The Champions (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)

Every time you learn about the Champions in Breath of the Wild, it feels like a gut punch. These memorable heroes are all gone by the time you get to know them, and each of them had their own hopes, dreams, and responsibilities as they fought to protect Hyrule from Calamity Ganon’s destruction. Every memory you find in Breath of the Wild is tinged with melancholy as you see the gusto and vigor the Champions had in their hearts as they prepared to fight the Calamity just for them be stomped out in its wake.

Breath of the Wild is full of tragedy, but just because the Champions were defeated doesn’t mean their wishes have been completely wiped away. Link takes pieces of them with him when he remembers their time together and when he uses one of their abilities to defeat Calamity Ganon. Their hopes live on in the people still here, and by the end of Breath of the Wild, it’s thanks to them that the day is won.