“The flow of time is always cruel… Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it… A thing that doesn’t change with time is a memory of younger days.”
Ocarina of Time means more and more to me as I grow older, it’s a story I can very much relate to. Much like the Hero of Time, it feels like I’m growing up too fast, and before I know it, my youth will be gone. Sheik’s dialogue speaks to me personally, I’ve reflected on their quotes and they’ve really made me think about what it means to live and grow up. Every time Sheik appears and that theme plays, there’s a certain nostalgic feeling, which is fitting for multiple reasons. I really like all the songs that Sheik teaches you, they’re very memorable and just fun to play and listen to. They fit the theme of each corresponding temple really well.
It’s incredible how well these dungeons hold up. This is some of the most consistent quality in the series, especially when they’re the first in 3D. Inside the Great Deku Tree is a great introduction to this game, the music atmosphere are fitting and while it’s a pretty simple dungeon, it’s the tutorial so I wasn’t asking for much. Dodongo’s Cavern was formerly my favorite of the child dungeons, but I think the Deku Tree overtook it. That’s not to say this dungeon is bad, however, I still like it and it’s fun using bombs. Inside Jabu-Jabu’s Belly is still my least favorite dungeon in the game, I’m not a fan of the aesthetic, but carrying Ruto around and getting the boomerang is pretty cool. Then we have the adult dungeons, and holy cow, the Forest Temple is phenomenal. This is still my second favorite dungeon in the entire series, only behind Majora’s Mask’s Stone Tower Temple. Getting the bow is great, especially when it’s used so frequently. The music is fantastic and it really adds to the atmosphere. The ramp up in difficulty really lets you know that things have gotten far more serious. Phantom Ganon is an awesome boss, I really like how it foreshadows the fight with Ganondorf. The Fire Temple really grew on me this playthrough, saving the Gorons makes you feel really good. It’s a shame the hammer is only used a few times in the whole game, I would have loved to see it used more. The Water Temple gets way too much hate, I love this dungeon, second favorite in the game. I think the water level concept is really cool, and it isn’t really that challenging, putting on the iron boots is just tedious (thank you 3DS version). The boss is pretty bad though, and Dark Link is cool in concept but could’ve been executed better, and maybe would have fit more in the Shadow Temple. Speaking of which, the Shadow Temple has a really cool concept, I think it’s really neat with all the guillotines and death traps. It’s the most linear of the dungeons, and while I still like it, that linearity makes it feel a bit simple. The Spirit Temple is great, it’s cool that it takes advantage of both child and adult Link. Mirror puzzles are always awesome, even if they were done better in later entries. Ganon’s Castle is a great final dungeon, it’s a great test of everything you’ve learned so far.
This was my first time playing the original N64 version, my previous playthroughs were on the 3DS. I still think I prefer the 3DS version, the Water Temple changes are pretty good and the graphics are significantly better. The 3DS version looks like what it was intended to be, judging by the art. The graphics are really the only thing that stick out as dating this game, the controls still feel good, especially when compared to Super Mario 64. Both versions of this game are basically the same in most ways though, I’ll definitely be replaying this version occasionally. There is one thing that this version does significantly better than the 3DS version, and that’s the final boss. While the 3DS version is pretty bright, the darkness of the original fits far better. Honestly, I felt very emotional facing Ganon, there’s a sense of dread while there’s a glimmer of hope deep down. Dealing that final blow is incredibly satisfying, and the credit sequence is beautiful. I really can’t ask for a better way for this game to finish.
Here’s to the 25th anniversary of this absolute legend.
Ocarina of Time means more and more to me as I grow older, it’s a story I can very much relate to. Much like the Hero of Time, it feels like I’m growing up too fast, and before I know it, my youth will be gone. Sheik’s dialogue speaks to me personally, I’ve reflected on their quotes and they’ve really made me think about what it means to live and grow up. Every time Sheik appears and that theme plays, there’s a certain nostalgic feeling, which is fitting for multiple reasons. I really like all the songs that Sheik teaches you, they’re very memorable and just fun to play and listen to. They fit the theme of each corresponding temple really well.
It’s incredible how well these dungeons hold up. This is some of the most consistent quality in the series, especially when they’re the first in 3D. Inside the Great Deku Tree is a great introduction to this game, the music atmosphere are fitting and while it’s a pretty simple dungeon, it’s the tutorial so I wasn’t asking for much. Dodongo’s Cavern was formerly my favorite of the child dungeons, but I think the Deku Tree overtook it. That’s not to say this dungeon is bad, however, I still like it and it’s fun using bombs. Inside Jabu-Jabu’s Belly is still my least favorite dungeon in the game, I’m not a fan of the aesthetic, but carrying Ruto around and getting the boomerang is pretty cool. Then we have the adult dungeons, and holy cow, the Forest Temple is phenomenal. This is still my second favorite dungeon in the entire series, only behind Majora’s Mask’s Stone Tower Temple. Getting the bow is great, especially when it’s used so frequently. The music is fantastic and it really adds to the atmosphere. The ramp up in difficulty really lets you know that things have gotten far more serious. Phantom Ganon is an awesome boss, I really like how it foreshadows the fight with Ganondorf. The Fire Temple really grew on me this playthrough, saving the Gorons makes you feel really good. It’s a shame the hammer is only used a few times in the whole game, I would have loved to see it used more. The Water Temple gets way too much hate, I love this dungeon, second favorite in the game. I think the water level concept is really cool, and it isn’t really that challenging, putting on the iron boots is just tedious (thank you 3DS version). The boss is pretty bad though, and Dark Link is cool in concept but could’ve been executed better, and maybe would have fit more in the Shadow Temple. Speaking of which, the Shadow Temple has a really cool concept, I think it’s really neat with all the guillotines and death traps. It’s the most linear of the dungeons, and while I still like it, that linearity makes it feel a bit simple. The Spirit Temple is great, it’s cool that it takes advantage of both child and adult Link. Mirror puzzles are always awesome, even if they were done better in later entries. Ganon’s Castle is a great final dungeon, it’s a great test of everything you’ve learned so far.
This was my first time playing the original N64 version, my previous playthroughs were on the 3DS. I still think I prefer the 3DS version, the Water Temple changes are pretty good and the graphics are significantly better. The 3DS version looks like what it was intended to be, judging by the art. The graphics are really the only thing that stick out as dating this game, the controls still feel good, especially when compared to Super Mario 64. Both versions of this game are basically the same in most ways though, I’ll definitely be replaying this version occasionally. There is one thing that this version does significantly better than the 3DS version, and that’s the final boss. While the 3DS version is pretty bright, the darkness of the original fits far better. Honestly, I felt very emotional facing Ganon, there’s a sense of dread while there’s a glimmer of hope deep down. Dealing that final blow is incredibly satisfying, and the credit sequence is beautiful. I really can’t ask for a better way for this game to finish.
Here’s to the 25th anniversary of this absolute legend.