Many Zelda games begin with Link waking up in a cozy, quaint home, ready to embark on his noble quest, despite usually looking a little groggy (I’m not a morning person, so I can totally relate). It establishes the beginning of his hero’s journey as secure and comfortable, which is a direct contrast with the uncertain, danger-ridden path that lies ahead. This shows what our hero has to sacrifice; it’s a symbol of his altruism.
One noteworthy iteration of this is Link’s treehouse in Ocarina of Time, and I recently found a beautiful diorama of it created by TheMercifulGuard, which inspired me to think about the importance of its humble nature.
Link’s idyllic treehouse in the Kokiri Forest is the epitome of a rustic, peaceful home, fully detached from the worries of the world and uncomplicated by modern life. The forest is protected by the Great Deku Tree, and the Kokiri never grow old, meaning that the feeling of security and comfort is deeply rooted and tangible from the moment Link steps out the door. But even inside his house, this sense of security is prevalent.
Wooden walls enclose the room, but there is a fully open window behind Link’s bed and an open door made of fabric. This creates a sense of sturdiness while simultaneously showing there’s nothing to be afraid of in the immediate outside world. The interior design is simple and quaint, comprised of wooden furniture, plain pottery, a fruit bowl, some gardening tools, a mirror, and some other odds and ends dotted around the room. It’s nothing fancy, and it’s intrinsically the home of someone with a simple life, unencumbered by responsibilities and difficulties.
TheMercifulGuard’s diorama provides a wonderful representation of this interior and what it symbolizes. As it gives a full, three dimensional look at the room (which is difficult to see in the game due to the fixed camera angles), we can see the simplicity in all its beauty. The wood texture they’ve used for every facet of the room makes it feel so tactile and rustic, meaning it feels alive and like we’re really there. Given how accurately they’ve replicated the room, it feels nostalgic. We’ve all been here before, and although we may be seeing it in a new light, it’s all so familiar. It’s like when you return to a childhood playground after years of never seeing it — everything seems so much smaller, yet simultaneously exactly the same.
After all, that’s what nostalgia is all about. It’s that sense of familiarity and security, of comfort and happiness. We’re all nostalgic for simpler days, and what’s more representative of that than Link’s humble homes? They’re the very definition of where it all began before life became complicated and perilous. It’s always warm and comforting to see them again, particularly in such detail like we see in TheMercifulGuard’s diorama. And it also serves as a reminder of everything our hero sacrifices to save the world.
