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…
There’s a lot to be said for the open-world exploration mechanic that we have come to associate with, and expect from, the Zelda series. Dropping into the middle of a vast, sprawling landscape teeming with beauty, danger, and hidden secrets is absolutely exhilarating, especially when you have no clear destination and must carve out a…
I’ve always been a fan of classical music. Their entrancing melodies and traditional instruments have stimulated my mind from a young age. That’s probably why I also came to enjoy Zelda music so much. There are many similarities between how the pieces are composed — some current-day Zelda music is even performed by a live…
For all the many (and potentially valid) complaints about the way Breath of the Wild’s story is told, one complaint that can’t be levied against it is that it lacks the ability to inspire new stories in the player’s imaginations. Theorists and players have concocted vast backstories for the Champions and NPCs. They did this…
One thing you should know about me is that no matter how much praise and enthusiasm I may heap upon a work of art, I will try to avoid labeling it as a “masterpiece” without good cause. To me, a true masterpiece is an incredibly rare treasure that defies artistic analysis, transcending our restrictive standards…
Within the Zelda series, Phantom Hourglass, the first outing on the DS, is probably one of the most overlooked. However, it has the distinguished position of being one of the few direct sequels. While all sequels hold the burden of innovating while keeping within the identity of its predecessors, direct sequels in an anthology series…
Dungeons are arguably the most important and consistent element of the Zelda formula. From the early days of the original game on the Nintendo Entertainment System to the most recent entry on the Nintendo Switch, Zelda labyrinths offer a unique combination of puzzle-solving, combat, and level design. While certain dungeons are more enjoyable than others,…
Besides the transcendent “Ballad of the Wind Fish,” one of my favorite songs from Link’s Awakening is the music heard as the adventurer traverses the rocky area known as the Tal Tal Mountain Range. Its mad-capped melody which sounds like a smoothie made up of two parts “Overworld Theme” and one part mountain range music…
In a game series as rich, complex, and emotionally charged as The Legend of Zelda, where each entry offers a unique, encapsulated world of wonders that satiates a hunger for gritty realism, vibrant fantasy, quirky surrealism, or some incredible fusion of all three, I frequently feel the need to ask myself: Why do I always…
Like so many other Zelda fans in the world, “Gerudo Valley” in Ocarina of Time is one of my absolute favorite tracks in the series. One hot summer day, the song got stuck in my head, as great songs often tend to do, and it made me think of the Gerudo, how they were created…
Often considered the black sheep of the Zelda series, The Adventure of Link is frequently misunderstood and underappreciated. Although the gameplay deviates considerably from other titles, Zelda II laid the foundation for the franchise’s backdrop and storyline. Key elements, such as Ganon’s resurrection and the completed Triforce, were first introduced in The Adventure of Link…
Much is said about Majora’s Mask’s atmosphere and mood. It’s so dark, featuring moments of terror and extreme sadness as the people of Termina literally deal with the moon crashing down. It’s rough, buddy, but more than anything, Majora’s Mask is about healing. While they are still waiting for the oncoming moon, many of the…
If one were to ask me what sets a truly phenomenal video game boss battle apart from an ordinary one, I would list three key components that I feel the battle must possess: an expansive, visually stimulating arena; an intimidating opponent that presents a unique challenge requiring intelligence and skill to overcome; and — perhaps…
Sometimes you come across just the right song to fit your current mood or a song you didn’t know you needed to hear until you found it. For me, it was the latter as I, a couple of months ago, was getting into another stressful week of university assignments and had the fortune of finding…
For many Zelda fans, the Kakariko Village theme is one of the most nostalgic melodies in the series. The town’s appearance across multiple titles and its consistent harmony create a shared experience regardless of the game that introduced players to the franchise. While the Kakariko Village theme is also near the top of my list…
