10 April 2012
Let's date back a few years, to a time post-PS3 and even PS2, to where a game with a storyline that you can immerse yourself in was the one you talked about with your friends in the playground. Fancy visuals and voice acting was unheard off, but the fact that it brought fans from a 2D platform game to 3D and kept their faith in the franchise is a perfect example of Nintendo doing something right. Ocarina had everything; great characters, fun to use items (like the LongShot), and beautiful music. This is from a time when nobody spoke, the dialogue was on-screen and you could perceive it in whichever way you liked. Even with a mute protagonist, you felt like you knew what Link was feeling, thinking and you acted on that. Granted, you can't choose to be evil or good like in Fable, but there are plenty of side quests to keep you entertained before you decide to put the cartridge back into its cardboard home. The trader's quest would keep you guessing for hours, collecting every single heart piece and maxing out your quiver and MP gauge.
So while this might be a nostalgic look into the past, take a moment to think to yourselves; do I want to always play games where I'm basically watching a film, with the odd interactive cutscene here and there, or do I want to play a game that makes me think, feel and wish I was there?
The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time • Opuss № I