The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

"You don't play Zelda? Get away from me."

Zelda: Ocarina of Time, an Action RPG as Gamefaqs say... isn't it an adventure? Oh, ok, let's get to the review... I personally never would have thought I would have been there writing a Zelda review... read, you'll understand everything. Hope you'll accept my opinion, since I know it'll be surely different from your. You like Zelda, and especially OOT? Well, you'll be disappointed here, since this isn't a review that overrate the game. And this isn't a review tat underrate it, you know? I was fair, if it was for me, I would have given the game a whopping 1 or 2. But since, like all the games, it has some positive things, I gave it a 5, because of the technical things like graphics and musics. Ok now you know what you'll read here, if you don't want to see your beloved game UNDERRATED so much, get away. If you want the truth, or at least, what I think about the game, read below. If you hate Zelda, and think it hasn't anything good, well, read below because any game has some positive things. Even Zelda, the most hyped game of all time, the most defended from the gamers, the most hated by someone (me). It's not the worst game, it probably never will be.

That's it. I really thinked about making or not making a review about this game. I'd like to note that this is my own opinion about OOT and almost ALL Zelda games, so there can be people who like and love it (and there actually are. Many.). I'll rate the game for what it is, without giving unfair ratings. Before you ask: NO, I didn't finish the game and probably I never will. I don't want to. Another note: I'd like to clear up some things: I don't say Zelda, and especially OOT, is the worst game out there...heh, there are way worse games than it. It's only that I don't like it because all the other people I know love it, just like FF7, I hate it. Call it a battle against the games loved by everyone, if you want. It is not: you're wrong. Just for making an example, everyone loves FF7, but after all, WHAT IS GOOD IN THE GAME? Few things, really like Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the most hyped game in the videogames' ages. Don't tell me I hate Zelda games, because it isn't true. Some episodes are nice... like the first on the NES... another thing: these are phrases I often hear from my friends: ''You don't play Zelda?'' and I answer: ''No, I don't like it.'', and the answer I get is: ''You idiot. It's wonderful.''... tell me if I can continue so, so I decided to put here my reasons, please don't flame me, 'cause even if I got the handle, it would be boring... let's start with the review, hope you'll like it and understand what really is Zelda. Or at least, what really is Zelda for ME. This is only my opinion, hope it's shared by someone with mind...

I've to ask something to Nintendo... why, in your games, the main character NEVER talks???? Golden Sun, Super Mario RPG, Zelda!! Now, for the first time in my life, I protect Zelda, uh...I think I got an headache...read below, while I'm taking some medecines...

Uhm... this game is for Nintendo 64, a powerful console. I like it more than the PSX, and I really admire it. It has great games (Pokémon was way more fun than Zelda. I hate Pokémon.). This game was released, everyone ran to the shops in order to buy it. They played it. They enjoyed it. Heh, different opinions, that's it. Anyone thinks differently about videogames in general, I personally don't like games that... oh, you'll read soon enough, THAT. Let's begin with the positive things I was talking about, above. Graphics and musics...

Ok, now let's talk about graphics... maybe the best part of the game, they aren't bad and, hell, they're great, for the N64. Not many 3D games happen to be so well detailed. Effects are nice. But, N64 isn't PSX, it's an half-way between PSX and PS2, so it's normal to have such stunning graphics, but still they're great. I haven't anything to say against them... Link and all the other characters have great movements and are well designed. A good work. I could give the game a 9 for the graphics, so don't tell me I am unfair, because today there are way much better games. Meh, TODAY.

And now, musics. Another great part of the game, some tunes are really boring but some other are really great, like the Lost Wood theme. Hem, yes, I hate the Zelda theme (yes, the one you hear in all the title screens). Mmm... effects are nice...except the stupid scream that Link gives out when he hits...oh well, that's all about musics and effects...let'see... I could give the game a whopping 8.5... they're good.

Yeah, until now I gave the game average ratings...but now starts the REAL review... and I say we could start with... storyline... ok, let's begin.

Uh, the storyline... the great Zelda plot everyone is so excited for... the thing that has maked this game the BEST EVER CREATED... but what plot? Hem, well, you're... yes, Link (you can change the name), a little boy who live with the Kokiri. You've to meet the Deku Tree, but you can meet him only if you have a weapon and a shield, because one boy says so. Good. Let's search for that sword and that shield. Woohoo I found them. Let's hurry to the Deku Tree. A boring explanation of the Triforce and the 3 Fairies begins. At least, you still don't know you'll have to face the always-him-in-all-Zelda-games-as-final-enemy guy. Oh, you were expecting him? Good work. Yes, there is some kind of...let's call it so, relationship between our beloved, idiot boy (Link) and Saria, who gives him the great, useful Ocarina. (Any form of sarcasm here is purely casual). Rating? Better I don't write it, I don't like massive flame e-mails in my e-mail box... Ah yes, did I mention you begin as a kid, and later in the game you can become an adult? No I didn't, anyhow you'll be able to do certain things when adult, like riding an horse and carrying more rupies.

Uhhh well...the gameplay...well, no, the gameplay isn't bad, a little slow in my opinion, but still good. Yes, I'm talking about ''technical'' gameplay, how do you move and not where. Yes, there is a day-night option: you can do certain things only at night, some monsters will appear only at night, and so on, nice thing. I could mention the aim system, I hate it because it's so strange... I mean, it's painful even trying to make it work (and please, stop with the yellings ''You aren't able to do that, you idiot''). And don't tell me about those big jumps... oh..hem, sorry, this is an action (oh, sorry, all you Zelda fans, it's an ADVENTURE game... let's dare say an RPG...sorry, sorry sorry) game where you can't jump, or at least, you can't jump directly... play it and you'll understand. Meh. The controls are hugely confused as well (and even here, stop those stupid yellings), you'll be OFTEN hitting the wrong button, almost all the time, unless you're extraordinary skilled in this kind of games. And enemies... ehm, yes, enemies. Well, there are natural enemies. And they're good. Stupid, but good. Bosses... they're good, except for the names, another good thing to say. After all, the gameplay isn't so bad... 6.5 would be a low score so let's say 7.

Oh yes, difficulty now. Apart from understanding where you have to go and why, with what and when, this game isn't difficult. Bosses require only some head and some brain, since they have a predefinied pattern. Enemies are weak, except some ones I encountered. Anyhow, the puzzles (if we could call them so) are difficult. Dungeons? Go there, hit that, come back, go after the newly-opened door, hit that, come back at the beginning, pick the item in the newly-opened door, exit. That's it. At least graphics are good...

And replay value...do as you want, if you like Zelda (and I'm sure you do), play this game as many times as you want, it'll be entertaining. I personally don't like it, I don't like any Zelda game except for the first NES game. I don't like it first because it's not my gaming style and, though I like some of the genre, it doesn't offer anything new and plus it's terribly boring. Second, there is something about the game I don't like: all the hype it gets. Zelda here, Zelda there, oh how it is beautiful, the best game of all time... yes, but what does really the game offer?

We came to the end of the review. Did you learn anything? Did you understand how I feel now? With all those friends I have that love Zelda and say those things when I personally say I don't like that game? Did you understand why I gave the game a 5? Hope yes. See you on the next review.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 12/30/03