Empowering the self: Flow state in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

This article examines the application of flow theory—defined as a state of intense focus and optimal performance—to the protagonist Link's combat abilities in Nintendo's 2017 game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) and its 2023 sequel The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (TotK). It identifies three specific combat moves—Flurry Rush, Perfect Guard, and bullet time—that demonstrate multiple characteristics of flow, such as time distortion, intense focus, and a sense of control, suggesting that Link experiences an augmented flow state during gameplay. The portrayal of Link's flow state serves to strengthen player identification with the character, aligning with Nintendo's design goal of making Link a gender-neutral avatar for players. By integrating flow state mechanics, these games create a relatable connection between player and character, emphasizing skill and immersion over purely fantastical powers.