Did not beat Ganondorf - so sorry to Hyrule and all that, I watched videos of the final battle, I'd be too frustrated. Undoubtedly one of the most transformative gaming experiences of my lifetime and one that reminded me why I fell in love with the medium as a kid and why coming back to it after some time away was good.
This game pushed me in a lot of ways. My anxiety gets the better of me quite a lot, and I knew this game would undoubtedly make me quite nervous (I struggle with confrontation in real life and behind the controller; perhaps this is why I often go for things that are more sim-like than plot-based games), but I remember that trailer, that moment, those shots of Ganondorf, the leaps and hops and glides that Link took, and I knew I could do it. There were times that faith tested me - I have never had to hype myself up to do something as much as that Deku Tree fight, and I never really got through the Depths without feeling a little nervous. Well, let's be honest. I was quite nervous - especially when I encountered my first Gloom Hands. I was so scared, but I did it. I know that's a silly thing for an adult to admit, but I did it. By the time I reached the Gibdo Queen, and that second Phantom Ganon fight, I was ready for anything (which is quite good because those fights are so annoying, the former especially).
And now it's over. I don't need closure, I got that. Some things I'll never do - I was so close to freeing Lurelin this time, I swear, and I was hit once by a Bokoblin I thought I'd sorted and that was that - and some things I'm surprised I managed to do to be quite honest (beating Kohga, for example, and finally getting through the Regional Phenomena). I avoided monsters, and I took on bad guys. I suffered through Proving Grounds shrines (they're terrible, be real) and soared between Sky Islands. I proved to myself that I can push past my reservations and my fears, and though Link will never save the day, he will at least have tried.
Handing my copy over now. Hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
P.S. Nothing will be as frustrating as finding out Nintendo doesn't tell you if/when your NSO sub is about to run out. Had to find out the hard way and re-up for the year when i wasn't really planning on doing so for a while. Anyway.
This game pushed me in a lot of ways. My anxiety gets the better of me quite a lot, and I knew this game would undoubtedly make me quite nervous (I struggle with confrontation in real life and behind the controller; perhaps this is why I often go for things that are more sim-like than plot-based games), but I remember that trailer, that moment, those shots of Ganondorf, the leaps and hops and glides that Link took, and I knew I could do it. There were times that faith tested me - I have never had to hype myself up to do something as much as that Deku Tree fight, and I never really got through the Depths without feeling a little nervous. Well, let's be honest. I was quite nervous - especially when I encountered my first Gloom Hands. I was so scared, but I did it. I know that's a silly thing for an adult to admit, but I did it. By the time I reached the Gibdo Queen, and that second Phantom Ganon fight, I was ready for anything (which is quite good because those fights are so annoying, the former especially).
And now it's over. I don't need closure, I got that. Some things I'll never do - I was so close to freeing Lurelin this time, I swear, and I was hit once by a Bokoblin I thought I'd sorted and that was that - and some things I'm surprised I managed to do to be quite honest (beating Kohga, for example, and finally getting through the Regional Phenomena). I avoided monsters, and I took on bad guys. I suffered through Proving Grounds shrines (they're terrible, be real) and soared between Sky Islands. I proved to myself that I can push past my reservations and my fears, and though Link will never save the day, he will at least have tried.
Handing my copy over now. Hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
P.S. Nothing will be as frustrating as finding out Nintendo doesn't tell you if/when your NSO sub is about to run out. Had to find out the hard way and re-up for the year when i wasn't really planning on doing so for a while. Anyway.