[Realm of Memories is a series where we reflect on our absolute favorite moments in Zelda games. These could be the times we first fell in love with a game, were moved by the events of the story or actions of a character, felt triumphant when overcoming a tough boss or challenge, or we had an experience so unique that the adventure truly became our own. The Zelda series has touched our lives in many ways, and just as Hyrule has endless stories to share, so do our writers!]
Yahaha!
Aren’t Koroks the most adorable little creatures in any Zelda game? Their sweet little voices and jingling bodies fill your heart with glee. Ah, just describing them makes me want one! In Breath of the Wild, I never tire of discovering them under rocks and in the centres of lily pad circles. And I never stop feeling guilty every time I accidentally drop a rock back on their head. Their little “ouch!” makes me feel like a monster and I repeatedly apologise to the TV.
One thing I liked about the Breath of the Wild trailers is how little they revealed. They dropped little seeds of information about what you’ll discover in Hyrule, such as the hundreds of Koroks scattered all over the world. I loved the thought that after The Wind Waker, the dozen or so Koroks multiplied and spread their adorableness across Hyrule. I looked forward to discovering them all.
And thanks to the vague trailers, I was oblivious to the fact that a Korok village awaited me. So you can imagine my immense delight as I emerged from the Lost Woods into the clearing — and into Korok Forest. Light poured through the trees and dozens of Koroks poked their heads from behind rocks and fluttered overhead, some a little too shy to come out and play. I was elated.
Barely acknowledging the Master Sword, I chased Koroks around the meadow and talked to every one of them I could. I loved that the little cuties were just as excited to see me as I was them! “Mr. Hero’s here!!” “YAAAAY! Mr. Hero came to visit us in the forest!” “We’ve been waiting for you!” They excitably greeted me at every opportunity.
You can imagine my immense delight as I emerged from the lost woods into the clearing […] dozens of koroks poked their heads from behind rocks and fluttered overhead
Once I entered the Deku Tree and discovered that they prepared a haven for me, I felt so giddy. Throughout Breath of the Wild, hardly anyone recognises and praises you as a hero. To find that these little Koroks prepared useful items and a free bed for Mr. Hero was just too heartwarming. I wanted to hug them all.
I’ll never get over this one moment that truly cemented their cuteness for me. I entered the Korok shop that sells arrows and bits of food and noticed that he was selling one apple and one radish. I love the thought of this helpful little cutie doing his best to carry these individual items through the forest and set them up in his shop for me. The fact that he thinks a single apple and radish are useful items melts my heart. He wants to help me so much! I had to buy them — and I do so every time I shop there!
