Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Retro Review
Nintendo's Masterpiece Transcends Both Space and Time
Nov 1, 2009
Arguably the greatest game ever made, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time is a masterpiece that will make its mark on history. It all began almost ten years ago, when Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind such classics as Mario and Donkey Kong, showed the world Nintendo’s true power by releasing Ocarina of Time; video games were changed forever.
Zelda in 3D was Visually Spectacular
Ocarina of Time, upon its release, set an industry standard for gaming in every department. Beginning with its incredible 3D graphics, Zelda made its mark. Visually spectacular, Ocarina of Time presented a lush, living world in impressive fashion. From the rolling hills of Hyrule Field while riding on Epona, to the pristine waters of Lake Hyrule, there was never a dull moment (or wasted pixel) throughout the entire game.
Nintendo Immersed Players with a Brilliant Musical Score
This beautiful scenery coupled with an amazing score immersed the player more fully into the game’s world, the main theme brought light and hope, while Gannondorf’s score evoked fear and loathing. With this ambient score combined with the added ability to play an actual Ocarina to further game elements, Nintendo showed developers how to create a true gaming experience.
Shigeru Miyamoto's Team Focuses on Great Gameplay
Fortunately, creating an aesthetically pleasing environment was not the primary focus of the Nintendo team on this project. Nintendo was eager to deliver in the department that most developers seem to forget – gameplay. They poured all their knowledge and creativity into the design and development of this game, making Link a video game icon in every sense of the word.
Link's Simple, Yet Involving Combat System
Link’s combat system, for example, is near perfect; multiple different attacks can be performed with a single button and when Z-targeting is taken into account, the combat system unfolds to become an intricate, yet simple system; intricate in its design, simple in its use. While the combat is action-oriented, Zelda is an RPG at heart, with the RPG elements truly realized in the unique way Link ‘level’s up.’ Having him grow seven years older in order to gain more abilities was fresh and clever, while also adding a new element to some of the puzzles scattered throughout the game.
Deep Dungeons and Mind Boggling Puzzles
There are plenty of puzzles to get lost in, and the mini-games and sidequests in Zelda were not only involving, the fishing game alone could have been packaged by itself, but they were also very rewarding. Zelda worked in a way that most RPGs fall short, by making players want to play each side-quest and mini-game. The prizes received, such as bomb bags and heart pieces, weren’t just collectable trinkets; each new item furthered Link’s development and made the games worth playing.
Sidequests were fun, but the crowning achievement of the Ocarina of Time was the various dungeons scattered throughout Hyrule. Each was more fascinating than the next, and it is obvious that much time and effort was spent on creating the ingenious puzzles that accompanied each room. Utilizing time travelling components, the use of the Ocarina, and a very trusty Master Sword, each area was extremely innovative and refreshing. Each new puzzle requires thought and quick action, making for perfect gameplay.
Conclusion
As an action RPG, Zelda blends every necessary element in a game to create a flawless experience. While the story may not be the most original, it is a tried and true formula –save the princess – which works perfectly with effervescent atmosphere created by Nintendo. Multiple plays are encouraged in order to truly understand the beauty of this game, and even ten years later it is still be branded the best game ever.
 |
