My second favorite game of all-time!
User Rating: 9.8 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64
My second favorite game of all-time from my favorite franchise in all of game-dom! This game set such a high standard for the series that the games coming after it have understandably failed to live up to it. With this entry, Nintendo moved the series into 3-D while still keeping with it's roots in the storyline and general game play departments. It was highly anticipated before it's release, received high praise from critics and fans, and went on to become one of the best selling games of the Play-Station/N64 era. In this adventure, Link once again collects pieces of Tri-Force, saves Princess Zelda, and battles the evil Ganon-Dork. There are some cool game play additions, though. In Ocarina of Time, Link can now travel back in time, can target using the Z-button, and is able to explore a huge, open, fully 3-D world. These differences from the Zelda titles preceding Ocarina of Time really opens up the game in new and interesting ways. Time-travel is an integral part of the game, and keeps the story going. It's also fun from a problem-solving aspect to have to time-travel to accomplish goals. Z-targeting is a control addition that works quite well, and makes great use of the N64 controller. Being able to lock onto opponents, while strafing and side-stepping around them, adds strategy to combat and makes it more fun. This control scheme was so effective and easy to use many other developers have since copied it. The fully 3-D world is the most noticeable change to the series. Traveling around Hyrule in real time with castles, trees, and mountains populating the landscape is a great experience. The 3-D world also contributes to the fun combat engine by changing the way weapons are used and adding openness to battle strategy by way of positioning and terrain. The game's graphics, like most N64 titles, have not held up well. They are blurry and out-of-focus. But they aren't all bad. The character models are presentable and the geographical presentation is almost pretty. The aforementioned terrain is the graphical highlight, and because of it, traveling from town to town is not boring at all. The sound is great. Zelda games have always had great soundtracks, but Ocarina of Time's stands out as the best. Also, each sound effect is a plus and fits in well with the music and ambiance. Ocarina of Time is very challenging. The puzzles, especially in the Temples, are very difficult and take time to figure out. For example, the Water Temple, which is the smartest, most fully realized level I've ever played, is like one giant series of complicated puzzles. There are levers that have to be pulled, buttons that need to be pressed, and iron boots that have to be worn to get to the end of the Temple. This is all great fun, however; I was always left with a great deal of satisfaction upon finishing a level. The bosses aren't as challenging for the most part, though fighting them does require some skill and patience. The most frustrating part of the game is at the very end: You are forced to defeat Ganon-dork in two of his forms without saving. I must admit, sadly, that I haven't yet beat one of my most beloved games. Ocarina of Time is a truly great game. It is now eight years old, and is still as fun now as it was when first released. If you haven't played it, buy it now. If you have played it, play it again, and relive the adventures of Link in this rare gem among games; a game that must be considered art, a game that should be played again and again. 
