Would Ocarina of Time be heralded as high if there was a prequel on the N64?

So Ocarina of Time gets a 10 on GameSpot, but Majora's Mask only a 8.3. Suppose that there was a prequel to it, like so.

• Legend of Zelda
• Ocarina of Time
• Majora's Mask

Legend of Zelda represents a fictitious prequel on the N64. If this was true, would Ocarina of Time be talked about the way it is?

I ask this because I think Majora's Mask is an underrated game, and is overshadowed by its prequel.

Majora's Mask is hard, confusing and boring. Seriously, I have liked every Zelda game ever except for Majora's Mask, that's the only Zelda game I just can't have fun with no matter how much I try. I have even beaten Zelda II that is the hardest Zelda game and the one that is considered to be the worst and I loved it.

Depends. Would the prequel be in 3D and would it have the open-world exploration elements that The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time had? Because I think those are key reasons why Ocarina of Time is so highly regarded and loved among most gamers and critics alike, it was the first Legend of Zelda game to have 3D graphics, which was a big step forward for the franchise, and while previous Zelda games incorporated the sort of open-world exploration Ocarina of Time had, it felt entirely different in 3D, since it immersed you in the worlds Link explored more than a top-down perspective in the 2D Legend of Zelda games ever could (Ocarina of Time felt like you were right there with Link vs. previous Zelda games felt like you were watching him from above in a helicopter or something equally at a distance). Ocarina of Time's story is also a key element for all the acclaim it has received, but I think the two elements I mentioned before are a bigger deal, since Majora's Mask had a great story as well, but as you noted, wasn't regarded nearly as highly by both gamers and critics, so it's clear that the new basic gameplay elements found in Ocarina of Time were what made it such a big deal. Likewise, probably part of the reason Majora's Mask isn't considered as "legendary" of a game is because it largely carried over the basic elements Ocarina of Time introduced (i.e. 3D graphics, immersive open-world experience), and just changed things up with a new story and a new spin on the gameplay with Link having the variety of masks to wear throughout his quest that give him special abilities/transformations and the three-day race against time to stop the moon from crashing into Termina and destroying everything. The whole three-day element of racing against time to complete objectives in Majora's Mask and jumping back in time again and again to complete the game may have also detracted from Majora's Mask in some critics' and gamers' views, so this could be another reason it doesn't "measure up" to Ocarina of Time according to many. I guess that was a really long answer to a fairly simple question, sorry about that. :P I guess, in conclusion, if this supposed "prequel" contained the elements I mentioned above that I think made Ocarina of Time such a revolutionary and revered game for many, and Ocarina of Time came after it and was the exact same as it is now, then this "prequel" would likely hold the special status Ocarina of Time has in The Legend of Zelda franchise for many gamers, otherwise just being the first Legend of Zelda N64 game alone I don't think would cut it.

I think those (3D open-world exploration elements) are key reasons why Ocarina of Time is so highly regarded and loved among most gamers and critics alike, it was the first Legend of Zelda game to have 3D graphics, which was a big step forward for the franchise, and while previous Zelda games incorporated the sort of open-world exploration Ocarina of Time had, it felt entirely different in 3D, since it immersed you in the worlds Link explored more than a top-down perspective in the 2D Legend of Zelda games ever could.

Alex_Thomson

Words fail to describe Ocarina of Time's gameplay for its time. The camera angles and movement patterns were exceptional (maybe excluding the auto-jump).

Ocarina of Time's story is also a key element for all the acclaim it has received, but I think the two elements I mentioned before are a bigger deal, since Majora's Mask had a great story as well, but as you noted, wasn't regarded nearly as highly by both gamers and critics, so it's clear that the new basic gameplay elements found in Ocarina of Time were what made it such a big deal. Likewise, probably part of the reason Majora's Mask isn't considered as "legendary" of a game is because it largely carried over the basic elements Ocarina of Time introduced (i.e. 3D graphics, immersive open-world experience), and just changed things up with a new story and a new spin on the gameplay.

Alex_Thomson

This is exactly why I suggested this thread. Because most of the elements carry over from Ocarina of Time, the impact that Majora's Mask had was reduced. Maybe a little too much, but Ocarina of Time was too good; so who am I to judge?

The whole three-day element of racing against time to complete objectives in Majora's Mask and jumping back in time again and again to complete the game may have also detracted from Majora's Mask in some critics' and gamers' views, so this could be another reason it doesn't "measure up" to Ocarina of Time according to many. In conclusion, if this supposed "prequel" contained the elements I mentioned above that I think made Ocarina of Time such a revolutionary and revered game for many, and Ocarina of Time came after it and was the exact same as it is now, then this "prequel" would likely hold the special status Ocarina of Time has in The Legend of Zelda franchise for many gamers, otherwise just being the first Legend of Zelda N64 game alone I don't think would cut it.

Alex_Thomson

Promise this is the last quote.

I quite enjoyed the whole "back-in-time" feature expressed in Majora's Mask. For me, it provided an adrenaline rush. Suffice to say I was only 9 when I first played it, but I thought it was great.

As for the "prequel", don't forget its entry order. The prequel would have arrived before Ocarina of Time, as expressed in the first post. Not afterwards, a la Halo Reach.

If this had happened, don't rule out a link to the Super Mario Galaxy series. Both are fantastic, but the sequel is rated higher.

I like Majora a lot more than Ocarina but both are great games. But I prefer platformers.

if there was a prequel to ocarina of time .. then there wouldn't be an ocarina of time instead the title will be called something else. even if there was, Links adventures in ocarina of time was more structured therefore maybe the game creators felt that it was right to start out with links adventures and ocarina of time. if there was a prequel it be a short story. much similar to final fantasy vii where the whole story focused on Cloud. spin offs came and told stories of before and after Clouds adventure. Besides Mojara's Mask is a side story,a sequel to ocarina of time and it focuses more on masks andthe three day time period. I think both games are great, i was glad that Majora's Mask had different story and focused more on Link going back three days completing the temples, it was a different way to play the game. in ocarina of time you can travel through time which was awesome, and this game introduceda 3d action adventure and good story telling.

Majora's Mask is hard, confusing and boring. Seriously, I have liked every Zelda game ever except for Majora's Mask, that's the only Zelda game I just can't have fun with no matter how much I try. I have even beaten Zelda II that is the hardest Zelda game and the one that is considered to be the worst and I loved it.

Gue1

So Ocarina of Time gets a 10 on GameSpot, but Majora's Mask only a 8.3. Suppose that there was a prequel to it, like so.

• Legend of Zelda
• Ocarina of Time
• Majora's Mask

Legend of Zelda represents a fictitious prequel on the N64. If this was true, would Ocarina of Time be talked about the way it is?

I ask this because I think Majora's Mask is an underrated game, and is overshadowed by its prequel.

paranoidpixie95

of course not- while OOT is just an overall better game than MM, OOT set standards b/c of its graphics/controls...