Starting from the opening cutscene in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Link’s primary objective is nearly always in view. As Link journeys to recover his strength by rescuing the spirits of the champions, the malice of Calamity Ganon can be seen from nearly every corner of the map as it encompasses Hyrule…
One moment you are discovering what has become of the kingdom of Hyrule; innocently traveling across vast fields, through magnificent forests and up colossal mountain peaks, when all of a sudden, the sky starts to turn a sickly scarlet and specs of red suffocate your existence to the sound of ominous tones. Escape is impossible…
Recently, I wrote a Medli’s Melodies article for Marble Pawns’ Ocarina of Time remix, “Zeldawave,” a loving vaporwave tribute to Koji Kondo published three years ago. Earlier this year, to the joy of many fans, Marble Pawns returned with the continuation, “Zeldawave II.” As a sequel to his Ocarina of Time remix, it is fittingly…
Being an older sibling is something. For some, it’s a weird space between being a friend and a parent. You want to hang out with your younger brother or sister until you don’t. It’s not always your responsibility to take care of them, but when they’re in danger, you’ll always have their back. In The…
I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for credit themes in games. As the game comes to a close, it’s a time to sit and reflect on the journey in the game I just went through, and really establish any feelings I had for it. I’ve done this since a young age, and…
Here’s a Zelda fact for you: everyone loves the Twinrova boss and the two witches Koume and Kotake, and I assume the same applies to their catchy theme. It’s mischievous, bewitching, and fierce. Koji Kondo really struck gold with this brilliant composition in Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, which is now in dozens of…
As video game technology continues to evolve, increased graphical fidelity leads to greater immersion and more realistic experiences. In just a quarter-century, 16-bit pixel art has been replaced with computer-generated imagery that rivals modern-day movies and television shows. Resolution and aesthetics have made giant strides, but an equally impressive example of advancement is video game…
Ocarina of Time is a legendary game in the eyes of most, and for more than the simple fact of being an incredible game. Many of the biggest fans of Ocarina of Time were kids when they first experienced it, and it shaped them as they transitioned into adulthood. The nostalgia of traversing Hyrule, traveling…
The harp is an absolutely ancient instrument. Likewise, the character of Fi from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a character whose history goes back before recorded time. She was created years before Skyward Sword, the earliest entry in the Zelda timeline, by the goddess Hylia as part of the plan to prevent the…
Before I played Link’s Awakening for myself, there were three things I knew about the game: There was a girl named Marin, it was all a dream (um, spoilers?), and the “Mabe Village Theme” was a fantastic track. I actually heard this song for the first time through a medley and liked it so much…
Cadence of Hyrule, the completely unexpected yet extremely delightful rhythm-based Zelda game, released just over a year ago. As a seasoned Crypt of the NecroDancer fan (the game that Cadence of Hyrule is based on), I was so hyped for this game and its guaranteed remixes of classic Zelda tracks. Likewise, as a long-time Gerudo…
Few moments in life are more satisfying or surreal than escaping reality through the medium of restful respite. Tranquil slumber wields the power to whisk the dreamer to faraway lands and relive former memories. At times, these quiescent visions are so picturesque that they must certainly be real. Even in the midst of such bliss,…
Snowpeak Ruins is my favorite dungeon in Twilight Princess, and its boss, Blizzeta, is my third-favorite boss in the game. It should come as no surprise, then, that her battle theme is one of my favorite tracks as well. Well, to be more precise, I love the theme’s second phase. It gives me a chill…
Majora’s Mask is indisputably a dark game. The atmosphere created by the writing, stylistic choices and thematic events is heavy and unsettling. The effort is helped greatly by Koji Kondo’s disquieting soundtrack, which results in the game working on all fronts to set the player adrift with uncertainty and anxiety. One of the eeriest parts…
Last time we checked in with vocalist Nicolas Daoust, he delivered an impressive vocal cover of Cadence of Hyrule’s opening level theme, in the style of the game’s shopkeeper. This time, Nicolas has gone from dealer to healer, as he takes on the role of the Great Fairy. For those who don’t know, the original…
