Open World Zelda & Transformations

New Zelda games usually experiment with new ideas. Whether that's the ability to manipulate objects in both space and time in Tears of the Kingdom, or summoning monsters in Echoes of Wisdom – Nintendo and their partners like to come up with something new for each title (with a few exceptions). And that's both fantastic and admirable. However, there have been Zelda games with ideas so good that it's a shame that they might never come back. One of these games is Majora's Mask, which both had the repeated three-day-cycle and its transformations masks going for it. And it could be very interesting to see the latter return in a modern Zelda game.

The formula is simple enough: take an open wold experience, like in Breath of the Wild, and combine it with the ability to transform into other species from Majora's Mask. It doesn't have to be via masks, where you could have some other artifact that is causing these transformation, but the idea remains the same. This should still include a Goron and a Zora, but swaps the Deku for a Rito, because these have been more prominent lately and they will give you more freedom. And freedom is what's this is all about.

However, it's a freedom that needs to be earned. Unlike in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, where you're given all essential abilities right at the beginning of the game, it should be your goal to unlock these transformations one after another. And with each one you will be able to explore parts of world that previously were inaccessible to you.

You can still obtain these transformations in any order, but each one will bring unique advantages that might make your journey easier. For example, the Zora's water powers allows you to cool down lava for easier traversal around a volcano, which then may lead to the finding the Goron transformation. But you can still do it without.

Weapons will also be handled differently. In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link used weapons from all the different tribes to emulate their combat styles somewhat. In this hypothetical game, however, Link may rely mainly on his Master Sword, which is going to transform alongside him. So, when Link turns into a Goron, it becomes the "Master Hammer", or when Link turns in to a Zora, it becomes the "Master Spear". Maybe the game's story is even about transforming into heroes from other timelines or dimensions, heroes who aren't a Hylian boy for a change.

You can also power up the Master Sword with elemental magic, which by default will be light, but can become fire, water, or wind respectively. And don't worry, the Master Sword won't break in this game. However, secondary items, like bombs and arrows, are still depletable and can be all used as a Hylian. But each of Link's transformation specializes in different types, where they can add more punch to them.

This concept has been on my mind for several years now, where the current "Majora's Mask Month" feels like the right timing to finally discuss it in more detail. Plus, I have recently played through Donkey Kong Bananza, which actually features a part of these ideas... just not in a Zelda game. Now, let's take a look at the individual transformations:

 

Goron Link

As a Goron, Link will be able to roll around the world, but his strength also let's you freely dig through the ground, similar to Donkey Kong in Donkey Kong Bananza. This will make you the "Hero of the Earth", who is able to explore vast cave system that were entirely hidden underground.

Goron Link wields a large hammer as his weapon, but he is also versatile in using all kinds of explosives to maximize his destructive power. In addition, he can withstand high temperatures for a longer period of time and explore areas covered in lava or magma, but he has trouble dealing with water or mud, where he just sinks.

 

Zora Link

As a Zora, Link can swim gracefully at high speeds, but he can also freely explore underwater, making you the "Hero of the Ocean". The game world will have a large marine section, similar to The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass, or the Ocean Realm in Spirit Tracks, where at first you will have to travel it by boat or fly across it as a Rito. Once Link has obtained the ability to transform a Zora, he can also now dive into the ocean, where an underwater Zora civilization will await him, as well as sunken ruins.

Zora Links wields a spear, but he can also greatly enhance the effects of Splash Fruits, which allows the creation of larger bodies of water wherever needed. He can easily take out fires, but is weak to electricity and ice.

 

Rito Link

As a Rito, Link can freely fly through the air and effortlessly reach the top of even the highest mountains. The game world will feature a set of sky islands, similar to Tears of the Kingdom, which can only be accessed as the "Hero of the Sky".

Rito Links wields a swift dagger, but he's also an expert archer, who is able to shoot multiple arrows at once and also infuse them with different elements. When he's in the sky, he can freely shoot in all directions around him, as time freezes to assist with aiming. His warm feathers give him a greater resistance to cold, be he is very vulnerable to fire.