Game of the Month #46 (November 2018): The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Our story opens in a small village in the Kokiri Forest, where small child-like people known as Kokiri inhabitant. Each of the residents here have their own fairy companion that act as a guardian and as a friend. However, one child, Link, has yet to get his fairy and has been ostracized because of it. One day, the boy is awoken from a nightmare by a fairy. This fairy was sent by the Great Deku Tree to get the boy for a favor. This sparks the beginning of an adventure that will lead the boy and his fairy companion out of the forest, across the land of Hyrule, and even across time.

Public Service Announcement

Majora's Mask is the superior game.

That is all

Public Service Announcement

Majora's Mask is the superior game.

That is all

Hey now! We don't need your correct opinion in here.

Public Service Announcement

Majora's Mask is the superior game.

That is all

A Link to the Past is the best Zelda game

That's what great about the Zelda franchise. Almost all of them are very good games and each person has a favorite. We could also argue that Wind Waker or Twilight Princess are the best. I've complete LttP a few months ago and while the game still holds up well, it has nowhere as much depth as OoT, MM or TP in my opinion. In the end, I still think that OoT is a very special game. When it came out, it surprised everybody with its size and story. Making such a huge adventure game in 3D was unheard of.

Right just finished my first session of OoT. This is my third attempt in trying to complete the game and hopefully I will get it done. It's easier then I actually remember and shorter. I got through the first dungeon in the first hour. Still I'm enjoying my experience although the lack of a second analog stick his hurting the camera still the lock on system while not perfect does simplify and make the combat more accessible.

Oh and wind waker is the best zelda

Right just finished my first session of OoT. This is my third attempt in trying to complete the game and hopefully I will get it done. It's easier then I actually remember and shorter. I got through the first dungeon in the first hour. Still I'm enjoying my experience although the lack of a second analog stick his hurting the camera still the lock on system while not perfect does simplify and make the combat more accessible.

Oh and wind waker is the best zelda

While I like WW a lot, it's not my favourite Zelda. I think that would go to BotW and/or TP. But while playing WW, I had this huge feeling of freedom, adventure and optimism that few Zelda games have in my opinion. It definetly has the best art style. The HD Remaster is gorgeous !

Got an excuse to do a 100% run of this, been a few years.. so far through two dungeons, and got 8 heart pieces and 20 skulltulas, not doing too bad so far!

And I guess if we're talking Zelda opinions, I'd go (just for 3D) TP > WW > OoT > MM. Majora's Mask 3D makes the game better but I still find it pretty boring and I haven't been able to push through it yet. It just feels like another Zelda game to me and nothing about it felt really nice, Idk. I think the hype kinda killed it for me probably, nowadays I feel like "Majora's Mask is the best Zelda game" is a more normal opinion than "OoT is the best" so yeah, not much of a reason. I just like the other games better, I guess.

Though I guess for 2D Zelda games included. I'm a huge Link Between Worlds fan and I like it better than LttP, though I love that game! I think LBW has really solid dungeon design

If I were to rank the Zelda games I've played so far it would be:

1.) Ocarina of Time
2.) Breath of the Wild
3.) Wind Waker
4.) Majora's Mask
5.) Skyward Sword
6.) Twilight Princess
7.) Link to the Past
8.) Link Between Worlds
9.) Phantom Hourglass
10.) Original

I admittedly have a bias toward the 3D styled games over the 2D ones, but I've absolutely loved pretty much all of them so far except for Phantom Hourglass and the original, which I still like but not nearly as much as the rest.

Also I've been really wanting to replay Ocarina recently, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to finally play the 3DS version I've had for awhile. I am a bit busy at the moment though, so not sure when I'll start it up but I plan on doing so whenever I get the opportunity.

Well that didn't take long lol, ended up starting and playing through the first dungeon last night. It already interesting to play this now that I've played all the other 3D Zeldas. I remember the first time through this beginning portion took me a bit to get through, as I was learning the controls and mechanics, while this time I breezed right through it. I'm curious to see how many of the puzzles I remember this time through and if I will struggle at the same parts I did the last time.

I'm also planning on trying to 100% it this time, which is something I never really try to do in games, but last time I almost did 100%, I just didn't get all the golden skulltula's and missed the ice arrows. I doubt I will finish the game this month though, ass Zelda game usually take me a few months to complete since I tend to take my time and not rush.

Also not sure if this is a controversial opinion but I really like the gyro controls for aiming. I remember in the N64 version aiming with the slingshot and bow was a bit of a pain and clunky, granted it was a restriction of the controller and time. So far the gyro aiming seems to be proving to be a great improvement and makes aiming easier and faster. Not sure if this is just me, since I also used the gyro aiming most of the time in Breath of the Wild, and feel it helps me make small adjustments better and be more precise overall, kind of like a mouse on a computer.

Spirit Tracks is the best Zelda game.
Change my mind

Well that didn't take long lol, ended up starting and playing through the first dungeon last night. It already interesting to play this now that I've played all the other 3D Zeldas. I remember the first time through this beginning portion took me a bit to get through, as I was learning the controls and mechanics, while this time I breezed right through it. I'm curious to see how many of the puzzles I remember this time through and if I will struggle at the same parts I did the last time.

I'm also planning on trying to 100% it this time, which is something I never really try to do in games, but last time I almost did 100%, I just didn't get all the golden skulltula's and missed the ice arrows. I doubt I will finish the game this month though, ass Zelda game usually take me a few months to complete since I tend to take my time and not rush.

Also not sure if this is a controversial opinion but I really like the gyro controls for aiming. I remember in the N64 version aiming with the slingshot and bow was a bit of a pain and clunky, granted it was a restriction of the controller and time. So far the gyro aiming seems to be proving to be a great improvement and makes aiming easier and faster. Not sure if this is just me, since I also used the gyro aiming most of the time in Breath of the Wild, and feel it helps me make small adjustments better and be more precise overall, kind of like a mouse on a computer.

I loved the gyro in BotW. It was fantastic and accurate. My only experience with OoT was on the N64 when it came out. Aiming was clunky, as you mentionned, but not enough to break the game.

I have two missions left to complete Splinter Cell then I'm jumping right to OoT. I own it on N64, but my TV won't sync with the signal output of the N64. I own a second copy on the 3DS but it's at my father's and he currently plays it. I will play the GameCube port emulated with Dolphin. I have recorded some gameplay that I shared in the Book Club thread. With HD textures, extended draw distance and a widescreen hack, the game looks amazing in 1080p. I also got myself a nice USB N64 controller for my PC. This will be useful to play all these other N64 games that are in my backlog.

And also, people don't mention Link's Awakening which is almost as good as LttP in my opinion. And also Minish Cap which, while different, was quite fun for me !

My top 3 picks for Zelda games would be
1) Majora's Mask
2) Breath of the Wild
3) Skyward Sword

I'm currently playing OoT on the N64, and after the beauty of gyro aim, the clunky controls felt like a slap in the face. I got used to it pretty quickly though, and I can't wait to bomb some dodongos!... I mean, I can't wait to get my work for college done to jump back into the game!

I'm approximately five hours (Edit: now six) in the game. That was enough to collect the two first Spiritual Stones. So far, the game is fun and progresses at a nice pace. What I like about not having played since when the game came out, is that I almost don't remember anything about the game, which is what I was hoping for. I feel like it's holding up pretty well so far. Can't wait to play more. If I have the time, I might play live on Facebook again tonight, maybe for an hour or so... we'll see ! :)

Edit: I did play live on Facebook. Not a long session, barely 45-50 minutes. Check it out if you want. Be warned, spoilers ahead ! ;) https://www.facebook.com/michel.morand1/videos/2010433499004919/

Glad to be getting back into this. Previously got to the Forest Temple around March but got distracted by other stuff.

It's good fun and I can see why it was a big deal at the time. I also like that the puzzles aren't super obvious and take a bit of effort.

7h30m in and I'm finally adult Link ! So far so good ! The game is still fun and challenging !

Playing Ocarina of Time with an emulator, HD textures, extended draw distances, in widescreen and in 1080p...

Pros:
- Looks gorgeous !
- Looks beautiful !!
- Looks amazing !!!

Cons:
- When Dolphin crashes after 90 minutes of gameplay and progress and that you realize you haven't saved a single time.

Damn ! Oh well, now that I know what I did in those 90 minutes, I can probably redo it within 30 minutes I guess. Sucks tho ! I had been in the Forest Temple for like 2 minutes... :S

EDIT: Took me 40 minutes to redo the part that I lost to a crash. Then I completed the Forest Temple (which can been seen here: https://www.facebook.com/michel.morand1/videos/2012880965426839/). I made to the boss but did not plan my strategy so I got killed. I'll return to beat him another time.

After 5 1/2 hours, got to the Master Sword and 10 hearts.. 35 skulltulas, I think I'm missing a few, but running around and doing everything as a child in one go is really hard to remember, I'm just impressed that I managed to do it at a somewhat quick pace.

After 5 1/2 hours, got to the Master Sword and 10 hearts.. 35 skulltulas, I think I'm missing a few, but running around and doing everything as a child in one go is really hard to remember, I'm just impressed that I managed to do it at a somewhat quick pace.

After 5 1/2 hours, got to the Master Sword and 10 hearts.. 35 skulltulas, I think I'm missing a few, but running around and doing everything as a child in one go is really hard to remember, I'm just impressed that I managed to do it at a somewhat quick pace.

Edit: I think this posted 3 times? no clue how.. Might just be on my end or I'm stupid, haha. Can a mod delete the other two for me, if possible? if not it's cool!

EoW update:

I've just beaten the Fire temple

I'm enjoying the game quiet a bit I don't think it's the best zelda game. In fact i prefer all of the successors to this game of which I've played (WW, TP & BotW) played any of the but still considering they all built upon the formula modified for 3D in this game, I think it speaks volumes of well the game design of this game is.

There are a few niggles I have with this game, the biggest being that saving and returning to the game forces me back to either the starting village or the temple of time if i'm not in a dungeon. It would be much better if it could remember which area I saved and returned me there instead.

The other night I finally went through the Forest temple and at 7 1/2 hours in I'm at the doors of the Fire Temple.
The music of the Forest Temple reminds me of Naughty Fred from Courage the Cowardly Dog (don't ask me why, but that creep just pops up in my mind), so I had to have separate video sounding in the background so I wouldn't freak out. As for the Fire Temple, I have the uncensored cartridge, so I'm looking forward to listening to the original music!
I'll probably go through it tomorrow night, since right now I have to prepare a presentation for a project.

The other night I finally went through the Forest temple and at 7 1/2 hours in I'm at the doors of the Fire Temple.
The music of the Forest Temple reminds me of Naughty Fred from Courage the Cowardly Dog (don't ask me why, but that creep just pops up in my mind), so I had to have separate video sounding in the background so I wouldn't freak out. As for the Fire Temple, I have the uncensored cartridge, so I'm looking forward to listening to the original music!
I'll probably go through it tomorrow night, since right now I have to prepare a presentation for a project.

I knew that the preorder copy in North America (the Collector's Edition, the copy I own) had red blood in a few scenes and that was replaced by green blood. But I didn't know there were other changes, like the music. I completed the Fire Temple four days ago and I didn't notice anything different. I'm playing the GameCube port for this playthrough. But my memory might be failing me since I had not played the game in almost 20 years.

I knew that the preorder copy in North America (the Collector's Edition, the copy I own) had red blood in a few scenes and that was replaced by green blood. But I didn't know there were other changes, like the music. I completed the Fire Temple four days ago and I didn't notice anything different. I'm playing the GameCube port for this playthrough. But my memory might be failing me since I had not played the game in almost 20 years.

The music in the fire temple had the voices removed. I think it was because it has muslim chants or something among those lines

The music in the fire temple had the voices removed. I think it was because it has muslim chants or something among those lines

Looks like you're right ! I found this, there are a few fixes between versions.

https://zeldaspeedruns.wikia.com/wiki/Version_Differences