to him directly.

In Breath of the Wild, some of these Goddess Statues explicitly refer to themselves as Hylia; specifically, two of the larger Great Goddess Statues, found at the Spring of Power and Spring of Courage. Both of these statues tell Link that “I, Goddess Hylia, will guide you,” while instructing him to retrieve dragon scales as offerings for their springs. On the other hand, it is also worth noting that Tears of the Kingdom refers to these Goddess Statues as statues rather than Hylia in Adventure Log entries for the quests that they are involved in.

Regardless of whether BOTW’s Goddess Statues are conduits for Hylia, bear independent fragments of her power, or even simply act on her behalf, one thing is abundantly clear. They are a readily available source of divine aid for Link throughout the game, strengthening him without issue as long as he provides enough Spirit Orbs. However, as one explores the story of the game, this simple mechanic takes on a cruel twist; the same assistance that Link so easily receives is never offered to Zelda, causing the princess significant hardship.

BOTW’s Memories Show Zelda’s Need For Hylia’s Words

The Princess Is Shown To Struggle Without Guidance

The various Memories found in BOTW make it incredibly clear that Princess Zelda was in a terrible position before the Calamity, due in large part to her inability to use the divine power of her bloodline, a situation worsened by the death of her mother and the loss of any knowledge regarding their shared power. Although it is clear in these scenes that Zelda is at home around ancient Sheikah technology, her father pushes her to devote herself to prayer instead. But this is to no avail; no matter how much Zelda prays, she never receives a response from Hylia.

Of course, Zelda does ultimately awaken her power, although only in the midst of the Calamity itself, but even so the lack of response from the Goddess Statues is striking. It is worth noting that in The Champion’s Ballad, the DLC adds a diary to Zelda’s room. One entry of this diary describes a dream in which an overworldly woman attempts to speak to Zelda, but cannot be heard. Reflecting on this, Zelda suggests that her power still being dormant may be responsible for her being unable to receive guidance, rather than Hylia being unwilling to help her descendant.

BOTW’s Goddess Statues Make Zelda’s Situation Crueler

The Statues’ Evident Divine Power With Link Makes Their Lack Of Response Harsh

It seems incredibly cruel for Zelda to be denied any form of assistance from the Goddess Statues while Link can hear and be empowered by them without issue. Of course, given the evidence of Zelda’s diary, this may not be by choice on Hylia’s part, but the difference in experience between the two is still striking. Zelda breaking down as a result of the stress is arguably among the saddest moments in the Zelda franchise, and the ease with which Link accomplishes much the same only emphasizes this.

Zelda’s pre-calamity feelings of inadequacy are exacerbated by Link’s own apparent ease in achieving his destiny by drawing the Master Sword, which becomes a major source of tension in their early relationship in BOTW.

Goddess Statues providing Link with Heart Containers, Stamina Vessels and even a few quests is obviously a matter of convenient game design, but the way this choice intersects with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s story is remarkably dark. Considering his amnesia, Link has no way of knowing that he is achieving with ease something that Zelda spent many desperate years trying and failing to accomplish. It is a cruel twist of fate that lends extra weight to Zelda’s feelings of powerlessness, but also one that can be easily overlooked in the midst of the regular gameplay loop.