Absolutely incredible. Matches Ocarina of Time while still standing very strong on its own merits.
Despite its heavy reuse of assets, Majora’s Mask is a vastly different experience from its predecessor. You are constantly on a three day time limit, and you need to plan out everything to do each cycle and do it all in time. Should you run out of time, the moon will fall and destroy the world. This mechanic truly puts you in Link’s shoes, and helps you get the hang of time management.
Majora’s Mask is also much darker than the rest of the series. On the first day, the land of Termina is very lively, with only the slightest hint of uneasiness. As the cycle goes on, more and more people panic as the moon comes closer and closer to crushing the earth. The fear peaks with the night of the final day, when few remain calm beneath the large moon blood red sky. The final night prompts you to reset the cycle, living in the same nightmare until it’s all over. The cycle and the mood it ensues are enough to cement this game’s place as a story that can only be told in one medium.
In spite of all this despair, there is one boy who, despite losing everything he held dear in his last adventure, is willing to risk his life to save another world, giving its inhabitants hope. This game is the Yin and Yang of hope and despair. This is a perfect extension from the themes present in Ocarina of Time, as that game demonstrates how growing up makes you realize how dark the world really is. Majora’s Mask demonstrates that no matter how dark everything may seem, there is always a ray of hope.
On top of all the depression, Majora’s Mask remains a fun time throughout. Exploring, fighting, and solving people’s problems remains as fun as ever. The only things holding this game back from topping Ocarina of Time, at least for me, are the dungeons being fewer in number and, with one exception, not being quite as good, and the fact that I feel like I had to look up a guide a lot more in this game. Aside from that, Majora’s Mask is still a timeless masterpiece that lives up to its predecessor and remains its own rich experience.
04/30/2022 EDIT: Fuck it, this is my favorite game of all time now
Despite its heavy reuse of assets, Majora’s Mask is a vastly different experience from its predecessor. You are constantly on a three day time limit, and you need to plan out everything to do each cycle and do it all in time. Should you run out of time, the moon will fall and destroy the world. This mechanic truly puts you in Link’s shoes, and helps you get the hang of time management.
Majora’s Mask is also much darker than the rest of the series. On the first day, the land of Termina is very lively, with only the slightest hint of uneasiness. As the cycle goes on, more and more people panic as the moon comes closer and closer to crushing the earth. The fear peaks with the night of the final day, when few remain calm beneath the large moon blood red sky. The final night prompts you to reset the cycle, living in the same nightmare until it’s all over. The cycle and the mood it ensues are enough to cement this game’s place as a story that can only be told in one medium.
In spite of all this despair, there is one boy who, despite losing everything he held dear in his last adventure, is willing to risk his life to save another world, giving its inhabitants hope. This game is the Yin and Yang of hope and despair. This is a perfect extension from the themes present in Ocarina of Time, as that game demonstrates how growing up makes you realize how dark the world really is. Majora’s Mask demonstrates that no matter how dark everything may seem, there is always a ray of hope.
On top of all the depression, Majora’s Mask remains a fun time throughout. Exploring, fighting, and solving people’s problems remains as fun as ever. The only things holding this game back from topping Ocarina of Time, at least for me, are the dungeons being fewer in number and, with one exception, not being quite as good, and the fact that I feel like I had to look up a guide a lot more in this game. Aside from that, Majora’s Mask is still a timeless masterpiece that lives up to its predecessor and remains its own rich experience.
04/30/2022 EDIT: Fuck it, this is my favorite game of all time now