Support NeoGAF

[Crossing Eden]

I see realistic Zelda requested so often on the internet and found an actual realistic depiction of Link by a 343 dev.

colored version

Provides a interesting perspective despite the lack of color.

 

[Not]

Suddenly, I have no desire to play as Link for the first time ever

Edit: sorry for dogpiling from the other thread... cool sculpt

Not for me!

 

[Crossing Eden]

Suddenly, I have no desire to play as Link for the first time ever

I may prefer this over TP when it comes to depicting Zelda as "realistic" truth be told.

 

[DSix]

No.

 

[toythatkills]

Nice ears on this realistic Link design.

 

[Nightengale]

Anime looks better.

 

[Newtype-001]

It's OK, like the wavey hair but those ears don't fit well with the realistic look. Reminds me of LOTR tho.

 

[JediLink]

I really don't like his face. Doesn't look a whole lot like Link.

 

[Deleted member 231381]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Cut the age in half and lets see

 

[BrainZEROX]

Eww... At least, now, we are sure that this doesn't work at all.

 

[TheMagician]

Honestly, that isn't very good.

I mean, it's a good model, but it lacks any sort of character or personality.

I would never ever want to play a Zelda game which looked like that.

 

[Zareka]

Why did he need aged up? That's my main gripe with this. Could be cool otherwise.

 

[stryke]

nope

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

that looks 20 something at most to me, like someone from a rock band

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

For being a "realistic" depiction, it looks pretty good.

The best thing about it is that he tries to make it like a young hero, from the super nes art. This type of desing usually try to give it some twist that doesnt gel well with th original character. Looks more like 20 something guy though.

 

[d9b]

No thanks.

 

[HawthorneKitty]

Why did he need aged up? That's my main gripe with this. Could be cool otherwise.

Same reason why people want a female Link; muh change.

 

[Crossing Eden]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

This is the face of a young adult, definitely not someone who's 45 years old.

 

[Madness]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

If he really is the hero of time, maybe we can one day get a game where he's beyond a young teen or young adult? The game would play much differently if Link could truly be an adult for one game, his relationship with Zelda, conflict with Ganondorf/Ganon, even other individuals.

I mean Link when he was conceived, wasn't a 17 year old he was basically created like Mario and Peach.

 

[TheJoRu]

The model's good, but I don't want it.

 

[OverturePT]

It's a good model, but not something I'd like to see in my Zelda's.

 

[oti]

Nein.

 

[Possumowner]

No no no no.NO.

 

[UrbanRats]

This is the face of a young adult, definitely not someone who's 45 years old.

Can be both, people vary wildly in that regard.


Anyway, it mostly underlines how character design and artstyle go hand in hand.
It's the reason why something that may look good on paper, looks absolutely laughable, when portrayed even by the fittest and most expert cosplayer, or why they always have to change suit design for those marvel movies.

That Mastersword in particular, always looked like a plastic toy, but especially so, juxtaposed to a realistic looking man in a silly costume.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

There is something with fan art when it comes to zelda that we too often end up assuming that person is selling that look as what they want the games to look.

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

Constipation. Link hasn't been taking care of himself. Smoking, not eating enough fiber. He got chased by a chicken and was winded after a quarter mile. They say black don't crack but elf will melt.

Damn shame.

 

[Scarecrow]

His face a looks a little scrunchie. Like Sean Penn's face.

 

[TUSR]

how old is he in elf years here

 

[formasymphonic]

Looks too old compared to how he's represented in the last few games. Also compared to the image most of us probably have of "Link" in our heads.

The keys are a nice touch though.

 

[chrislowe]

I remember him in Mel Brooks movie "men in tights"

 

[UrbanRats]

There is something with fan art when it comes to zelda that we too often end up assuming that person is selling that look as what they want the games to look.

 

[tuna_love]

Is everyone saying no because it doesn't provide an interesting perspective?
I think it looks pretty cool but its hard to judge without colours.

 

[Crossing Eden]

Can be both, people vary wildly in that regard.


Anyway, it mostly underlines how character design and artstyle go hand in hand.
It's the reason why something that may look good on paper, looks absolutely laughable, when portrayed even by the fittest and most expert cosplayer, or why they always have to change suit design for those marvel movies.

That Mastersword in particular, always looked like a plastic toy, but especially so, juxtaposed to a realistic looking man in a silly costume.

I agree, except for the mastersword part. I feel like it would work with the right amount of work.

There is something with fan art when it comes to zelda that we too often end up assuming that person is selling that look as what they want the games to look.

I wasn't saying that, I'm just saying it's a realistic depiction, it's obviously fanart as a form of practice not a statement about how Zelda should look.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

That Mastersword in particular, always looked like a plastic toy, but especially so, juxtaposed to a realistic looking man in a silly costume.

This is often one of my biggest complain, props like the Master Sword have to be redesigned as much as the character (like the keys here, for instance, they match, the sword and shield, do not as much)

I wasn't saying that, I'm just saying it's a realistic depiction, it's obviously fanart as a form of practice not a statement about how Zelda should look.

I'm not accusing you of it, but referring to the "why does this even exist" kind of attitude that emerges in these kinds of threads.

 

[ash_ag]

Finally, a friend for Factor 5's Pit!

 

[2+2=5]

He looks like a generic elf, maybe a true realistic Link would look like a generic elf too but in any case not like this one.

 

[popyea]

That Mastersword in particular, always looked like a plastic toy, but especially so, juxtaposed to a realistic looking man in a silly costume.

To be fair, the whole model looks like plastic in this case.

 

[Orniletter]

It is...ok...as a model on it's own.

But I don't want Nintendo to go in this direction. Ever. Thats not what Link should look like.

 

[raven777]

I am glad they are not going with these kinda of designs...

The Link design in new Zelda Wii U looks great.

 

[Rap2thaMoon]

Is it just me or does he look like Glenn Close?

 

[Haunted]

Looks extremely nice for a modeling exercise, but this is probably not a look that Nintendo is capable of pulling off (or interested in pursuing).

 

[Always-honest]

No thank you. Realistic just means "less creative" to me.

 

[tsef]

Is it just me or does he look like Glenn Close?

I was thinking along the lines of young Dave Mustane myself. Or a seinen antagonist.

It looks a bit too rough to be a Link, but it's nice to see different takes on popular characters.

 

[Madness]

It is...ok...as a model on it's own.

But I don't want Nintendo to go in this direction. Ever. Thats not what Link should look like.

I mean remember this from the Dynasty Warriors game? I think it could be a nice change of pace to 'grow' Link beyond the toonish boy/teen they've kept him for the past few decades.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Is it just me or does he look like Glenn Close?

Oh shit, It was Female Link all along

 

[Lux R7]

No.

this

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

There is something with fan art when it comes to zelda that we too often end up assuming that person is selling that look as what they want the games to look.

Or I'm probably projecting on how I want it to look. The characters have been molded to look a certain way over decades and it's hard to let go. Given the push for realism in gaming, I can see why this fan art has been rejected.

 

[Ricky_R]

Why does a character who has never been older than 17 have a 45 year old's face?

He's seen some stuff.

 

[toythatkills]

Does no one in fiction take care of their blades?