Zelda vs Malon, Comparing the two

The source of many of debates. Malon's role vs Zelda's. The two females face it off here! Lets discuss their roles and importance in the game. Why one is more important than the other, why we think one should be with Link, and so on and so forth. Also, stuff to use in debates against the Malinkers out there. (You all know you run into them, so we might as well be able to argue with them calmly and logically, right?)

Anyway, lets get talking guys!

EDIT: As of November 2008, I'm changing the topic to expressly state that this is NOT a thread to discuss Malink vs Zelink. Discussion here will be focused on Zelda and Malon- their character in relation to Link may be mentioned or referred to, but this is not a shipping war thread, kay?

Here's my view of things.

Both characters were important to the development of the plot of Ocarina of Time. If Malon hadn't given us the egg, Talon wouldn't have moved out of the way to the princess. Incidentally, if she hadn't taught us Epona's Song, we wouldn't have been able to get Epona after the seven year skip from Ingo, thus making the travel to Gerudo Valley that much less exciting.

In the same vein, if Zelda hadn't been there, we wouldn't have had a goal, and Sheik wouldn't have been there to suggest a course of action. Sheik also wouldn't have been able to save Ruto or help us from behind the scenes. We wouldn't have obtained the Light Arrows, and we wouldn't have had the incentive to go fight Ganondorf without the need to save Zelda. It's also unlikely we'd have made it out of Ganon's tower as it collapsed.

All things considered, though, in terms of main plot, Zelda was drastically more important than Malon. Without Zelda and with just Malon, what would Ocarina of Time have been?

Well, first, it wouldn't have been called Ocarina of Time, because without Zelda there was no such instrument. It might have just been called Fairy Ocarina. Which is a lot wimpier.

Secondly, it's likely the main quest would have been to... defeat Ingo? That was, after all, Malon's main plight throughout the game. The final boss would be what? An obstacle course?

Now let's consider the game without Malon and with just Zelda.

First off, Talon would have been removed, since Malon was no longer there to get rid of him. So we get free access to Zelda. No big deal.

We can't learn Epona's Song. No problem. Write it into a journal, the same way you can write it on a tombstone. Notes left by a ranchowner to tame the wild foal. That's outta the way and you still get Epona.

I think I've proven that as far as game development goes, Malon was optional. Not to take anything away from her character, I really think she was there to deepen the game. Not to make it move forward.

this picture I made say's enough who's stronger.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v137/cra...alonvszelda.jpg

I wish I had arms like that.

I mean the second guy! The seonc one! Can't typew...

Too much muscle is sort of a turn-off for me. The best is the 'strong but slim' build. Drool.

You mean like Link?

Anyway, back to the debate. As to Zelda and Malon's importance to the games, I think it's pretty clear that Zelda is far more important to the overall storyline than Malon is. Don't get me wrong, I like Malon, I think she's a cute character, but her only importance to the game is as part of a side quest. Like CM said, if Malon wasn't there, then we wouldn't have learned Epona's song or gotten a chicken to wake up Talon. But the developers would have thought up another way for the player to wake up Talon and get the song, so having no Malon in the game wouldn't be such a problem.

Zelda, however, is far more important to the story. Aside from being the titular character, it is because of her that Link is able to grow strong enough to defeat Ganondorf. Without Zelda, the Great Deku Tree would have probably sent him to the king, who believed Ganondorf to be his ally, and wouldn't believe a little kid who told him that Ganondorf was evil (I mean, if he didn't believe his own daughter, then there's no way he would have believed Link). Without Zelda, Link would have never gotten the Ocarina of Time, and he wouldn't have had Sheik to help guide him on his quest. Also, some of the emotional resonance would have been lost. I mean, it's great and all to save the world for the sake of everyone, but to save it for someone you care deeply enough to battle your way to hell and back is a little more poignant.

So, overall, Zelda is a central figure to the story, while Malon is just one of many quirky characters that help make the LoZ games more immersive.

And she sings. Don't forget that. You can find her at night singing.

And...

That's about it...

Oh yeah, I forgot about that...

Does Zelda sing? I know she plays a variatey of instruments, but I don't think we've seen her singing...

Rumour has it that she's the one who was singing the Song of Time when Link returns to the Temple of Time at the end of OoT, since it isn't the same tone as Malon. But it's hard to say, with those *.mid files playing.

Do they play the song of time?

you mean Zelda's lullaby >_>
Well I think itīs her voice yes, and itīs actually higher than Malonīs voice...

Right. I was hesitating between the two. I couldn't remember which one Zelda played to send Link back.

Wouldn't it have made more sense to play the Song of Time, though?

Yes, Zelda does play her Lullaby and she sings it as well. You know, I never thought about it before, but you're right, it does seem like she should be playing the Song of Time, but Zelda's Lullaby holds its own special power as well.

*cough* Now, back on topic?

Heehee

I do NOT for one minute believe that Malon is more vital to the story than Zelda, I just posted this so we could get some practice arguing with Malinkers The game would have been untouched for the most part without the ranch girl, but without the Princess? There wouldn't BE a story without her. I rest my case.

Too true. The whole plot of the game revolves around Zelda. Get the Spiritual Stones and bring them to Zelda, spend seven years in hybernation and search for Zelda, beat the crap out of Ganny and rescue Zelda. "Saving" Malon is only optional (besides, if Malon was in any actual danger, she would have run away from Ingo). You only need to see Malon maybe two or three times throught the game *shrug*

Ingo: Mwahahaha! You are my slave, Malon!
Malon: Oh no. Woe is me! Daddy, help!
Ingo: Your father was a wimp! He ran away to Kakariko!
Malon: Oh! How awful! Here I am, surrounded by the fastest (and only) steeds in Hyrule, with the door wide open, in the middle of a large field, with many places I can escape to, and the only thing holding me back is a half-wit crazed ranchhand! Verily, my only choice is to wait seven years for a fairy boy to come and save me.
Ingo: I knew my plan was flawless! Hail Ganondorf!

Whereas...

Ganondorf: Mwahahaha! You are my slave, Zelda!
Zelda: We'll see about that! *escapes on horseback with Impa* I will ensure to send the future Hero of Time in a safe place where he will age and grow strong enough to defeat you!
Ganondorf: The boy is weak! He can do nothing against me!
Zelda: He will, one day! And I will aid him! I will become a ninja to help him from the shadows! We will gather the power of the six sages! And when the time is right, we will strike you down and bring an end to your tyranny. He and I will then shag for many long nights.
Ganondorf: I knew my plan was flawless! Hail me!

I rest my case.