Originally revealed again in February 2021 as a part of our Legend of Zelda thirty fifth anniversary celebration series, we’re republishing this function in honour of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link‘s thirty fifth birthday (in North America — in Japan it launched on January 1987 on the Famicom Disk System).
Here, Gavin appears to be like again on the first sequel within the collection, and one of many final entries he received round to enjoying…
Following the discharge of the 3DS virtually a decade in the past, I made a decision to return and mop up the remaining Zelda video games that I hadn’t gotten round to enjoying. This was made significantly simpler because of getting a number of entries for ‘free’ as an early 3DS adopter through the Ambassador Program. Past video games I had missed included The Minish Cap, each Oracle video games (not a part of this system, however out there on the 3DS eShop), the unique Legend of Zelda (hey, I used to be a primarily Sega child till the mid-’90s), and its sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.
My introduction to the collection was Ocarina of Time, which I (and most everybody who ever performed it) favored quite a bit. In reality, the 3D remake was the principle purpose I picked up a 3DS so early. After leaping in with The Best Video Game Ever Made™, going backwards within the timeline was at all times more likely to be harder for a comparatively late starter, no less than in comparison with followers who started their adventures in 8-bit Hyrule. While I can respect the sooner video games for the bottom they broke (and Link’s Awakening, particularly, is one thing a bit particular), I am unable to fairly discover it in myself to love them, you understand? Not even A Link to the Past. I do know, I do know — letters to the standard handle.
Zelda II was a selected problem for me. To put it frivolously, my first impression of the top-down overworld wasn’t nice. I keep in mind considering ‘Why is it so goddamned static?’. The overworld within the sequel is actually a glorified zoomed-out map which simply occurs to be navigable, however it seemed blocky and ugly, particularly after the relative great thing about the primary recreation. I lately found that the lakes and coastal water within the Famicom Disk System authentic have animation frames that are solely absent from the NES model — even this tiny change would have made an enormous distinction in giving the dominion some life. As it’s, there’s little occurring within the blocky overworld past enemy and fairy icons spawning in trios and circling with the specter of a random battle each ten seconds. Urgh.
And the notorious 2D sections in cities and palaces? They have been so…, nicely, flat after the ‘go-anywhere’ freedom of different entries. The temporary interactions and easy relationships with the townsfolk all through Zelda II can be constructed upon in spectacular style within the 16-bit follow-up on SNES, however the side-on perspective felt like a straightjacket and it took me a very long time to understand the sport’s affect and significance inside the Zelda timeline (the discharge timeline I imply, not the three-pronged migraine-inducing collection chronology).
merely sticking with Zelda II was a problem far higher than something I confronted in its dungeon palaces. Fortunately, enjoying the sport on 3DS meant I had entry to save lots of states, and — man — did I exploit them
For me, merely sticking with Zelda II was a problem far higher than something I confronted in its dungeon palaces. Fortunately, enjoying the sport on 3DS meant I had entry to save lots of states, and — man — did I exploit them. Similar to how they let me keep immersed on this planet of Simon’s Quest (and ultimately come to admire that tough-to-love recreation), it was the power to save lots of and instantly undo my errors that gave The Adventure of Link’s ambiance time to soak in, to the purpose that I needed to proceed, not simply to tick this linchpin Zelda entry off my mainline record.
For somebody accustomed to Ocarina, noting that the city names referenced the sages was a thrill, and even the stiff controls grew on me with time. Unlocking and performing a down-thrust ultimately grew to become a pleasure and also you’re pressured to get tactical and look ahead to patterns when battling enemies — storming in on a wing and a prayer is a sure-fire solution to instigate the return of Ganon. You cannot afford to hurry The Adventure of Link. Slow and regular wins the race.
I additionally got here to like the sense of empowerment that the RPG-style levelling offers you over time, one thing you may simply miss in the event you do not keep it up. That progress signifies that Link — like the sport itself — will get stronger the extra you play. Persevere, and also you shall be rewarded. It’s hardly a brand new concept, however think about a contemporary remake which injected a bit of of the trendy comfort and recreation design information accrued over the previous 35 years… It may very well be one thing extraordinary!
In reality, all this speak makes me wish to dive again on this instantaneous. It’s simpler than ever as of late as The Adventure of Link is a part of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription package deal, now with the added boon of the ‘rewind’ button. That alone is a giant enchancment over the 3DS’ multi-step save-state setup, or having to hit the reset button on the NES Classic Mini.
Even with these mod cons, although, Zelda II could be a robust ask for gamers used to slick fashionable mechanics and the expanded great thing about 8-bit+ retro revivals like Shovel Knight and Cyber Shadow. Still, maybe there’s by no means been a greater time for Zelda II to shine. A swathe of avid gamers as of late actually admire not having their arms held as tight as many fashionable mainstream releases insist, and contours between these earlier Zelda video games and one thing just like the Dark Souls collection are fairly simple to attract. Zelda II has been reappraised in recent times, and rightly so; it’s a recreation which rewards persistence, perseverance, and talent, maybe extra so than some other entry within the collection.
Zelda II has at all times been the odd one out; the Dark Link to the acquainted hero discovered within the different Legends of Zelda. C’mon, it does not even have ‘Legend’ within the title! It took me some time — and never a small quantity of effort, even utilizing save states — to search out the soul beneath that unforgiving, unattractive exterior, however even with its faults, persevering with it and seeing the journey by to the top is likely one of the most satisfying gaming reminiscences I’ve.
Roll on a remake.
