Hyrule is empty. That’s the first thing everyone says about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. They talk about the "lonely" atmosphere and the ruins. But if you actually spend time in this version of Hyrule, you realize it’s actually packed. It’s just not packed with quest-givers standing in a town square waiting for you to click on them. The characters from Breath of the Wild don't exist to serve the player; they exist to survive the world.
Honestly, that’s the secret sauce.
When Nintendo shifted to an open-air design, they had to rethink how NPCs (non-player characters) worked. If you look at the AI scripting, these people have schedules. They run for cover when it rains. They get scared of monsters. It’s a huge departure from the static guards of Ocarina of Time.
The Tragedy of the Four Champions
You can't talk about the cast without hitting the heavy hitters: Mipha, Daruk, Revali, and Urbosa.
These aren't just your typical elemental tropes. They’re ghosts. Literally. By the time Link wakes up from his century-long nap, these legends are already dead. This creates a weird, melancholic connection. You’re learning about them through the eyes of the people they left behind—like Mipha’s father, King Dorephan, who is still grieving a hundred years later.
Mipha represents that soft, quiet tragedy. She’s the Zora princess with a healing touch, but she’s burdened by a crush on Link that she never got to confess. It’s a bit heartbreaking. Then you have Revali. Man, people hate Revali. But if you read his diary in the Ballad of the Champions DLC, you see the insecurity. He worked harder than anyone else to master the Gale, and then some kid with a magic sword shows up and takes the spotlight. He's arrogant because he’s overcompensating.
Urbosa is basically the cool aunt everyone wants. She’s fierce, protective of Zelda, and provides that maternal energy that the story desperately needs since Zelda’s actual mother passed away years prior. Daruk is the anchor. He’s the "Brother" archetype, but even he has fears (dogs, for some reason?).
What Makes Zelda Different This Time?
Zelda is usually a MacGuffin. She’s the thing you go find at the end of the game. In Breath of the Wild, she’s the most human version of the character we’ve ever seen.
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She fails. A lot.
The entire backstory is about her struggle to unlock her sealing power while her father, King Rhoam, breathes down her neck. She’s a scholar. She wants to study the Guardians and the Sheikah Slate, not pray at springs. This friction makes her relatable. When you find the memory of her breaking down in Link's arms, it’s not just "damsel in distress" energy. It’s the weight of a dying kingdom.
Link, meanwhile, is a bit of a blank slate, but even he has character depth tucked away in the Japanese version of the adventure log. In the Japanese text, the quest descriptions are written in the first person. It turns out Link is actually quite expressive; he’s just stoic because he feels he needs to be the "strong silent protector" for the princess.
The Weirdos on the Road
The main story is great, but the characters from Breath of the Wild that people remember are the ones they find at stables.
Take Beedle. He’s been in the series forever, but here he’s a dedicated beetle-obsessed merchant who will literally plot your murder in his head if you don't trade him a rare insect. Then there’s Kass. The Rito accordion player is the glue of the game’s lore. Hearing his theme song in the distance—that low, bellows-heavy waltz—is a signal that you’re safe. He’s carrying on his teacher’s unfinished songs, and completing his questline is one of the most rewarding "long games" in the software.
Hestu. We have to talk about the giant broccoli man. He just wants to dance. He’s the gatekeeper for your inventory slots, and while his "gift" for finding all 900 Korok seeds is a literal piece of gold-plated dung, you can't help but love the guy.
Why the World Feels Alive
It’s the chemistry engine.
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Most games use "scripts." If X happens, NPC does Y. In Hyrule, characters react to the environment. If you drop a bomb near a traveler on the road, they’ll cower or draw their weapon. If you talk to them while you aren't wearing clothes, they’ll actually comment on your lack of pants.
- They have jobs.
- They have homes.
- They have fears.
Paya, the granddaughter of Impa in Kakariko Village, is a fan favorite for a reason. Her journal entries reveal a crushing shyness and a massive crush on Link. It’s a small detail, but it makes the village feel like a real community rather than just a shop hub.
The Yiga Clan: Villains with a Personality
Usually, Zelda villains are generic monsters. The Yiga Clan changed that. They’re a splinter group of the Sheikah who worship Calamity Ganon, but they’re also obsessed with bananas.
It sounds ridiculous. It is ridiculous.
But it gives them a distinct identity. You’ll meet a "Traveler" on the road who seems totally normal, only for them to transform into a ninja assassin because you dared to talk to them. Their leader, Master Kohga, is a complete buffoon. He’s the opposite of the terrifying, looming presence of Ganon, and that contrast works. It adds a layer of levity to a world that is essentially a post-apocalypse.
The Bolson Construction Crew
If you want to see the best side of the characters from Breath of the Wild, you go to Tarrey Town.
The "From the Ground Up" quest is arguably the best side quest in the game. You start with Hudson, a guy with a bowl cut and a dream. You help him build a town from scratch. You find people from every race—Goron, Gerudo, Rito, Zora—to move there. The only rule? Their name has to end in "-son."
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It’s a beautiful microcosm of the game’s themes. In a world destroyed by a giant purple cloud of malice, people are still trying to build something new. You see Karane and Kaepora find a life there. You see a marriage. It’s the one part of the game that feels like it’s looking toward the future instead of mourning the past.
The Problem with "Silent" NPCs
Not everything is perfect. Some players find the lack of voice acting for the general population a bit jarring, especially since the Champions and Zelda are fully voiced.
It creates a "tier" system. You have the "Important People" who speak, and the "Commoners" who grunt and make text-box noises. Some critics, like those at Kotaku or Polygon during the 2017 launch window, noted that this can sometimes break the immersion. However, the sheer volume of unique dialogue for these characters usually makes up for the lack of audio.
Every single NPC has a name. Every. Single. One.
How to Find the Best Character Moments
If you’re just running to the yellow dots on the map, you’re missing the point. To really appreciate the cast, you need to slow down.
- Read the Diaries: Almost every major character has a diary hidden in their room. Zelda’s diary in the castle ruins is essential for understanding her character arc.
- Visit Stables at Night: Characters gather around the fire. Their dialogue changes based on the time of day and the weather.
- Wait for the Rain: Watch how NPCs react. Some will run for cover, others will complain about their chores being ruined.
- Talk to Children: The kids in this game, like those in Hateno Village, often have the funniest or most insightful observations about the world.
The Legacy of Hyrule's Citizens
The characters in this game aren't just there to fill space. They are the reason you bother saving the world. If it were just Link and a bunch of monsters, who cares if Ganon wins? But you want to save the world for Prince Sidon’s infectious optimism. You want to save it so the kids in Lurelin Village can keep fishing.
The depth of the characters from Breath of the Wild is found in the margins. It’s in the way a guard at the Gerudo Gate sighs when her shift is almost over. It’s in the way the Great Fairies are both terrifying and helpful.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough
Stop teleporting everywhere. The best way to experience these characters is to walk the roads between the stables. If you see a traveler being attacked by Bokoblins, save them. They’ll often give you food or a rare item, but more importantly, they’ll tell you a bit about their journey. Head to the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab and spend some time with Robbie—his "rock star" scientist persona is a highlight of the late game. Finally, make sure you finish the "Ballad of the Champions" if you have the DLC; it provides the final, necessary closure for the four heroes who gave everything for a kingdom they never got to see again.