The greatest game of all time? Yeah, the argument could easily be made. Ocarina of Time is a triumphant, ground-breaking masterpiece who's reverberations can still be felt today. It entwines masterful gameplay and strong environmental storytelling to create a transcendent experience. Dripping with subtext and lore, rich atmosphere throughout it's many incredible dungeons and perhaps the greatest soundtrack in a video game, there really is no rival. The gameplay has aged slightly - Link's roll is practically obsolete, and aiming is abhorrent, but the combat still controls well enough even now. I think what really sets this game apart though is the actual premise, the time travelling mechanic is not only a genius idea but it is also executed to the highest degree, resulting in what may be a timeless story that only seems to improve as you get older - the differences that Link witnesses eventually come to reflect our own lives; as we transition into adulthood, the world becomes a completely different place. Ocarina of Time is ultimately a game that is art - a showcase of what the medium looks like at it's true best, and a constant reminder to the modern day industry of the product of pure distilled passion and soul.

Reviewed on Nov 12, 2023


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