Gameplay
Access to crossbows, allow Rapid shots but less range compared to end tier bows (sniper crossbows have better range than two handed bows). Normal arrows are less powerful but not by far.
No access to heavier weapons but light weapons can be swung rapidly.
Able to use magic and uses the classic fire/ ice/ light arrows in additional to bomb arrows which are identical in power. Runes do not need recharge.
Honestly, if she just optional, she probably just work just like Link. Even if she is in the same world at the same time, she probably still just be like Link.
That said, if she is made different, "no access" is a bit much. Weakening or slowing down her attacks from melee weapons should be enough. Regular crossbows and repeating crossbows are fine, but sniper crossbows may be to much, especially if she can use magic. No Runes recharge is a bit too much too.
Now, they could give her magic to boost her arrows, but like I said, it would just be easier for her to be like Link, but maybe with stronger range damage and weaker or slower melee damage to make her different.
If she is in the same world as Link, Silver Arrows could be brought back for her or there simply could be another Master Sword type weapon.
Just wanted to point out, I doubt she would be dual wielding crossbows either way, if she ever gets in.
Holy shit, that's actually a good point, I didn't even think of that for a sec. Linkle uses crossbows, so it prolly would piss off more fans to see either the master sword get replaced by master crossbows, or linkle start using a sword and shield, which would be its own problem considering she first debuted with crossbows
Link uses multiple things, no reason why crossbows in this game means she can't use a sword and shield too. Her concept art, also uses a sword and shield.
Just look at the picture. This suit is clearly royal looking compared Link's, which are already intended for those with royal families approval as in game text. And of course also to fit a different gender.
With all that gold, it is just another point to her being just Zelda and Gamexplain explain that there might be flashbacks, but you do have point. Little chance that they would be that mysterious for a random royal person, and would just show a random amount of royal people nor would be that mysterious for even someone like Impa. Not that she reminds me of Impa.
That said, it is so weird that it is so close to Link clothes, when they show even more royalty looking clothes right after. It could be just to separated female Link from Link a bit more or females and male clothes in general. Not to mention, as much as Nintendo knock the idea down, they the ones that keep letting it catch fire. They could have already came out and said, that this isn't female Link/Linkle.
We don't know time frames, so the could explain the differences of royalty clothes and it could just be different levels of royalty, but Zelda should already be the highest level of royalty and there's no reason why she couldn't fight in those clothes and they don't look like disguises.
So, this seems more like a new character than just Zelda either way, rather playable or nonplayable.