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Template:Ability The Life Gauge,[1] also referred to as Life Hearts,[2] Life Points,[3] and Heart Containers in earlier games,[4] is a recurring element in Template:LZS. It is a meter that measures Link's current amount of health in Hearts.

Uses

The Life Gauge measures Link's current amount of health, represented in the form of Hearts (with the exception of The Adventure of Link, where Link's health is instead represented by square segments). Whenever Link takes damage, either by an enemy attack, a hazard, or by falling from a high altitude, Link will lose a certain amount of Hearts in his Life Gauge equal to the damage taken. In earlier games, Link can take damage in half-Hearts and full Hearts. Starting from Ocarina of Time, Link's health can also deplete in quarter-Heart increments. When Link loses all of his Hearts, the game ends with a Game Over. Link's Life Gauge can be replenished by picking up recovery Hearts dropped by defeated enemies or destroyed objects such as Grass or Pots, or alternately purchased at certain shops. The Life Gauge can also be replenished by drinking recovery Potions, using a Fairy, visiting a Great Fairy, or by resting while Sitting or Sleeping.

In most games, Link's Life Gauge starts out with three Hearts. In Skyward Sword, he starts with four Hearts instead. The Life Gauge can be increased by obtaining Heart Containers, which add an additional Heart to the Life Gauge for every Heart Container acquired. In some games, Link can also temporarily increase his maximum health. This can be achieved either by wearing certain items in some games, such as Life Medals in Skyward Sword and certain Outfits in Tri Force Heroes, or by ingesting specific Food in Breath of the Wild, which add yellow Temporary Hearts to Link's Life Gauge. The maximum total of Hearts the Life Gauge can have varies by game. On average, most games allow a maximum total between 16 to 20 Hearts.

In some games, it is also possible for Link to enhance his defense against attacks, thereby take less damage than normal. This may either take the form of wearing certain equipment, such as Tunics or Rings, or by receiving upgrades.

Other Life Gauges

In Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, the S.S. Linebeck and the Spirit Train both have their own Life Gauges used to measure their endurance and stability, represented by Green Hearts. These Hearts will deplete whenever the vehicle is attacked or crashes into an obstacle. When the Life Gauge is fully depleted, the vehicle is destroyed, resulting in a Game Over. The vehicle's Life Gauge can be replenished by finding Green Hearts in the overworld, either by defeating enemies or destroying objects, or fully replenished by disembarking at an island or station. Initially, the default vehicle starts out with four Hearts, and can obtain more by assembling matching Parts.

Etymology

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in Other Regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese ライフゲージ (Raifu Gēji) Template:ExpGame Life Gauge

References

  1. "Life Gauge
    Hearts are depleted when you are struck by enemies, fall from high places, or otherwise get hurt.
    " (Ocarina of Time 3D manual, pg. 8)
  2. "The heart container increases the number of LIFE hearts that Link has." (The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 22)
  3. "LIFE points remaining" (The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 18)
  4. "Heart Containers
    This displays the extent of your life-force with Heart Containers. If you are hurt, your Heart Containers will empty. If all your Heart Containers are empty, the game ends.
    " (A Link to the Past manual, pg. 11)
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