Twilight Princess: Enemies
Part One

Because of all the recent hype over Twilight Princess (release date, anyone?), I decided to write up a series of article on the game. I’m not quite sure on how many that series will consist of, but I plan for at least 3. The first part in the series will focus on the enemies of the newest Zelda.

1. Boar and Goblin
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Cited as a wonderful feature of Twilight Princess, this enemy is one that you’ll be facing on horseback. Most of the screenshots released have shown them fighting in groups, with one central leader. The objective of the battle is to defeat the leader. Also, Link is seen riding a boar in several fights using the enemies steeds to their own disadvantage. On a side note, the goblins could actually be one of the Zelda series most famous enemies, the Moblins. The goblins have been seen with both spears and bows with fire arrows, so these battles promise to be highly exciting! In the E3 2004 trailer, a whole army is seen coming over the horizon at dusk. Link is in for quite a fight!

2. Armos
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Several screenshots depict an enemy that could be an Armos. If that’s the case, then it can be assumed that bombs will return in Twilight Princess, as the only way to defeat an Armos was to stick a bomb in its mouth. These Armos have rather strange designs on them. Maybe an enemy from the Twilight Realm that came to Hyrule? In the second trailer released to the public, Link is seen walking down a set of stairs to an Armos, which then awakens.

3. Keese
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One of the most annoying enemies in the Zelda series, the Keese are making a comeback. They look to be more than just normal bats now, as their tail seems to have grown immensely. Perhaps Link could hold onto the tail to take a ride? Imagine the possibilities of enemy assistance! For example: If Link was swarmed by Keese in a maze, he could grab onto the tail of one and attack the others from the air, or even get a ride to the end of the maze!

4. Baboon
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The baboon is a new enemy to Zelda, one that may be the mini-boss to the Forest Temple. He holds an item known as the Gale Boomerang, which can be used as a normal boomerang or used to create a torrential wind gust, and targets you from atop several pillars in the room. I assume he’s the mini-boss as most mini-bosses surrender the item necessary to defeat the boss, hence the Gale Boomerang. Screenshots released later show Link walking next to a rather large object. Maybe the baboon was under the influence of something and becomes an ally of yours?

5. Stalfos
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Another common Zelda enemy, the Stalfos return as well. Screenshots depict the Stalfos wielding knives and having a shield attached to their arm. Link is seen fighting them in a dense black forest. Stalfos are just remains of their previous body, being only a skeleton. They may also be undead, because in the second trailer, they can be seen reassembling their bodies. Some of the Lizalfos also appear to have armor. Could this signify the return of the parry?

6. Stalfos Dogs/Wolves
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In a surrounding similar to the one mentioned above, Link is caught surrounded by at least five Stalfos dogs. The Stalfos dogs are also skeletons and have eerie green eyes that seem to glow. There are giant slabs of stone in the area, perhaps a ruin of some sort?

7. Lizalfos
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There are several screenshots that confirm that Lizalfos are returning to Twilight Princess. In the screens, three of them attack you at once. What puts you at an even bigger disadvantage is the fact that Link fights them on a set of stairs, and the Lizalfos are waiting at the top.

8. Fire Warrior
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The Fire Warrior is a gigantic monster, covered in flaming armor. He must be the product of Miyamoto watching too much Lord of the Rings. In the trailer shown at E3 in 2004, he unleashed an attack that sent fire radiating out from his body towards Link. He’s armed with a mace, and he looks to be a very difficult enemy.

9. Plant Monster
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Assumed by many to be the Forest Temple boss, the Plant Monster is rooted to the ground, so Link may be safe in a stationary spot far enough back. When you being your fight, the two smaller heads appear and you have to hit them both before the main head in the center will emerge. Then the baboon will swing overhead with a bomb flower, so use the Gale Boomerang to transport the bomb flower over to the main head. It will swallow it and then open up, revealing a yellow eye that is obviously the weak spot. Slash this eye as many times as possible before it rises up again. Then just repeat the process until the boss is dead. This adds to the assumption of the baboon being under the influence of Ganon and his minions.

10. Twilight Creature
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These black creatures have tattoos all over their bodies, and have long tendrils protruding from their body in various places. Wolf Link appears to be at a standoff with them, unable to harm them. Thankfully, Midna travels with you, and uses her magic to knock them off-guard, and allows Wolf Link to jump quickly from one to the next to finish them off.

11. Spider
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The Spider has an amazing trapping ability; it encases Link in spider-silk, slowing him down, if not completely immobilizing him. Also, one of Link’s potential new moves is shown off in the fight with the spider. Link first flips the spider on it’s back, then jumps up and drives his sword down through the spider. Super Smash Bros. Melee/Soul Calibur, anyone? There are also screenshots of Link being chased by a gigantic spider through the underbrush. Link looks over his shoulder, and the fear is plain in his eyes. I think that the spider is a potential mini-boss.

12. Goron
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In some screens, Link appears to be facing off against a Goron. Whether the whole race has turned against Link, if this Goron is under the influence of an enemy, or if this is a training match for Link has yet to be discovered. In the second trailer available to the public, the Goron Link is fighting against lands a punch on Link’s shield. Even though Link was able to block the blow, it still gives him quite a knockback.

13. Ghost
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Many ghosts roam a sewer-like area; it’s unknown if the area is in Hyrule or the Twilight Realm. Some ghosts appear to be highly translucent, so it’s questioned if Link is only able to see them with some sort of item (Lens of Truth?). While Link is in the sewer area, he can’t appear to see them at first, but then some sort of object is used and the suddenly become visible. Also, the band of yellow in the background of the sewer area isn’t seen before the mysterious object is used. Perhaps the ghosts are blocking up the sewers?

14. Kargarocs?
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The notorious enemies that made their debut may be back. While riding during the second trailer, Link is seen being followed by several flying bird-like things. He then shoots an arrow at one of them that explodes upon contact, killing the target. Is this the new version of the Fire Arrow, or maybe a new arrow; the Bomb Arrow?

In closing, I hope this article provides you with a bit of an insight into Twilight Princess, and will tide you over for a short while. Several more Twilight Princess articles are on the way, and comments are always appreciated!