Game Review: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

One of gaming's greatest remade in 3D.

To think that it's actually been thirteen years. Thirteen years since the original Ocarina of Time was released to universal acclaim on the N64. Without a doubt one of the greatest games ever created, no big surprise in a series that had already given gamers instant classics like The Legend of Zelda, A Link to the Past, and Link's Awakening. And unless you count Link's Awakening being introduced with color on the GBC, Ocarina of Time is now the first Zelda game to receive a substantial graphical overhaul. For those who missed the original, there is no doubt that $40 is a small price to pay to experience arguably the greatest game of all time. But for those who have played it time and time again? The visuals are certainly beautiful, but is that enough to warrant a purchase?

The wonderfully-told story of Link and Zelda's seven-year quest to rid the world of Ganondorf's evil is the same as ever, now aided by impressive visuals. From Link's childhood friend Saria to farm-girl Malon and Link's sworn brother Darunia, you will meet a large cast of loveable characters. To this day, the characters of OoT are my favorite in the series, and even the annoying Navi doesn't hold me back from saying it. These interesting characters not only help Link in his adventure, but they sometimes provide comic relief when the going gets serious, especially in the young Link segments of the game. The lighter, more humorous child half of OoT also mixes incredibly well with the darker adult half of the game, providing a balance that the older, darker Zeldas didn't quite have. Add some excellent plot twists and poignant moments, and it's easy to see why so many people consider OoT's story to be one of (if not) the best in the franchise.

A heartfelt moment between Link and Saria.

Of course, it helps that the graphics are now much-improved over those that were once so amazing during the N64 era. While there are still some murky textures that could've been improved, this is for the most part a complete overhaul. Gone are the pre-rendered backgrounds that permeated much of the original OoT, replaced by beautiful castles and stunning building interiors. Everything is also crystal clear, which is most noticeable when riding Epona through Hyrule's expansive environments. Draw-distance is also improved, and sharper textures result in a stunning Hyrule that would've given people heart-attacks had they seen it thirteen years ago. Character models hold less jagged edges, and are more realistically rounded than those in the N64 game. That means facial expressions are even more convincing than they were in the original, which is saying a lot. Improved lighting effects make for even more brilliant battles, and this is even more special when enemy attacks appear to go right at your face due to the 3D effects. As for the 3D, it is mostly shown off when receiving items, and the 3D has definitely met the hype. It looks very good. You'll get your first dose of it when you step out of Link's home to Kokiri Forest and see the tiny shining lights appear to move out of the screen.

For the most part, the rest of the game remains the same. The dungeon design is still brilliant after so many years; who will forget the zany Forest Temple, the frustrating (but entertainingly so) Water Temple, or the awesome Spirit Temple that fully utilizes the game's time-traveling? The touch-screen mechanics help keep some temples (especially Water) from being as annoying now that you can swiftly select items and gear. Outstanding puzzles and superb one-on-one sword fights will help move you through the dungeons rarely feeling bored, and incredibly memorable mini-bosses are perfect lead-ins to some of the series' best boss fights. The fact that these bosses can actually cause some good chunks of damage will force you to think and strategize like you wouldn't have to in The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. This will lead to some very rewarding battles for newer players. Of course, there are a few problems. Not being able to control the camera at will can result in some annoying moments, and the targeting system has aged in that it sometimes doesn't lock on to what you want it to and can lose fast-moving targets. You also need to find a certain item to save your spot in a dungeon, otherwise expect to be returned to the beginning every time you turn off the 3DS. Of course, these are relatively minor problems and the latter (which is also true for the overworld in that you always start at either Link's house or the Temple of Time) can be avoided by having your 3DS sleep instead of power off.

For those who haven't played OoT before and don't know exactly what to do, it will quickly be obvious that OoT, despite just being of average difficulty when it released, is very much a hardcore game by today's standards. There is no indicator pointing you to your exact destination at all times (although the map often flashes to the city or temple that you need to go). And although Navi will often give hints, you don't have a list of objectives to consult. Indeed, you must talk to every NPC you can find, listen to what they have to say carefully, and actually explore your environments to figure out how to progress. While this might seem like a pain in this day and age, it's actually one of the beauties of OoT. You are the adventurer. If you were in a real adventure, you wouldn't have a magical indicator. If you were out adventuring in a fantasy world, it probably wouldn't be as linear as Twilight Princess was either. Therefore, you have to adventure and talk to people to figure out your way. It can be tough, but it's far more rewarding this way, and if you hold off on grabbing a walkthrough, the words "It's finally over" will have much more meaning when you complete the game. And this is what separates games like OoT, Zelda 1, and ALttP from almost every game created today. To help newer gamers out, Nintendo decided to add Sheikah Stones that give even more hints, one of the last additions to this version.

No more pre-rendered backgrounds.

To distract you from the main quest is an array of side-quests and mini-games. There is a small dungeon that rewards you with a powerful item at the end, and will provide you with several extra hours of puzzles and combat. There is a trade quest that grants you a powerful blade and is a lot of fun. There are people who need help in a variety of ways. From bow shooting to mask selling to Lake Hylia fishing, there are many entertaining distractions present in the land of Hyrule. They all provide worthwhile rewards, but none so much as the Golden Skulltula hunting for the rich family of Kakariko Village. And of course, the exploration in OoT can't be understated. There are many secrets to find scattered throughout the land, and some secret locations award you with some of the game's most powerful items. Searching at night can result in the acquisition of many Golden Skulltulas. And placing magical beans as a child can result in finding heart pieces when the plants have grown seven years later.

And, even after explaining the brilliance of the game's dungeons, battles, and exploration, there is absolutely no way to forget OoT's soundtrack, one of the best in video game history. The sound quality is only a bit better than it was on the N64, but it doesn't even matter. The tunes are shockingly beautiful, and even the short ocarina melodies are stunning: the Serenade of Water, the Nocturne of Shadow, the Song of Storms, and other tunes are beautiful enough that you might want to play them again and again on your ocarina. Stepping into the Temple of Time for the for time can send shivers down the spine, and Zelda's Lullaby (first appearing in ALttP) is as beautiful as ever. There's no doubt in my mind that the music makes the story seem even better than it was, always matching the environments perfectly no matter where you are. And the sound effects match up perfectly as well. The meticulous effort put in to make footsteps and sword clashes sound real and convincing is stunningly obvious. It's mind-blowing to think that these same sound effects were actually present in an N64 game. If you cut a sign in half, you hear of a thud of metal on wood, and then hear the pieces of the sign fall to the ground. If you're walking on a dirt road one moment, and then on stone pavement the next, the soft patters of Link's feet will immediately switch to hard steps befitting the more solid ground. This not only sounds pleasant to the ears, but it also immerses you in the world of Hyrule as if you were actually there. 

Galloping across Hyrule Field is one of gaming's best-ever experiences.

After watching the credits roll and unlocking the more difficult Master Quest, I sat and let this great adventure sink in for the umpteenth time. It didn't give me the same feeling I got after finishing it in 1998, and it won't for those of you who have played it before. But it did convince me, once again, that it is one of the greatest achievements in the history of video games. And those of you who haven't played it before, and want a true adventure that isn't linear and forces you to figure out where to go on your own, will be blown away by this masterpiece. For most Ocarina of Time veterans, I do indeed believe that the updated visuals, addition of Master Quest, and excellent 3D effects are enough to warrant another purchase of this ever-enduring classic. Ocarina of Time is one of those near-perfect adventures that has been matched by only a handful of games ever made, and surpassed by none. It has characters you actually care about, a delightful soundtrack, huge fields to explore, and epic battles from beginning to end. In a generation that has seen games become overly simplified and linear, Ocarina of Time stands tall as a true adventure that takes patience and wit. And this is the definitive version of that unforgettable masterpiece.

Conclusion: 5/5 - Even if you've already experienced it, Ocarina of Time is a must-own.