Before I review the games; however, I'd like to establish the criteria that I'll be using for them. I'll do this so I can hopefully better understand the way I feel about each one I have beaten. After I evaluate each area, I'll give it a "Go" or "No-Go" at the station.
Environment: This is the setting I was in for the majority of playthrough, although it has nothing to do with the actual game, it still affects how I feel about the game, so I think this will be important. If nostalgia is to affect one area, it'd be this one.
Setting: This is where the game takes place, does the game do well in optimizing the environment it's set in?
Controls: Pretty straight forward, how does the game handle? Topics like movement, combat, and item use will fall under this area.
Difficulty: This isn't where I say, "I can't beat it, so it sucks," but it's where I try to determine if the difficulty was increasing throughout the game, not just packed on all at once.
Story: Does the plot draw me in and keep me interested? Topics like protagonists and antagonists will fall under here as well.
Puzzles: Each installment seems to have a different puzzle style and emphasis on them. Since that is the case, this will be difficult to evaluate.
Graphics: Don't lie like you don't care, because you would care if the game wasn't pleasing to the eye. That's all this area is, did I like the way the game looked?
Music: Is the music to my liking? How many good tracks does it have? Is that enough to satisfy me?
Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's get to it. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Environment: This will be tougher to determine than last time. The reason being that I've played this game in so many places on different platforms, that it could be tough to see how it affected me. Now that I think of it, there was always one thing that I remember when I think of my experience play OoT. I would always be alone, and very close to the television, and for some reason, it would always be nighttime. An atmosphere perfect for really being immersed in the game. It felt good to hold the controller in my hand, and play with no distractions. This is a GO for me.
Setting: Ocarina of Time is set in Hyrule (duh), with Lon Lon Ranch in the center, and various locations outlining the map. These locations have a lot of meat to them during the childhood phase; however, most of the game is played in Links adult form. During this adult era, the land seems pretty empty. Granted, that's probably what the designers were going for, but I'd rather just have it the way is was before. OoT gets a NO-GO at this station.
Controls: Ocarina of Time thrives in this category. I can't bring myself to speak bad about anything for this aspect. Movement is easy, at a nice, steady pace. The Z-target system works like a charm. The combat system is fluid, also. Targeting each enemy, being able to side-step and backflip away from danger, then attack with a jump slash or item feels so natural. This area is a big-ol' GO.
Difficulty: This are could be tricky, because everyone knows the infamous Water Temple as a merciless pain in the ass. Well, that really wasn't my experience, but it's understandable. On the other hand, the game seems to sort of hold your hand all the way up till Death Mountain, which is a good 2 hours on the first playthrough, maybe more. It does a good job of teaching you the way the game plays before reaching the adult phase. Each dungeon takes more and more thought and skill to traverse and complete, and puts your skill to the test with the boss. This station gets a GO.
Story: The story starts out with Link getting his fairy, Navi. And visiting the Great Deku Tree, who then informs Link that the kingdom is going to be screwed....hard. So, Link, being 12, sets out to save Hyrule. Later on, he comes across a magical sword that seals him in another dimension when he pulls it from its pedestal, the Pedestal...of Time. He gets there by opening the Door....of Time, by playing the Song....of Time, with his Ocarina...of Time, inside the Temple...of Time. Anyway, things go to hell, just like predicted and Link (now an adult) has to make everything right. Honestly, it's kinda bland. What is pretty cool, however, is that people you meet during your childhood end up having a big role to play in the story, I won't dive too deep, so yeah, that's it. Despite the appearance of those characters and Zelda's role in it all, it doesn't justify the rest. Imma have to give this a NO-GO.
Puzzles: The puzzles in OoT offer great challenge and, in turn, great satisfaction upon completion. Most are timed or "PUSH THE BLOCK!" but there are some really good ones, like the enemy in the Spirit Temple that mirrors your movement.....or the entire Water Temple. This station gets a GO.
Graphics: In regards to the original and GCN port, I can still pop them puppies in and not reel back in horror, so that's good enough in my book. With the 3DS, the graphics are very impressive, especially with 3D. Now, I'm not going to say I played the game with 3D on the whole time, but it still looks really good. This area is a big GO.
Music: GO. It's not even a question. Best music in the series. Maybe best music in any series.
Honestly, I'm surprised that this game got any NoGos at all. I hold this in such a high regard, but it's kinda fun doing this.
Environment: This is the setting I was in for the majority of playthrough, although it has nothing to do with the actual game, it still affects how I feel about the game, so I think this will be important. If nostalgia is to affect one area, it'd be this one.
Setting: This is where the game takes place, does the game do well in optimizing the environment it's set in?
Controls: Pretty straight forward, how does the game handle? Topics like movement, combat, and item use will fall under this area.
Difficulty: This isn't where I say, "I can't beat it, so it sucks," but it's where I try to determine if the difficulty was increasing throughout the game, not just packed on all at once.
Story: Does the plot draw me in and keep me interested? Topics like protagonists and antagonists will fall under here as well.
Puzzles: Each installment seems to have a different puzzle style and emphasis on them. Since that is the case, this will be difficult to evaluate.
Graphics: Don't lie like you don't care, because you would care if the game wasn't pleasing to the eye. That's all this area is, did I like the way the game looked?
Music: Is the music to my liking? How many good tracks does it have? Is that enough to satisfy me?
Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's get to it. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Environment: This will be tougher to determine than last time. The reason being that I've played this game in so many places on different platforms, that it could be tough to see how it affected me. Now that I think of it, there was always one thing that I remember when I think of my experience play OoT. I would always be alone, and very close to the television, and for some reason, it would always be nighttime. An atmosphere perfect for really being immersed in the game. It felt good to hold the controller in my hand, and play with no distractions. This is a GO for me.
Setting: Ocarina of Time is set in Hyrule (duh), with Lon Lon Ranch in the center, and various locations outlining the map. These locations have a lot of meat to them during the childhood phase; however, most of the game is played in Links adult form. During this adult era, the land seems pretty empty. Granted, that's probably what the designers were going for, but I'd rather just have it the way is was before. OoT gets a NO-GO at this station.
Controls: Ocarina of Time thrives in this category. I can't bring myself to speak bad about anything for this aspect. Movement is easy, at a nice, steady pace. The Z-target system works like a charm. The combat system is fluid, also. Targeting each enemy, being able to side-step and backflip away from danger, then attack with a jump slash or item feels so natural. This area is a big-ol' GO.
Difficulty: This are could be tricky, because everyone knows the infamous Water Temple as a merciless pain in the ass. Well, that really wasn't my experience, but it's understandable. On the other hand, the game seems to sort of hold your hand all the way up till Death Mountain, which is a good 2 hours on the first playthrough, maybe more. It does a good job of teaching you the way the game plays before reaching the adult phase. Each dungeon takes more and more thought and skill to traverse and complete, and puts your skill to the test with the boss. This station gets a GO.
Story: The story starts out with Link getting his fairy, Navi. And visiting the Great Deku Tree, who then informs Link that the kingdom is going to be screwed....hard. So, Link, being 12, sets out to save Hyrule. Later on, he comes across a magical sword that seals him in another dimension when he pulls it from its pedestal, the Pedestal...of Time. He gets there by opening the Door....of Time, by playing the Song....of Time, with his Ocarina...of Time, inside the Temple...of Time. Anyway, things go to hell, just like predicted and Link (now an adult) has to make everything right. Honestly, it's kinda bland. What is pretty cool, however, is that people you meet during your childhood end up having a big role to play in the story, I won't dive too deep, so yeah, that's it. Despite the appearance of those characters and Zelda's role in it all, it doesn't justify the rest. Imma have to give this a NO-GO.
Puzzles: The puzzles in OoT offer great challenge and, in turn, great satisfaction upon completion. Most are timed or "PUSH THE BLOCK!" but there are some really good ones, like the enemy in the Spirit Temple that mirrors your movement.....or the entire Water Temple. This station gets a GO.
Graphics: In regards to the original and GCN port, I can still pop them puppies in and not reel back in horror, so that's good enough in my book. With the 3DS, the graphics are very impressive, especially with 3D. Now, I'm not going to say I played the game with 3D on the whole time, but it still looks really good. This area is a big GO.
Music: GO. It's not even a question. Best music in the series. Maybe best music in any series.
Honestly, I'm surprised that this game got any NoGos at all. I hold this in such a high regard, but it's kinda fun doing this.
