MovieChat Forums > Zeruda no densetsu: Toki no okarina (1998) Discussion > Though this is a Great Game, it's not my...

Though this is a Great Game, it's not my favorite of the series...

posted 13 years ago by MaximumMadness
4 replies | jump to latest

I just replayed this twice on the 3DS, and I have to say, looking back, this is still a fantastic game, and at the time was a perfect 10. But I think nostalgia is kind of making people turn a blind eye to some issues with the game, and I have to say, in retrospect, it is not my favorite Zelda. In fact, there games both before and after this one that I felt were better all-in-all.

I'd rank this game under both A Link to the Past and Wind Waker as perhaps my third favorite Zelda. (Haven't gotten to play Skyward Sword yet, which I've heard some people claim is the best, but will once I can replace my Wii-Cords, which got destroyed in the flooding in September when my house was completely obliterated)

Yes, I know saying I liked Wind Waker better than this is heresy to many gamers, but I have to say, I had some real problems with the quick pacing of OoT (replaying it recently made me feel it moved to fast for the high stakes to really set in), and how key characters were underdeveloped. A prime example for me is Saria, who is established as a close friend of Link. A few key scenes, such as when Link leaves the forest and when she emerges as a sage, actually gave their relationship an almost tragic-romance flavor, and when I first played, I was kind of touched, as it almost had a hint of a bittersweet "Romance that could never be." But playing it just last week left me feeling that it could have been developed far more, by just the addition of one or two more scenes. The same could be said for other characters. I just feel there isn't enough development to the characters.

Whereas, Wind Waker spends more time establishing the characters, developing their conflicts, etc. It felt like a more complete story to me.

And though A Link to the Past doesn't have an especially deep storyline, it perfected the gameplay in a way that Ocarina just didn't quite match, in my eyes.

Anyone else feel this way, or have another game in the series that they think is better than Ocarina?

And FURTHERMORE, this is my signature! SERIOUSLY! Did you think I was still talking about my point?

[–] ThePoolOfDeath 13 years ago

Yeah man I hear ya. I would defo rank Windwaker over OoT.

You make very good points about OoT, but what we all have to bear in mind, is how new the N64 tech was when it was released. They hadn't properly maxed out its potencial by 1998, on top of the fact the console (IMO) had alot of limits anyways.

I think this reflects alot on Majoras Mask, as by 2000 (and an Expansion pak) There was ALOT more detail put in by comparison, with all environments rendered in 3D rather than 2d static images.

Let me be clear I LOVE Ocarina, but like yourself it's not my fav Zelda game. That lil sweetheart goes too Windwaker also haha

Heres to playing what will surely be a SWEET game of Skyward Sword!!!

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M:I4 10/10

[–] areyouserious123 13 years ago

Windwaker was good, but I(not being blinded as nostalgia since I've played Zelda games for literally my whole life) I would rank it behind Ocarina of Time, Link to the Past, and maybe say it's tied with, or a little behind Twilight Princess.

Question, how old were you guys when you first played Windwaker?

Who are you?! I'm the Doctor!!

[–] MaximumMadness 13 years ago

Sorry I'm a few months late, areyouserious123.

I was 11 when I first played Ocarina of Time, and about 16 when I first played Wind Waker. Ocarina has more nostalgia as the first 3D Zelda and for pinoeering a lot of conventions of gameplay, but even at the time, I thought Wind Waker blew it out of the water, and I've found myself replaying Wind Waker more and more, and replaying Ocarina less and less.

The graphics in Wind Waker, which I hated at first, because a great asset to it, as they both complimented and constrasted the darker, more provocative storyline.

And FURTHERMORE, this is my signature! SERIOUSLY! Did you think I was still talking about my point?

[–] Mhjm6 11 years ago

Nah Wind Waker is too cartoonish for the change and there's no beauty to look at when you're sailing. Each to his own...