Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

1998 not only brought the Zelda franchise into a new console and three dimensions, but also produced the other major contender for the best Zelda game, and one of the best games ever made, period. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator, has stated that this is the first game in the chronology and, as such, is the source of the legend for all other Zelda games. Aside from being visually stunning—for the time, and still not too bad today—the elements created in previous games were perfected in this version, other integral bits were added, and all of this was exceptionally adapted to a 3D environment. As one might guess from the title, music, while always important in Zelda games, was brought to the forefront with a variety of catchy tunes that could be played with various effects, ranging from telepathic communication, to instantaneous travel, to summoning a rainstorm, and many more besides. In addition to the visual and auditory beauty, Ocarina of Time is notable for its engaging story, with all the twists it takes, its fleshed out world, and its establishment of the character of Zelda being more than just a girl to be rescued. The history and nature of the Triforce is explained, the origins of Ganon are revealed, and you have a remarkably good time in the process. What more could you ask?

Link is only ten years old on the morning he's awoken by his new companion, Navi, a fairy sent by the Great Deku Tree that protects the Kokiri Forest that he lives in. His elation over having finally obtained his fairy—he's the only Kokiri without one—is quickly squelched by his newly-given mission: save the Great Deku Tree from the curse placed on it by an evil man, then venture into the world of Hyrule to find his destiny. A meeting with the Princess Zelda sets him on a new path, sending the ever-silent Link to the far reaches of the country in an effort to gather the pieces needed to stop the ambitions of the sinister King of the Gerudo tribe, Ganondorf Dragmire. His quest will take him from the safety of his home forest to the fields of Hyrule, the heart of a volcano, the bottom of a lake, the depths of the desert, into the darkest shadows, and through time itself. At least he has Navi along for the ride.

Images:

Young Link explores the world
Link's best friend, Saria
Link meets Zelda for the first time
He learns a song before leaving
Zelda and her nursemaid/bodyguard escape into the night...
...while Link buys them some time against Ganondorf
What seven years can do to a boy...
...or a girl
Pre-game scenery and music
Game opening, including the naming of Link

No comments: