I sincerely apologize for dropping a giant block on Medli. Thank you all so much for watching and commenting

Damn, with their deadline looming, nintendo must have been so relieved when ganondorf decided to destroy one of the dungeons. By pure coincidence, of course.

I never noticed how outset island's theme changes once aryl is kidnapped, that's crazy

33:54 "Waking your grandmother up will allow her to make you Elixir Soup. The best item in the game." It struck me, listening to that, that it being the best item in the game is also a subtle message: Link's Grandma still loves him and gives him all her heart, and Link still loves his Grandma enough to truly value what she gives for him. Simple soup gives him strength nothing else in his world can.

This game hit me so hard because I'm a little sister. I watched my brother play this more than once. His first playthrough, the face he made when Aryll was kidnapped... I will never forget it. In that moment, Link wasn't the hero of winds. He was a big brother, being played by a big brother.

Wind Waker's Link is also, probably, the most expressive Link out there, so much damn personality without even saying a single word.

I know how much effort this took, and the final product is nothing short of amazing. Glad you were finally able to put it all together!

Me: Oh! A Wind Waker analysis video! *click* Me, Later: *sobbing uncontrollably about the messages of hope and courage at the end and how it ties back into Wind Waker* I'm fine, I'm fine

Once I heard someone said that this Link is of the ones with most courage. So much that instead of the goddeses choosing him, he made them choose him. And his grandma is the most wholesome, tragic and caring character of the whole franchise.

"The same goes for one of my favorite characters in the game, Medli." *flashback to Liam dropping a massive stone block on her head while discussing the earth temple layout*

The molgera music is actually my ringtone, to get me psyched up for the horrible boss battle of talking to people

When I was in college, something terrible happened. This just shattered my already frail mental state, and I became a hermit overnight. During that time, alone in my room rarely leaving my bed, I dove deep into nostalgia. I played Paper Mario TTYD, one of my favorite games as a kid. I played Super Mario Sunshine, a bright contrast to my feelings. But then I played Wind Waker. As I beat Ganon, and watched my favorite protagonist I have ever played as leave his somber mentor/friend behind. I broke into tears. I can't remember the last time I had let myself cry. I don't know how long I sat there crying. But it was this game that gave me the courage, or moreso made me remember the courage I used to have. I called my parents for help, finally accepting that I wasn't "fine." I've been growing since then, and trying to work on my healing, but lately I have been stuck in a rut. I am doing better mentally, but my next steps are unclear. I was growing disheartened, felt weak/powerless, and unable to fix myself despite coming this far. This video was great, the whole thing, but the *Courage* section has made me feel far more enabled, brave, and overall positive about myself than months of therapy. I am going to use this courage you and Link have shown me. I am ready. Thank you.

The art style was and still is ahead of its time. It’s still so good even today.

In all my years of playing Wind Waker, I did *not* know Outset Island's music changed after Aryll got kidnapped. That is genius music design. I also didn't know about using the KorL during the cannon minigame.

No game feels quite like Wind Waker does, and I'm happy it is that way.

"If you're strong enough to stay here and fight, then you're a hero to me" even if its a bit cheesy, i cant explain how much that sentence meant to me. it was surreal. never before have i heard someone put into words the exact thing that brings me down so often "its going _too well_ . something horrible will happen to me soon. i just know, because that's the way things are" it does feel like that, and part of me firmly believes it still. when life is going well, you cant bring yourself to enjoy it. people will roll their eyes at you if you tell them "this will go badly, i simply know it. i can feel it coming." they half heartedly comfort you and say "that's not true!" you know they're probably right, and you shouldnt assume the worst outcome you get your hopes up, even just a little bit but then it _does_ go badly the feeling of despair that follows that, accompanied by a dull feeling of "i knew it" for some people, it _does_ take significant strength to stick through it some people dont make it past these challenges so it means the world when someone says " _you_ did it. _you_ are still here. you are still _here_ . and thats all that matters. good job."

From a kindred spirit who grew up on the Great Sea and holds this as their most cherished video game of all time, thank you. Most retrospective content on this game goes on and on about the "boring dungeons", "nonexistent difficulty", "barren sea", and "needless padding", but you have truly hit the nail on the head as to why this game is so so special to so many people. Hearing your childhood stories reminded me of my own, and honestly moved me to tears. Keep up the amazing work, you are truly a fantastic creator.

When the World needed him most... He returned. Welcome back. Hope you're doing alright.

Obviously I’ve never even gotten close to meeting Liam, but hearing him say that he’s proud of me and that as long as I have courage then I’m a hero felt like a warm hug

Jeez, tearing up at the end of this. Practically all I've thought of the past 5 years is taking my life outta the game and it's grown much more intense the past few months. Thanks for sharing your story. It does take so much courage to keep going in this world. This is my favorite game as well and my ultimate comfort game. When I was a kid I spent hours just hanging out at the oasis island and windfall because it felt like a little vacation and another society to escape into where I could help others with their problems instead of thinking about my own.

Dude, that had me crying in the end. I realize now why I gravitated towards majoras mask so much as a kid, and just video games in general. Because of everything going on in my real life, and it all just makes so much sense. You are so strong Liam, and so am I damnit hahaha. I’m proud of us. Thank you for another well done video :)

You've come a long way since that unfinished camcorder Let's Play of Wind Waker from over a decade ago, as NintendoXboxMan. Well done, Liam. Very well done.

YOU FINALLY DID IT! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! LoZ:WW was the first game I ever played. I even learned my first English words from it (excluding "hello") and they were: "big brother", "house", "sword" and "shield". My god do I love this game...

So my parents were never married. Growing up, I would spend every other weekend with my father. The moment in the video at 14:50 when the Grandma steps out to the balcony and Link waves goodbye, literally reminds me of when I used to wave my mother goodbye every time I’d leave with my dad. Saying bye to her was always such a sad moment but it was something I knew that needed to be done. Just like Link. I think that moment in the game will forever stand out to me as being one of the most impactful. Thank you for the great deep dive into Windwaker!

I remember getting a GameCube and TLOZ Collector’s Edition for Christmas. It had a 20 min demo of Wind Waker and I loved it so much I begged my dad for months to buy it for me 🥺 good times

“Trauma can cause you to grow up” Man, some memories just flowed through me 😪

I swear, as soon as I heard the intro music, I felt like crying. I grew up with WW on the Gamecube, and it still holds a special place in my heart. Welcome back, Liam. Hope you're feeling better!

This game was my VERY first Zelda game. And what a journey it was. It was amazing and incredible in every sense of the word.

In all seriousness, this is one of the greatest reviews I've ever seen

Hell yeah! Super glad to see you back.

I love how you put a little bit of yourself into each of your videos. A personal anecdote & story alongside real analysis, & thorough research is rarely found but you do it every time. I have been binge watching all your videos recently since I found you, thanks. I hope to one day make content that may not be similar in form, but similar in heart & resolve. Thanks Liam.

I've never watched a retrospective that made me cry. Thank you, Liam. Your closing words hit me in a place that I didn't think existed anymore.

Imagine how much more amazing the game would have been if they didn’t have to rush towards the end.

I love this game, I remember coming home from daycare and watching my older siblings trying to beat this game. Wind Waker means so much to me not only is it an amazing game, but it reminds me of my siblings and the times I watched them and the times they watched my first steps into video games as a whole. I think the first game I touched was this one and every time I replay it I cry during the title screen and the credits. Zelda is my favorite game franchise and this one is not only my favorite Zelda, but my favorite game of all time. Nothing will top it

Wow. Just... wow. This has been in my recommended for months now and IM SO ANGRY I HAVEN"T CHECKED YOU OUT BEFORE. Man this is QUALITY CONTENT RIGHT HERE. Like seriously this was legitimately amazing. It makes me so happy to know that there are people so deeply invested in this game and this series and who find deep meaning in it. Thank you so much for making this. I now have a new appreciation for this game (which is saying something) and they way you seamlessly combined analysis of gameplay, thematics and personal experience is just incredible. Thank you for sharing your story. Here's hoping that your current future is looking brighter than ever before. May the wind bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks my friend.

Actually cried multiple times. You really put things perspective and many scenes I didn't think too much about in this game suddenly hit me like a truck.

Through my own walk of life I've found you never know what battles people are fighting each day. I chose to be the inspiration of guidance and positivity to those I meet. To me, we only get one life, which is why I'm always so interested in the goings-on of others beyond my own. The Zelda series has taught me to be okay with being myself because I could unknowingly be a hero to another. Sometimes just talking to someone is all the validation and push they need to be better. I've taken every challenge met by pushing my limits to the fullest giving me the confidence I so needed when I was younger. So I hope to all of you reading this eventually understands just how powerful patience and perseverance can be in the long run. Enjoy your life and with those in it. And have fun doing so.

I’m so glad you mentioned the windwaker randomizer. It has breathed new life into the game and fully realized the open world of the great sea

I can't help but tearing up a bit towards the end. The clinging to the past, and the courage to move on and live life to the fullest, man

You can really feel the love you have for this game poured into every facet of this video. This is your masterpiece.

I dont have much nostalgia for this or any of the older Zelda games, but I went though a similar thing with Breath of the Wild. It was an immensely important game to me the first time I played it in 2017, since I just came out of a horrible place in life and was suffering mentally. Being able to escape into a vast world that gave me the reins to do what I wanted was so magical, and I still get the tingly feeling when I find something I never have before after more than 300 hours playing it. Same goes for some of the sounds and sights in that game, the simple jingle of getting an item from a chest or the combat music make me feel safe and comfortable. I don't need something like that so much now but, that game did so much for me in a time I needed it, and it still brings me joy to play it over and over again!

I literally just finished Wind Waker a few days ago. I played it as a kid but never finished it due to my files getting corrupted, which devastated me as a kid. Playing and finishing it as an adult I discovered new things that the younger me didn't care to explore or get to know the people. I loved this game as a kid but I really appreciate this game even more so as an adult. Playing this game hit my feels as I replayed it and realized the message is about growing as a person, not being afraid to try and even the ability to let things go and move on so we don't stay frozen in the past. The story and charters are amazing, even with it's flaws it has to be one of my favorite Legend of Zelda games.

Damn, I did not expect to cry at the end of your video. My childhood ended at about age 5 because of a series of circumstances involving my parents and their drug addiction. It's been a long time since then as I'm 30 now, unemployed, and lost. However I'm still here and I've survived so much already. I just need to courage to keep moving forward. This video reminded me of that and it was very much needed. Thank you.

I seriously cannot explain how much I needed to see this. Especially the courage section at the end. This video is such a beautiful result of extensive effort. I never disliked Wind Waker, I also never treasured it the way I will now. Now, with a thorough understanding of a game I thought I knew so well. This was absolutely amazing to watch. Thank you, seriously. I think you just changed my extremely negative perception of life.

I’ve been playing the GameCube version with my 8 year old son this weekend and I can’t explain how much it warms my heart to see my young blonde haired hero in training play as this truly inspired version of Link, Toon Link.

Wind Waker is the Zelda game that resonates with you the most, and the most magical thing is, you don't need any nostalgia for that to happen.

Wind Waker is definitely one of my favorite adventure games ever. Such a masterpiece.

KZfaq just recommended this video and your channel to me, and I've got to say, this is amazing. It's very clear about how much passion you have for Wind Waker. The Ganondorf in this game is my absolute favorite version of him in the Zelda series. When he's introduced in OoT, he is a smart, scheming man who does everything he can to gain power. In TP, he's on a quest to get revenge for his loss and failed execution for a plan he didn't get to even start. In Wind Waker, he's the product of failure/losing to Link after succeeding in taking control of Hyrule. He's smart and has a clearer understanding of his fate and that the only way he might be able to be free of the cycle is to take Hyrule or die. As you've said, he'll use anyone in the upper world to get what he wants and force the hero to show up.

Windwaker is just one of those games that can bring you back home ya know what I mean? Even if you never played it can really be nostalgic.

This is by far one of the best LoZ retrospectives videos I have ever seen. A clear heartfelt passion project that reignited my passion for Wind Waker. I cannot thank you enough for this experience

It's always a blessing on this website to see someone who's super passionate talk about something they love

I was not expecting this level of writing and philosophy when I clicked on this.. stayed for the whole thing and I'm glad I did. Your seamless editing was a work of magic. Keep it up man, loved it!

I legit love how the creators of this game use the music to reference and characters, locations and other games in the series! 💎

I’m gonna put this simple: a big, sincere and wholehearted THANK YOU, mate. I can totally connect with the personal significance of this game and you put words to my videogame soul. Long live this gem.

You don’t how much it makes me happy to see that Wind Waker is also someone’s favorite game of all time. I thought it was only Me.

I'm glad you recovered. Even though half the games you cover I don't have, you've given me something to listen to while playing my own games.

This has got to be the best video game retrospective I've ever seen. Absolutely spectacular job.

This game was a masterpiece. Reliving it in my head-the sense of discovery, the music.. the first time I stepped foot in Hyrule Castle. It’s emotional thinking about it!

wind waker was definitely the very core of my love of freedom. that sense of boundless possibilities that came from sailing out if whatever direction i felt like. even as an adult that love of freedom has only grown stronger. to not be tied down by other peoples bitterness about things that happened long before i was born. it never really dawned on me that the core of ganons evil was that he would harm the innocent people of the great sea in his quest for vengeance against their ancestors. crazy how lessons from childhood stick with us and somehow inform our values throughout our entire lives in ways that we could have never expected

I’m not even remotely a gamer but this was something I played as a kid. Your story and your message behind it was poignant, and profoundly touching. So happy that you have been able to carve out a life that makes you happy, it’s a seemingly simple task that all of us struggle to accomplish.

Brings a tear to my eye seeing someone appreciate this work of art as much as I do. Thank you so much for the effort put into this video, it will be one I'll revisit several times a year.

Dude thank you for making this! As much as Ocarina shaped my childhood, I feel like Windwaker cemented it (I was 10 when it was released) and it truly felt like the Zelda game where as a kid, going through it made me feel like being Link himself. It's a deeply emotional journey with an immense amount of tenderness and heart, and I'm forever thankful that it implanted those values in me at such an early age :')

I've watched this video probably 8-10 times. It's always at a different point, though the ending is usually the place, But I cry at least once every time. I'm older than you, probably by about 9 years, & I played & beat WW within it's first week. When you said "I grew up here (on the Great Sea)", it really hit me. I was only just becoming a teenager when I played through this. The endless sea I was now able to sail through gave my mind rest from the anxieties that came with growing up, but also allowed me to reflect on them. My Grandmother had just passed, so I was so happy to find a new, digital one who cared so deeply. This game checked so many boxes with my coping mechanisms that to this day, hearing any rendition of Dragon Roost Island will make me quietly gasp. development

The storytelling component of this video is phenomenal. A lot of long video essays focus on doing an analytical, part-by-part analysis (sometimes to the point of reviewing and critiquing every single quest/dungeon/etc), but I love how this video focuses more on the craft of the video game and the effects on you/the audience, rather than being a cut-and-dry summary and analysis. It really elevates the video from just an analysis into... a story. I know I said that at the start, but I've watched a lot of video essays that don't have this same passion and creativity to their presentation.

Wind Waker was a very lovely game with an admirable sense of ambition... but too bad the rushing process had to resort to many awesome things being removed

One of my earliest childhood memories was playing Wind Waker with my kindergarten best friend after school. The game was like magic compared to Ocarina which taught me to read. When I moved a year later and didn't have the same friends I clung to that memory a lot through elementary school. Very sentimental.

Thank you Liam for sharing such a personal story and why this game means so much to you. I’m glad you’re proud of us, and I hope you know that we’re proud of you too.x

The end of the intro made me shed a tear, this is got to be the best game I've ever played.

Wow I cried. This message really hit hard. as someone who grew up with Wind Waker i made mistakes in my life but I still am happy i'm alive. Never give up. Amazing video!!!!

I am consistently blown away by how amazing your Zelda retrospectives are. I don't know how to express it in words, but you said you've created this dream job for yourself. Just know that your videos are having a tremendous impact, as well as making me want to replay the games.

This is legitimately one of my all time favorite gaming retrospectives on KZfaq. Your light-hearted enthusiasm you put into these videos is so refreshing considering how most gaming reviewers feel as if they have to be jaded and cynical all the time. This game rocks and I love it so much and think it’s probably one of the most underrated games of all time. Keep up the good work Liam, I like your style, kid. 😊

when i watch the scene where you leave outset and wave goodbye. I always have to fight tears. Thinking of the adventure I had been on makes that scene so much more impactful, and with the triumphant adventurous music coming in despite the sadness. You know you'll be back. This is a journey and you're excited to see the world and link's face shows he's sad and knows he'll be away for quite a while. Just ugh it makes me want to punch a wall lmao

2 hours, daamn, thats a lot of work.

God bless you, Liam Triforce. You've taught me things that I did not know. I have learning difficulties, and I truly could not see this game for what it was, but now I do see. I loved it with everything I was. THANK YOU.

This just makes my heart flutter. i just love this game series soooo much, hearing others love for the games is amazing and just makes me wanna gush over it all

Your dialogue at the end has earned you a permanent sub. I'm going through a time in my life where those words were much needed. It feels like our childhoods were very similar in different ways. Thanks dawg

Yes! I'm so happy you posted this. I love the wind waker. Your deep analysis is fantastic. I had no idea the outset island music changes.

This was one of the most beautiful videos I've watched in a while. It brought me to tears. Phenomenal work. ❤️

Wind Waker will always hold a special place in my heart. From the music, the setting, the enemies, the sound effects, to the iconic moments that made me laugh, cry, and smile... your video made me emotional as I remembered the magic of the first time I played my first Zelda game. Thank you for this, its the perfect love letter to a game that feels like home.

Your message about hope and courage in the end brought me to tears. I am currently at a stage where everything seems to throw itself at me in such a speed I can't do anything but getting knocked over times and times again. Stress has become a part of me, like a shadow. But your words made me see I am doing well by still, y'know, doing stuff and keeping going. I realised I am brave for moving onwards despite everything. This video taught me that being courageous is scary. But being scared also means that you are damn courageous to keep walking that path. Thank you, Liam.

What a video, thank you Liam you’ve made my day a whole lot better

"I began to expect terrible things would happen whenever things [...] were going "too well" Holy shit did you hit the nail on the head...I've basically felt this way for around 2 decades now... Heck it feels like it's true as well...Just as things were finally looking up after several years of hardship, Covid happened. I lost my job because they had to cut back on personnel, I ended up racking up massive debt just to survive...and today I barely have anything to eat and I'm swarming in overdue bills. I'm trying to find ways to get out of this but I hit a brick wall no matter where I try to go. I *try* to keep the flame of hope lit, but damn is it difficult. I didn't expect this video to have such an emotional impact on me...and I thank you for giving me a little bit of courage to face my trials.

The ending to this video always manages to tug a tear outta me, that's some good editing lol

as beedle would say, “ thankkkkk youu” for making this video. as someone else who grew up and basically learned to read because of this game, it really spoke to me on another level. i’m at work right now trying not to tear up from all the sheer memories and feelings that were brought back of being a young child with no other worry on the world except exploring the great sea for hours on end. thank you again liam triforce

As emotional it may sound, I think this retrospective is as timeless as the game itself. Every moment resonated with me. Excellent work, and thank you!

Welcome Back my Hero of the Retrospectives and thank you for delivering this Video to us. WInd Waker was my introduction to Zelda and easily one of my favorite entries in the series. Also GOOD GOD that Leukemia story is heartbreaking and heartwarming here's hoping nothing like that every comes up again.

“If you’re strong enough to stay here and fight, you’re a hero to me.” The most powerful quote I’ve witnessed in a long time. Thank you for creating this and sharing it with the world.

this video caught me on a particularly bad day of a particularly awful time in my life and let me say a youtube video has never made me cry so much. wind waker was my childhood, but i never truly felt the underlying themes until now. the message of courage, especially at the end, was something i really needed to hear. thank you.

I’ve been really looking forward to this video. Wind Waker was my first Zelda game and was the game that not only got me into gaming but also into many of the things I enjoy today. I can’t imagine I be the same person that I am without Toon Link taking me onto such grand Adventure when I was younger.

"Courage", that last section resonated with me so deeply. ❤ We all go through our own fights.

this is easily the singlehandedly the best video on youtube in its entirety. especially with all you said in the end, my childhood was filled with turmoil and trouble and i recently just finished this game again myself and it hit harder than it ever has. you just put words to my feelings. amazing video.

This was the most beautiful video essay I have ever seen about anything, I really saw your passion and I can’t wait to see more! After playing this game on the GameCube 20 years ago, I came back to it recently to stream it now, but wow man! What a great video filled with emotion and passion! ❤❤❤

Welp, watched this from the beginning to the end. And thank you for that. Windwaker is a favorite game of mine but I didn't see the full message until you pointed out. Also with what you said , it also gives me courage. It's inspiring. Keep doing what you are doing.

This was a really beautiful video. You do a wonderful job at writing heartfelt narratives.

I watched, all the way to the end. Your message really moved me. I just started playing the Wii U version, of this game, because the GameCube version was too frustrating. I LOVE this game. But your message, at the end, made me cry. I'm a 35 year old recovering addict and a single mother. My son's father chose drugs over family. So he's gone. When a child is added to the mix, you're no longer allowed to live selfishly. My son is my reason to live, and to stay clean. He's 7 years old, and if not for him, I would be dead. I've been honest, about my past, my self destructive drug addiction, my criminal record, which filled two pages, my shame for my actions. I never want him to know the spiritual death, that I'm still struggling to overcome. The loss of your soul is the most painful thing you can ever experience. The echoes of "I am Once Was" are your only company. You bite the hands that feed, then stick your own hands, into the mouth of the speaking demon, as penance. I still have all my fingers, but somewhere, I lost my mind. To this day, I just can't outrun the sickness, that infected what I'd left for dead. In debt, deluded, I wade into an ever stagnate ocean. I'm eating this meat, a mouthful of God's flesh. I see that I am still only shitting sin. It's my house and I can't get in. Your words reached me today. To say to us, that we're your heroes, for all we've overcome, touched a part of me, I thought I'd lost forever. Thank you. You're my hero.❤

Yooo, that last part brought tears to my eyes at work. I’m glad you’re still here man, and as a fellow cancer survivor, congratulations!!! Thank you for your effort and time you spent on this video. It was well worth it, and I enjoyed the listen. I appreciate you man, hold on to that hope!!

Welcome back man been looking forward to this masterpiece!

Can’t wait to rewatch this like 5 more times

I just discovered your videos. Been replaying windwaker so I decided to watch this. At a time in my life where I have felt very lost I think your words reached me. I’m crying this morning cause I feel a genuine sense of strength to reach out for the first time in a long time. Thank you sincerely for letting us take part in this.

It’s been one week since I started watching your videos. One week, and I’m still in shock, real shock, of how much you succeeded to explain how much I love this series. You will probably never picture yourself how impactful was this series for me, but I will try my hardest possible to thank you for what you’ve done. I sincerely love every second of your videos. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, for making me believe in kindness, strength, courage, wisdom, and power in my own life through Zelda games.