Years after the death of her partner, Peyton, Chrissy has taken up his save file in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. The Nintendo Switch console, still in its original box, held not only a collection of personal items but also the last recorded save of Peyton's adventures in Hyrule, logged just five days before his passing. For three years following his death, Chrissy found it too painful to engage with his gaming possessions.
Peyton and Chrissy met in college and bonded over shared interests, including a mutual love for video games. While Chrissy considered herself a casual player, primarily familiar with The Sims 4, Peyton introduced her to games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. They often approached single-player games as a team, with Peyton excelling at exploration and combat, and Chrissy assisting with puzzles and offering guidance. Even when playing separately, their shared experiences created a unique collaborative approach to these digital worlds.
Following Peyton's death, Chrissy was left with a wealth of digital mementos from his gaming experiences. Revisiting games they had played together, such as Roller Coaster Tycoon, became a difficult reminder of their shared past and the life they had envisioned. The loss felt compounded by the sense of unfinished journeys, both in their relationship and in the games they enjoyed.
While sorting through Peyton's belongings after moving across the country, Chrissy, now 25 and a law student, began to view his games as an opportunity for connection rather than a source of grief. In the spring of 2026, she began her own playthrough of Tears of the Kingdom, aiming to experience the game as he did, solve the puzzles he encountered, and understand the enjoyment he found in it. She has since navigated through various regions of Hyrule, including Sky Island, Goron City, and Gerudo Town, and has faced several bosses.
During challenging moments in the game, Chrissy often reflects on what Peyton might have done, believing he would have found certain combat encounters easier. She misses his presence, wishing he were there to offer help or encouragement. Despite her self-doubt regarding her combat skills, Chrissy has progressed further in the game than Peyton did, uncovering more of the map and defeating more bosses.
Before confronting the final boss, Ganondorf, Chrissy intends to complete The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild to better understand Tears of the Kingdom's narrative and deepen her appreciation for a game Peyton cherished. She views completing his save file as a symbolic act of moving forward, closing a chapter of their lives, and creating a shared accomplishment to look back on. She anticipates this endeavor will take hundreds of hours, but she views this time as a continuation of the time she would have spent with him, finding a unique form of remembrance and closure in finishing his last adventure.