If you're old like us, then you'll no doubt recall a time when video game magazines printed reader artwork, and it was usually – how do we put this? – pretty bad.
Those days are long behind us, because in 2022 video game fan art can often be as good – if not better – than its inspiration.
Take Dan Eder's utterly gorgeous 3D render of Link (based on the equally lovely hand-drawn image by
@malintfalch) from Breath of the Wild 2 for example; OK, so Eder does this for a living (he's Senior 3D Character Artist on Warner's MultiVersus game), but even so, this hunky, brooding hero looks seriously badass, and kinda makes us wish that it was official art.
Eder's work has been featured in the latest issue of 3D World Mag:
He's even created a cel-shaded version of the image:
We don't know about you, but feasting your eyes on such lavish 3D artwork is the perfect tonic following the news that Breath of the Wild 2 has been delayed until 2023.
Comments 43
Nice 3D render. Worth bearing in mind this is based on a drawing by the artist Malin Falch (@malintfalch on Instagram). She's made lots of great Legend of Zelda fan art.
This needs more sweat drops 💦
Anyone got a water bucket? Asking for a friend.
@thesecondquest Thanks, I'll add that in!
@Damo No problem.
Very, very, very un-Link-like. 🤷♂️
ZBrush is such an amazing tool. I wish I had it.
@Snatcher perfect username for the comment you made
Beefcake of the Wild
Toss a rupee to your Hero of the Wild. 🪙
@Taffy
I wonder how many years have passed since Link and Zelda defeated Calamity Ganon in the first game? It would be nice to know how old Link is in the sequel (or what his age was in BotW)
@Cia He's at least 17 at the time of the calamity. He accompanied Zelda to Mount Lanayru, and she said you must be 17 to go there.
This is cool; I’m getting strong Sephiroth vibes.
If link was in witcher 3 is all I can think.
Impressive. Imagine a Zelda animated movie that looked like that.
It takes away from the vulnerability that is a key piece of Links character development.
I wish so hard Nintendo would allow Link to be more like this and to talk. I want him to be his own character not just an avatar.
Link lookin like an elvish He-man. I love it! I HAVE THE POWER OF TRIFORCE!
I always thought it would be good if Link put on a bit more muscle. And in all honesty, this version looks great, but I think part of the reason for him being not so muscular is that he's relatable to the average person. Something between his current iteration and this would be good.....that's coming from someone who is quite muscular, just so you know I'm not trying to be biased here.
@Shredderlovespizza
You want Link to be some pretty-boy-boygroup-member?
Look at a lot of comments thirsting over this fan art of Link.
But when a female is portayed with big(ger) breast and less or more revealing clothing than the original. OOF.
Otherwise it looks good from a technical aspect but does not scream Legend of Zelda to me.
@daveMcFlave Except they gave Link from Twilight Princess a build. Not a lumberjack body but still beefy. You see it during the sumo wrestling. So it couldn't be that muscles and relatability are mutually exclusive.
@MichaelP Um no, but I'd like a Link that can talk and actually looks like he could pick up a sword.
@Shredderlovespizza
Okay, but this Link looks like he would rather pick up some hair conditioner. 😆
Amazing Zbrush sculpture, but that Link is definitely not my type, I like my androginous Link better
Reminds me of orlando bloom. I remember my friends freaking out over him when LOTR came out.
Ready for the cover of a 1980’s romance novel
His face doesn't really look like Link.
Is this due to all the fighting game characters in smash.
I make that same pose quite often. Not because I'm trying to be a sexy fairy fella but because my neck always hurts.
I've seen a lot of praising/swooning/fluster/ and work out declorations in reactions to this on twitter. Which yeah, while the Link's particularly the teen adult variety have all been lookers. It's usually been referred to their faces then their physique .
Also talk about double standards, how we say it adds to men but takes away from women.
Also, I would not mind if this is the Link we get in Breath of the Wild 2.
Now I need this to be him
Holy moly! Now i really want a zelda manga/anime series!
TWINK: Breath of the Wild II
@Shredderlovespizza Link been our avatar is part of his character, you are suposed to project your personality on Link, giving Link a voice will destroy his purpose.
@Cia Link is 17 years old during the Great Calamity, 117 if you consider the 100 years Link spent recoviring for his fatal injuries, Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2 must be weeks after Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild.
@Giancarlothomaz I know, I've been playing Zelda since 1987, it was one of the first games I got for my NES.
@Shredderlovespizza intereting and i playing Legend of Zelda since Ocarina of Time
@The-Chosen-one Good news! https://smile.amazon.com/dp/1421542420/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_TJX76E5ANRPKTWFD920M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
@UntidyButterfly
Hell yeah!
Gonna order this one!
@GinMiguel
I agree - He did have a bit of a build in that game. Not like the body-builder type, but more like a fighter.
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