Majora's Mask...Why so amazing?

Hey guys, looking for a bit of help here...I bought Majora's Mask for the 3DS a while ago, and can't seem to get into it. However, everyone that I've spoken to has said that it's definitely in their top five. Well, for me, it's more like maybe in my top ten. If that. I never played the famous N64 version (I was stubborn and stuck to the bird's-eye view type i.e. Link to the Past) and I was wondering if maybe everyone liked it cause of nostalgia? I don't know. But here's how I view it:

1. Music: Sucks

2. Graphics: Meh.

3. Gameplay: Average at best

4. Storyline: Actually, I really like the storyline. No complaints there

5. Misc.: YOU'RE TIMED. One thing that I really enjoy about Zelda is that you can go around and do whatever the heck you want, like play stupid minigames and go and collect various items. Well, when you have roughly three hours to play the game (Running clock for the most part) Ya can't do much besides focus on your quest, and resetting the time every three hours (Or even before then if you're starting a new dungeon) really gets to be a pain. Yes, I know about the song of inverted time. But still, the pressure is real in this game. So please, someone explain to me what might be SO GREAT about this game. I rate it about a 5 1/2 out of ten right now. Maybe there's something I'm missing? Just reply if you have any answers!

Update: I actually freaking love this game the more I'm playing it. Still up for responses to see why you like it and what makes it interesting for you though! --IndigoLink11

i never cared much for it either..im more into the original NES zelda personally. OOT and MM just did nothing for me.

It's mostly the atmosphere and storytelling for me. Everything is organically connected to each other. IE, side quests develop the characters and world more, but it also serves the gameplay since you get tangible rewards that mean something for them. The world itself feels bursting with character and atmosphere. The writing is succint in that it says what it needs to and lets other aspects of the game speak for themselves. There are just so many brilliant moments that flesh the world out in a meaningful way. It's incredibly bizarre as well, which gives it character.

Plus, the timed aspect combined with the moon always being overhead means there's this great big thing looming over you constantly. You're always reminded what's at stake. The pressure OP mentioned from the time limit is the entire point of the mechanic. You're supposed to feel like there's not enough time to do all you need to. It contributes to the atmosphere.

The gameplay is good as it's ever been in the series. The few dungeons there are are well designed, and unique aspects of the game like masks feel creative and fresh. As far as graphics and sound go, that's entirely subjective. I personally love the art style and soundtrack (although it's not the best in the series).

even though it's a part of the Zelda series, it feels unlike anything else I've ever played. And I played the 3DS version this year (originally played the game a long time ago). It still feels entirely unique. The uniqueness, atmosphere, storytelling and overall feel of everything makes it my favorite game ever. Maybe it's not everyone's cup of tea because of the time mechanic, but for me, there's nothing else like it and that's why I love it.

@turtlethetaffer: Actually, the more I'm playing the game, the more I'm getting into it. Compared to Twilight Princess (Where every time you attack something Link stops moving forward) the gameplay is pretty good. And I suppose that the game just requires more thinking that I expected. It's like a huge puzzle that you've gotta figure out in three hours or the world ends (No biggie, right? :))! But in all honesty, I am enjoying the game much more. And you did bring up various valid points. Thanks for your comment!

@indigolink11: Really glad you're enjoying it. It isn't a game that gives up its best secrets easily, but it's worth it in the end I think. I can see how you were put off initially, but eventually the 3 day thing will become second nature.

I really enjoyed this one because the story is different than most Zelda games. I feel its a little darker and more a "read between the lines" type of story.

Both the N64 Zeldas look clunky and sound bad to me.

The music is good... But gameplay wise, different strokes for different folks, I love the way it plays, the timer plays in well, the masks are great, the dungeons were fun, bosses were good (except the giant fish is a little irritating)

The music is glorious...

It has some of the most outlandish and striking visuals despite using many resources from OoT

Gameplay is about as average as OoT, a game many laud as perfect, except with the added mask and time mechanics that offer a variety that didn't exist in the predecessor.

Yep, storyline is great

I don't really understand the complaints about time, outside of a few side quests the mechanic never feels like a frustration and only then if you mess up or miss a part of the side quest and have to restart it. Reverting back to the first day and flying to the dungeon to have a full 3 days to complete doesn't seem hard and I was never wanting for more time by the end of the dungeon.

Majora's Mask is amazing because Nintendo was able to release 2 installments of legend of Zelda series on the Nintendo 64. while in the current generation the Wii U we are still waiting on a legend of Zelda game. The tech demo that was showcased in E3 2011 is the only thing thus far. Nintendo being able to deliver 2 LoZ games was amazing in the N64. Plus the game was a nice departure from the usual formual

I think Zelda MM is great, in my honest opinion, is because, for me, it was my first Zelda game. I never played Zelda OoT (back in the late 90's) until much later. MM was definitely a great experience especially since it was all timed. Anyway, that's my personal reasoning. I can see why people don't like it.

I can understand how someone might think that the time-thingy is annoying. I don't think I'd have the patience to play it again to be honest. What I love about the game though, is the atmosphere and the side quests. You get to know the people of Clock Town and you help them with their personal problems. No other Zelda game has had as deep and meaningful side quests before or since Majora's Mask. Wind Waker is pretty close though.

I feel that there are those that either love Ocarina of Time and kind of dislike Majora's Mask, and those that LOVE Majora's Mask and think that Ocarina of Time was okay or good. I think I belong to the latter.

I remember playing it back then right when it first came out and could instantly tell what they where going for. After OoT being big epic game they went with a different direction and I enjoyed it bc it was different formula even though it was not as epic. The gfx where good for the N64 it required the expansion ram pack. I felt more part of the world and npc's in MM.

It was about being part of the world and not a big epic journey.

Personally I found the music amazing. What about it turned you off? I thought the dark theme with the entire game was a nice change of pace compared to the black/white evil/good theme that's present in most Zelda titles. The characters in each region (Deku/Goron/Zoras) I found had a lot to offer when it came to character development. Or maybe to put it more correctly, the character you "inhabit" with the mask.

The whole timed idea was definitely a new mechanic, or at least it was for me, and I didn't find it all that too annoying. Maybe playing it as a kid I had more patience and was able to persevere through that part of the game in order to get to the good chunks? I really enjoyed it back then and still do now, but to each his own I suppose!

I loved Majoras Mask and I actually took a lot longer to complete it, not because I suck at RPG games but because I liked to explore a lot more, I loved the wizards observatory and I always remember when I first looked into his telescope the tear drop thing dropped from the sky. As different US/Japanese cultures are, the Japanese game developers always seem to get the RPG games just right.

Majora's Mask...Why so amazing?

Hell, I don´t know what´s so special about it ( nor about Zelda or Pokemon ) but there are people that love them, for me it´s pretty much like what happens in life in all aspects, let´s take for example blue cheese, I love it ! my wife ? she hates it.

It took me a while to get into it as well, but the wedding story arc (I don't want to spoil any details) really got to me. It was kind of dark and much deeper than most Zelda story lines. At first, I disliked the resetting of the day, but as the game grew on and I got to know more of the players involved, it gave me a sense of urgency to get the job done. At first, I was annoyed at having to play "kid" Link again after playing OoT, younger Link ended up being a good fit for the story.

I was extremely dismayed when I went to my retro game shelf and picked up my box of the game only to find it empty and realize that I lent it to my sister ages ago and will never get it back :P Time to find a used one and play through both OoT and MM.

@zyxe: Oh no!!! It's too bad that you can't get it back...but if you have a 3DS you could find the 3D edition for $25 on eBay. It's not the same but still...better than nothing right? ;)

IndigoLink11 you have to understand another thing, depending what decade you grew up in everyones take on what makes a "good" game is different, I look at games now and I am just gobb smacked how deeply immersive they have become, so young kids playing todays games would look at Majoras Mask or Ocarina of Time and don't think they are worth playing, there expectations are so much higher, I don't blame them either with the newer Final Fantasy and Fable series are just on another level.

Favorite Zelda. Its takes a break from that heroic vibe OoT had.