Paired with Zelda: Wand of Gamelon in a simultaneous release, Link: The Faces of Evil represents the first of the Zelda games to be released by Philips for the CD-i. Following the traditional Link-saves-Zelda plotline, Faces of Evil was patterned most closely upon Nintendos previous side-scroller, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. The game broke new ground in the video game industry by using outsourced Russian animation to create all cutscenes, and the game received largely positive contemporary reception.

The story begins in Hyrule Castle where a bored Link discusses with King Harkinian the prospects of new adventure. Soon Links hopes are fulfilled as Gwonam the wizard arrives on a magic carpet and tells them that Ganon has taken over the far-off island of Koridai. Gwonam explains that according to a prophecy, only Link can stop him. Link is transported to Koridai and the wizard shows him the fabled islands giant stone statues known as the Faces of Evil which Link must conquer.