Cere Junda is a former Jedi from the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order video game. Junda was captured by Imperial forces not long after Order 66 and tortured until she divulged the location of her padawan, Trillia, who would eventually become the Second Sister, one of the many Inquisitors in canon . Cere Junda used the Force to escape her captors, and eventually lived an anonymous life far removed from her origins. She would have remained so if not for meeting another Jedi survivor of Order 66, Cal Kes
It’s a symbolic gesture of growth, a sign she is able to move forward with an appearance that abandons the regal pretense of her namesake and the royal family she was born to serve no matter the cost. Zelda has long been bound by the shackles of her own lineage, and it’s something this iteration of the character will not be constrained by. She’s confident, bossy, and compassionate in a way that Zelda has seldom been before, and cutting ties with these other versions of herself through abandoning her golden locks is a fitting end to a character arc filled with misplaced doubt regarding exactly where she belongs in the world.
If Zelda goes back to 2D, it stands alongside the indie scene. It showcases that these older takes shouldn’t be abandoned due to their age. Many other games are doing this already, but none have the clout of Zelda. Going back to 2D with its next main entry – not a remake, remaster, or spin-off – would set a major precedent: not every new triple-A title needs to splash out to make a big blockbuster. It could be a hybrid like Octopath Traveler with its 2D sprites on top of its paper-like background, or it could go the full mile and be completely 2D. Whatever it does, Respawn Entertainment going back would be refreshing for gaming and it could pave the way for other studios to do similar things with their own catal
But could it be Zelda? I’m unsure, partly because one outfit would leave her breasts completely exposed. I know Nintendo is daring these days, but not that daring. I reckon it’s an alternative version of Link or Zelda from another timeline, or a new face entirely who was awakened beneath Hyrule Castle. The possibilities are endless, and I hope their true identity serves the story of our main duo instead of taking away from it. The debate is fierce across our editorial team right now, and I adore how such a small trailer has sparked such an intense discuss
No matter what happens, it remains important to consider the symbolism behind Zelda’s appearance, and how her luscious new hairstyle could be a sign of change for her character that allows her to abandon the shackles of royalty and strive for independence beyond grief and trauma. It’s a powerful message of perseverance for a woman who deserves agency, even more so when you consider the classics that inspired her and how female characters in the world of gaming are finally earning a similar level of respect to their male counterparts.
However, the one thing that disappointed fans the most is the content of the original that never made it to the remake. Several locations such as the Raccoon City park, the Undead factory, and the Clock Tower were either scrapped, replaced, or unexplored. A few enemies such as the giant worm, spiders, and many more were also not featured in the remake. Of course, the overall plot is still the same, but fans were not happy that the Resident Evil 3 remake was split in two with the first half being the main game, and the second half featuring Resident Evil Resistance, which some fans blame to be the reason for Resident Evil 3’s demise. Despite the criticisms though, Capcom said that while the commercial performance of Resident Evil 3 remake pales in comparison to its predecessor, it is what the studio expected, given that RE2 has always been more popular than R
Breath of the Wild 2 seems to follow a similar trajectory, except Hyrule Castle is floating in the sky this time. See, it makes all the difference. Except it doesn’t really, and I can’t help but feel that potentially relegating Princess Zelda into the role of a helpless damsel in distress once again does a disservice to what is easily the best iteration of this character to date. In many ways, Zelda is the star of the show, especially in the previous game’s flashbacks where her struggle with accepting royal power and the inevitable loss of her friends becomes a crux for the unfolding narrat
Grogu’s life after Order 66 is generally a mystery, as is much about him. It’s not clear who his master was, or if he had one at the time of the attack. His survival seems to be the result of the kindness and sacrifice of a mysterious benefac
Hyrule is safe once more, but so much was lost to acquire even a semblance of peace. Now, Zelda must emerge from the ruins of destruction and build something from the wreckage. It’s a heartbreaking conclusion to her destiny, and Zelda is left with so much emotional and physical baggage that it’s easier just to cut it all away – this detachment has been presented in a rather literal sense with her new hairstyle.
