By the time this is posted online, I will officially own a New Nintendo 3DS. As those who saw the most recent Nintendo Direct know, two games that I have a keen interest in were also released on the same day – February 13th.
I have already featured one of those games as a Game of the Month. Naturally, the second game I have an interest in will get the spotlight shone upon it here.
This particular 3DS game is part of arguably one of the best video game franchises, and one of the darkest entries.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D is a remake of the 2nd Nintendo 64 Zelda game. The game is a direct sequel to Ocarina of Time.
Link is pulled into the parallel world of Termina, where he discovers that the moon is due to crash down into the place in three days. Being a hero, Link takes up the challenge to stop the moon.
Since three days isn’t a long time at all, Link is able to travel back in time via the Song of Time – he has to reclaim his lost ocarina before doing so, though.
No matter what you’re doing, time is always ticking down towards Termina’s inevitable fate. This time limit is one of the reasons that this entry of the Zelda series is so unique. Also, the moon is constantly hovering above you, getting closer each day.
Another unique part of Majora’s Mask are the masks. A few grant special abilities, such as running faster or a keener sense of smell. There are also transformation masks, allowing Link to take on different forms – these are the Deku, Goron and Zora Masks.
Deku Link is a Deku Scrub, able to glide using Deku Flowers and spit magic bubbles.
Goron Link can roll, pound the ground and is resistant to fire and lava. The rolling skill that this mask bestows is put to excellent use against one of the bosses.
Zora Link has the best swimming ability, and is also able to generate an electrical field when swimming. This form also has boomerang fins – useful since the actual Boomerang is absent in this game.
Though there may not be too much content dungeon-wise compared to the other games, one could argue that Majora’s Mask is all about the sidequests.
Every named NPC has a routine throughout the three days Link is in Termina. This can be kept track of in the Bombers’ Notebook. Resolving any problems each NPC has will result in rewards, from standard Pieces of Heart to item capacity upgrades or even more masks.
The sidequests can range from simply being in the right place at the right time to subplots that take the entire three days to resolve.
Of course, much like Ocarina of Time 3D before it, Majora’s Mask 3D has been given a visual overhaul – which was probably quite easy considering it uses the same assets as the former.
A new addition has places where Link can go fishing – you know, a nice distraction from impending doom.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D isn’t only a unique game in its own franchise; there isn’t anything else quite like it full stop. With a whole bunch of characters to become acquainted with and several different transformations, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D is well worth playing.
Rory Muses 