I played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for the first time early this year. Late to the game, I know. I'd heard wonderful things about it for years and one of my writing instructors recommended it as a shining example of environmental storytelling. On the surface, it seemed to tick a lot of my boxes for a fun adventure game.
So why, then, did I find myself bored within the first couple hours of play and ultimately abandon it?
I didn't pinpoint the answer until a recent conversation with friends about the game. I realized that it wasn't giving me one essential element I need to latch onto a game: interesting characters. Breath of the Wild gives Link essentially no personality. (At least, that I saw in the first couple hours that I played; I can't speak to the rest of the game.)
This may sound damning, but I do want to be clear: this isn't inherently a flaw. Some people enjoy a blank slate character that they can project themselves onto. Breath of the Wild is obviously incredibly successful and beloved and I don't think it's a bad game. But I do want to dive deeper into the way Breath of the Wild introduces Link, and contrast it with the openings of other Zelda games that set Link up as a more interesting character.
Link's Character in Breath of the Wild
The opening of Breath of the Wild introduces the situation at hand, but in no way introduces Link's character. A voice speaks to the player as they get their bearings in the game, and we learn that Link just awoke from a long slumber and he is "the light... that must shine upon Hyrule once again." Link is established as a kind of chosen one, but we see no reaction from Link upon hearing this news. Whenever a scene purposefully shows his face, it's always somewhere between neutral and slightly curious.
The first dialogue exchange of the game doesn't add much to Link's character either; the Old Man regards him as a "stranger" and a "bright-eyed young man," but honestly those tell us more about the Old Man than they do about Link. The dialogue choices are also entirely neutral questions such as "Who are you?"
Link's Character in Other Zelda Games
Full disclosure: I haven't actually played any other Zelda games! But after speaking to my friends, I learned that there are many Zelda games that do a better job of developing Link's character, so I looked up videos of their openings on YouTube to compare and contrast.
A Link to the Past
Link wakes up in the middle of the night to his father saying he's going out, giving him strict instructions to not leave the house while he's gone. And since the player will, of course, leave the house, we immediately know that Link is a rebellious kid. But when Link catches up with his injured father, the father hands off the sword and shield to Link and tells him it's his job to save Princess Zelda. This action, communicated with only a couple lines of dialogue, tells us a lot about Link's character. His father must have great faith in Link's capabilities and maturity to hand him such a task.
Ocarina of Time
We first see Link asleep in bed, being awoken by Navi, a fairy who's been sent to help Link achieve his destiny. As he interacts with the other residents of his town, we learn more about his relationships with others and his culture. Before Navi came, Link didn't have a fairy, which set him apart from everyone else in his town who did. Some villagers are happy for him, saying he's finally a real Kokiri, while others are disappointed that they don't get to tease him about it anymore. We don't get any reaction from Link, but we don't really need to. The townspeople's comments tell us that Link is used to being treated as lesser by his peers.
The Wind Waker
Link's younger sister finds him asleep in a lookout post and wakes him, reminding him that today is his birthday and their Grandma is here to visit. We see Link as a forgetful, bumbling child with a sibling who cares for him deeply. When his Grandma gives him the iconic green outfit for his birthday, he frowns and is hesitant to put it on, setting his character up as a reluctant hero.
Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess drops us into the middle of a deep conversation between Link and a friend as they sit along the banks of a river at twilight. The intensity of the conversation (and the intensity of Link's eye contact with said friend) communicate a deep bond. When the friend asks for a favor, it's implied that Link gladly agrees. When they part ways, Link gives a warm smile to the friend's son.
It's the most understated of introductions to Link that I looked at, but I think that's why it's the strongest. It's a moment many can relate to: a deep conversation with a close friend. We see Link as a calm, loyal, and happy member of a cozy community, which I imagine will contrast with his adventures into Hyrule.
In conclusion...
In these older Zelda games, Link is primarily introduced through his established relationships. Whether it's a family member, a friend, or a general community member, we learn who Link is through the way that those who know him choose to communicate with him. But, in Breath of the Wild, there are no such characters in the beginning to give us this background on Link. Everyone we speak to is meeting Link for the first time.
That doesn't mean there are no opportunities to build up Link's character in Breath of the Wild's opening. If I were working as a narrative designer at Nintendo, I would suggest making Link's face more expressive. Both The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess used facial expressions to portray Link's reactions when an NPC is speaking, and Breath of the Wild could've done the same thing.