Ocarina of Time is a landmark game for the entire video game industry. For a first step into 3D game design, this is unbelievable. Staples of game design that are now foundational pieces of the way that we experience games in the third dimension basically all got their start in this game. Things that we take for granted, like targeting systems and context sensitive button commands, which seem really basic now, all revolutionized the way that games could envelop a player into an experience seamlessly. The story is also a complete classic that doesn't get enough credit in the grander scheme of Zelda narratives. The subtlety and maturity with which this game handles its primary themes is really quite special, and it totally makes sense that so many people would associate this game with their childhoods in that respect. Visually, the 3DS version of this looks and runs great too.
It's unfortunate that I didn't have as fun of a time with this game as I was expecting. I've never truly finished Ocarina of Time to the very end, and I guess now it kind of makes sense to me in terms of why that is for me personally. Despite how important this game is to the industry that I love, I have to take issue with some aspects of it. While I'm sure it was huge at time of release, the overworld in this game is painfully bleak and empty. Hyrule field and the surrounding areas that serve as connectors to the main areas of the game may as well be glorified loading screens, as it feels like I'm doing nothing but pressing up on my circle pad and smashing the A button between dungeons. I understand that there are plenty of unique goodies scattered across each section of the world, but I seriously can't be bothered to seek them out when the movement of this game is so god damn slow in addition to the empty nature of the world.
The dungeons in this game are great, with the only real stinker being Jabu-Jabu's Belly, which is a terribly frustrating exercise in tedium. Other than that, the puzzles within each dungeon were excellent explorations of 3D space that stretched my brain consistently. Most of the bosses are complete garbage though, I'm not gonna lie. Whether they are hilariously easy or just really goddamn annoying is pretty much a coinflip for any given dungeon. Lastly, the combat in this game, while fun, can feel like a serious chore against a lot of the enemies that don't fight back very much yet can only be damaged when they let their guard down to attack. This results in waiting... a whole lot of waiting in combat. Stalfos are easily the worst offender as you can stand completely still for what feels like goddamn hours without them as much as moving a muscle. As a result, it really feels like combat is a weak point in this entry despite the fact that Link can use one of my favorite arsenals of items in any Zelda game.
The music and atmosphere of this game is next level though. This is a bit of a side note, but I wish Zelda would go back to putting deadass creepy shit in their games like the Bottom of the Well and the Shadow Temple; those areas are just dripping in atmosphere, and the same goes for other areas and dungeons like the Water Temple and Forest Temple.
Ultimately, I commend this game for being such a bold step into a brand-new dimension of gaming and being such a resounding success despite how badly something like this could have turned out; Nintendo absolutely knocked it out of the park and defined the entire future of gaming. It's just unfortunate that it seems to be showing a bit of its age in terms of scope and combat.
It's unfortunate that I didn't have as fun of a time with this game as I was expecting. I've never truly finished Ocarina of Time to the very end, and I guess now it kind of makes sense to me in terms of why that is for me personally. Despite how important this game is to the industry that I love, I have to take issue with some aspects of it. While I'm sure it was huge at time of release, the overworld in this game is painfully bleak and empty. Hyrule field and the surrounding areas that serve as connectors to the main areas of the game may as well be glorified loading screens, as it feels like I'm doing nothing but pressing up on my circle pad and smashing the A button between dungeons. I understand that there are plenty of unique goodies scattered across each section of the world, but I seriously can't be bothered to seek them out when the movement of this game is so god damn slow in addition to the empty nature of the world.
The dungeons in this game are great, with the only real stinker being Jabu-Jabu's Belly, which is a terribly frustrating exercise in tedium. Other than that, the puzzles within each dungeon were excellent explorations of 3D space that stretched my brain consistently. Most of the bosses are complete garbage though, I'm not gonna lie. Whether they are hilariously easy or just really goddamn annoying is pretty much a coinflip for any given dungeon. Lastly, the combat in this game, while fun, can feel like a serious chore against a lot of the enemies that don't fight back very much yet can only be damaged when they let their guard down to attack. This results in waiting... a whole lot of waiting in combat. Stalfos are easily the worst offender as you can stand completely still for what feels like goddamn hours without them as much as moving a muscle. As a result, it really feels like combat is a weak point in this entry despite the fact that Link can use one of my favorite arsenals of items in any Zelda game.
The music and atmosphere of this game is next level though. This is a bit of a side note, but I wish Zelda would go back to putting deadass creepy shit in their games like the Bottom of the Well and the Shadow Temple; those areas are just dripping in atmosphere, and the same goes for other areas and dungeons like the Water Temple and Forest Temple.
Ultimately, I commend this game for being such a bold step into a brand-new dimension of gaming and being such a resounding success despite how badly something like this could have turned out; Nintendo absolutely knocked it out of the park and defined the entire future of gaming. It's just unfortunate that it seems to be showing a bit of its age in terms of scope and combat.
8 Comments
ChatKeKeT strikes again
Are you just trying to be different...
@GoombaOfHyrule no, I still enjoyed the game and I mentioned how its impact is clearly not lost on me, but it has some big issues. most of them come from its age and the fact that it was the first try at a 3D adventure game on that scale but I still gotta hold those moments against it to be fair.
@manhasev It is a game that could never be made today... Please play it again and maybe you will enjoy it more?! BTW!!!!! METROID BUDDY!!!!!
Play it again
First follower thank you, maybe I will play your games
Raise the score.
guah
3 months ago
While the review highlights several positive aspects of Ocarina of Time, there are significant flaws that undermine its status as a legendary game. Firstly, the praise for its pioneering 3D design and foundational gameplay mechanics overlooks the game's fundamental shortcomings. While targeting systems and context-sensitive commands were innovative at the time, they are rudimentary by modern standards and hardly revolutionary in today's gaming landscape. The assertion that the story is a classic is subjective and fails to acknowledge its simplistic narrative structure and one-dimensional characters, especially compared to more sophisticated storytelling in contemporary games. Furthermore, while the 3DS version may improve visuals and performance, it does little to address the game's core issues.
You rightly critique the game's overworld as bleak and empty, with vast expanses like Hyrule Field feeling like tedious filler content rather than engaging exploration. Despite scattered collectibles, the lack of meaningful content in these areas underscores a design flaw that detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, while some dungeons offer compelling puzzles, others like Jabu-Jabu's Belly frustrate players with tedious mechanics, highlighting inconsistency in level design. Moreover, the criticism of boss battles as either laughably easy or overly frustrating underscores a lack of balance and depth in gameplay mechanics.
Combat, a central aspect of any action-adventure game, suffers from tedious waiting periods and repetitive encounters, particularly against enemies like Stalfos. Your frustration with combat mechanics reflects a broader issue with pacing and engagement that undermines the game's overall enjoyment. While the music and atmosphere receive praise, they cannot compensate for the game's fundamental gameplay flaws and lackluster world-building.
In conclusion, while Ocarina of Time deserves recognition for its historical significance and contributions to the gaming industry, it ultimately falls short of its lofty reputation. Its outdated mechanics, shallow storytelling, and tedious gameplay mechanics detract from its legacy, relegating it to a relic of its time rather than a timeless masterpiece. As gaming evolves, it's essential to critically evaluate classics like Ocarina of Time, recognizing their impact while acknowledging their flaws and limitations. Please reevaluate the score of this game and consider lowering it.