Oracle of Seasons is a remarkable game for the 2D branch of the franchise. Of the pair of games released for the GBC, the focus of this one is towards a sense of adventure at its purest, setting simple puzzles to solve, but with sections focused on challenge and discovery, making it a highly enjoyable experience.
The novelty that distinguishes this title from the rest, is that here we will travel through a land in which the seasons have gone out of control, so that it can be winter, but from one moment to another can also be spring, summer or autumn, which is not only an aesthetic change for the map, for example, in winter there can be a mountain of snow or frozen rivers, which we can take advantage of to reach places that otherwise would be impossible to reach, but in summer for example, vines grow on some cliffs which allows us to climb them. It's an idea that although not as ambitious as the parallel worlds of A Link to the Past, it's still pretty cool for making exploration more entertaining and interesting, not to mention that exploring Holodrum in different climates/states of the year has its charm. I feel this in turn is also a creative way to expose the difference it makes to have color in a game versus not having it, as in the original GB a concept like this would have been somewhat impossible to execute just having the green/gray scale.
This game takes place in the kingdom of Holodrum, where Din lives, the oracle of the seasons, but after an event is kidnapped and thus the different seasons of the year lose control, so it will be our duty to get the 8 essences of nature of the 8 temples scattered around the kingdom to rescue Din.
The temples generally present a very good and creative design, almost always being quite intuitive for the player, mostly with simple puzzles, but that are still quite entertaining and will require from your part a little ingenuity to be solved, presenting this game also some pretty cool items that have become some of my favorites, such as the magnetic gloves. I especially like the fact how in this game hearts do matter, as unlike most Zelda games, the enemies and boss battles can be a bit challenging, not that it's a difficult game, but if you get overconfident you could end up seeing the Game Over screen on more than one occasion.
Something I love is that the exploration and discovery factor of the early Zelda games is very present in this title. It pays to be curious and attentive, as many times some puzzles or secrets are revealed when we go to a place with a certain season. There are a lot of references to the first Zelda game, like some of the temples, bosses or even some caves with old people inside that have strange dialogues and sometimes can be tremendous trolls, and curiously, there are also references and inspiration from games like Mega Man, which we can notice especially in those 2D platforming type sections. If you played Mega Man X, the final boss will look familiar.
Conclusion
It's certainly a game with a very good design and pacing, it never feels boring, and the mechanics of switching between seasons made the mere fact of exploring more engaging. If you're wondering where the inspiration from the Mega Man games and the references to the first game in the franchise came from, it's because this game was made by Capcom, and started out being developed as a remake of the first title, but then evolved into a completely different game, and in retrospect, I think it was for the best, as it has become one of my favorites.
Secret 1: backloggd.com/u/M----------------
→ The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages - Review
The novelty that distinguishes this title from the rest, is that here we will travel through a land in which the seasons have gone out of control, so that it can be winter, but from one moment to another can also be spring, summer or autumn, which is not only an aesthetic change for the map, for example, in winter there can be a mountain of snow or frozen rivers, which we can take advantage of to reach places that otherwise would be impossible to reach, but in summer for example, vines grow on some cliffs which allows us to climb them. It's an idea that although not as ambitious as the parallel worlds of A Link to the Past, it's still pretty cool for making exploration more entertaining and interesting, not to mention that exploring Holodrum in different climates/states of the year has its charm. I feel this in turn is also a creative way to expose the difference it makes to have color in a game versus not having it, as in the original GB a concept like this would have been somewhat impossible to execute just having the green/gray scale.
This game takes place in the kingdom of Holodrum, where Din lives, the oracle of the seasons, but after an event is kidnapped and thus the different seasons of the year lose control, so it will be our duty to get the 8 essences of nature of the 8 temples scattered around the kingdom to rescue Din.
The temples generally present a very good and creative design, almost always being quite intuitive for the player, mostly with simple puzzles, but that are still quite entertaining and will require from your part a little ingenuity to be solved, presenting this game also some pretty cool items that have become some of my favorites, such as the magnetic gloves. I especially like the fact how in this game hearts do matter, as unlike most Zelda games, the enemies and boss battles can be a bit challenging, not that it's a difficult game, but if you get overconfident you could end up seeing the Game Over screen on more than one occasion.
Something I love is that the exploration and discovery factor of the early Zelda games is very present in this title. It pays to be curious and attentive, as many times some puzzles or secrets are revealed when we go to a place with a certain season. There are a lot of references to the first Zelda game, like some of the temples, bosses or even some caves with old people inside that have strange dialogues and sometimes can be tremendous trolls, and curiously, there are also references and inspiration from games like Mega Man, which we can notice especially in those 2D platforming type sections. If you played Mega Man X, the final boss will look familiar.
Conclusion
It's certainly a game with a very good design and pacing, it never feels boring, and the mechanics of switching between seasons made the mere fact of exploring more engaging. If you're wondering where the inspiration from the Mega Man games and the references to the first game in the franchise came from, it's because this game was made by Capcom, and started out being developed as a remake of the first title, but then evolved into a completely different game, and in retrospect, I think it was for the best, as it has become one of my favorites.
Secret 1: backloggd.com/u/M----------------
→ The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages - Review
As was the case with Ages, my nostalgia factor is probably playing a big role in how I feel about this game, but alas, I can't help myself. Another great handheld Zelda title. Explore the dungeons, collect the 8 MacGuffins, beat the baddie & save the day. Simple, sweet, effective & all backed up by an excellent use of the GBC sound chip (Dancing Dragon Dungeon OST goes way harder than it ever had to & it pays off).
this games puzzles are perfect for my foolish underdeveloped chimpanzee brain. i love the different seasons they look pretty. a must play if you love zelda games.
Insert Click Clock Wood music from Banjo Kazooie here.
That last boss is cruel
Quite a lot of fun! Had some moments of "how do i do this" but most of them where me not understanding a item fully. The puzzles where a good challenge but some of the combat was hard to the point of being annoying. A lot of that coming from link have very few I frames and i would get bounced by enemies taking a lot of damage for one mistake. Rings are really cool and i hope to see more in ages as im playing that one next to do a linked game.
Foda :)
(Jogo bem divertido. Só alguns inimigos tem muita vida e o boss final é um FDP)
(Jogo bem divertido. Só alguns inimigos tem muita vida e o boss final é um FDP)
Idk if I'll finish. I really hate playing on a Gameboy
Has a lot of the problems LA had, but more polished overall. Of course I’m actually only half done
This was one of my favorite "borrow" games as a kid. The season mechanic is very novel, and is a solid 2D Zelda game. Game is very cool.
Still a great game, but a bit below Ages for me. In general, I really don't have too much to say about these games.
I was more of an action man anyway.
Link is pulled into some void after visiting or discovering the Triforce, he awakens in a new world where Din the Oracle of Seasons is suddenly abducted by Onox. Use the Season Rod to navigate the overworld by changing seasons, for example water is frozen in Winter and can be walked over.
It’s a decent take on contemporary Zelda of the time mixed with classic 8-Bit Zelda, the dungeons start a little plain like the original on NES and gradually shifts towards LttP quality dungeons but smaller, with some more contemporary Zelda designs - for example the stealth mini-game.
Of the two, I’ve been told this one is more action orientated which Ages sight unseen is probably true, the last dungeon is an absolute pain and Onox is a well designed final boss for 8-Bit hardware.
I said it once, and I’ll say it again. Forget collecting all of the rings and heart pieces. They’re simply not worth the time sink necessary for the task.
I’m onto Ages, the two can be linked to finish off the established storyline in either game… I wonder who the true villain is?
It’s a decent take on contemporary Zelda of the time mixed with classic 8-Bit Zelda, the dungeons start a little plain like the original on NES and gradually shifts towards LttP quality dungeons but smaller, with some more contemporary Zelda designs - for example the stealth mini-game.
Of the two, I’ve been told this one is more action orientated which Ages sight unseen is probably true, the last dungeon is an absolute pain and Onox is a well designed final boss for 8-Bit hardware.
I said it once, and I’ll say it again. Forget collecting all of the rings and heart pieces. They’re simply not worth the time sink necessary for the task.
I’m onto Ages, the two can be linked to finish off the established storyline in either game… I wonder who the true villain is?
Pretty fun
So good. I know the limitations of the GBC can bother a lot while playing (only 2 items at the same time) but the game still shines through!
Classic 2D zelda movement, combat and everything else, which is one of my favorite types of games.
Each season brings changes to the map and how you play/address the environment, which is refreshing. It was a joy to see each map in different season.
I gotta confess that some bosses gave me trouble until I found out how to beat them, and other, even after know what to do had me struggling.
Really, really liked this. Not the best 2D zelda but I had a great time playing it!
Now gotta start Ages with the secret obtained after finishing this one.
Classic 2D zelda movement, combat and everything else, which is one of my favorite types of games.
Each season brings changes to the map and how you play/address the environment, which is refreshing. It was a joy to see each map in different season.
I gotta confess that some bosses gave me trouble until I found out how to beat them, and other, even after know what to do had me struggling.
Really, really liked this. Not the best 2D zelda but I had a great time playing it!
Now gotta start Ages with the secret obtained after finishing this one.