Thirteen years is a long time within the gaming world, thirteen years ago we played games that would become some of the biggest games of the year and of all time including Starcraft, Baldur's Gate and Unreal. Amongst those was the hugely successful Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that would become one of the best RPG games to ever be released and now, it's back with an all new look, but does it live up to what we loved and cherished?
Some of you are old enough to remember those classic N64 days, maybe some of the younger generation were lucky enough to have an older sibling that drew you into the world of Hyrule. If you weren't boy have you missed out, here is a quick recap of what Ocarina of Time is all about. The game is based around a young Hyrulian boy named Link who one day is woken by a magical fairy saying it was time to save the world. There is an evil being called Ganondorf that is bent on crushing the world and turning it into his own little hell by obtaining a sacred relic known as the Triforce and there is only one person that can save Hyrule, you. The story takes place over a set period of time which sees the player travel back and forth making their way through dangerous and complex dungeons to obtain the items to help stop this evil.
For the older gamers, remember those days when you would be happily fishing in the lake with Link and decided “Ok, time to do a dungeon” thinking it was going to be a walk in the park because, it's a game how hard can it be?! How wrong were we, Ocarina of Time offered some of the most challenging and time consuming puzzles that any game had to offer back in the day and they haven't changed a thing.
The game is exactly the same, same story, same events, same characters, it is identical to the original and you cannot fault it in any way just like you couldn't thirteen years ago. The N64 version was the first Zelda to be played in 3D but they never thought that later in life it would be revived to be played in actual 3D. Over the years it has been rated so highly that in 2010 it entered the Guinness Book of Records as the highest rated video game ever reviewed, so the 3DS version has a lot to live up to.
The game is completely remastered with upgraded graphics and offers the player a beautiful version of the game never seen before and the fact that it is portable is an even greater bonus. The worry of most fans of the game was that the 3D might ruin the game for them, but alas, if anything it has made the game even more enjoyable (who thought that possible) and adds a great visual element when playing. Also when using weapons like the bow and the view perspective, moving the 3DS around in the direction you want to aim/view may make you look silly, but it feels great to have that freedom of movement, like you were actually viewing the room that was all around you. Obviously if players do not like the 3D or can't bear to play it too long, switching the 3D off doesn't take anything away from how beautiful it looks.
Also included in the new 3DS version is the loved Master Quest's rearranged dungeons which had been missing on a few previous ports. This version is arguably the best to play if you want to relive the classic game and is definitely the best option for newcomers to the series. Already becoming one of the best sellers and easily the must have game to enjoy the 3D capabilities of the 3DS, Ocarina of Time has lost none of the playability and gained even more shine over the years. There is even an all new "Boss Challenge" mode for players to enjoy.
The game will take a chunk of hours to complete and and with the Master Quest added to this version there is so much playability that you can rarely find in new releases. The game is perfect for on the subway, at home, lunchbreak at work because with the 3DS you don't have to worry about losing your game place you can simply close the 3DS and pick up exactly where you left off. Of course you have to ensure that you save it from time to time in case of battery loss, but then again Zelda will kick you in the teeth if you don't save. There is nothing worse that making your way through the dungeon, getting almost to the end and dying, then having to make your way through it all again because you were careless and didn't save.
It is rare to port a game and ensure that it stays to the same quality as the original, what is even more difficult is bringing a classic of thirteen years back to life on a new system and ensuring that it works. Nintendo have not only ensured that it works, but they have given it a new life and richer face to draw players back into this wonderful world.
Flaws?! It is hard to find any, sure the camera might flick to a strange angle, but it's rare and doesn't bother you. Graphics, you would be hard up to find any glitches. Sound, not at all, those sweet melodies are nostalgic to the ears. Story? Of course no issues here. It truly is a fantastic port and if you did even try to find errors in the game you would be wasting hours of time that you could have been easily enjoying the game instead.
One of the greatest games of all time and easily the best on 3DS to date, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a MUST have for 3DS owners and enthusiasts of RPG and the Zelda series, whether you are an old friend or a newcomer you will not regret picking this up. Beautiful graphics, that wonderful soundtrack, the enthralling story and that damn annoying fairy, the 3DS version has it all and is easily the best port to ever be made of the legend.
