Perfect 10s
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Wednesday 13th December 2013
marks the 15th anniversary of the release of The Legend of Zelda:
Ocarina of Time in PAL regions. 15 years!
15 years since my Mum queued up outside
Electronics Boutique in Cardiff, alongside other Mums, in a desperate attempt
to acquire the perfect Christmas gift. The 25th December 2013 will
mark the anniversary of me receiving the perfect Christmas gift and repaying
her efforts by not speaking to her for the rest of the day while I worked
solidly away at Links newest adventure.
After 15 years this is a game that is no
longer possible to review. Thousands already exist and they all say the same
thing: 10/10, 100%, perfect! It was re-reviewed countless times when Nintendo
re-released it in an attempt to boost 3DS sales. It was still perfect and 3DS
sales were indeed boosted.
So rather than put forth another review
explaining how wonderfully cinematic the game first appeared, how mind blowing
the animation of Epona was or how a simple thing like auto lock-on could improve
a game ten fold, today it seems more appropriate to talk about my all time
favourite gaming moment. Ever. Period.
The moment comes early in the game. Having
explored the Kokiri forest and obtained the Kokiri sword and Deku shield, you
battle your way through the first dungeon inside the Great Deku Tree. A
claustrophobic, arachnophobic affair full of cobwebs, spiders and tight spaces;
you emerge the fledgling hero. Despite your best efforts the Great Deku Tree
dies but with his last breath urges you to your adventure. Accepting fate you
say goodbye to your Elfish friend Saria at the gates and leave the forest.
For a brief moment, the claustrophobia
continues. You step into a narrow pathway lined with trees, you follow the path
as it bends to the right and then it happens; you step into the open world, out
into Hyrule and the unknown. The sun arches overhead, the sky is blue and the
game takes on a completely different feel.
This gaming moment reminds me of one of my
favourite music moments in OK Computer by Radiohead. After the thumping drums
of Let Down and Karma Police, the claustrophobic, crunching guitars and wailing
of Electioneering and Climbing Up the Walls, after the misery of No Surprises,
you are offered an opportunity to ‘slow down’ and take a breath as the album
pitter patters to a sedate close. The only difference is that the ‘The Legend
of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ is only just beginning and another 20+ hours of
story are waiting to unfold.
After 15 years the perfect game remains perfect. And probably will for another 15 years. And maybe another after that.
After 15 years the perfect game remains perfect. And probably will for another 15 years. And maybe another after that.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: 10
Keep it timeless! Keep it OMG!
