I had actually had some thoughts on a prequel to BotW following the traditional Zelda format. It’s not particularly well fleshed out or anything, but I would love to see something like it created.

Legend of Zelda: Path of Light

Start with Link & Zelda entering Hyrule Castle to face Ganon. Link with the Master Sword and Zelda with the Bow of Light. Link is wounded, the Master Sword discarded to the side. Zelda throws down the Bow of Light and rushes to Links aid. At the last minute she manages to use the power of Light to teleport them to safety on the Plateau.

Overlooking the Castle they see Calamity Ganon prowl the towers. Zelda places Link to rest, leaving him with Impa and Purah so they can set up the restoration. Zelda knows she needs to recover the Master Sword, so takes the Sheika slate and goes back to the Castle while they are distracted.

Basic attack is a light slash, combo dance like twin daggers. She can use simple telekinesis to pick up small objects like pots and rocks, either placing or throwing them a short distance. Simple light orb shield allows defence and parrying.

First Dungeon: Hyrule Castle
Item: Bow of Light (Allows Zelda to channel light energy into a ranged attack)
Goal: Recover Master Sword
Boss: Ganon Phantom
Zelda enters the Castle armed with her newly found light powers. She is weak from helping Link, but determined. She sees Bokoblins playing with the Bow of Light near her research tower. Travelling to the tower and retrieving the Bow allows her to break the seal on the throne room, left there by her own powers. In the throne room is the Master Sword, guarded by Ganons shadow form. Once it is defeated Calamity Ganon descends and Zelda manages to escape once again, but this time with the Master Sword.

Zelda finds herself before the Great Deku Tree, who promises to look after the sword until Link has recovered. He also explains how Zelda can use the Path of Light to travel throughout the Kingdom. Strong bonds of Light still exist between the Champions, though they weaken by the day. Mechanically this allows travel between the Plateau (hub) and the divine beast locations.
Travelling to the Plateau, Purah tells Zelda that Link will need the Sheika Slate, but it is currently underpowered. It will need the powers of the divine beasts if he is to succeed in defeating Ganon. Each divine beast unlocks one of the original BotW abilities.

Gerudo: Stasis
Briefly stop all time, allowing Zelda to move. Affects the entire environment, but not enemies. Different as Zelda is the Sage of Time. Ability is not natural to the slate, but is added by Zelda herself. (Might be best as the last ability for a story reveal/foreshadowing)

Goron: Magnesis
Extends Zelda’s telekinesis ability to allow for much larger and heavier objects as long as they are metal.

Rito: Bombs
Same as BotW, a simple bomb with a toggle for “square”.

Zora: Cryonis
Similar to BotW, but shaped in a way that Zelda can climb (as she can’t climb vertical surfaces like Link)

(Sheika slate abilities unlocked before dungeon, then an item is found in each dungeon as in the traditional format)

Dungeon: Gerudo Divine Beast
Sheika Slate Unlock: Stasis
Item: Ceramic Shard (A shard of ceramic plating, said to be from a wind device used by the hero of legend. Allows Zelda to use light magic to blast wind in a direction)
Goal: Seal the Divine Beast.

Dungeon: Goron Divine Beast
Sheika Slate Unlock: Magnesis
Item: Megaton Slab (An ancient slab said to come from a legendary Goron Hammer. Allows Zelda to use light magic to slam a force into the ground in front of her)
Goal: Seal the Divine Beast.

Dungeon: Rito Divine Beast
Sheika Slate Unlock: Bomb
Item: Old Sail (A tattered old sail, said to harness the power of wind. Allows Zelda to use light winds to propel herself forward through the air. The sail will later inspire Purah to make the paraglider)
Goal: Seal the Divine Beast.

Dungeon: Zora Divine Beast
Sheika Slate Unlock: Cryonis
Item: Zora’s Scale (A relic used by the hero of legend to travel through water. Allows Zelda to use light magic to travel through water currents)
Goal: Seal the Divine Beast.

Plateau:
Acts as a hub for Zelda to speak with Impa and Purah, progressing the story and checking on Link. Also allows Zelda to train with Impa, improving her attack and light powers she obtains through her journey. Other game elements similar to previous games can be attacked (i.e potion making and bug catching from Skyward Sword).

Ultimately the story will resolve in a final confrontation with Ganon. Zelda will defeat Ganon, but be unable to deal the finishing blow without the ability to wield the Master Sword. Instead she will resolve to seal Ganon away until Link wakes up. Leading into BotW.

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