I am calling this: My Thesis for Why Guerrilla Games Should Give Aloy a Romantic Relationship (and Why that Relationship Needs to be with Kotallo)
Needless to say, this is long.
I have played both HZD and HFW to 100% completion and – like, surely, anyone who has invested that much time in these games – have noticed a key theme that I think should be examined.
First, the principal feature that has defined Aloy’s personality is the fact that she grew up an outcast and had very little ability to form relationships with others. Her status as an outcast (and her and Rost’s desire for her to become an accepted part of the community) completely fueled her rigorous training in the beginning of HZD. Even once she began to find acceptance from others, however, she still clearly carried reservations about connecting with people (probably since they largely shunned her until she had proven herself), and she keeps prospective friends at an arm’s length. Undoubtedly her relationship with Rost was something of a father-daughter dynamic, but she never had friends until after The Proving, and even then, when she began to develop friendships, she still did so while simultaneously seeing herself as a loner. This much is evident by the fact that she set off on her own again immediately after the events of the first game. Moreover, I can’t help but think that her idolization of Elisabet Sobek contributes to her hesitance at forming relationships, given that Elisabet is very clearly a loner herself, with a tendency to also keep herself walled off from others emotionally, even from those with whom one would think that she would be close.
With that said, we see continuity in both games that suggests that Guerrilla feels that Aloy is wrong to have this attitude towards others. While they clearly paint Aloy as someone who (at least initially) sees connections with others as a weakness and/or distraction (like Elisabet, preferring to focus singularly on their respective missions), it is also evident by the dialogue that she has with other characters that GG is trying to steer her in another direction. Namely, they seem to be trying to say that healthy connections with others give you strength. Here are just a few examples of what I mean:
- Rost: “It is my wish that you embrace the tribe. You have lived in isolation long enough.”
- Fashav: “Take it from one who aspires to be a diplomat. Allies are essential.”
- Aloy (talking to Beta about Rost): “The difference is…I had him. He wanted me to embrace the tribe. But then he gave his life for mine. He loved me in his own way. And that was enough.” Beta [who, mind you, truly had lived a life of total isolation without knowing love]: “What did it feel like.” Aloy: “It was like…having a strength that was always there. That’s still there.”
- The Enduring: “So here is my wish for you, Aloy – do more than just survive. Flourish. The world will be better for it.”
- Talanah (talking about love): “One day you’ll know what I mean…” Aloy: “I don’t know about that.” Talanah: “That’s what I used to say.”
In the middle example here, where Aloy is speaking to Beta, we even see Aloy’s own realization that a source of her strength was her relationship with Rost. In fact, the forming of her relationships with her squad at the base is an important theme of the second game (and I would say the series as a whole). Nevertheless, it still seems like Aloy has not yet fully accepted the place for relationships in her journey, and I feel that she needs to really commit to this to completely surpass Elisabet, and to understand that she is her own person (not simply a clone that needs to live up to Elisabet’s reputation and fulfill her mission). Additionally, given the last two examples above with The Enduring and with Talanah, I feel that a romantic relationship where she can truly internalize the meaning of love in a different way is going to be essential for this process.
Now, this does not specifically answer the question, however, of why this relationship should be with Kotallo, so let me explain. I should say here that I am purely speaking about this out of belief that this would be best for the story and characters. Obviously I do love Kotallo, but part of that comes from the fact that I think his dynamic with Aloy is perfect, and I feel that he is the only worthy match for her romantically.
To start off, Kotallo and Aloy have already had to win each over just to become allies; they did not just meet one another, only to have Kotallo fawning over her immediately. In fact, Kotallo starts out being pretty gruff towards Aloy, though a lot of this is likely related to his general bitterness about losing his arm. Nevertheless, when he first meets Aloy (for real, not counting the Embassy), Kotallo is snarky and short with her. He does not believe that she walks on water or will succeed with the mission that Hekarro gave them, and he is not particularly pleased about having to answer all her questions (though he does answer them anyway). With that said, however, she does chip away at him from early on, and you can see him soften a bit towards her (or at least he finds her mildly amusing) after their very first conversation when he tells her that it won’t be easy to get to the Bulwark, and she replies nonchalantly that it “never is.” Of course, after their experience taking down the Bulwark, his feelings towards Aloy have clearly changed to the point where he – at a minimum – has respect for her, if not outright admiration. This only grows over the remainder of the game, as Aloy continues to show that she is not only a fierce and courageous warrior (which is obviously appealing to a Tenakth marshal), but also compassionate, empathetic, generous, determined, and intelligent. Perhaps the most profound way in which I feel that Aloy wins over Kotallo, however, is by refusing to see him as having less value because of his arm. Moreover, Aloy even shows contempt towards others who spite Kotallo for his injury, particularly Tekotteh, who she gives seething looks towards when he grabs Kotallo’s stub painfully in the tent. This is also demonstrated by her looking to Kotallo with obvious anger in her eyes after Tekotteh calls her a savage, and him a cripple, with the two silently agreeing in that moment to publicly humiliate Tekotteh for his insolence. All of this must be extremely meaningful to Kotallo – who certainly even looks at himself as having less value after his incident with the bristleback – and I can imagine that Aloy not only refusing to look down on him, but also showing him that she still sees him as highly competent would inspire him, even without her flying on the wings of the ten.
From Aloy’s perspective, she also had no reason to see Kotallo as more than a means to an end at first, though it is clear from early on in their time together that she shares a sort of understanding about his experience of being rejected by his people. This is something that she remarks on as they venture through the Bulwark, and I can’t help but think that part of the reason that she let Kotallo “do the talking” initially when facing Tekotteh was out of a sign of respect that he could still do what needed to be done. It is clear that she also respects Kotallo for praising her character qualities in front of Tekotteh, when he says, “This one defeated Regalla’s champion, Grudda, at the Embassy. She fought honorably.” It is clear that when Kotallo first speaks about her victory at the Embassy she is a bit embarrassed, as is typically the case, however she gives Kotallo a look of gratitude, I dare say, after he adds his impression about her being honorable. It should also be noted that Kotallo did not need to add this latter remark, and while him proclaiming Aloy’s victory over Grudda had clear motive, him expressing his belief that she fought honorably seemed to be unsolicited commentary (stemming from either an innate urge to say this, or saying it in order to assuage some of her aforementioned embarrassment). Kotallo continues to prove himself as more than just a brooding soldier during their first mission together, as well. After she downs the tremortusk, she instinctively assumes that she will be the one to carry the canon back to the Bulwark, but Kotallo immediately volunteers to do this. It is an action that evidently impresses Aloy, and I don’t think it’s simply because of Kotallo’s sexy strength (though that probably contributed, as it should). Kotallo had previously been unsupportive of Aloy’s plan, and though he has, as Aloy pointed out, been ordered to help her by Hekarro, his willingness to carry the canon for her – and the expression he gives her when he picks it up – seems to be more of a sign of his solidarity as they work towards a common goal. Aloy can’t help but show that she is a little taken by this change in Kotallo, and I think that she gains some affection towards him in that moment. This affection seems to grow, as well, the more that she speaks to Kotallo, and learns that he has more awareness and intelligence than meets the eye. Leading me to my next point.
Both Kotallo and Aloy are insightful and thoughtful (more so than others whom can be thought to have shown interest in Aloy, such as Avad, Erend, Nil, Drakka, Petra, etc.), and I think this is would be an important quality for a romantic partner for both of them. They have other shared character traits, as well, which I feel put them on the same page, such as resilience, humility, and courage. They both seem to be primarily driven by an inner sense of integrity, and they have seen enough from life to have a genuine understanding of what really matters (for example, minimizing conflict despite both of them being fully capable fighters, and standing for what is right even if it seems initially like there is no real way to win). By the end of HFW, Aloy remarks about being glad that they were brought together (a sentiment that is shared by Kotallo), and at the end of the day, the camaraderie and respect that they have developed for one another is built on how they largely share common values. They seem to really see one another, which is highlighted by Aloy agreeing to help Kotallo build a new arm (while also acknowledging that she feels he should be “himself” as much as he can, since he has no less value with just one arm), and by the language Kotallo uses to express his admiration for her. Specifically, Kotallo admires her without being effusive, and when he wishes to be effusive, he does so in a way that seems to make an effort to not make Aloy uncomfortable. I think mainly about him telling her that she made him feel “inspired” after she flew on the wings of the ten. While this remark does seem to make her feel a bit awkward, she is less opposed to it than she is towards much of the other praise that she has received, and she does take the compliment in stride, telling Kotallo “Thank you, I guess.” There were a great many things that Kotallo could have said here instead – when the meaning that he was getting at was really that he was in complete awe of her – but he chose his words carefully to minimize her discomfort at being called something like “savior,” or “champion,” (which she hates). Instead of praising her for being amazing (which he undeniably feels that she is), he chose to focus on how she made him feel, which must be a nice change of pace for her, emphasizing the positive effect that she has had on him, rather than some sense of greatness that she does not herself really feel. Not to mention that Kotallo nearly always calls her “Aloy,” rather than giving her titles like so many others, and it’s actually really interesting to see him go from calling her “outlander,” to “commander,” to “Aloy.”
Additionally, I think Aloy and Kotallo would challenge each other in healthy ways, if given the chance. For instance I think they could help bring out a more emotive and passionate side of one another, by being a person with whom they can be truly open and vulnerable. Both of them deserve this, and even need it, since they carry with them great burdens, and have few people within their tribes to whom they can turn for support. Don’t get me wrong, Aloy’s squad has certainly become a source of some support, but Aloy is still hesitant to rely on them for anything, and Kotallo is still in the early stages of bonding with the group. Given the similarities between Aloy and Kotallo, however, they are perfectly made to compliment one another and provide each other with mutual sources of trust, honesty, and a sense of safety. They have already shown that they are supportive of one another, which is obviously essential, as well. In particular, Kotallo is selfless, and would never be resentful of Aloy focusing on the mission (just as Aloy understood inherently Kotallo’s need to return to the Grove when the threat of Regalla’s assault loomed). As such, they could actively support one another both on and off the battlefield, and through their relationship they would perhaps be even better equipped to fight back the forces that threaten Earth. (Again, the power of healthy relationships has already been imperative for the narrative thus far).
With that said, I also feel that Kotallo has enough conviction to oppose Aloy on hard issues, if needed. This is something that I could foresee becoming a problem in the future, since everyone basically just worships her without question at this point. Kotallo also leans a bit this way currently, but I think that if push came to shove – especially as he works with Aloy more, and comes to see her more as an equal and less of a solitary leader (which she herself would want) – he would be able to stand up to her in a respectful but essential way. Aloy is a great leader, don’t get me wrong, but at some point even the best leaders need to be put in check. Kotallo would be able to do this. And Aloy has already demonstrated that she has no problem calling out Kotallo if need be, such as by comparing him to “arrogant shit” Tekotteh.
Finally, I must also add that neither Aloy nor Kotallo would ever be bored by the other, since they are both energetic, curious, and intelligent people. They could keep each other engaged with deep conversation, and if the need to fight subsided, they could run around the wilderness finding seashells or old world relics. They would also always have worthy a worthy training companion in the other.
I agree that it has been right to avoid giving Aloy any serious romantic interest to this point, but Kotallo was not around until now. Kotallo is the right person for her to love (and to show her love in return), and this would elevate her to an entirely new level, giving her more sense of belonging, meaning, and hope. This would be a huge source of strength for her, not to mention that she deserves to be happy and to “flourish.” I feel like the folks at GG understand the importance of relationships, which is why I think that they would not be opposed to giving Aloy a romantic partner. And Kotallo is simply the best person to fill this role.
Thank you for coming to my rant!
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