There are few franchises that touch the hearts of millions world wide like, The Legend of Zelda. Ever since the franchise debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System, back in the late 1980s, Zelda and Link have become household names. With that kind of popularity, the Legend of Zelda has appeared on every single Nintendo system to date, ensuring that we won't ever have a shortage of epic adventures. Undeniably, the most well received addition to the Zelda family, was Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64. I think I can speak for a lot of us when I say it changed the way we look at video games, but there is a forgotten N64 Zelda that never truly got the recognition it deserves. I'm referring to, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

  Playing off of the success of Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask was a sequel to the smash hit. The adventure begins when the Hero of Time, Link, has left the land of Hyrule in search of his fairy companion who left at the end of Ocarina of Time. With a sword, shield, and Ocarina in hand, we see our sleepy hero drifting off while on horseback in a foggy forest. Then shortly after he is ambushed by a Skull Kid wearing Majora's Mask and two fairies. Link loses his ocarina and horse, and the story takes off from there. The one thing is certain, The Legend of Zelda franchise knows how to make things dramatic and Majora's Mask is no different. This game's story is a diamond in the ruff, and in its day was dismissed for its light hearted nature. Now I understand that those of you who have played Majora's Mask are saying to yourselves right now, "Light hearted nature!? A moon with a face is dropping down on the world in three days time!", and you're completely correct. I'm referring to the brilliant tactic of covering up such a dark, apocalyptic plot with the light music themes that get more frantic as the clock ticks closer and closer to doomsday, and the often bright color schemes that you wouldn't expect in a game about the end of the world. Instead of making Majora's Mask overly dreary, and believe me on further examination this game is dreary, Majora's presentation is something even young children can enjoy.

  If you played The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask's predecessor, Ocarina of Time, then you will have no problem picking up the controller and jumping right on in. The control schemes are identical, although are slightly more responsive in my opinion. Even learning how to play those lovely tunes on Link's fairy flute is identical to Ocarina of Time, so any N64 Zelda veteran will feel right at home. There is one element to Majora's Mask that might throw some a curve ball. Unlike any previous Zelda installments, Majora's Mask isn't a linear experience. Instead of just going from start to finish, never worrying about looking back, the biggest aspect to this game is your doomsday clock. That's right, you are on a time limit, an in game 3 days time limit. If you fail to stop the moon from dropping in those 3 days, game over man. But, its not as difficult as you might think. Being a Hero of Time and all, Link has the ability to go back to the first day at his leisure, thus resetting anything you have accomplished before warping back. This makes Majora's Mask feel like something out of a Quentin Tarantino film, it's a very bilinear experience and adds a measure of depth I've never seen in a game up Majora's release. But, traveling back in time isn't the only addition to the franchise Majora's Mask offers. Link also has the ability to change his form by putting on different masks you acquire throughout the game. The acquisition of these masks is yet another dark event as the spirit of the form Link is about to change into is absorbed by the mask, not to mention the creepy cut scene when the actual shape shift begins. You will also have to help out the towns folk in their time in need, and many of their situations are dire. Their side missions are very rewarding, however no one will remember your good deeds by the time you travel back to the first day. Being a hero is such a thankless job.

  I could continue on for hours and hours about how great Majora's Mask truly is, but in the end it is something each player must discover for themselves. It was a refreshing adventure, and Link's darkest one yet. Although I can understand its bilinear nature can be complex at times, try to think of it as a waltz through time. You have to know the steps to the dance, or you'll lose the beat. Pace yourself, explore and learn the game's patterns, and your patience will be reward with a gaming experience like no other.

Written by: RB

Over and Out

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