[HEADING=1]Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[/HEADING]
Developer(s) Nintendo EAD
Director(s) - Eiji Aonuma& Yoshiaki Koizumi
Producer(s) - Shigeru Miyamoto
Platform(s) - Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console
Release date(s)- November 21, 1998
Genre(s) - Action-adventure
Mode(s) - Single-player
Rating(s)- ESRB: E (Everyone)
Director(s) - Eiji Aonuma& Yoshiaki Koizumi
Producer(s) - Shigeru Miyamoto
Platform(s) - Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console
Release date(s)- November 21, 1998
Genre(s) - Action-adventure
Mode(s) - Single-player
Rating(s)- ESRB: E (Everyone)
Anyways, I created this review series so that I can try and keep Pimpin Reviews on the more current path rather than look back at the oldies. This is also a more serious attempt at reviewing, with no silly captions. As you can see, it will also feature a review score out of 100. Feel free to criticize me, but I feel like it?s the more professional thing to do. So when you comment, please try to include what level of professionalism you felt while reading the review. I'd like to apologize to other reviewers for posting two reviews at once, it wont happen again. Pimpin Reviews will continue its weekly schedule, but Gentlemen will be more spontaneous
The Legend of Zelda series are the type of games that with every new release inevitably sends the gaming world into turmoil. The most astounding thing, however, is that it is one of the only handful of classics that have been able to cross boundaries of generations of gamers. To many, The Legend of Zelda is the only game that left such an impression, and such sweet nostalgic memories on almost every generation of players. Though not the first game in the series, Ocarina of Time predates all other Zelda games chronologically. Before the hero of time even existed and back when Ganondorf was merely a pawn in the court of the king. Arguably, Ocarina of Time is the Zelda game that elevated the series to the status and prestige that it holds today. And it all started like any other Zelda game, following the adventures of a kokiri boy named Link.
[img_inline caption="Link's fairy companion" width=340 height=220 align=right]http://ui32.gamefaqs.com/1535/gfs_83637_2_4.jpg[/img_inline]
The game takes place in the fictional Kingdom of Hyrule characterized by its diverse races and unique topography. In a mystical part of that land lays a hidden forbidden forest. Where a great tree watches over the child like citizens. The kokiri, as they?re called, each have their own fairy protector. Except for one tormented fairly-less protagonist. Ocarina of Time?s story isn?t exactly award worthy, essentially focusing on the power struggle between good and evil. But when the Deku Tree falls fatally ill, he calls his loyal fairy servant Navi to go to Link for aid. He warns Link of a great evil ready to plague Hyrule.
The forewarning bestowed by the tree directs Link to Princess Zelda of Hyrule Castle. She warns him of a new Machiavellian-type courtier, Ganondorf. A man whom she thinks is eying to capture the Triforce, a mystical relic capable of bestowing godlike powers. To stop him Link will have to bounce in time between gathering allies and solving mysteries to free the sages, who are being held captive in the dungeons of Ganondorf?s minions. Links quest spans through every corner of Hyrule as it falls to destruction by the hands of the new evil dictator.
The power of Ocarina of Time lays in its ability to draw the player in. The gameplay mechanics are spread throughout the game rather than dropped on the player from the start. This way it becomes second nature, and the player isn't stuck to a handful of easily memorized moves. But Ocarina of Time didn?t stop at just being easy to play, but it also redefined the entire genre. The game is responsible for pioneering some of the most prominent features in third person action games. The auto lock feature, which allows the player to interact with a specific point in the world and Context sensitive buttons also changed the way players interacted with the 3D world around them.
[img_inline caption="Auto-Target system still exist today" width=340 height=220 align=left]http://ptcgaming.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ocarina-of-time.jpg[/img_inline]
Time travel plays a huge role in the game, and for possibly the first time in history, it?s done tastefully. Link can voyage at the drop of a hat between his boyish charms and adult hood. The great thing is actions and exploits in the past are mirrored in the future. For example planting a beanstalk as a boy will result in a fully grown plant in the future. The best thing though, is that little things like planting seeds have gigantic impacts in the future, and that tiny beanstalk will grant access to a new area.
Possibly the most memorable part of the game is its delightful music. The titular ocarina is Link's favorite tool, and using six different notes, the player can perform various tasks; from swapping between day and night to calling his trusty steed Epona. But the experience doesn?t stop there from the field to the marketplace; each location has a distinct and memorable acoustics. There?s even little minigames where you can play against other musicians throughout the game. Either way, you?ll start off as a little kokiri boy on his way to becoming the Hero of Time, but on the way you?ll become much more. The game is filled to the brim with things to do away from the main quest; from horseback racing, to archery, to fishing, or even simply walking around flirting with the exotic geroudo guards. The player is free to go as he pleases, and the pacing is different for each individual.
Despite the inferiority of the cartridge over the competitors CD-ROMs, Nintendo sill created the most beautiful game of its date. Ocarina of Time is the first 3D Zelda game, at a time where the true 3D world was just making its way into gaming. Every corner of Hyrule is simply beautiful. Colors are vibrant, forests are lush, and the waterfalls simply breathtaking. Large scale boss battles and pre rendered background push the old cinematic limits. This is of course, restricted to its time period. The graphics of back in the day can clearly not compare to the high end and cell shaded graphics of today. The game has not aged well, but it is far from unplayable.
[img_inline caption="The Ocarina of Time plays a huge role in Link's quest" width=340 height=220 align=right]http://campinfinity.cs.luc.edu/Members/session1/group6/kristen/1998_pic[/img_inline]
Most of the game fallows around dungeon diving and gathering collectables. Each Dungeon is more memorable than the last, and puzzles and enemies each more clever and deadly than the last. However, some dungeons are extremely convoluted and hard to navigate, and any given mistake can result in endless amounts of backtracking. Fans of the prior installments might feel disappointed in the open world quality especially given the maze like qualities of the old Zelda games. The lack of a jump button takes getting used to, and Links way of grabbing onto ledges when he wants to climb can be incredibly annoying. Another high point in frustration is the manner in which Link pitter-patters slowly though the field is obnoxious, and the voices he and his fairy partner make can get infuriating. Combat is mainly smooth, but can feel monotonous waiting to counter attacks in those high packed action dungeons. But the design of the dungeons, though complex, is simply ingenious, and navigating through to the ending is thrilling and satisfying.
Ocarina of Time has been Nintendo?s every answer to everything videogame design. Ocarina of Time undeniable status as a classic has made all its fallacies part of its own unique experience. From the defining screech of Navi to Links ?hiya?s, the game has permanently placed itself as a landmark of gaming culture. Nintendo has created a game that doesn?t rely on excessive gore or controversial material, but once that can be enjoyed by gamers universally. I cannot justify a perfect score, but it is one heck of an experience.
Thanks to [user]Sir John The Net Knight[/user] for his help on the review.
Dragon Age: Origins VS Rise of the Agronauts [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.177118-Pimpin-Reviews-Dragon-Age-Origins-vs-Rise-of-the-Argonauts]
Dragon Age Origins: DLC [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.180366-Pimpin-Reviews-Dragon-Age-Origins-DLC]
The Hero of Time (Legend of Zelda Fan Movie) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.183579-Pimpin-Reviews-The-Hero-of-Time-The-Ocarina-of-Time-fan-movie]
The Knuckleduster:
Mass Effect 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182033-Pimppeter2-and-Domble-present-The-Knuckleduster-Mass-Effect-2]
Gentlemen:
The Legend of Zelda: OOT
Other:
The Dinner Game [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.179110-The-Dinner-Game-Movie-Review]
Dragon Age Origins: DLC [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.180366-Pimpin-Reviews-Dragon-Age-Origins-DLC]
The Hero of Time (Legend of Zelda Fan Movie) [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.183579-Pimpin-Reviews-The-Hero-of-Time-The-Ocarina-of-Time-fan-movie]
The Knuckleduster:
Mass Effect 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182033-Pimppeter2-and-Domble-present-The-Knuckleduster-Mass-Effect-2]
Gentlemen:
The Legend of Zelda: OOT
Other:
The Dinner Game [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.179110-The-Dinner-Game-Movie-Review]
Red Alert 2
Okami
Halo 2
(Feel Free to recommend!)
Okami
Halo 2
(Feel Free to recommend!)