Did you think we'd forget our ancestors lost their king to such greed?— Midna
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, is a masterfully crafted video game within the iconic Zelda series, it transcends the boundaries of conventional gaming narratives by delving into the intricate theme of terror. Through the lens of its characters, the game unfolds a sentimental exploration of how individuals, especially children, navigate through the tumultuous waters of immense fear and almost apocalyptic events.
I mean it's revealed within its environment—a desolate and long-forgotten civilization from the Twilight Realm, a kingdom of Zora immersed in sorrow, apprehensive Sages dwelling in the ancient Gerudo desert, and a mysterious advanced civilization within the Sky. These haunting landscapes tell tales of a world scarred by the passage of time and the weight of enduring secrets.
For a game world so authentic and alive despite a murky pallet and context, it brushes over so much creepy and disturbing lore that could’ve easily been brought to life, instead, it's wallowing in enigmatic shadow and leaves most to the imagination to the player. This video attempts to dissect the multifaceted components of horror and disturbing themes experienced by this game.
This is the Disturbing Side Of Twilight Princess...
I. Innocence Shattered
(add ambiance in the beginning, let music fill in first) Meet Illia or Opening? music
Ordon Village, nestled within the picturesque landscape of Twilight Princess, stands as a serene testament to the peaceful and simple way of life embraced by its inhabitants. The village breathes a tranquil atmosphere, characterized by rolling green pastures, rustic homes, and a close-knit community that thrives on the tranquil ranch lifestyle.
The residents of Ordon Village engage in agrarian pursuits, tending to their goats and cultivating the land with an unhurried pace that mirrors the peaceful rhythm of the surrounding nature. This idyllic setting is enhanced by the harmonious relationships among the villagers, who share a profound connection to the land and each other. While Kakariko is in Twilight Princess, the comparison to Ocarina of Time's Kakariko Village shares the same resemblance and perhaps draws from their previous work. In Ordon Village, the simplicity of life becomes a source of solace, fostering a sense of tranquility that resonates throughout the community and encapsulates the essence of the pastoral ideal.
Amid the rustic charm of the village, the children shine through, creating a tender presence that adds to the overall sense of tranquility in Twilight Princess's pastoral setting. Their wide-eyed curiosity and kind hearts reflect genuine and untainted spirits, untouched by the complexities of the outside world - or at least the Twilight...
(abduction happens)
Twilight Princess's narrative has always held a special place for me among many of the Zelda's. Owing to the fact that it does not follow through on most of its storylines satisfactorily, resulting in intrigue and mystery throughout the game. A prime example of this enigma is the unexplained abduction of the children, a perplexing occurrence that, upon closer examination, seems to defy logical coherence. Why were the children in Ordon Village initially kidnapped?
Examining the plot, we find that Ordon was on the brink of succumbing to the encroaching Twilight, with its inhabitants transformed into spirits. This contradicts the notion that the Twilight forces were intentionally bringing individuals into Hyrule to turn them into spirits. Moreover, the oversight becomes glaring when we consider that the Bulbins inexplicably overlooked everyone else in Ordon, including Link, who was present at the scene.
And if history is any indicator, things were done similarly in other provinces of Hyrule. For example, in Lanayru, the water was targeted in Zora's domain, and the murder of their Queen led the city to suffer. In Eldin, the connection between the Gorons and the peculiar disappearance of the inhabitants in Kakariko was strained, resulting in the devastation of Kakariko due to a lack of cooperation in defending against an assault.
So in a rural area like Ordona, lacking substantial infrastructure, the most effective means to disrupt life was to attack its future – the children. The rationale behind this tactical move lies in the understanding that without a new generation to sustain Ordon through farming, the village would inevitably wither away. The abduction of the children had they not managed to escape, would have heralded the demise of the village. This calculated strike aimed to destabilize the community and leave the light spirit vulnerable.
Of course, this entire thought process only rests on the assumption that there is an intrinsic link between the light spirits and the vitality and well-being of the province they live in... Even so, it's still horrific and terrifying nonetheless, Twilight Princess and the abduction of people isn't an easy theme to witness, and hence why the innocence of children is shattered by kidnapping might show one of the most disturbing elements that remain unresolved in Twilight Princess.
II. The Heroes Trepidation
As players, compelling writing is essential for us to genuinely experience and immerse ourselves in the hero's journey, eliciting a palpable sense of excitement or fear. While we guide and witness the hero's every move through our in-game accomplishments, Twilight Princess underscores that accompanying Link on his journey isn't merely about achieving a positive outcome; it can also show encountering a genuine sense of dread and terror from himself, his friends, and the environment around him.
Similar to Majora's Mask, Twilight Princess intentionally seeks to leave a lasting impression, attempting to immerse the player in the emotional turmoil experienced by Link. Or to put it simply, Nintendo attempts to traumatize the player within this game... And yes, that one scene does come to mind...
However, it's not solely that; numerous scenes depicted in the Twilight evoke a profound fear of the unknown. Questions linger: why do people undergo a transformation into spirits? What shields animals from being altered by the enigmatic Twilight? Why does the Princess attempt to use her ancestor's dark power? Why were they feared among the people of Hyrule?
Every devoted Twilight Princess fan is familiar with the unease that accompanies the moment when Link receives a lore exposition from the Light Spirit Lanayru regarding the powers of the Fused Shadow and the backstory of the Interlopers. While this scene indeed explores the disturbing theme of the potential corruption of those close to you in pursuit of power, there's an unsettling sensation of incompleteness or fear stemming from the unknown explanation of these dark beings... The Interlopers.
Nintendo, along with many other game studios, excels at leaving scenes like this deliberately ambiguous for the player and maybe even the hero you play, never fully explaining their narrative choices. This deliberate vagueness of what your hero experiences adds to the eerie atmosphere, a technique that, when playing the game as an 8-year-old, can be especially disconcerting, raising questions about whether scenes like these contributed to the game's teen rating. A Hero's trepidation that not only happens to the characters we witness but perhaps to the players themselves. Nintendo has never been shy of doing this.
Link's and Midna (another hero who progresses too) - their self-development is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I'm not going to sugarcoat it, but this Link, and perhaps the previous Links in this timeline, go through a lot. Midna, and her people go through a lot. Through trials and tribulations, they confront their deepest fears, ultimately emerging as a stronger, more self-aware heroes. Maybe the terror of this game subtly suggests that the process of healing from witnessing your fears of losing your friends and nation is not instantaneous but involves a gradual metamorphosis of one's self, which is terrifying in itself, adapting to the discomforts within yourself as a player...
As each hero grapples with their own fears in various ways, I find that the narrative draws us in as players, allowing us to resonate with the trepidation they face. Speaking from my own perspective as an adult player, the fear may not be as pronounced as it might have been in my childhood, but the subjective nature of the player's experience adds a layer of complexity. The heroes' apprehension transcends the screen, and Nintendo deserves credit for successfully immersing players in that emotional journey.
III. A Dark World
A plan between Zant and Ganon was to unite both the Light World and the Twilight Realm - while the Twili began transforming into Demons. This Dark World became a partial reality; where people were spirits and the once vibrant essence of humanity from the Light World now casts as a mere shadow from its former glory.
But the Twilight Realm wasn't the only terrifying element of this game.
What lends a profound sense of darkness to the game, is the overwhelming feeling of solitude and isolation. In contrast to other Zelda titles, where vibrant, interactive worlds and bustling cities provide a dynamic backdrop, Twilight Princess presents a world that seems distinctly more desolate - similar to aspects of Breath of the Wild. While Link embarks on his solitary journey, his counterparts in the form of friends and allies, who typically inject lighthearted moments into the narrative, are notably absent or more subdued in this game.
Although Twilight Princess does contain instances of camaraderie, they carry an eerie hollowness. While the overarching theme in all Zelda games is that "things will never be quite the same," Twilight Princess stands out as one of the few endings lost...
In Wind Waker, despite the irreversible changes, there is reassurance as Link and Tetra embark on a quest to find a new Hyrule. In Majora's Mask, things "will never be the same," but honestly, Link significantly improved the lives of many in Termina, so the ending is overwhelmingly happy compared to the majority of the game.
Contrary to its counterparts, Twilight Princess concludes on a less decisively joyful note. Despite the apparent conventional understanding of the Twilight - this Dark World, is still dark regardless. Despite saving Hyrule and restoring the denizens of the Twilight Realm to normalcy, the victories seem melancholy... And despite defeating the evils around and above Hyrule, things still are empty, lost, and bereft.
Link faces the poignant reality of never reuniting with Midna, and his relationship with Ilia remains strained. The traumatic experiences endured by the children - the decimation of Kakariko's population - the persistent demise of the Zora Queen and her son's grief, Link's heroic deeds contribute to a pervasive sense of shadow and substantiality.
When you really think about it, the game is just soaked in this overwhelming sense of destruction. Sure, other games touch on suffering, but not to this extent, and definitely not as vividly. Take, for instance, strolling through Ordon after the kids have been taken. It hits me hard, not in a creepy way, but more in a deeply sad and almost hopeless manner that resonates deeply with me and I'm sure many other players.
In the aftermath of Twilight Princess, the notion that "things will never be the same" takes on a decidedly somber connotation, devoid of the usual optimistic undertones found in other installments of the franchise.
IV. The Disturbing Mystery of Twili
The history of the Twili can be challenging to unravel. Once the prosperous tribe of the Interlopers, the Twili faced punishment for their attempted usurpation of the Sacred Realm's power. Condemned by the goddesses, they were banished to the Twilight Realm, transforming into shadowy beings. The Twili people in Twilight Princess evoke a haunting and mysterious aura, their story reveals a tragic narrative of a civilization forever marred by their pursuit of forbidden power.
That leads us to question - what is up with the disturbing mystery of the Twili?
According to Zelda's Encyclopedia, the Twili are descendants of a tribe of Hylian sorcerers from Hyrule. Those descendants were passed down only through evolution. We know from their folly of greed for sacred power, that the Twili only evolved into their shapes and sizes due to being banished into the Twilight Realm.
Whether we realize it or not, and as it deems within the lore - these beings had immense affinity of magic, and with it, perhaps evolved their bodies into twisted beings. Beings that in which, show detail and signage of their clan throughout their skin. Those who were attuned with such great magic ruled in heriarchy. Those who possessed the most formidable magical skills eventually became kings or queens for their people.
It is stated in Hyrule Historia:
'The Twili wield the power of magic, though its strength does not reach the levels possessed by those who were sealed away in ancient times...'
— Hyrule Historia, pg. 114
And I'm going to call it like I see it, the past and disturbing mystery of the Twili is very unsettling. To think that maybe once mages of high rank usurped the Triforce's sacred realm leads me to believe there's more at play here. Ganondorf, with his known magical prowess, and Zelda, wielding her own abilities, attained their powers at the cost of their Triforce fragments. The Interlopers on the other hand don't seem to be using Triforce power at all, so are we just expected to believe it was all within the Fused Shadow's ability?
It just doesn't make any sense... Well until we do more research.
Interlopers is the name given to these magic bearers by Nintendo of America, which may be a fitting title as an interloper is defined as an unwanted being or intruder to a place, situation or affair, who is there solely for selfish purposes. This sounds befitting of the dark interlopers as they are clearly unwanted intruders. Interlopers is not, however, the original title given to this group.
The Japanese text refers to them as ‘magic wielders’ and ‘sorcerers’ because of the power they possessed. The question is, though, where did these magic wielders come from in the first place? Many suggestions have surfaced, indicating specific races or a combination of races. We often hear mention of the Sheikah in discussions on the interloper’s origins; however, backing evidence seems to be lacking as to why the emissaries of the Goddess would betray Hylia.
Moreover, when this game becomes a part of the Zelda timeline, establishing ties and connections between the Sheikah, Gerudo, or any other influential group would prove impractical, given that the Twili have developed their own cultures and societies over countless millennia.
One idea that hasn’t received great attention is that the interlopers were literally the shadows of the people of Hyrule.
Within the dark scene, Lanayru says the interlopers ‘appeared … in the midst of the people’ (literal Japanese translation), as shadows would. Another point to note from the cutscene of Lanayru is that it seems to imply the interlopers were the ‘dark side’ of each person coming into a physical manifestation. The representation of these interlopers was the group of ‘Dark Links’ in this story, which heavily suggests a dark side or shadow of each person. This is also easy to assume this is what the Interlopers truly were or became by using the Fused Shadow.
This idea of a living being existing as a shadow is not farfetched in The Legend of Zelda series. Twilight Princess gives us an example of this as throughout majority of the game the Twili, Midna, hides completely unnoticed in Link’s shadow in the Light World, showing that it is actually possible to exist as a shadow in this realm. Sure this is all strong speculation, and maybe the Twili form is likely to be their natural form, when they aren’t just shadows in the light.
The Twili are literally those who exist in the dusk, or Twilight, when the sun sets lower above the horizon, are shadows appear, and so do the existence of our shadowed self - maybe the Twili are separated as shadows appear, but their mystery remains. Highlighting the consequences of unchecked ambition and the lingering phantoms of a once-proud civilization.
V. Oocca's Grim Anatomy
During The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, we are introduced to two (2) races from ancient Hyrule. The first and foremost are the Twili the "shadow clan and the Oocca.
The second race introduced in the game are the Oocca (JP: 天空人 (tenkūjin), or"sky people".
They are characterized by their distinctive anatomy, resembling humanoid birds with round bodies, feathered wings, and bird-like heads. Despite their small stature, the Oocca are remarkably advanced in terms of their technology, showcasing an intricately designed civilization high above the land in the floating city above the skies. This could parallel Loftwings from Skyward Sword, as both races inhabit elevated civilizations in the sky. However, the connection between the Oocca and Loftwings is not only geographical but also thematic, emphasizing their shared preference for residing high above the earthly realm and their relations with Hylians.
Despite their diminutive bodies, according to Shad, they are considered the closest race to the gods within the Zelda universe, surpassing even the Hylians. Legends suggest that the Oocca played a pivotal role in the founding of Hyrule, the land of the Hylians. To maintain communication with the Royal Family of Hyrule, the Oocca created the Dominion Rod, a mysterious and powerful artifact. This rod is entrusted to a chosen individual known as the messenger to the heavens, who serves as a vital intermediary between the Oocca and the Hylian royalty. The Dominion Rod symbolizes the Oocca's unique position as celestial beings and their integral role in the broader mythology of The Legend of Zelda series.
Their advanced technology seems to be empowered by magical spells, as Ooccoo notes after seeing the de-powered Dominion Rod after completing the Temple of Time was somehow magical. So the Oocca could be theorized to be former magic users who once lived on Hyrule's surface for a time, and transcended to the skies.
Furthermore, the Twilight Palace and the City in the sky share a similar architectural resemblance to each other, as swirls on the throne of the Palace match some structures within in the skies. If they intertwine with the Twili people who's really to say, but it's hard to really tell - this could just be purely a reused asset for the game and nothing beyond that...
The Minish Cap recounts a narrative akin to the Oocca's, depicting a tribe known as the Wind Tribe. This group resided in Hyrule during the kingdom's infancy, only to later forsake it and retreat to the Skies. Though they resemble typical Humans, all members of the Wind Tribe have an innate ability to walk on the clouds, though Hailey implies this may be a result of having pure hearts.
While other theories range from descended from Loftwings, the Twili, or even the Wind Tribe. Their transformation from human to bird is a strange one. As the anatomy has little to do with how human or how bir-like they may be, but rather how disturbing they look in nature. Sure they look cute on the surface level, but they also seem to walk on walls, their noise is quite uncomfortable to players, but they fall into a degree of Uncanny Valley.
Some fans of the franchise have theorized that the Oocca was designed after the works of M. C. Escher, whose unsettling paintings sometimes feature impossible creatures that resemble bird-people. It's unknown if this was an intentional design choice or a coincidence, but it could explain why Ooccoo looks so disturbing.
The Oocca, remnants purportedly linked to Hyrulean gods, appear to have undergone such extensive evolution that any original essence of power has been obscured. Was this transformation the intended fate of their race, or does it hint at a more unsettling nature of the Hyrulean deities?
The fact that the Oocca's are closer to gods than to Hylians almost makes their evolution seem like it took a subordinate and mutated path. The shift towards bird-like features and eventual extinction hints at some kind of mysterious and unsettling twist in their kingdom's story, leaving us with a feeling of confusion about how their divine connections went haywire.
VI. The Supernatural
Amidst the enigmatic Twili shadows and the veiled mysteries that lie beyond the borders of Hyrule, Twilight Princess is not afraid to delve into the supernatural realm, peering into the thin veil that separates life from death. Throughout the lands of Hyrule, Poes and demonic creatures wander, their presence hinting at a haunting past. Legends whisper that these entities were once spirits of the departed, twisted into monstrous forms by their lingering attachments to the mortal world.
Poes are recurring Ghost-like creatures in Zelda's lore, Cloaked spirits that freely roam Graveyards and other haunted locales within Hyrule and it's lands. As ghosts, Poes can disappear and reappear as part of their strategy, and can easily move through walls. Most Poes are known for being wicked, vengeful spirits, however, some Poes are helpful and serve as guides, although not without their deceitful trickery.
In Twilight Princess, the presence of the deceased is pervasive, with unmistakable evidence of their existence enveloping the world & it's surroundings. Besides Poes, there are phantoms, spirits, and spectrals of those from the dead, like Queen Rutela. As the Twilight converges with Hyrule, the inhabitants undergo a spectral transformation, rendering them shapeless. Midna further elaborates on this new reality, describing how these newfound spirits are condemned to wander in the Twilight, completely unaware of their spirit forms.
I hate to bring up Tears of the Kingdom's similarity to their Poes with Twilight Princess, but the parallel is quite remarkable. In Tears of the Kingdom, the Poe statue conveys that Poes are lost spirits condemned to wander the obscurity of The Depths—a narrative echoing the similar lore found in Twilight Princess.
As we delve deeper into this meaning of spirits, in Japanese folklore, hitodama (Japanese 人魂; meaning "human soul") are balls of fire that mainly float in the middle of the night. They are said to be "souls of the dead that have separated from their bodies", which is where their name comes from. Hitodama is probably what these orbs we see in Twilight Princess and Tears of the Kingdom are derived in belief from.
The souls of the departed are evident throughout Twilight Princess, which is unsettling, and shows the repeating form of hollowness that exists within this game. Are they truly dead, or, as beings of light, simply not allowed to exist corporeally in Twilight? Is this the Twilight’s way of wiping Hyrule clean? These are questions that can only be answered in speculation.
Certainly, we have the Hero's Shade, serving as Link's combat mentor and a canonically prior incarnation of the hero. Intriguingly, this fallen champion is subtly alluded to in the later stages of the game, specifically within the final dungeon. A tombstone hidden in the Castle Graveyard bears the inscription "The cursed swordsman... sleeps before... the sacred tree." This cryptic message is surrounded by the enigmatic Ghost Soldiers, who are never acknowledged by Midna and are only perceptible through Wolf Link's senses. It's almost as if Link alone can see these ancient warriors, radiant like the Hero's Shade but appearing more corpse-like than skeletal.
The questions arise: Who are they, and why do they manifest only now? What is the connection between these spectral warriors and the ones summoned by Stallord in the depths of Arbiter's Grounds? These wordless entities are distinct from Poes, and their silent presence raises the inquiry: What is the untold story behind these ancient warriors?
We may never know the answers to these questions, which is perhaps for the best. We as fans are instead allowed to ponder and enjoy these details littered throughout not only Twilight Princess, but the series as a whole. It’s the little mysteries that make these worlds seem authentic and real; and it's unanswered mysteries disturbing.
Twilight Princess’ dark, fantastical realm is one that breathes despite help from those which can’t. The presence of the supernatural in this game indicates that even if unresolved issues linger in the past, there are individuals capable of providing solutions and remedies in the present...
Conclusion:
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess stands as a magnum opus in the realm of video game storytelling, seamlessly integrating themes of fear, resilience, and self-discovery into its narrative fabric. Through the experiences of Link and Princess Midna, the game offers players a profound meditation on the human condition, emphasizing that even in the darkest of times, the indomitable spirit can emerge triumphant. Twilight Princess transcends its status as a mere video game, becoming a poignant exploration of fear and trauma that resonates with players on a deeply emotional level, leaving an enduring impact that extends beyond the controller we hold.
While delving into this disturbing side of Twilight Princess, everything in this game can look to be very bleak and grim in this nature, and I specifically don't think that was their intention throughout a playthrough, but rather to explore dark themes intertwined with Zelda's legend. With a fallen hero timeline, this is their reality, a hero dies and never emerges from Ganon, and Ganon's power will revolve around Hyrule.
Twilight Princess has shown me and probably many others that despite dark encounters and experiences, it's okay to accept that not everything will be the same. The acknowledgment of darkness becomes essential for the light to ultimately shine and emerge triumphant.
Maybe the story and the characters aren't meant to be scary, or frightening. It's meant to show that for once, Link and the player can't fix everything. There's an acknowledgment that we can't rescue everyone, and remarkably, that's perfectly acceptable...
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