Majora's Mask: An overlooked game? In the shadow of Ocarina of Time. (with a little poll)

[Flying-Emu]

MM was a game, I feel, for a thinking gamer, whether they're a Zelda fan or not. It was dark, often morose and incredibly sombre in places. But there were story-telling gems there... for all watching the moon hurtling towards Termina, moody music and all, could bring me to tears, the same scenario after completing one of the particularly challenging and lengthy side quests was one of the most heart-warming and endearing pieces of video-game narrative I've ever seen.

I can only assume you mean the climax of the Couple's Mask storyline. If not, correct me, but I would totally agree. The Couple's Quest was one of the most well-written, well-planned sidequests in LoZ history; far above and beyond its contemporaries. By the end of the third day, you really did care about Kafei and Anju, and it was absolutely heartbreaking for me when

Spoiler

They decided to stay in Clock Town, even as the moon fell. Because of that one scene, I actually did the entire quest over again after I had finished the Ikana Canyon and gotten all the masks so that I could know that those two didn't get squishied and were able to live happily ever after.

At least, I'm assuming they lived happily ever after.

 

[Boneasse]

Spoiler

They decided to stay in Clock Town, even as the moon fell. Because of that one scene, I actually did the entire quest over again after I had finished the Ikana Canyon and gotten all the masks so that I could know that those two didn't get squishied and were able to live happily ever after.

At least, I'm assuming they lived happily ever after.

I certainly hope so!

 

[maxusy3k]

I can only assume you mean the climax of the Couple's Mask storyline.

Precisely.

 

[Vendetta7776]

The only problem i had with majoras mask was that it was a lot harder to start a dungeon in that one than it was in ocarina of time.

 

[4RT1LL3RY]

I loved Majoras Mask. The thing that hurt it though is what it does in those first 72 minutes, first 3 days. You are stripped of your identity, transformed into a monster, and lose the one thing you could relate to in the game. Many people didn't like those first 72 minutes so they didn't finish it. After that first day it was amazing what the world offer. I was very glad to have the song of time, when played a certain way which slowed times flow to a fraction of normal.

 

[LevelSix]

I don't like time-limit missions. Consider my feelings toward an entire game of time limits.

Yeah, pretty much that.

 

[runnerbelow]

I preferred Majora's Mask. Sure there was a time limit, but to me that only helped add to the challenge. The game was genuinely challenging, and you really had to think about what you were doing, and the biggest improvement was the dungeon design. Really with OOT, the dungeons were huge, and tedious (I'm looking at the water temple) and yes, I know we shouldn't nitpick and complain, but just try to finish the level, but with the dungeon itself, It was one big maze of trial and error. Pick a path, if it's right continue on, if it's wrong, start over. Rinse and repeat like three times. At least in MM the dungeons were actually thought out much better. Also, it was really innovative. The dialogue was better and I actually cared about some of the characters. The game didn't make me feel as though what you're doing is unnecessary considering it was inevitable. Also, the fierce Deity Mask is the greatest gamebreaker ever.

 

[Librarian Mike]

I respect Majora's Mask in that it is, as with all Zelda games, of high quality. Also, they tried something different which blows a hole in the usual argument people give for trashing the series (i.e. they're all the same blah blah). I tried and tried though, and just couldn't get into it. Mostly I think it's because of the time limit. I can't enjoy games where I'm always having to watch the clock.

This is, of course, all just personal preference. I still think the series peaked with Link to the Past. Then again, I'm old.