This game has sat in the backlog for a long time and due to unfortunate circumstances where I lost my 3DS save from the great bay portion I had lost motivation to pursue replaying it, however years later I picked it up on a whim on the Nintendo Switch Online NTSC version and it truly has stood the test of time.
The game is structured like the typical 3d zelda however each main mask and item are used so well that you won't be confused on what to use at any time.
My favourite section would be snowhead as the goron mask is quite fun to use as well as the pacing in the dungeon was done in a way that didn't suck the enjoyment out.
The much hated water temple trope I felt didn't apply here at all but the boss was a bit underwhelming.
The one section I felt was tedious if you didn't look up what you needed would have to be ikana well where you must trade with the gibdo mask specific items in order to access a crucial area but other than that there wasn't any headaches throughout the game.
The time mechanic really only applies to sidequests as that is where you will struggle to do them unless they are on a specific day.
The enemy designs are quite varied and nothing like ocarina's and the areas are also quite distinct it becomes shocking how much was put into this game in the timeframe the devs had.
23 years later I feel it still is worth your time playing as it isn't too difficult and offers enough variety it doesn't become stale.
However if you want to go for 100% I would recommend you play any other version, even the 3ds version with the restoration fan patch as owning this game will always surpass a literal time limit to playing it that online sevices such as NSO impose on you.
The game is structured like the typical 3d zelda however each main mask and item are used so well that you won't be confused on what to use at any time.
My favourite section would be snowhead as the goron mask is quite fun to use as well as the pacing in the dungeon was done in a way that didn't suck the enjoyment out.
The much hated water temple trope I felt didn't apply here at all but the boss was a bit underwhelming.
The one section I felt was tedious if you didn't look up what you needed would have to be ikana well where you must trade with the gibdo mask specific items in order to access a crucial area but other than that there wasn't any headaches throughout the game.
The time mechanic really only applies to sidequests as that is where you will struggle to do them unless they are on a specific day.
The enemy designs are quite varied and nothing like ocarina's and the areas are also quite distinct it becomes shocking how much was put into this game in the timeframe the devs had.
23 years later I feel it still is worth your time playing as it isn't too difficult and offers enough variety it doesn't become stale.
However if you want to go for 100% I would recommend you play any other version, even the 3ds version with the restoration fan patch as owning this game will always surpass a literal time limit to playing it that online sevices such as NSO impose on you.