Ocarina of Time may no longer be "the greatest game ever made," but it's still the high point of the Zelda series. All Zelda games have their pros and cons, and more recent games have made huge improvements to the graphics and controls, but for some reason, the scope and emotional depth of Ocarina are still untouched after all these years. (Though I'll admit The Wind Waker comes close.)
Structurally speaking, Ocarina is a pretty typical Hero's Journey, but it isn't just that. It's a heartfelt story about growing up. First you're a child, and life seems inviting and fun; then you're a teen, and life seems hopeless and dangerous. But through it all, you mature, and you realize that life may not be as wonderful as it seemed when you were a kid, but it also isn't as terrible as it seemed when you were a teen. Most importantly, it's a reminder that childhood ideals are worth hanging on to. Even in a dangerous adult world, hope can persevere. I think I needed to grow up a little myself before I could appreciate that side of the game, not just the "run around stabbing monsters, pushing blocks, and headbutting trees" side.
I'm actually fresh off my latest playthrough (the first in several years), and I don't think most of the criticism this game has gotten recently holds up at all. Sure, the dialogue is a little hokey at times, but the story is neither too bloated nor too shallow, and it adds enough of its own touches to the Hero's Journey framework to prevent it from being "generic." There was a lot of care put into the many relationships Link forms throughout his adventure, and I loved seeing the characters (and Link's perspective on them) change and evolve over time.
The dialogue may feel too reliant on exposition, but only if you don't take the time to talk to the NPC's. Most of them have at least one charming personality trait, and the stuff you learn from them really makes Hyrule feel like a living, breathing place with a history—not just the big Monopoly board of older Zeldas. The dungeon design is excellent, too; the music, color palette, architecture, and decorative touches all hint at a deeper history. The Forest, Shadow, and Spirit Temples are my favorites.
Still the Gold Standard
Ocarina of Time may no longer be "the greatest game ever made," but it's still the high point of the Zelda series. All Zelda games have their pros and cons, and more recent games have made huge improvements to the graphics and controls, but for some reason, the scope and emotional depth of Ocarina are still untouched after all these years. (Though I'll admit The Wind Waker comes close.)
Structurally speaking, Ocarina is a pretty typical Hero's Journey, but it isn't just that. It's a heartfelt story about growing up. First you're a child, and life seems inviting and fun; then you're a teen, and life seems hopeless and dangerous. But through it all, you mature, and you realize that life may not be as wonderful as it seemed when you were a kid, but it also isn't as terrible as it seemed when you were a teen. Most importantly, it's a reminder that childhood ideals are worth hanging on to. Even in a dangerous adult world, hope can persevere. I think I needed to grow up a little myself before I could appreciate that side of the game, not just the "run around stabbing monsters, pushing blocks, and headbutting trees" side.
I'm actually fresh off my latest playthrough (the first in several years), and I don't think most of the criticism this game has gotten recently holds up at all. Sure, the dialogue is a little hokey at times, but the story is neither too bloated nor too shallow, and it adds enough of its own touches to the Hero's Journey framework to prevent it from being "generic." There was a lot of care put into the many relationships Link forms throughout his adventure, and I loved seeing the characters (and Link's perspective on them) change and evolve over time.
The dialogue may feel too reliant on exposition, but only if you don't take the time to talk to the NPC's. Most of them have at least one charming personality trait, and the stuff you learn from them really makes Hyrule feel like a living, breathing place with a history—not just the big Monopoly board of older Zeldas. The dungeon design is excellent, too; the music, color palette, architecture, and decorative touches all hint at a deeper history. The Forest, Shadow, and Spirit Temples are my favorites.