Music Based Dungeon In Future Zelda Games

[A Link In Time]

Music has always played a major role in The Legend of Zelda franchise. With Ocarina of Time (yes I know ALttP did it first but hardly as effectively) musical instruments were a given a prominent role throughout the franchise. The ocarina not only triggered certain story elements but also allowed for quick and easy teleportation. This idea was expanded on in Majora's Mask with the Ocarina of Time literally allowing Link to traverse the boundaries of space and time. A similar effect was present in Oracle of Ages via the Harp of Ages. Twilight Princess allocated a smaller role to musical mechanisms but the influence was still present in the forms of horse and hawk whistles as well as Wolf howling. Spirit Tracks and Skyward Sword returned full force to classical instruments with the Spirit Flute and Harp, respectively, although some fans did criticize their crude implementation.

On the flip side of things with respect to background soundtracks, the franchise has also evolved from traditional MIDI sounds to a full orchestration in Skyward Sword. This shift further defined the atmosphere of the franchise with the sounds vibrantly bringing objects to life and providing an effective complement to the vibrant color palette. There was some bickering in regards to this development as well with few truly outstanding tracks as the main focus was channeled towards producing a more cinematic experience. Nevertheless, the Ballad of the Goddess and Fi's as well as Groose's Theme were incorporated numerous times appearing as late as the third Imprisoned battle.

But enough perspective. Let's cut to the chase. Audio has played a larger role in Zelda than any Nintendo franchise and arguably any game outside of the Rhythm/Music genre. Would the next logical step not be to expand the function of an instrument into a central gameplay mechanic in at least one future title? We've already seen developments along these lines in the past. Recall Ocarina of Time's use of Zelda's lullaby in areas where the Triforce marking appeared. This meant removing special blocks in Link's way or raising/lowering the water level. Would you like to see a dungeon centered around music? If so, how should an instrument be implemented to add a fresh feeling to the franchise? I can see something along the lines of a disconnected dungeon with transportation via song being the only method possible or a hidden song needing to be uncovered and played for further progression.

 

[JuicieJ]

That would be really interesting. Funny thing is, I actually expected to see this sort of thing with the Harp in SS. Sadly, that never happened. However, that doesn't mean it shouldn't in future games. I'd really like to see some sort of dungeon where the musical instrument is one of the key factors. I mean, we've already seen glimpses of it in the Forest & Fire Temples in OoT and the Earth & Wind Temples in WW. Why not go further with it in the future? It'd be a shame not to do it if you ask me.

 

[Heroine of Time]

I absolutely love this idea. I am a huge fan of music in Zelda games, and I'd love to see it take a major role like it did in Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and, though you didn't mention it, The Wind Waker.

In most of the games after The Wind Waker, I've felt that music is sort of becoming one of those, "It's Zelda, so it has to be there, no matter how it's put in" type of things. I want it to be something put in because it will play a big role, and because it will work well in the title. The only recent game I've felt has really made an effort is Spirit Tracks, since personally I thought the flute was pretty awesome. It even allowed you to change pitch like the ocarina did, although it was a lot harder to play.

I think a music-themed dungeon would be fantastic. Now that you've suggested it, I can't help but think about how awesome that would be. I keep thinking of... what was it? I think it was a Spirit Tracks dungeon (though it could be PH) where you had to find different songs that could be played by hitting notes on a bell with a Boomerang. Each pattern of hitting the notes on the bells would open a new door or something. It was fun finding songs hidden everywhere. The whole thing was rather simple, but it could probably be improved and made more complicated, where you have to find different notes to a song. I also keep thinking about how the Song of Time blocks were used in OoT, particularly in Master Quest. Something similar to that could be brought back.

 

[Spirit]

I don't know about music in its purest rhythmical form, but a sound based dungeon would probably work quite well. There are enemies who can't take sounds (those yellow bunny things in PH for example) and so in that respect with regards to enemies, the temple could be a weapon itself, using it to make loud noises to defend against enemies.

Tunes and melodies could be put in place; puzzles that require you to hit certain objects in a certain order or way or with differing weapons.

There is definitely a lot of room for a great many ideas in the guise of a music dungeon, though i hope that the music used wouldnt be jarring or sound out of place.. to me a sound/music based dungeons sounds like something that could have been used in Majora's Mask, giant temple with a pendulum, big bells and odd objects like twisted pipe organs that stood 100feet tall in a warped room, the sounds of the temple ringing as a whole would crumble the walls or trigger an event which brings forth the boss key or mini boss or item etc, i'd like to see this but i think the style of the game would really need to suit it, perhaps it would have even fit in with Link's Awakening considering the narrative there was very musically themed in waking the Wind Fish up.

 

[Terminus]

How were you supposed to beat those things?

How 'bout a set of open peaks that act as an enormous pipe organ?

 

[KawiNinjaZX]

They should have a room with floor tiles and they play the zelda theme if you run in the right order. Each tile would play several notes to make it easier for the less musically inclined.

Also, you could bully a Deku Scrub into telling you the correct path.

 

[Ventus]

Like Spirit, I'm not sure about pure music, but a sounds dungeon would work quite well. Anyone know the Pols Voice? The enemy that you can only beat with the Whistle (and other instruments; iirc bombs are effective as well)? That's an example of a type of enemy where you would have to (ab)use sound. It would also synergize quite well with people who have high def surround sound and all that. The ONLY problem I see is that people who are deaf might not be able to solve certain puzzles.

 

[Aito136]

This sounds like a really interesting idea, and I'm pretty surprised that Nintendo hasn't tried this yet. Hopefully it wouldn't be a dungeon that required you to play the same song one hundred times. One idea for this could be shooting a row of eye switches (that play a note when hit with your arrow) and to open a door, you have to play them in order from highest to lowest or vice versa. This idea would also be good in a way that playing them from lowest to highest opens one door and playing it the other way around leads to a room needed to be accessed later. Just an idea. I also agree with the statements above that the game should probably be based around sound and music.

 

[TimeforTavel]

It seems like a beautiful dream if the background music actually adapts to the songs you will play in that music temple. I hope to see this someday!

 

[SNOlink]

Yes I would like to see this. Rather than obtaining the instrument from Zelda or some other prominent character, you could actually find it in the dungeon/temple it was placed in. It could do things like it did in OoT with moving blocks and raising the water level. Naturally it would do other things, but anyways. And the boss could be one of those things you could soothe with the music from the instrument you got in that dungeon.

 

[r2d93]

Iexactly thought of what Heroine of Time said when i read his post.

And I too think it would be a very good idea, however i find that it would be difficult to completely and totally implement the necessary use of an instrument in one dungeon. Would you learn new songs? would it be like the bells in that ST dungeon?

 

[Go_Dark_Link]

I would love a music based dungeon, as long as it's done right. Like Aito said, I would hate a dungeon where you have to play the same song over and over again. I think an example of that is climbing the Stone Tower in Majora's Mask and having to play the Elegy of Emptiness repeatedly. But, if they did incorporate the music right, and combined elements from different games like WW and OoT it could turn out as an amazing dungeon. Also, Zelda music is one of my favorite kind if music so I'm sure a musical dungeon could bring amazing new songs into creation