Whatever you have heard previous about this game, I assure you it is well worth playing.
Capcom i feel did an excellent job on making this game. As you well know capcom is know for some great series as well as individual games. Some games include the mega-man series, and devil may cry series. I feel that capcom should take control of all zelda games that are to be made on a hand-held console, since they did such a great job with this game.
The game play in this game, is very similar to that of link's awakening made earlier. This feature includes a 2-button item set where you can set either weapons or items to either slot. This system, once again, allows for certain obstacles that requires two items to be used simultaneously. Personally, i feel more comfortable having the sword used on one button and the items used on another button as previous zelda games have used.
The dungeon puzzles in this game are quite complex at times, and could become quite frustrating for people who are beginners or intermediate zelda players. One obstacle I remember quite well is where you have to use an item called the switch hook, and get a block to hold down a switch by repeatedly switching with that block to get it in the right place.
This game features a lot of new gizmos and gadgets to get you through some levels which will help you progress through the game. The harp allows you to travel from past to present using special spaces found all over the world map, much like the mirror found in A Link to the Past, and as you progress through the game, upgrades will allow you to warp at any points on the world map allowing access to areas you can not reach simply by traveling on the same age. The seed shooter is a clever addition, which allows you to shoot out seeds at far lenghs as well as in any direction. The cane of somaria, which was found in A link to the Past, allows you to create blocks which could be used to hold down switches, and other things. The switch hook is by far my favorite item featured in this game. This item allows you to have link switch places with any object, which could be used to traverse a hole or move a block onto a switch.
This game also introduces 3 animal friends that help you to progress through the game. Ricky the kangaroo helps link to jump over holes and up cliff tops to reach certain areas, as well as using a whirl-wind punch to help clear out bushes blocking your path. Dimitri the dodongo can swim through water which allows link to traverse rivers. Moosh the bear allows link to traverse larger holes by flying him across.
The graphics i feel to be well ahead of its time, especially since the game is on the game boy. The world map is well detailed, and the manner in which it was made seemed very unique to me. Never has a zelda game featured a world map even close to the one featured in the game. It should be noted that oracle of seasons features a completely new area of the world and is not set in the same place as oracle of ages. The dungeons featured in oracle of seasons are also made well. My favorite visual dungeon is inside Jabu-Jabu's belly, because i feel a sense that link is inside the fish.
The sound is actually quite excellent for this one. The overworld tune is quite catchy as well as the dungeon themes. My favorite dungeon theme is by far the Skull dungeon theme ( which is either level 4 or 5). The sound effects are also well adapted to the game. The swoosh sound as link swings his sword is still an excellent sound effect.
The game is quite long on its own, and adding many extras really ups the value. The main game alone took me around 20 hours to complete the first time through, and even the second time through i was not bored of the game. Many extras are present in the game as well. Again collecting heart pieces is a must for any zelda game. The game features rings which have different effects on link and collecting all of them will require both games and 2 game boy advances linked to collect them all. Also the real ending can only be seen if you have beaten both oracle games through once.
The story is kind of the same as any zelda game. Save the princess, save the world, been there done that. But each oracle game features its own kind of mini story which fit in quite well wth the overall scheme of both games. Oracle of Ages features an enemy who can possess individuals, and this enemy possesses the queen of the past age, and orders the building of a dark tower where she could rule the world. Well its link's job to stop this evil- possessing weirdo and save the world.
All in all, Ages is a great game in its own respect and will for sure be remembered as one game leaving a unforgettable mark on many individuals.