BY JACOB FERREIRA
The Legend of Zelda has been one of the most beloved video game series for over 25 years, and for good reason. Despite the fact that the general plot of most Legend of Zelda games usually involves Link collecting special artifacts throughout the game in order to defeat Ganon (or whoever the big bad may be) and save Princess Zelda, just about every title in the series has something that sets it apart from the last. The latest entry in the series, A Link Between Worlds is no exception. Advertised as a sequel to the NES classic, A Link to the Past, this new release still does contain many of the same features, like an overhead camera view, and even the same world map previously explored in A Link to the Past. Of course, 21 years is a pretty big gap between sequels, and can lead to some notable differences, the most obvious being that everything in the new game is in stunning 3D, which is used to its full potential. Unlike other 3DS games, in which the 3D effect can be a nuisance so much that you end up turning it off, A Link Between Worlds will have you doing the opposite. Sadly, this is a surprise that isn’t very common. Complimenting the top-notch visuals is a fully orchestrated soundtrack, containing remastered tracks from A Link to the Past, and completely new ones as well.
Gameplay wise, A Link Between Worlds can be a little generic, however one certain character changes things up quite a bit. Early on in the game, you meet Ravio, a strange merchant who wears a purple bunny mask. Ravio decides to set up a shop in your home, where you can rent (and later on buy) nearly all the items you’ll need throughout the game, allowing for you to have a bow, hammer, hookshot, bombs, and more before even entering the second dungeon. As with most of these seemingly perfect deals, there is a catch. If you somehow end up dying, all rented items will be returned to Ravio, meaning you’ll have to buy them all over again. Another important point to note is that even though you can obtain a fairly full arsenal of items early on in the game, the dungeons you encounter each cater to a specific item. Thus, bombs and arrows won’t be much use in places that require a hammer.
Your power isn’t limited to the average assortment of tools and weapons though. This time around, you can fuse into flat walls and become a 2D painting of yourself. While in 2D form, the camera’s perspective changes, opening up a whole new world, and revealing passageways and items you may have walked right past. Veteran Zelda players who have always relied on their standard tools may spend a short while completely clueless on how to progress before realizing all they needed was to simply merge with the wall.
While none of the puzzles are impossibly difficult, there are a few which require a bit of…original thinking. Most Zelda vets will be pleased with this, but newbies to the series may be scared off by it. Fortunately, gamers who still need extra help can get it by paying hint ghosts (who can only be seen with special glasses received early on) a single play coin, which can be easily earned by putting 100 steps into the 3DS’ built-in pedometer.
A Link Between Worlds is able to simultaneously be incredibly nostalgic of A Link to the Past and still feel like a new step forward into the series. This, along with its beautiful sights and sounds make it one the best Legend of Zelda games to be released in recent years, and possibly one of the best titles on the 3DS so Far.
