I have a strange relationship with the Legend of Zelda series. My first game in the franchise was Wind Waker HD (yes, I was late to the party, leave me alone). I didn’t like it–it’s quite slow, isn’t it?
Later, despite some hesitation on my part after not really getting on with Wind Waker, I tried A Link Between Worlds. I loved it–it’s amazing, isn’t it?
Encouraged by my unexpected love for ALBW, I immediately bought Breath of the Wild after getting a Switch, and, again, despite universal praise from critics, I didn’t like it. I found it directionless–I didn’t know what to do, where to go, which weapons to use, and why certain armor was better than others.
I thought I was the problem. Maybe I’m just weird, I thought.Maybe I just don’t like the 3D Zelda games? I should try another 2D one. Argh, they’re all old, and as we all know, all old games are Bad™.
Fear not, dear reader, for I persevered. After bouncing off at the first time of asking, I returned to Breath of the Wild a further two times, and on the third try it finally clicked. Suddenly I had decent gear and a few hearts and I could explore without fear of immediately being killed. I realized that getting lost was sort of the point, and that it didn’t matter where I went. I’m not weird! I thought. I do like Zelda!
Fast forward to 2019 and I cannot wait for Link’s Awakening. I’m a full-on Zelda convert now, and I’m hungry for more. A critically acclaimed game, remastered for the modern age on the most convenient and delightful console ever, all in that wonderful cartoonish 2D art style? Sign me the hell up. — Oscar Dayus