Few enemies in The Wind Waker are as fearsome as the Darknuts. Once they catch a glimpse of the diminutive, toon Hero of the Winds, they will not stop. They lumber towards battle with sword and shield at the ready. Sometimes they stand alone, while other times they circle around Link revealing through this behavior their hidden jackal-like appearance. This danger is what makes the moment when you slip behind them and bust open their armor so satisfying. With a split second slice of his sword, Link has leveled the playing field. In their art, “Armour Break”, Turtle-Arts reveals the moment when a Darknut’s armor bursts off of him, leaving him enraged and defenseless.
One of the first things to notice about this art is how much motion is conveyed through the layout of the armor. The way that it is shown to be flying off of the enemy, scraps of rope and metal flying everywhere, emphasizes the feeling players have when they successfully shatter their armored foe. The placement of the leftmost piece of rope and pauldron as being slightly larger also gives the whole piece a 3D feeling. Almost as if the player’s success is going to explode off the canvas, unable to be held.
Not an enemy to take loss lying down, the Darknut’s anger in this art is palpable. As armor, horns, and ropes break and shred behind it, the jackal’s anger breaks as well. Its eyes glow with a brilliant crimson desire to kill. Its ears stand tall and alert, searching for the tiny hero who destroyed their glorious, metal coat. Its mouth open wide, teeth bared and oh so big. Big enough to devour a little boy from Outset Island whole.
Darknuts are a fan-favorite enemy in the Zelda series because of two reasons. First, they just look so cool and intimidating as they approach in their dark armor. Second, they offer a challenge. Whether it’s just sneaking behind them and stabbing, or waiting for the slightest opening so you can strike and remove their armor, there’s a feeling of skill involved. Because of this, the moment when you defeat a Darknut is so, so satisfying. In this piece of art, Turtle-Arts manages to paint that exhilarating accomplishment, leaving us all ready to celebrate.
