Publisher : Nintendo
Series : The Legend of Zelda
Platform : Nintendo 3DS
Release date : February 13-14, 2015
Genre : Action-adventure
Mode : Single-player
About a year ago, I was talking to my girlfriend when she was in the middle of playing 2011's excellent "Ocarina of Time 3D" about the possibility of "Majora's Mask" getting the same treatment. We both agreed that it was next to impossible. It was a smaller Zelda game, that from my understanding didn't sell particularly well, and its dark, sinister setting seems to not jive with the tone modern incarnations have. And yet, here we are, four years later, give or take a few months, holding what may very well be the definitive version of the game in our hands. Was it worth the wait?
Most definitely. "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D" is a loving restoration of the dark horse favorite in Nintendo's flagship adventure franchise. Every detail is lavishly restored with eye-popping visuals that run at a crisp framerate. New mechanics are added to make the game more accessible, while still retaining the core difficulty fans expect. And it's a large, intricate game packed with content that can be put in your pocket and played anywhere at any time. A game that, at one point, was thought to only be possible on consoles, yet somehow is a vast improvement over the past incarnation.
Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seriously played through the game, having only dabbled in it in the past. For the first time, I can truly appreciate the darkness inherent in the world and in the narrative. Nothing in "Majora's Mask" feels heroic or grand. Everything is grimy, sinister, creepy. Even when Link is technically saving the world from the machinations of the Skull Kid, who plans to destroy the planet with the aid of a grinning moon, the player doesn't feel like a savior. They're accomplishing things by harnessing the souls of dead characters through putting on masks. The way to Termina's salvation is paved with the bodies of fallen heroes, and as the last one standing, all of their hopes and desires rest on your shoulders. Kind of intense, right?
That's why I'd have to say that "Majora's Mask" may be my new favorite Zelda game. Never before has the idea of being a "hero" and "saving the world" been undercut so dramatically by the narrative itself, at least in this franchise. It challenges the very structure of the traditional hero's journey narrative. True, it adheres to the basic highlights, but does so much different from other entries and other fantasy games in general. There's no princess to save. There's no significant rise to action. Link is simply thrown in the middle of turmoil and expected to thrive, and he barely does so. In fact, one could argue that he doesn't, and that his entire journey wouldn't happen if it weren't for the benevolent spirits guiding him every step of the way. Not to get too deep here, but I might go so far as to say that "Majora's Mask" is a cynical critique of the typical Zelda plot, much in the same way that landmark works like "Watchmen" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion" were critiques of their respective mediums. The "lone savior saves the land and gets the girl" type of story is deconstructed and challenged, and that's what makes "Majora's Mask" so memorable to me. It's something different, and something that hasn't been done since.
Of course, it wouldn't be much of an undercutting if the basic formula wasn't altered somewhat. It is, though, which is another rarity. There are four main dungeons, not eight or more. You don't get to the first dungeon until a good deal in. There are an unconventional amount of side-quests. And, of course, there are the masks. Masks which alter Link's body and give him an arsenal of cool abilities. Skip on water as Deku Link, zip around like Sonic as Goron Link, or effortlessly cut through water as Zora Link. The masks help break up the typical "go around with a sword and some items" format. All of this, combined, make for an entry that looks, feels and plays differently from its brethren, and by consequence, in a time where I've grown a little weary of the formula (especially after the multitude of misfires in "Skyward Sword,) feels fresh. Which is ironic, considering it's well over a decade old.
Of course, the fetch quests are a hit or miss for some people. I really enjoy them. Micro-managing people's schedules, getting little trinkets to get more trinkets in order to get even MORE trinkets... all of that is kind of my jam. It reminds of the old days in the best way possible, where getting new stuff wasn't simply a matter of progressing the story, where players weren't spoonfed everything. Basically, it feels archaic, but in a good, nostalgic way, instead of a monotonous, clunky way. I'm aware that not everybody has the same affinity for this style of gameplay, and I respect that. But for me, it's a fun way to add length to a game, provided the rewards are worth all the back-and-forthing. And considering that the eventual reward here is the famous Fierce Deity Mask, I'd say it totally is.
That said, there are a few new tweaks here to make the fetching and questing a little more easily managed. For starters, there's the overhauled Bomber's Notebook. It not only keeps track of everybody's schedule, but automatically tracks each and every side quest for players. This makes managing everything a lot less frustrating and allows for greater focus on certain tasks. On top of that, players are able to save far more often than before, what with the numerous save points scattered across the map. And, of course, there's the return of the Sheikah Stone from the previous remake, which lets players who need a little help get an idea of what they need to do next. These additions, on top of some remixed dungeons and boss stages, make the game feel like a more streamlined package, while still retaining a good deal of challenge.
The original "Majora's Mask" doesn't look too hot by today's standards. Not so with this beautiful remake. This is one of the most visually arresting games I think I've played on the 3DS, matching and maybe even topping personal standards like "Resident Evil Revelations" and "Kirby: Triple Deluxe." Of course, like the original, there are reused assets from "Ocarina of Time," but you barely notice in the face of all the improvements. Character animations are more detailed and expressive. Environments feel more distinct than ever before. The colors are vibrant, bringing the mysterious land of Termina to vivid life. And, most impressively, the framerate and load times are impeccable, even when playing on the standard 3DS XL. It's a beautiful, crisp game, perhaps even more so than "Ocarina," that makes the most of the console, and on top of that, has pretty spectacular 3D effects.
As a newbie to the full "Majora's Mask" experience, I'm finally seeing what the whole fuss is about. I kind of expected the same old, same old from it, and tapered my expectations accordingly. But what I found was something much, much more. So much more in fact, it not only puts modern Zelda games, but a lot of modern games in general, to shame. Yes, it's a collection of fetch quests that reuses a lot of assets from the previous game, but the extent to how different the whole package feels is remarkable. It's dark, but not artificially so. It's epic, but not lavishly so. It's emotional, without stooping to Spielberg levels of heartstring-tugging. In more simple terms, it's the most stripped-down, raw, genuine entry in the venerable series, and hits on something that I feel hasn't been touched since, with the possible exception of "Twilight Princess."
This may be one of my shorter reviews, because everything I can say about this game boils down to one sentiment. "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D" is an unconventional game in the best way possible, and nothing like it has been made since its release. And now, Nintendo has given us a version that's been improved in virtually every area. There might not be something this unique for years to come.
Most definitely. "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D" is a loving restoration of the dark horse favorite in Nintendo's flagship adventure franchise. Every detail is lavishly restored with eye-popping visuals that run at a crisp framerate. New mechanics are added to make the game more accessible, while still retaining the core difficulty fans expect. And it's a large, intricate game packed with content that can be put in your pocket and played anywhere at any time. A game that, at one point, was thought to only be possible on consoles, yet somehow is a vast improvement over the past incarnation.
Believe it or not, this is the first time I've seriously played through the game, having only dabbled in it in the past. For the first time, I can truly appreciate the darkness inherent in the world and in the narrative. Nothing in "Majora's Mask" feels heroic or grand. Everything is grimy, sinister, creepy. Even when Link is technically saving the world from the machinations of the Skull Kid, who plans to destroy the planet with the aid of a grinning moon, the player doesn't feel like a savior. They're accomplishing things by harnessing the souls of dead characters through putting on masks. The way to Termina's salvation is paved with the bodies of fallen heroes, and as the last one standing, all of their hopes and desires rest on your shoulders. Kind of intense, right?
That's why I'd have to say that "Majora's Mask" may be my new favorite Zelda game. Never before has the idea of being a "hero" and "saving the world" been undercut so dramatically by the narrative itself, at least in this franchise. It challenges the very structure of the traditional hero's journey narrative. True, it adheres to the basic highlights, but does so much different from other entries and other fantasy games in general. There's no princess to save. There's no significant rise to action. Link is simply thrown in the middle of turmoil and expected to thrive, and he barely does so. In fact, one could argue that he doesn't, and that his entire journey wouldn't happen if it weren't for the benevolent spirits guiding him every step of the way. Not to get too deep here, but I might go so far as to say that "Majora's Mask" is a cynical critique of the typical Zelda plot, much in the same way that landmark works like "Watchmen" and "Neon Genesis Evangelion" were critiques of their respective mediums. The "lone savior saves the land and gets the girl" type of story is deconstructed and challenged, and that's what makes "Majora's Mask" so memorable to me. It's something different, and something that hasn't been done since.
Of course, it wouldn't be much of an undercutting if the basic formula wasn't altered somewhat. It is, though, which is another rarity. There are four main dungeons, not eight or more. You don't get to the first dungeon until a good deal in. There are an unconventional amount of side-quests. And, of course, there are the masks. Masks which alter Link's body and give him an arsenal of cool abilities. Skip on water as Deku Link, zip around like Sonic as Goron Link, or effortlessly cut through water as Zora Link. The masks help break up the typical "go around with a sword and some items" format. All of this, combined, make for an entry that looks, feels and plays differently from its brethren, and by consequence, in a time where I've grown a little weary of the formula (especially after the multitude of misfires in "Skyward Sword,) feels fresh. Which is ironic, considering it's well over a decade old.
Of course, the fetch quests are a hit or miss for some people. I really enjoy them. Micro-managing people's schedules, getting little trinkets to get more trinkets in order to get even MORE trinkets... all of that is kind of my jam. It reminds of the old days in the best way possible, where getting new stuff wasn't simply a matter of progressing the story, where players weren't spoonfed everything. Basically, it feels archaic, but in a good, nostalgic way, instead of a monotonous, clunky way. I'm aware that not everybody has the same affinity for this style of gameplay, and I respect that. But for me, it's a fun way to add length to a game, provided the rewards are worth all the back-and-forthing. And considering that the eventual reward here is the famous Fierce Deity Mask, I'd say it totally is.
That said, there are a few new tweaks here to make the fetching and questing a little more easily managed. For starters, there's the overhauled Bomber's Notebook. It not only keeps track of everybody's schedule, but automatically tracks each and every side quest for players. This makes managing everything a lot less frustrating and allows for greater focus on certain tasks. On top of that, players are able to save far more often than before, what with the numerous save points scattered across the map. And, of course, there's the return of the Sheikah Stone from the previous remake, which lets players who need a little help get an idea of what they need to do next. These additions, on top of some remixed dungeons and boss stages, make the game feel like a more streamlined package, while still retaining a good deal of challenge.
The original "Majora's Mask" doesn't look too hot by today's standards. Not so with this beautiful remake. This is one of the most visually arresting games I think I've played on the 3DS, matching and maybe even topping personal standards like "Resident Evil Revelations" and "Kirby: Triple Deluxe." Of course, like the original, there are reused assets from "Ocarina of Time," but you barely notice in the face of all the improvements. Character animations are more detailed and expressive. Environments feel more distinct than ever before. The colors are vibrant, bringing the mysterious land of Termina to vivid life. And, most impressively, the framerate and load times are impeccable, even when playing on the standard 3DS XL. It's a beautiful, crisp game, perhaps even more so than "Ocarina," that makes the most of the console, and on top of that, has pretty spectacular 3D effects.
As a newbie to the full "Majora's Mask" experience, I'm finally seeing what the whole fuss is about. I kind of expected the same old, same old from it, and tapered my expectations accordingly. But what I found was something much, much more. So much more in fact, it not only puts modern Zelda games, but a lot of modern games in general, to shame. Yes, it's a collection of fetch quests that reuses a lot of assets from the previous game, but the extent to how different the whole package feels is remarkable. It's dark, but not artificially so. It's epic, but not lavishly so. It's emotional, without stooping to Spielberg levels of heartstring-tugging. In more simple terms, it's the most stripped-down, raw, genuine entry in the venerable series, and hits on something that I feel hasn't been touched since, with the possible exception of "Twilight Princess."
This may be one of my shorter reviews, because everything I can say about this game boils down to one sentiment. "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D" is an unconventional game in the best way possible, and nothing like it has been made since its release. And now, Nintendo has given us a version that's been improved in virtually every area. There might not be something this unique for years to come.
Screenshot
Pros:
- The narrative is dark, twisted, almost cynical
- Unconventional structure for a Zelda game
- Great art design rendered with gorgeous graphics
- More accessible than the previous version
Cons:
- Fetch quests aren't for everyone.
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