The Russian classic novel Anna Karenina opens with the line, “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” In Majora’s Mask, this is readily apparent, as there are several unhappy folks with distinct problems. One of the best ways this is portrayed is in the music that plays in the various locales Link visits to solve said problems.
In Link’s travels across Termina, he is tasked to right the wrongs plaguing the four settlements surrounding Clock Town. Each zone shares a haunting melody, but changes in instrumentation bring out what makes each problem unique. The Southern Swamp, for example, uses a variety of string and wind instruments to highlight both the jungle setting as well as the tribality of the Deku Scrubs that live there.
The Mountain Village to the north focuses more on wind effects, choir, tuned percussion, and a hollow electric piano to complement the harsh winter that has trapped the Gorons there.
As one would expect from a beach area, the western Great Bay Coast uses steel drums but also has a variety of instruments that would sound right at home in a surf rock album.
Finally, Ikana Valley to the east takes cues from horror soundtracks for its instrumentation. One can imagine the souls of those buried here singing along.
However, Once you solve the mystery of each land and clear their respective dungeons, the songs that play in these areas are all replaced with the “Termina Field” theme, with no variation from the rest of the overworld. Many players, including myself, often express frustration at this. “I thought I was making things better!” one might exclaim. “What’s the point when what made this place unique is gone?”
Recall that Anna Karenina quote. Even though unhappiness can be unique, happiness isn’t. Perhaps that is what the sound team was trying to convey with these songs. As Link solves each area’s unique problems, these peoples are able to return to harmony not just with their own places, but with Termina as a whole. Link isn’t saving the Southern Swamp, or Ikana Valley, or even Clock Town. Link is saving all of Termina from the power of Majora’s Mask, and healing the damage that has already been done along the way.
