So Zelda has the triforce of wisdom. Link has courage, and Ganon has power.
Why does wisdom have to be good all the time?
If we look at history, many evil or at least powermongering leaders were brilliant. Napoleon, Genghis Khan, Mark Anthony- nobody would call those guys dumb, right?
So here's my pitch for the next Zelda continuity.
Hyrule is an autocratic police state ruled down to the tiniest detail by Zelda, its iron-fisted queen. Using the triforce of Wisdom affords her a near-clairvoyant knowledge of everything happening in her empire, allowing her to placate her subjects' every need- and put down any who rise up in opposition to her. And of all her underlings, the most feared is Link. An orphan, raised from childhood as the royal family's "legendary hero," he is imbued with the Triforce of courage, making him totally fearless in his execution of Zelda's orders. Even worse, his endless plundering of tombs and temples, once sacred to the people, has armed him with centuries of magical relics, making his self-perceived invincibility all too real.
In a peaceful temple town high on Death Mountain, young Ganon is an apprentice to the local monk, in training to become the next temple guardian. One day, his simple life is shattered when Zelda's army arrives to impose her rule. Although the former temple guardian puts up a strong fight with his ancient magic, he is effortlessly dispatched by Link using the Sword of Mastery, a horrible relic that saps the will to fight from its weilder's enemies. Ganon is left trapped in his own ruined temple as his town is razed.
In his last terrified moments, a third triforce appears and taunts Ganon with the promise of power. Desperate for revenge, Ganon accepts the triforce, gaining superhuman strength and speed, and sets out to free Hyrule from Zelda and her mad knight. But as his power grows, the triforce also changes ganon, giving him an increasingly bestial form and luring him with visions of an empire of his own. Will he use his power to become the hero of Hyrule, or will he be driven to madness just like Link and Zelda?
Core mechanics would consist of stealth theft missions (looting back relics and returning them to Hyrule's temples), Metroid-style unlockable exploration based on gear, and developing increasing power based on the adulation of the masses. Making honorable choices such as sparing an enemy soldier at your mercy or giving up heart containers and other items offered to you by the impoverished citizens of Hyrule would allow Ganon to maintain his human (elven?) form, gaining improved speed, deceptive magical spells, and combat finesse; while taking what you want and doing as you please would cause you to slowly transform into the more recognizable pig demon form, gaining increased attack power and more destructive magic.
Why does wisdom have to be good all the time?
If we look at history, many evil or at least powermongering leaders were brilliant. Napoleon, Genghis Khan, Mark Anthony- nobody would call those guys dumb, right?
So here's my pitch for the next Zelda continuity.
Hyrule is an autocratic police state ruled down to the tiniest detail by Zelda, its iron-fisted queen. Using the triforce of Wisdom affords her a near-clairvoyant knowledge of everything happening in her empire, allowing her to placate her subjects' every need- and put down any who rise up in opposition to her. And of all her underlings, the most feared is Link. An orphan, raised from childhood as the royal family's "legendary hero," he is imbued with the Triforce of courage, making him totally fearless in his execution of Zelda's orders. Even worse, his endless plundering of tombs and temples, once sacred to the people, has armed him with centuries of magical relics, making his self-perceived invincibility all too real.
In a peaceful temple town high on Death Mountain, young Ganon is an apprentice to the local monk, in training to become the next temple guardian. One day, his simple life is shattered when Zelda's army arrives to impose her rule. Although the former temple guardian puts up a strong fight with his ancient magic, he is effortlessly dispatched by Link using the Sword of Mastery, a horrible relic that saps the will to fight from its weilder's enemies. Ganon is left trapped in his own ruined temple as his town is razed.
In his last terrified moments, a third triforce appears and taunts Ganon with the promise of power. Desperate for revenge, Ganon accepts the triforce, gaining superhuman strength and speed, and sets out to free Hyrule from Zelda and her mad knight. But as his power grows, the triforce also changes ganon, giving him an increasingly bestial form and luring him with visions of an empire of his own. Will he use his power to become the hero of Hyrule, or will he be driven to madness just like Link and Zelda?
Core mechanics would consist of stealth theft missions (looting back relics and returning them to Hyrule's temples), Metroid-style unlockable exploration based on gear, and developing increasing power based on the adulation of the masses. Making honorable choices such as sparing an enemy soldier at your mercy or giving up heart containers and other items offered to you by the impoverished citizens of Hyrule would allow Ganon to maintain his human (elven?) form, gaining improved speed, deceptive magical spells, and combat finesse; while taking what you want and doing as you please would cause you to slowly transform into the more recognizable pig demon form, gaining increased attack power and more destructive magic.
