My first Zelda game. Though it's not look at quite as fondly as other 3D Zelda titles, and takes much inspiration from Ocarina, I really enjoyed it. Still really holding out for a Switch remaster/remake.
Didn't mind the motion controls for the combat and such, and really enjoyed using things like the boomerang and bow and arrow due to the motion controls. Obviously, made it hard to zoom in and react to things especially in boss battles, but figured it out. Being the first Zelda game I played, I didn't know any differently how linear it felt, or how much backtracking was required. Warrants a replay for sure, but just found it very freeing to explore Hyrule, rolling around the Field and listening to the grandiose music. Dispelling the Twilight was very satisfying since it was so freaky, and then collecting the Mirror of Twilight Shards was cool in re-treading new ground to find the temples like Snowpeak Ruins and Temple of Time. Even being my first Zelda, seeing the Temple of Time appear from re-inserting the Master Sword was really special and I felt that history.
I remember getting confused leading up to the Forest Temple because of the backtracking required with the monkeys and lanterns and all that, and did find the start slow, but it gave me time to get my bearings.
That reminds me, the small things of stealing lantern oil or healing oil from the guy in Ordon forest, or having to collect the golden bugs, or playing the double Clawshot game in the Town, or the crazy Malo Mart...all quite cool and gave the game a lot of character. Still have memories completing all the levels in the tilting marble game in the Fishing hole.
Midna was also a fun companion, had a compelling story and honestly enjoyed being a wolf just to have Midna interact with things more. A lot more nuance to her character, and Midna's Lament is a standout for sure - though I wish it didn't stop playing if you were approached by an enemy, I remember that being an annoyance that took me out of the atmosphere.
Still have nightmares about those Zant hands in the Palace of Twilight.
And the Cave of Ordeals was extremely satisfying to power through, very proud of myself for getting through all 50 floors, especially the triple Darknuts at the end.
Didn't mind the motion controls for the combat and such, and really enjoyed using things like the boomerang and bow and arrow due to the motion controls. Obviously, made it hard to zoom in and react to things especially in boss battles, but figured it out. Being the first Zelda game I played, I didn't know any differently how linear it felt, or how much backtracking was required. Warrants a replay for sure, but just found it very freeing to explore Hyrule, rolling around the Field and listening to the grandiose music. Dispelling the Twilight was very satisfying since it was so freaky, and then collecting the Mirror of Twilight Shards was cool in re-treading new ground to find the temples like Snowpeak Ruins and Temple of Time. Even being my first Zelda, seeing the Temple of Time appear from re-inserting the Master Sword was really special and I felt that history.
I remember getting confused leading up to the Forest Temple because of the backtracking required with the monkeys and lanterns and all that, and did find the start slow, but it gave me time to get my bearings.
That reminds me, the small things of stealing lantern oil or healing oil from the guy in Ordon forest, or having to collect the golden bugs, or playing the double Clawshot game in the Town, or the crazy Malo Mart...all quite cool and gave the game a lot of character. Still have memories completing all the levels in the tilting marble game in the Fishing hole.
Midna was also a fun companion, had a compelling story and honestly enjoyed being a wolf just to have Midna interact with things more. A lot more nuance to her character, and Midna's Lament is a standout for sure - though I wish it didn't stop playing if you were approached by an enemy, I remember that being an annoyance that took me out of the atmosphere.
Still have nightmares about those Zant hands in the Palace of Twilight.
And the Cave of Ordeals was extremely satisfying to power through, very proud of myself for getting through all 50 floors, especially the triple Darknuts at the end.