Even with all its added additions on the 3DS it still does not hide what a great game this really is. It is masterful.
Presentation: This remade version of the 1998 classic definitely looks better with the much more advanced technology that the 3DS has been given. The character models, dungeons, locations, and items just look a lot more better graphically and the textures are more crisp and sharp. It was to be expected with this remake, but there are still a bit of blurry textures to be seen close up which doesn't surprise since very many console, handheld, and pc games do have this. The 3D isn't really that special. I'm not too fond of it in this game. The sound is nice, but I can't make a full in-depth analysis on it since they both do sound great and maybe even greater with the surround sound on the 3DS. Overall, it looks nice, but it would've looked better if this was ported on consoles in HD. It doesn't bother me, but I never liked the small screen handhelds are given, then again, the 3DS XL is going to be released soon enough. :P Presentation is great!
Controls/Mechanics: Remember Z-targeting? Well, now it's L-targeting and for the most part it works pretty good. The thing is I only played the original Ocarina of Time on emulators so it felt awkward with the keyboard and all. By reading a few of others peoples opinions on the game it seems that they prefer the original N64 controls over the 3DS controls and that's perfectly understandable. A controller does feel a bit more comfortable for these kind of games. I can't seem to find much of a flaw with the camera and targeting, but does Link miss his arrow/seed shots on purpose with moving enemies like Keese even while targeting? I always thought he'd never miss a shot, but if it was done this way I guess it does feel a bit more realistic. The aiming felt really smooth and quick when I was aiming with the gyroscope/camera-thingy that the 3DS has and I always chose that option instead of aiming with the circle pad. I recommend aiming without the circle pad just because you can aim a lot more accurately with it, but sometimes you had to reposition yourself in order to do so which is kind of a gripe, but then again that's when you gotta use the circle pad. The controls and mechanics worked pretty fine and fluently.
Gameplay: Playing as Link and using his weapons was a fun and cool challenge especially going through the dungeons, figuring out the puzzles, and defeating the bosses in order to SAVE TEH WORLD! I was always getting a bit frustrated on what I was supposed to do since the solutions weren't that easy to find and that's to be expected with a Zelda game. Once you do, it is quite satisfying and gives off a more memorable experience with the game itself. Most of the difficulty in the game lies with the puzzle-solving. The bosses are very manageable to beat with some exceptions which require a little bit of trial and error, but the puzzles are the difficulty's high point and good thing you can view hints in the game with your Sheikah Stone that is placed in a different location depending on if you are Adult or Kid Link.
I just don't recommend walkthroughs since they do tend to lessen the experience. I recommend completing the game without any help, but just yourself if you can. Combat is fluent and works just fine as it should be with different moves and abilities you can learn from Great Faries and by obtaining certain magic spells and items that can help you along the way. Dungeons are cleverly designed to feel very little monotonous or tedious and it helps keep ya goin'deeper and deeper into the dungeons atmosphere where you have no choice, but to complete your task even with all the dangers that lay awake ahead of you. After you complete such an epic quest your first time or 100th depending on who you are, there is MASTER QUEST! The harder and altered version of the game which I didn't find that great honestly. I'd rather pick the original quest rather than this one, but it does offer a bit of challenge over the original quest.
The game does have a lot side-content to be offered like exploring the vast land of Hyrule through two different times talking with characters of what has happened and what they think. I'd recommend it since it does give you a feeling of what is really happening. Also, trying to find all the heart pieces and destroying gold skulltullas in order to save the cursed family is fun and satisfying. There is also mini-games like shooting rupees and diving to get rupees in Zora's Domain to get prizes. Also there is a archery mini-game where you can get more arrows in the Gerudo Thieve's Location. There are many things to do and accomplish besides that main quest and it helps you complete the harder dungeons later on. It also adds a overall better experience with the game which is always good! :D Overall, the gameplay still looks and feels great with this remake. It's still as epic as before!
What's the Story, Morning Glory? - The story is simple, but yet it ascends into epicness as it continues mostly due to its gameplay and with all that time travel Link has to go through in order to save Hyrule, stop Ganondorf, and find some good twists in the game! It isn't as great or epic as the stories in the Metal Gear series or Final Fantasy series, but it just does fine on its own. The characters do give out their feelings, tell you important things, and need your help to complete certain tasks during certain events and situations in the game which gives out a nicer, darker, and better atmosphere in the game. Nice simple story with good character development in order to show how striking the atmosphere is.
The Grade: 9.0 *SUPERB!*
The game is fun, exciting, cool, awesome, and can be downright amazing during some points. It's one of the few games I've played that I actually had a great, awesome time playing. Even if it is a remake it has everything a good game has: great gameplay, great music, good challenge, and a great atmosphere! New generation games need to be as fun and amazing this game was when I first playing it all the way through. This game has more heart and soul than many others out there and it could've been better if it had a lot more substance in the story, characters, and bosses, but overall no matter what version of the game you are playing, this game gives out a nice grand experience to any gamer. This is the first Zelda game I have completed and hope you enjoyed the review! I can't wait to get more immersed into the Zelda series after this one!
=======LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME 3D=======