A Link Between Worlds is filled with a colorful cast of characters who I adore to no end. All the sages are filled with personality, Hilda is so complexed and interesting, Yuga is an extraordinary villain, and then there’s Ravio. I came into this game with his identity spoiled by fan art on the internet, so I had a feeling I would like him, but little did I know how much I would really come to love this character.
Ravio comes into the scene after Link is knocked out cold by big, bad Yuga. He brings Link home after the unfortunate incident and waits for him to wake up. Once Link comes to, Ravio quickly exerts his quirkiness via his silly comments and exaggerated movements as he explains to Link who he is and inquires what happened to Link. Link explains all that’s happened, and Ravio immediately sees him as a hero and starts to set his plans into action. Of course, at the time we don’t know what’s going on under that bunny hood, but we’ll later find out that Ravio may be more clever than he seems.
Ravio also happens to give Link a very important item: a bracelet that will save him from Yuga’s future attempt to turn him into a painting. This gives Link the ability to merge with walls, which greatly comes into play throughout the course of the game. The thing about this that always made me curious was whether or not Ravio knew this would happen. We later learn that his intent was always to help Hilda by finding someone who was courageous enough to stop Yuga, and as found in his diary in Hero Mode, Ravio used all the magic he had to escape to the realm of light. Did he also use magic to create such an item? He is a mysterious one, that Ravio.
Once Link attempts to enter one of the temples, he comes across a stone slab with Ravio’s signature marked on it. When he returns to his house for the first time, Ravio will generously give Link the first item he needs. Upon the second time, however, Ravio has completely taken over the house, redecorating it to become a storefront. For a new player, it was so unexpected! I’ve seen time and time again, people saying they should be mad, but they’re too busy laughing at how bold Ravio was to pull off a stunt like this.
Now Ravio, being Link’s Lorule counterpart, is opposite to Link in many ways. He’s outgoing and chatty which we’ve already seen, and now we get to see that he’s also a bit stingy when it comes to rupees. If you even dare go close to his precious rupee sack, he’ll scold you, telling you that there is something “more important than life itself” inside. Greed is not a virtue that is found in most likable characters, but even with this flaw, Ravio has so much more good to offer that we can forgive the little things — even if he can afford to pay rent and chooses not to.
As I said, Ravio is opposite to Link in many ways, but at his core, he and Link share a kindred spirit. They are both faithful servants to the royalty of their kingdoms and both long to do what is right. Ravio could see that Yuga was manipulating Hilda all along, but unfortunately, another contrast he has to Link is his cowardice. Even so, in his running away, he still wanted to help Princess Hilda. After the final fight has been won, Hilda is persistent in obtaining the completed Triforce. Ravio intervenes and speaks to the grief-stricken p
As much as I love Ravio’s goofy nature, to see him so calm and collected in this scene was simply breathtaking. He confronts his fears and admits that he wanted Link to defeat Hilda. She calls him a traitor, and yet that was never his aim. His heart always went out to the people of Lorule, but even still he would not do what he knew was wrong by helping her and Yuga steal Hyrule’s Triforce.
Hilda sends Link and Zelda home, but not before Ravio gets to say a heartfelt goodbye. Truly inspired by his Hyrule counterpart, he claims, “Maybe some of your courage rubbed off on me!” Even though his world is supposedly doomed, he can’t help but smile when Hilda does the right thing and sends the two heroes on their way home. This, however, is not the end of their story.
“It’s been a pleasure, my friend. I got to meet a real, live, genuine hero. Ha! Who knows? Maybe some of your courage rubbed off on me. So thanks, Link.” — Ravio
A Link Between Worlds
The stone slab containing the gateway to the light world cracks and a new Triforce bursts through. Link and Zelda had wished upon their Triforce for a new one for Lorule. Hilda bursts into tears of joy while a huge grin grows on Ravio’s face. This is not the end for our Lorulean friends, but a new beginning.
From his very introduction to his final farewell, Ravio was nothing but pure bliss throughout the entirety of the game. He was a character who always had something interesting to say and it was always a highlight whenever I got to visit him. His dialogue was witty and his heart was pure. His mysterious ways entranced me and his comedic timing lifted my spirits in hard times. Ravio will always be my very favorite character alongside Link and Zelda, and I will never forget the time spent with this dear friend.
