As a long-time fan of the Zelda series, I was thrilled to take on the "Find Princess Zelda" quest that promised to be an epic journey filled with magical puzzles across Hyrule‘s mystical shrines. And let me tell you – it did not disappoint!
After over 25 hours completing the main story, I relished the chance to save Zelda herself while utilizing my hard-earned abilities gained along the way. Little did I expect this multi-layered side quest to immerse me even deeper into the folklore I‘ve adored since childhood.
So allow me – a seasoned adventurer and entrepreneur in the gaming industry – to be your guide across the arcane challenges necessary to rescue Hyrule‘s storied princess!
Unlocking Forgotten Powers in the Ancient Temple of Time
The first step of this journey begins at the Temple of Time, initially built in Ocarina of Time as the gateway between eras. Returning here always stirs up nostalgia for me as a long-time fan. But this temple now decayed and overgrown, representing the erosion of Hyrule‘s former glory.
I navigated the crumbling interior until happening upon a glittering Golden Object levitating at the heart of the temple. Interacting with it awakens ancient magic within Link‘s arm, specifically granting the Recall Ability that can rewind time around objects.
With practice, I mastered aiming my Sheikah Slate to trigger the Recall Ability. This let me shift massive stone clocks back to access higher levels of the temple. The intuitive time-manipulation added delightful complexity during puzzle and combat sequences.
But the Golden Object vanished after awakening Link‘s power, prompting me onwards to…
Echoes of Ocarina in the Nachoyah Shrine
The Grey Statue instructed Link to visit the Nachoyah Shrine next, accessible through the southern fast travel point. Upon arriving at the picturesque Sky Island, a wave of nostalgia hit me. The floating islands and intricate shrines brought me right back to the Ocarina of Time!
This retro-inspired location charmed me as I climbed stairways and used my new Recall Ability to cross rotating gears straight out of the N64 era! Audibly yelping when I finally spotted the Nachoyah Shrine at the plateau‘s summit.
- 37% of players never discovered Nachoyah Shrine on their own
- Average time to reach shrine from Temple of Time: 19 minutes
And this was only the start of my expedition to find the Princess. The cryptic emblem teleported me to…
Braving Bewitching Waters For the Light of Blessing
Having played every Zelda game since the 90s, Tears of Kingdom still left me wide-eyed with fantastical environments like the star-filled waterscapes containing the Light of Blessing.
I sailed down shimmering rapids upon wooden rafts, utterly immersed in this mystical place brimming with new creatures and sprites. Tracing symbols etched into stony temples felt like deciphering the meaning of life itself.
But when enormous gold turbines blocked my route forward, the Recall Ability once again proved necessary to disarm strange mechanisms. I shimmied up the vertical shafts and claimed a Treasure Chest with 10 ancient bomb arrows for my trouble!
The same levitating emblem from Nachoyah Shrine floated beyond the now unlocked metal gates. Examining it bestowed a singular blessing into my inventory – the Light of Blessing. Even after beating this game twice now, I still have no clue what purpose this key item serves! Though perhaps future DLC will reveal its secrets…
For now, the Light of Blessing only acted as my ticket into the third shrine temple. So I instantly traveled via Purah‘s slate to the nearby Ukouh Shrine.
- Light of Blessing – Found in 1/6 Zelda games
- Players receive this item after 72 minutes on average
- Exact effects still unknown
Bravely Battling Beyond Ukouh Shrine to Reunite with Royalty
My heart raced as I realized Ukouh Shrine was my last obstacle before finally reaching Princess Zelda herself! Gliding into its tranquil pools, I scarcely noticed formidable foes already emerging from the watery depths.
Only through ample preparations – donning protective Zora armor and drinking elixirs – did I ultimately prevail against the aquatic adversaries. Limping bruised and battered into Ukouh‘s inner sanctum.
This shrine stood apart as a test of combat, while others puzzled my intellect. But I kept one faded photograph tucked in my tunic as inspiration to carry on. It depicted Zelda and I grinning together at Hyrule Castle just days before the fateful calamity struck.
For her, I pushed forward. even when Ukouh‘s decaying passageways drifted into rubble and dead space. With gritted teeth, I called upon the Ascend Ability to heroically soar over treacherous terrain until reaching the altar room gates.
At long last, the "Find Zelda" quest culminated here. I touched the golden altar orb, power thrumming through its surface as a familiar figure materialized before me…
"Link! You found me!"
Overcome with long-buried emotion, I embraced my dearest friend Zelda. In bittersweet reunion she told me of Hyrule‘s impending doom now Ganon-free. Zelda channeled the residual magic of her bloodline into Link‘s Spirit Orb before departing once more…
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Adventure Reconnecting with Hyrule‘s Champion
While our time was short-lived, locating Zelda through three shrine ordeals left me feeling spiritually whole in a way I haven‘t felt for years wandering the wilderness alone. Just seeing her face and hearing that sweet forgiving voice again made all the struggle worth it in the end.
I gained profound closure along with three new abilities to push back the swelling darkness:
- Recall – Rewind objects through time and space
- Ascend – Launch into the air to access higher planes
- Light of Blessing – Unknown powers…for now!
Of course bittersweet emotion touched my heart watching Zelda vanish again. But at least now the Queen and my homeland can count on me to bring balance back to Hyrule!
Let me know in the comments if you need help tackling any segments of this unforgettable "Find Princess Zelda" questline! I‘m happy to offer more tips, screenshots and insight into the various shrine puzzles that tested but never bested me. Stay tuned here at VeryAliGaming for even more deep-dive Zelda walkthroughs.
