Required Playing
If you have played any of the 3D Zelda games, this game will feel familiar, since Nintendo has in essence repackaged the game mechanics and even plot points for each of the console Zeldas that have followed. You begin as a young Kokiri elf named Link, who is about to come of age when he learns that the Great Deku Tree, guardian of the forest, is under attack from monsters. After collecting a sword and a shield, Link bravely goes to fight the beasts, only to become engrossed in a quest to save the world of Hyrule from the evil sorcerer Ganondorf. What follows is a sprawling epic than spans 7 years as Link fights to save the Princess Zelda and stop Ganondorf's evil forces from taking over.
One of the many strengths of Ocarina of Time is the game's narrative. Through the course of the main quest, you will come across a host of colorful and truly memorable characters. Many of the people serendipitously met during the game's opening hours go on to play much larger roles in the main narrative. There are a fair amount of plot twists that may be somewhat predictable, but are still highly effective. And more than any other game in the series, Ocarina succeeds in truly making you feel like a part of an epic struggle of good versus evil. By the time the end credits roll (after one of the best final confrontations in gaming), you really feel like you have saved the world.
But as good as the narrative is, it never takes precedence over the gameplay, and this is where Ocarina of Time earns all of the praise showered upon it. The game begins with the basics and gradually introduces more complex controls and concepts, so that by game's end you are barely aware of how many different abilities you've acquired because they have come so naturally. They also control particularly well, which helps with the seamless nature of everything. At the time, the game was revolutionary and still remains fairly unique in its lack of a jump button; all leaps are accomplished automatically by running towards a ledge at full tilt. This frees up the rest of the buttons to be linked to one of the many useful, inventive items and magic spells you acquire through the course of your journey. The most important of these is the titular Ocarina; through the course of the game, you learn various songs that can change day to night, warp you to the other end of the world map, and unlock various locations and hidden secrets.
All of these items are introduced organically into the gameplay, and are key to solving the many elaborate puzzles throughout the game. With rare exception, the puzzles are challenging but never illogical, with the only real head-scratchers confined to the Water Temple about two-thirds of the way through the game. Most make great use of the environment, and although some may require several attempts you never feel as if they are impossible to solve. The items acquired through the course of the game will also open up many previously unreachable areas, with plenty of hidden secrets for completionists to find in the game's overworld.
As stated earlier, the game's presentation cannot directly compete with the games of today, but it is still solid. Opting for a stylized, anime-influenced look for the characters allows the game's graphics to remain charming in an old-school way, and for the most part things are animated well. The only real blot from a graphic standpoint is some very low-resolution textures that are often indistinguishable from one another. The soundtrack, although not the full orchestral sound we are now used to, is filled with memorable tunes guaranteed to stick with you long after the game is done. My only real complaint with the sound design is something that was technically implausible when the game was on cartridge, and something Nintendo refuses to address even in its newest Zelda games, and that is the lack of fully voiced cutscenes. However, the text dialogue is well written and possesses enough personality that it still allows the characters to come alive in the player's mind.
I will fully admit that I am probably unable to give an unbiased review of this game. This was perhaps the defining game of my youth, and part of me still views it through a 12-year-old's wide eyes. But one of the strengths of the game, and what keeps it entertaining after all these years, is its ability to make you feel the child-like sense of wonder and adventure when you play, even if your childhood is many years in the past.
This game is truly a masterpiece, and earns its near-mythical status. We should thank our lucky stars Nintendo is giving us the opportunity to re-experience this gem, or in some cases play it for the first time.