Just last year, Nintendo shared the first teaser for its highly-anticipated Switch game, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2. Of course, no one can question the success and impact of the first Breath of the Wild game when it was released to the Nintendo Switch in 2017, which is why many fans of the franchise are eagerly anticipating the release of its sequel.
Unfortunately, there isn't much information about the next game apart from some comments made by Nintendo, and BotW 2's release date is still a mystery. However, the sequel's announcement trailer did show what could become Breath of the Wild 2's major plot point, and it has something to do with Link's hand.
During a split second in the trailer, Link's hand started glowing blue, and it appears that a mysterious force has been keeping evil forces at bay. Now, for those who could be thinking why all this sounds familiar, it is worth remembering that another game also featured a somewhat similar premise where the protagonist's hand emanates a mysterious force that becomes vital in the overall story, and this is BioWare's Dragon Age: Inquisition.
How is Link's Glowing Arm Similar to the Inquisitor's Anchor?
In 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition, players were put in the role of the Inquisitor, and early in the game, it was discovered that a mysterious force put a mark, called the Anchor, on the Inquisitor's hand. At first, many believed that the mark came from Andraste, which resulted in people in the game calling the Inquisitor the Herald of Andraste. Throughout Dragon Age: Inquisition, it was revealed that the Inquisitor obtained the Anchor when they accidentally picked up Corypheus' Orb of Destruction, prior to the explosion in the Conclave.
Corypheus himself intended to obtain the Anchor for himself to control the Breach, which is a massive tear in the veil that allowed demons from the Fade to escape into the world. As previously mentioned, the Anchor on the Inquisitor's hand has the power to control rifts, but as the massive tear in the veil expands, so does the mark, which is slowly killing the Inquisitor.
Gven that there are many details that are still shrouded in mystery in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, it is currently a mystery as to what the purpose of Link's glowing arm would serve in the upcoming sequel. However, based on the split second that players get to see it, it is implied that whatever is emanating from Link's hand is a powerful force that could play a central role in the game's plot.
What Could Link's Glowing Arm Mean?
A couple of years ago, Nintendo hosted a GDC panel where developers discussed how Breath of the Wild was made. In early some early concept art, the devs showed an armless Link, who has the capability of using it as a tool. Several sketches showed his arm turning into a hammer, a bow, a lasso, and a bomb, among other things. Of course, this concept never made it into the first game, but it is possible that Link's glowing arm, as seen in the sequel's preview, could mean that he now has the ability to use his arm as a weapon, based on the ideas from the first game that never saw the light of day.
Another possibility is that during the beginning of the trailer, a ghostly hand is seen grabbing Link's arm, which could be the reason why he got his mysterious glowing arm in the first place. At this point, it's hard to tell what transpired here, but many speculate that the hand that grabbed Link is an ancient malevolent force that once corrupted a hero to do its evil bidding, and that hero could be the now-corrupted Ganondorf. Now, in the sequel's trailer, it appears that this hand has found its new hero, which is none other than Link himself.
Some speculate that if this event occurred in the early parts of the game, then it could put Link out of commission, which opens an opportunity for Zelda to be a playable character in the sequel, and it could also mean that Ganondorf is not pure evil in this universe, which is definitely a unique twist in the franchise.
At the moment, it is still a point of debate whether the power in Link's arm is a good one. But if Nintendo is taking inspiration from Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is possible that this force was accidentally picked up by Link, giving him a power that was intended to be used by the game's villain, Ganondorf. Of course, Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 has a lot of explaining to do about Calamity Ganon and Ganondorf, but it is worth pointing out that the first Breath of the Wild game is known for going against the established lore of the series, so pretty much anything could happen in the upcoming sequel.
Is The Glowing Arm Harmful to Link?
Another question that is worth exploring about Link's mysterious glowing arm is whether the power that emanates within is harmful to him. Again, looking at Dragon Age: Inquisition, it is a known fact that the Anchor is actually killing the Inquisitor every time the mark expands while the rift remains open. This is, of course, a consequence of the great power that the Anchor brings, given that it has the ability to close rifts between the Fade and the physical realm. It wouldn't be unlikely if the same thing is true to Link's arm, and, if the force in his hand gives him unique power and abilities, then it could also drain his energy, slowly killing him. This could also signify that Link's glowing arm is temporary, and will only stay with him during Breath of the Wild 2.
Of course, without any more details from Nintendo about Breath of the Wild 2, the speculation about Link's arm could be anything. Hopefully, if rumors are true that Breath of the Wild 2 is releasing this year, then players can expect more details and previews in the coming months. However, given the on-going pandemic, and a subtle hint at a recent earnings call by Nintendo, then there is a high chance that Breath of the Wild 2 won't see the light of day this year.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is in development for the Nintendo Switch.