Eagle-eyed Zelda fans have noticed that Adult Link’s updated design in the Ocarina of Time remake includes a detail that ties him closer to Hero’s Shade.
As every Zelda fan knows, the series’ timeline is a bit of a mess. It’s always felt like Nintendo was pressured to tie all of the games together, resulting in a confusing branching universe that can send your head spinning. That being said, there is one standout of the whole timeline that most fans love - Hero’s Shade.
Hero’s Shade (or Hero's Spirit) is a skeletal character from Twilight Princess who teaches that game’s Link some sword skills. The fact that he’s left-handed, knows multiple songs from Ocarina of Time, and, of course, has some of Link’s most iconic moves implied that he was actually Link from that game, something that was later confirmed in Hyrule Historia. Now, that reference has come full circle.
Over on Twitter, jtsknight92 pointed out a very interesting detail about Adult Link’s updated design in the Ocarina of Time remake. As we know, Nintendo has added a lot more detail to character designs in the remake, which can most clearly be seen with both versions of Link and all the extra touches on his outfit.
Perhaps the most interesting of these, though, is that the grass-like armour that Adult Link wears is clearly shaped like an owl, most likely after Kaepora Gaebora. Beyond being a cute upgrade from the original game, it more closely ties this Link to the Hero’s Shade from Twilight Princess, who notably has an owl design on his armour.
I’d never noticed the owl design on the Hero’s Shade before, but it’s right in the middle of his chestplate.
While there’s a chance that the link between those two is accidental and that Nintendo wanted a nod to Kaepora Gaebora more than anything else, it seems more likely that it’s rewarding anyone who knows the whole series. After all, Hyrule Historia did outright confirm that Hero’s Shade was the Hero of Time after years of speculation, so we know that it’s canon. And now, it seems even Nintendo is highlighting it.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.thegamer.com/the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake-adult-link-heros-shade-reference/
