【時オカ】リンク「俺の不遇な運命を変えてみせる」
Did you know that Link from Ocarina of Time, even after clearing the game, actually follows an unrewarded and unfortunate destiny?
The line, "I'll change my fate," carries a profound message of his lamenting his circumstances while also striving to defy them.
His "lack of recognition" is a core theme in the Zelda series, sparking discussions online like, "That Link is indeed pitiful," and "But that's precisely what makes him great."
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT)
Released by Nintendo in 1998 for the NINTENDO64, this action-adventure game is widely known by its abbreviation "OoT." It's considered the origin of 3D Zelda games, a critically acclaimed masterpiece with a Metascore of 99, cementing its place in gaming history. The game's defining feature is its "time travel" system, allowing protagonist Link to freely switch between his child and adult eras. Players adventure through a Hyrule ravaged by the Demon King Ganondorf seven years in the future, and a peaceful Hyrule before Ganondorf's rise. After the adult Link defeats Ganondorf, Princess Zelda's power sends him back to his childhood, a pivotal event that foreshadows Link's later "unfortunate fate." This ending marks a major divergence point in the Zelda series' timeline, significantly expanding the world-building and fan theories. The "new future" created by Link's return to the past leads to subsequent titles like 'Majora's Mask' and 'Twilight Princess,' demonstrating its immense influence beyond a single game. Therefore, understanding this game's conclusion and Link's choice is crucial for a deeper appreciation of the article's title.
Link's Unfortunate Fate
This is the core theme of the article, referring to the unrewarding or unrecognized destiny of the protagonist Link in 'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.' Specifically, Link achieves the heroic feat of defeating the Demon King Ganondorf and saving Hyrule as the "Hero of Time," but ultimately, his accomplishments fade from people's memories. This is because he is sent back to his childhood by Princess Zelda's intervention after defeating Ganondorf. While history is rewritten and Ganondorf's future domination of Hyrule is prevented, the consequence is that Link's memories of fighting as an adult are forgotten, and his victory over Ganondorf becomes a "legend untold." Furthermore, upon returning to his childhood, Link contributes to Ganondorf's arrest by alerting Zelda and Impa to his ambitions, yet he remains a solitary figure, not as the "Hero of Time," but as someone "born in Kokiri Forest." In 'Majora's Mask,' he embarks on a journey because he feels he has "an unfinished mission" and is "searching for a dear friend," portraying his struggle to find his purpose and place. In 'Twilight Princess,' he appears as the "Hero's Shade" guiding his descendant Link, lamenting, "I could not pass on my name as a hero." These official settings strongly contribute to fans' perception that "Ocarina of Time's Link is unfortunate."
Timeline Branching in The Legend of Zelda Series
'The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time' features a unique setting where its groundbreaking storytelling and ending cause the series' overall timeline to branch into three distinct paths. This setting was first explicitly detailed in the 2011 official art book 'Hyrule Historia,' becoming a major topic as an official answer to long-debated connections between series titles. The branches are broadly as follows: one is the "Hero is Defeated" timeline, which follows if the protagonist Link fails. Another is the "Adult Link Victorious" timeline, leading to a future where Link seals Ganondorf (connecting to 'The Wind Waker,' etc.). The third, and most relevant to the "unfortunate fate" mentioned in this article, is the "Child Link Victorious" timeline, which arises from Link's return to his childhood to prevent Ganondorf's ambitions from ever materializing. This "Child Link Victorious" timeline is the path that leads to subsequent games like 'Majora's Mask' and 'Twilight Princess,' and it's where Ocarina of Time Link's "unfortunate fate" is most vividly portrayed. By returning to his childhood, Link prevents the future tragedy Ganondorf would have caused, but in doing so, his heroic deeds are effectively "erased" and go unnoticed by anyone. Far from being remembered for his accomplishments, he is ironically depicted as a "lost child who left his home." Understanding this complex timeline structure reveals the deep reasons why Ocarina of Time Link is called "unfortunate" and why he would wish to change his destiny.