I have always treasured Majora’s Mask for its deeply emotional story and well-written characters, but when it comes to the land of Termina, I have to admit that it’s one of the dreariest overworlds I’ve ever encountered. Not only is the landscape itself awash in dull earth tones to match the dark tone of the…
Throughout his adventures, Link has encountered a number of female admirers. From well-known characters, such as Zelda, Saria, and Ilia, to the more unexpected friendships, such as Marin from Koholint Island, the legendary Hero of Hyrule is not lacking for companionship. While certain infatuations might create a rather odd perception, perhaps no encounter is more…
When you see a track titled “Symphony of Wisdom,” you probably expect to just hear a remixed version of “Zelda’s Lullaby.” While that iconic track is featured in “Symphony of Wisdom,” Sam Dillard surprises the listener by tying together multiple, seemingly disparate themes from throughout the Zelda series, not all of which are tied into…
The Zelda series is full of memorable moments that rip our hearts in half and leave us drowning in tears, but none can quite compare to the utterly devastating ending of Link’s Awakening. It’s difficult to imagine the depth of Link’s guilt and sorrow, knowing that he is responsible for erasing the bright, beautiful Koholint…
As you are probably aware by now, Breath of the Wild’s soundtrack isn’t the most bombastic in the series. It does have its share of sweeping orchestral epics, but instead of accenting every footstep and sword swing, the music team decided that the best way to complement the game’s open-air design would be to have…
The ending cutscene of A Link to the Past is one of my favorites in the series. As Link extends his hand to claim the Triforce, his deepest desire comes to fruition. Every one of Ganon’s wrongdoings is restored as the King of Hyrule returns, Link’s uncle is revived, and Kakariko Town celebrates Sahasrahla’s homecoming.…
The song “Oath to Order” is only really used once in Majora’s Mask, but this single moment is worthy of great reflection. It is played by Link near the game’s end when he summons the Four Giants from the north, south, east, and west to hold back the rapidly encroaching moon. It’s a song of…
The Zelda series is filled with iconic, memorable female characters, from the various iterations of its titular princess to childhood friends, impish sidekicks, women warriors, and so many others. And what’s more, these characters often have wonderful musical themes that perfectly encapsulate who they are and how they fit into the story. For this International…
Ocarina of Time was the first Zelda title to incorporate a day-and-night cycle into its gameplay, adding a new layer of atmosphere that allowed for deeper immersion into the world of Hyrule. A bustling marketplace by day would fall silent under the watchful eye of the moon, and quirky little shops that shunned the sun…
Ah, the title theme of the original Legend of Zelda. It’s a wonderful piece, gracefully using the overworld theme to set you up for the adventure ahead. You might also be aware that it was originally supposed to be an arrangement of Ravel’s Bolero, but that’s not what we’re talking about today. (For details, check…
You wander into the foothills of Death Mountain, sure to bring your Flamebreaker armor or a few Fireproof Elixirs with you. If you take the direct path, dodging Fire Chuchus and Fire-Breath Lizalfos, it may take some time before the melody reaches your ears. When the dust settles, or you’ve gone the indirect route and…
To be honest, I never realized the “Outset Island Theme” could become more upbeat than it already is. But veteran remixer dj-Jo recognizes that within every catchy song is the potential for some emphatic synth sounds and bigger beats. They’re to classic tracks what chocolate drizzle is to a dessert you would starve yourself all…
The first sunset of last year was breathtakingly beautiful where I live, almost as if the sky had been set on fire, and I thought to myself as I stared in awe that this might be a sign that the upcoming twelve months would be good ones. However, we all know how the previous year…
Music can be deeply emotional. Just hearing a few notes or chords of a favorite tune can really tug at the heartstrings or extract memories from deep within. And in other times, the right tune played at the right moment can be exactly what a bleeding heart or broken soul needs to find solace and…
Prequel stories in video games can be quite controversial. While origin stories generally offer a less contentious premise, conveying the backstory of a tragedy is much more difficult. Like reading the last chapter of a book, gaming communities already know the end of the story. As a result, character arcs and presentation are even more…
