Poll: Legend of Zelda

[targren]

I had a conversation with a friend who talked about how he loved the Legend of Zelda series, especially Ocarina of Time. I've only ever played Majora's Mask and one of the GBA games. (I think it was Seasons)

The two seasons games were GBC, not GBA. If it wasn't 4 swords, then it was likely Minish Cap or one of the NES ports.

I'm a fan of Old School Zelda. I didn't like Majora's Mask at all, thought the Seasons games were horrible, and pretty much feel the series started going wrong and Wind Waker (and not just because of the crap art style.) Mostly because I want to know who the hell thought making 85% of the game "empty water" was a good idea?

Majora's Mask is probably not the best indicator of the series' style. You might want to give OoT a shot, since it really was the only 3D Zelda worth playing (Which is why they basically copied it wholesale to make Twilight Princess). Or, if you're a fan of retro, the jewel in the crown of the series was A Link To the Past.

 

[targren]

Zelda 2: Adventure of Link

That game SERIOUSLY gets a bad rap. Sure, it's got some of the worst cases of "Nintendo Hard" next to Battletoads (I'm looking at you, Brown Axe-Crocodile *****-things on Death Mountain) but damn. Twenty-four years later and I STILL get a rush every time.

Of course, now I can't hear the Great Palace theme without thinking of 3:50 in this:

Edit: Stupid youtube embedding won't work... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plQihaRQBfI&t=3m48s

 

[Audemas]

I had a conversation with a friend who talked about how he loved the Legend of Zelda series, especially Ocarina of Time. I've only ever played Majora's Mask and one of the GBA games. (I think it was Seasons)

The two seasons games were GBC, not GBA. If it wasn't 4 swords, then it was likely Minish Cap or one of the NES ports.

I'm a fan of Old School Zelda. I didn't like Majora's Mask at all, thought the Seasons games were horrible, and pretty much feel the series started going wrong and Wind Waker (and not just because of the crap art style.) Mostly because I want to know who the hell thought making 85% of the game "empty water" was a good idea?

Majora's Mask is probably not the best indicator of the series' style. You might want to give OoT a shot, since it really was the only 3D Zelda worth playing (Which is why they basically copied it wholesale to make Twilight Princess). Or, if you're a fan of retro, the jewel in the crown of the series was A Link To the Past.

I know for a fact now that it was Seasons I just couldn't remember the right handheld. Although after reading your post, it leads me to think that Seasons and Ages, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, aren't very good. My girlfriend also says that the Minish Cap wasn't very good either. This again leads me to think that Ocarina of Time was the only good one then why do people defend the series so much if the other games are mediocre?

 

[targren]

My girlfriend also says that the Minish Cap wasn't very good either. This again leads me to think that Ocarina of Time was the only good one then why do people defend the series so much if the other games are mediocre?

Because that's not entirely true. Firstly, because the series didn't START with Ocarina of Time, any more than Final Fantasy started with FF VII (though the latter is probably more obvious). That's just where it hit its height of popularity.

As for Wind Waker and TP, my dislike of them is admittedly subjective. I know lots of people did enjoy the sailing. I just wasn't one of them. The dungeons were quite good in that one, too. And Twilight Princess would probably have been better if I hadn't been stupid enough to buy the Wii version.

If you don't like it, you don't like it. But that doesn't mean it's not (or it wasn't) a good series. It's just that after not getting any major changes in the past 15 years, it's getting pretty samey at this point (the only real updates between OoT and TP were that horrible time-loop mechanic from MM, and the Wii-Waggle). I understand that Skyward Sword may have switched things up, but I'm too old and my hands are too messed up from years of keyboard use that I can't handle the waggle anymore, so I gave it a pass.

 

[Chicago Ted]

Gameplay wise, I've never very much enjoyed the Legend of Zelda series. It's always been pretty dull for me, and that's the main reason on why I don't enjoy playing it much. It?s also the reason for when I do; I normally don't even reach it half way through a game.

However, music and visual wise, I must say that I enjoy it quite a bit. The art style that they use is one that I find very interesting, and one that is generally not hindered even on the N64 by limited graphics, and the music for the series I have very much enjoyed. I've probably spent more time listening to Hyrule Symphony than I have playing LoZ:OoT.

 

[xPixelatedx]

Sure, it's got some of the worst cases of "Nintendo Hard" next to Battletoads (I'm looking at you, Brown Axe-Crocodile *****-things on Death Mountain) but damn. Twenty-four years later and I STILL get a rush every time.

It's in my top three favorites Zeldas, and I think that's why. It is the only Zelda game that actually has a flare of excitement. You can go around that game without a clue where you are supposed to be, and end up in a horrible place much sooner then you should be (like those caves). Then you see that "Brown Axe-Crocodile *****-thing" and it's like 'OH GOD NO', especially once you realize it's just as fast as you are and may even kill you in two hits AND they are also everywhere AND those caves are a labyrinth. It is a true death trap, and fighting for survival may just make it a slow death.

There just isn't any moments like that in the Zelda games of recent years. I can beat Twilight Princess using only the original three hearts you start the game with, and I feel no accomplishment afterwords (it's very sad). The monsters in Zelda 2 weren't just hard, they were mean, vicious and even creepy sometimes. Those eyes in that village freaked me out when I was a little kid.

 

[StriderShinryu]

The series is as a whole is fantastic particularly:
Zelda 2: Adventure of Link

I have come to the conclusion that a person has to be a special breed of awesome to enjoy that one, and you sir just made the list. I approve.

I actually agree completely. I frequently list Zelda 2 as my favourite of the series. Ir really has most of makes the rest of the series good, but adds solid fun and challenging combat and platforming. I don't see the downsides.

 

[targren]

You can go around that game without a clue where you are supposed to be, and end up in a horrible place much sooner then you should be (like those caves). Then you see that "Brown Axe-Crocodile *****-thing" and it's like 'OH GOD NO', especially once you realize it's just as fast as you are and may even kill you in two hits AND they are also everywhere AND those caves are a labyrinth.

There used to be a time when I could remember the name of every monster in both games. *old-man sigh* In all fairness, even when you ARE supposed to be there, those bastards are way tougher than they should be, even if you go there LATER than you should, after level 2 (it's possible to beat the boss of level 2 without the down-thrust, which you need the hammer to get, which lies at the end of Death Mountain -- but it's a PITA).

 

[Substitute Troll]

Do I like the Zelda series? Well, certain games anyway. I picked yes because I can play and enjoy most if not any Zelda game put in front of me, but I'll only call a few of them pure genious.

Let's put it this way: I don't have any requests for my funeral. For all I care they can throw me to the hounds. However, if they choose to hold some kind of ceremony, I want the Song of Healing from Majora's Mask to be played. You need to have played it to understand, and I don't just mean play it like it's a normal, fun little game. I mean REALLY look at all the little things. Even the smallest markings on a statue has major importance in MM.

At face value Majora's Mask may seem like a competent sequel to Ocarina, but not better than it. But that's the thing with Zelda games They're not supposed to be taken at face value. You're supposed to dig deeper. And believe me when I say that MM is just fucking fantastic when you get into it.

Don't believe me? Read Hylian Dan's article on MM, the Message of Majora's Mask
http://www.zeldauniverse.net/articles/the-message-of-majoras-mask/

It's worth a read.

 

[the_great_cessation]

Growing up, I was simply obsessed with The Legend of Zelda and they (along with Pokemon) were what really got me into video games. Titles like A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess stand as some of the best moments of my formative years due to how wrapped up in them I became. The sense of place, adventure and lore make the games incredibly immersive (especially to a younger audience who have enough active imagination to breath real life into it's imagined worlds) and the archetypal plot and characters are simple and charming enough to leave a lasting impact on most players well into maturity (myself very much included_. At it's peak, I'd compare Zelda to Star Wars in that it's a medium defining series that affected a generation of kids through its presentation of a fantastical "Hero's Journey" story that contained enough thematic subtext to stick with players well into adulthood. However though, this love is mainly nostalgic as the most recent installments (Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks and Skyward Sword) have left me yearning for the childlike sense of discovery found in the SNES-GCN installments (although it could be more within myself as much as it is within the games).

 

[Vanitas likes Bubbles]

I'm indifferent towards it. I havent played a zelda game since ocarina of time which I liked but I was like 10 at the time so I just drifted away from it as I matured.

 

[PureChaos]

how could 'none of the games could ever keep my attention for longer than fifteen minutes' if you've only ever played 2 of them? Majora's Mask is not a typical Zelda game. i've not played the Oracles games so can't comment on then. Zelda is my favourite game series and it (most likely) always will be. as others have said, Ocarina of Time is a good one to try, it's a great game

 

[Guffe]

I like the games, grew up with them and now I always buy them at launch when a new one comes around.
I won't go around raging on someone who doesn't like them, that's completely understandable just like I don't like some games.
But yeah, I like them.

 

[Torrasque]

I love the Legend of Zelda games. They are absolutely amazing and are perfect for non-gamers to get into gaming.
Each game has its quirks and things you hate, but that is what is so fantastic about them.
Zelda games are pure dungeon crawlers and perfect for puzzles and budding strategists.

 

[Zeckt]

Absolutely. I know people call twilight princess out for being mediocre but it really clicked with me, I LOVED every freaking minute of the game. Link to the past definite second, for its time it was miles ahead of any game.

 

[MetalDooley]

Played all of them except for the Oracle games on GBA and loved all of them to be honest.I'll let people guess which is my favourite

Oh and kudos to the people above who like Zelda 2.It's definitely the most underrated game in the series

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

As a rule, yes, I tend to enjoy the Legend of Zelda series. Out of those I've played - The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II, Link's Awakening, A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, The Minish Cap, Oracle of Seasons, Oracle of Ages, Wind Waker and Twilight Princess - the only one I haven't really enjoyed is Twilight Princess.

On the whole, despite the similarities between the games, I still see the Legend of Zelda series as a set of well-designed games with solid gameplay, a decent concept and some top-notch music.