How Zelda became a first-time protagonist in her own series
Briefly

Initially, the developers envisioned Link as the protagonist, but concerns about gameplay dynamics led to a pivotal shift towards making Zelda the star of the adventure.
The original idea centered around Link using echoes, but the return of his sword and shield prompted the developers to rethink the character choice entirely.
To justify Zelda's role, the team determined that large, mysterious rifts would pose threats to Hyrule, necessitating her involvement in combat.
The design process for Zelda involved careful consideration, right down to her outfit, which ultimately blended her iconic dress with Link's hood for a fresh look.
Read at Polygon
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