The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is a game all about larger-than-life moments. Meeting the Great Deku Tree, stepping out into Hyrule Field for the first time, and climbing Death Mountain are great examples of this, but in many ways, they pale in comparison to the intensity of the game’s bosses and the battles with them. An unparalleled danger stares Link in the face as he musters all of his strength to overcome these beasts, and anyone who has played Ocarina of Time is sure to remember the tension — even if it is carried partly by nostalgia.
“Getting the red stone” by RhexFiremind is an encapsulation of that initial emotion we all felt as we battled the bosses of Ocarina of Time, with the obvious focus being on the monstrous King Dodongo. This digital painting is simple in some regards but complex in others. The use of only a few colors and the frantic brush swipes point to the artist’s fervor in creating the piece, but these decisions and actions complement the themes. The fiery state of the environment Link finds himself in, coupled with the fire-breathing lizard, make the method of creation appropriate. The intensity of the piece matches the intensity of the moment it captures.
The perspective also adds depth in more than just visual terms. We see the approaching King Dodongo from Link’s point of view, and the young hero is minuscule compared to the behemoth. The beast is accurately portrayed as ferocious and terrifying. Many of us who have played Ocarina of Time were children during our first time going through the adventure, and despite this boss ultimately lacking in challenge, its initial reveal gave us more than
“Getting the red stone” is simple and efficient in terms of its design, but it is packed with added meaning and content. In that regard, this art is much like a Zelda game, which makes it even more worthy of appreciation.
