The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
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Release Year: 2000
Developer: Nintendo EAD Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Action-Adventure Consoles: N64; GameCube; 3DS (Remake) |
In a series that only tends to release once a console generation, it seems unthinkable that one would come out only a scant two years after the previous entry. One would find it even harder to believe that such a game would be good. However, Majora's Mask ranks up highly with some to the point of being considered one of the best, or even the best Legend of Zelda game ever made. A short development cycle is something that causes worry in many gamers as many of the worst video games of all time are the result of such a thing.
Majora's Mask proved to be different. Some would argue that the short development cycle was used very much as an asset to this game, rather than a hindrance. The development team didn't have as much time to question all of their design decisions as they would have in a more traditional Zelda game, leading to more experimentation and much more unconventionality. It forgoes many of the typical tropes that make up a traditional Zelda game. There's no Hyrule, no Ganon, and the titular princess Zelda only makes a brief appearance within the game. What's added, however, makes the game more unique than what was removed.
The main mechanic of the game is the clock. Within Majora's Mask, Link has three days to save the world of Termina, which equates to about an hour of real-world time. If he should fail, then the moon will fall and destroy the entire world. The only way to prevent this is to use the Song of Time, which will return Link to the dawn of the first day. He'll still be able to keep his important weapons and upgrades, such as the masks, but all minor items and story progress will be lost.
Unlike the film Groundhog Day, which this game is frequently compared to, Majora's Mask uses this mechanic for feelings of sadness and existential horror, rather than outright comedy. While the character models and assets make a return from Ocarina of Time, they do not live the same lives. Because there are only three days, the developers were able to finely tune complicated schedules for each and every character within the game. It was a feat technically impressive for the time, as Majora's Mask is one of the few Nintendo 64 games that requires the memory expansion pack. As time goes on, the characters become increasingly distraught with their hopeless plight against the oncoming apocalypse. Everyone has something different to say at different parts of the three-day cycle.
Majora's Mask proved to be different. Some would argue that the short development cycle was used very much as an asset to this game, rather than a hindrance. The development team didn't have as much time to question all of their design decisions as they would have in a more traditional Zelda game, leading to more experimentation and much more unconventionality. It forgoes many of the typical tropes that make up a traditional Zelda game. There's no Hyrule, no Ganon, and the titular princess Zelda only makes a brief appearance within the game. What's added, however, makes the game more unique than what was removed.
The main mechanic of the game is the clock. Within Majora's Mask, Link has three days to save the world of Termina, which equates to about an hour of real-world time. If he should fail, then the moon will fall and destroy the entire world. The only way to prevent this is to use the Song of Time, which will return Link to the dawn of the first day. He'll still be able to keep his important weapons and upgrades, such as the masks, but all minor items and story progress will be lost.
Unlike the film Groundhog Day, which this game is frequently compared to, Majora's Mask uses this mechanic for feelings of sadness and existential horror, rather than outright comedy. While the character models and assets make a return from Ocarina of Time, they do not live the same lives. Because there are only three days, the developers were able to finely tune complicated schedules for each and every character within the game. It was a feat technically impressive for the time, as Majora's Mask is one of the few Nintendo 64 games that requires the memory expansion pack. As time goes on, the characters become increasingly distraught with their hopeless plight against the oncoming apocalypse. Everyone has something different to say at different parts of the three-day cycle.
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Tips and Tricks |
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This is alluded to within the game, but it's possible to slow the flow of time if you're having trouble. Playing the song of time backwards will play the Inverted Song of Time, which will give you nearly three hours to do whatever you have to do. Playing each note twice in a row will play the Double Song of Time which will allow you to travel immediately to the next dawn or dusk. Majora's Mask is arguably the hardest of the 3D Zelda games, and you can make it a lot easier on yourself if you remember to always save and return to the dawn of the first day before you go into a dungeon or something like that. And remember the old Zelda adage - never buy disposable items. If you need bombs or the like-like, Goron roll around in Termina field. It's cheaper and probably faster too.
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I would avoid the 3DS remake. Some beginners really enjoy it, and all the power to them, but I don't get why. It actually makes the game a lot harder in some areas. The Song of Inverted Time doesn't slow down time as much, for instance, making the third and fourth dungeons even more clutch. Making matters worse is that's dash now requires magic power, ramping up the difficulty of Great Bay Temple even more. I'd recommend always buying Chateau Romani once you get the Zora Mask, but let's be honest, I'm recommending the original. Remember, if you're having trouble with the ice arrows, you're probably aiming too high. If the arrow itself hits a wall, even underwater, it will not make an ice platform. That's the kinda stuff they fixed in the remake... at the expense of telling you exactly where to hit. Sorry, I don't like to be told the answers to the puzzles when I play a Zelda game.
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Extra Fun |
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One of my favorite things about this game is moment-to-moment stuff; the character interactions. I don't think that I've had a Zelda game make me feel as much as this one. And yes, I did cry during my first playthrough. Ikana Canyon, if you're wondering. While some of these moments are mandatory to beat the game, some are side quests you'll need to go out of your way for. Kafei and Anju's subplot is the most famous, and it deserves it. However, the game won't even guide you towards everything. Sometimes you gotta go out of your way. Follow around Romani and her sister Cremia for a cycle to see what I mean. The little extra details are what makes this game so special.
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So you're looking for something to do? Prove you're one of the ultimate Zelda players by giving the three-day challenge a go. It's one of the most famous challenges out there, besides the swordless or three heart run. After you go through the first cycle and get the Song of Healing, your challenge is to beat the entire game without using the Song of Time again. One cycle to get through the whole game. It's tough, but doable. Just remember, you gotta get to Romani Ranch on the first day and race the Ikani giant stalfos on the first night. If it seems tough, just reorder your thinking. You're never going to be able to do it if you feel compelled to beat an entire dungeon the first time through. Grab the dungeon item and get outta there. You're on a time limit. Oh, one more thing, this is not possible on the 3DS remake; since the clock moves faster when the Inverted Song of Time is Played.
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Trivia |
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No area in the game has more mystery surrounding it than the Stone Tower, and its respective temple. The four statues created by the Elegy of Emptiness have not only led to one of the most famous internet ghost stories - Ben Drowned, but sparked theories that the entire game is some kind of purgatory for Link after he died. Even ignoring fan speculations, this is the only place in the game where the Triforce exists - on the bottom of the block statues, covering their uh... bottoms, and being licked in some vulgar display. It's hinted that this tower was meant to mock Hyrule's goddesses as the people of Termina tried to assault the heavens, but it was cursed to be turned upside down, changing a stairway to heaven to a descent to hell.
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While there are 24 masks in the game, you actually only need six of them to beat the game - the Zora, Deku, and Goron transformation masks, the gibdo mask, the garo's mask, and the captain's mask. While a minimalist run can be challenging, it's not very rewarding. Some masks are more useful than others, but I couldn't really see myself playing without using the bunny hood at the earliest possible moment or using the stone mask to get through the Gerudo's Fortress.
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