Key information
The Legend of Zelda series frequently juxtaposes a whimsical surface with dark, hidden horrors. While main quests contain dread within dungeons, optional side quests often place these unsettling encounters in domestic settings, making them more startling for players. From cursed families to ghostly apparitions, these side missions reveal the darker side of Hyrule.
Several quests involve disturbing transformations or supernatural threats. In Ocarina of Time, players can encounter a family cursed into spider-human hybrids, requiring the destruction of 100 Gold Skulltulas. Similarly, Majora’s Mask features a quest where a girl hides her father in a closet as he transforms into a Gibdo, while another mission involves alien invaders at Romani Ranch who steal cows and erase memories.
Other quests highlight the series' penchant for eerie encounters. In Skyward Sword, a ghost hand in the Knight Academy bathroom demands paper, eventually haunting a student. Meanwhile, Tears of the Kingdom introduces Bargainer statues in the Depths that trade weapons for the souls of the dead, creating a terrifying atmosphere in the dark, subterranean environment.
These side quests often provide tangible rewards, such as masks, bottles, or gear, despite their unsettling nature. Whether it is the Ghost Ship in The Wind Waker or the lost ghost in Link’s Awakening, these missions contribute to the overarching sense of mystery and dread that permeates the various adventures of Link.
