The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time delivers an impressive, challenging game as the first 3D installement for the N64.
The storyline is quite impressive and interesting. As a kid you always thought of yourself as a Kokiri but after you turn into an adult from taking the master sword and returning to the great Deku Tree, you'll find a tiny sprout who will forever more provide a unique truth about Link. The fact that he is a hylain (I hope i spelled that right). In which makes sense because the kokiri children, even after seven years will reamin as a child, never grwoing up. To me that kinda sucks, of course when someone who is 20+ will find out how great it was being a kid, so I do not have a general impression for this idea. But nonetheless there will be characters who will change. For example Princess Ruto, Epona, Zelda, Link (obviously).
As a child you will start with using your kokiri sword, deku shield (and if you wish the hyrulian shield), deku stick, slingshot, deku nuts, bombs and the boomberang. When I look at these weapons that he carries, I ask myself, how does he carry so many items in such a small suit? and if it where possible to be near/around fire and somhow one of the fuses to the bombs could be lit up and explode in his pocket. Yeah there are quite a few things you can ask yourself but you have to be able to use your imagination, of course this is only a fantasy game, and not to mention a video game. But it is great to see a video game that looks realistic and Ocarina of Time shows many details on the N64.
The grass, trees, fences, water,fire and other details that could not be forgotten in this game. The N64 is a pretty great system, even though we are in the year 2006. I still play my N64 and my Zelda game for it. Followed by other games. They are still fun and if you read some of my other Zelda reviews you will find that graphics are not really important to me. Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask had the same type of graphics but it lead them to different directions. I mean seriously, the graphics in this game are amazing not to mention for a system that was made in 1995 or something.
The sound in this game was really enjoyable to listen to, and it proved it in temples and dungeons. The Ice Cavern is one example. The sound of a xylophone, which sounded like ice falling from roofs of houses or something. Plus the Spirit Temple seemed as if you lived in the middle-eastern part of the world. (Outside of the temple is sand, so I think that will give you an idea). From meeting Zelda in the courtyard or meeting her in the temple of Time you never forgot what this game was really about. It would not be called a Zelda game if there was no Zelda and they really showed how Zelda was a really important character in this game. That said I think i should still talk about the sound and quality of it. Even if you tooken a pause and just listen to the music you will see how enjoyable it is in any situation.
The gameplay was a key feature and it shows how Nintendo is thinking for the future. The way how everything fits in so perfectly still made me wonder but I tooken it into concideration as a CSI show. How all the 5 000 peice puzzle fit so perfectly. I am not saying that it just suck but it was a total downer when it comes down to keep playing the game and have to keep doing the same stuff over and over again. And that was one of the key points about this game that disappoints me. The first couple of times you play this game it fun but after so many times you do not want to play anymore. And yet the puzzels, dungeons, temples, magic upgrades all seemed a little to easy to do. Not to mention the heart containers. Out of 20 hearts you can get 11 hearts from beating all the bosses and from the beginning of the game.
The game itself is long but it is to easy and you can finish it in a flash. The design of the dungeons and temples were created sucessfully but it seemed as if the game was rushed and if the game had some more time, there would be no point for Master Quest. The weapons and items are really cool to use and to play with, the upgrade from hookshot to longshot kinda killed it. I was hoping for something a lot more interesting and satisfying, but i lived with it and it didn't really bother me that much. But the idea of playing playing songs on the ocarina and the switch from young Link to adult Link and vice-versa was really creative and I think that this game is possibly one of the best games that I have ever played.
Ahh, Ganondorf was definatley in this game and he had his 3 transformations, well really 2 because of his ghost in the Forest Temple. But fighting him as the last boss was suprisingly easy. When i faced him for the first time it was hard and i thought i could have beaten him without any faires. But when i started over i faced him for the scond time and i defeated his ugly face. Ganon was easy too, rolling under his legs was to inviting for me. There should be times where he would close them and get stuck rolling then he would slash you with this dual swords, that is what i liked to see but it didn't happen. I loved the idea of having to go into the 6 chambers before eliminating the forcefield around the entrance to his layer.
For everything else it was a great, enjoyable game and i hope i see game like this over the next couple of years...(i hope).