[ALL] The case for a Zelda game with guns

One thing that's always struck me as odd in medieval fantasy settings, and particularly Zelda, is what people are willing to tolerate in terms of historical anachronism. The most egregious example of this in the Zelda series is Spirit Tracks. This is a medieval fantasy setting where everyone accepts that trains, something that only became possible in the early 19th century due to the Industrial Revolution, are a thing. Not to mention that bombs have been in the series since the first game, and cannons have made appearances since Wind Waker? So then, why not have guns as an option for combat in a Zelda game?

1. Won't guns look out of place in a fantasy setting?

The thing is that guns were very much a part of the medieval world. So-called hand cannons have been documented as existing in Europe since at least the 13th century, with the stereotypical medieval plate armor being developed as a response to the power of guns. And if you want an example of guns in a fantasy setting, look at Warhammer Fantasy. The armies of the Empire, Kislev, and both flavors of Dwarfs merge Tolkien-esque fantasy with guns seamlessly.

2. Won't this just turn Zelda into an FPS?

Remember, these aren't modern guns we're talking about. These are muzzleloading black powder muskets, taking around 20 seconds to reload in ideal conditions. If you miss or there are multiple enemies, you'll still have to engage in typical Zelda melee combat. There's a reason that bayonets were seen as a requirement for a soldier.

3. How will different guns be distinct based on which people is using them?

Simple, just take inspiration from real life. For the Gerudo, take the intricate carvings on Afghan jezails. For the Rito, look at the decorative metalwork and beadwork done by Plains Indians on their guns. How a culture treats its weapons, including guns, can tell you a lot about that culture.

4. Won't that lead to less variety in weapons?

Guns, even in the medieval and early modern period, were incredibly diverse. The development of matchlock, wheellock, flintlock, and caplock guns each represented a major change in what these weapons were capable of, and that can be shown in gameplay. A matchlock may be easier to acquire, but it's unusable during rain. A caplock is extremely reliable, but it requires percussion caps as well as the powder, wad, and bullet. Not to mention other factors like caliber, barrel length, rifling, etc. If you wanted to, you could make an extremely diverse set of weapons from just those parameters.

So, that's why I believe that Zelda would benefit from the inclusion of guns, both from a gameplay and wordbuilding perspective. Feel free to voice any other concerns.