Hello, kids - Gezkrat here. It's been a while since I've done a review, so I figured what better a way to come flailing back into the scene than with a comprehensive review for what I (and everyone else who isn't a mentally handicapped 4th grader) believe to be quite possibly the most iconic game not only for the NES, but in gaming history. That's right; if you haven't guessed it by now, today we're gonna take a look at the timeless classic "The Legend of Zelda." As per standard we'll be taking a look at the Story, Graphics / Design, Sound, and Gameplay / Controls.
So grab your shields, fill up your hearts, and get ready for a trip back in time as we review this beeyatch.
STORY 4/5
Now I will say this - the story for LoZ is pretty standard for RPGs of it's time, as there are generally two parts of their storyline: the damsel in distress, and the quest that prevents it from being simply "walk into the palace, kill the baddie, and save the girl," and in our case today it happens to be the infamous Triforce. Yes, as if we all didn't know by now, Ganon holds the Triforce of Power. Not only this, but you must restore the Triforce itself with the many other hidden shards guarded by different dungeon bosses. Do this, fight the big baddie, save the girl and life in infamy. Pretty standard, right? Hmm... we'll find out!
Based on the fact that The Legend of Zelda series is quite possibly one of the most confusing of all time, I'm going to give the one that started all this mass hysteria a 4 as far as the story goes. If only we knew what we were in for when we first played this as kids...
GRAPHICS / DESIGN 5/5
While it definitely does not boast the best graphics of it's time, The Legend of Zelda is impressive in its own nonetheless. Hyrule is designed beautifully in all it's splendorous 8-Bit glory, and the lack of any real step-by-step mapping system (think Super Mario 3) will have any novice gamer unfamiliar with this first entry perplexed for hours.
While attempting to comprehensibly navigate through Hyrule's forests, mazes, deserts, lakes, graveyards, hidden passages, hidden shops and secret rooms, you are treated to a very ascetically pleasing design for all of the said parts; everything transitions very well, and while it can be a bit confusing attempting to get through them all (even almost coming up a bit bland at parts), each screen will have you fighting and wanting to make it to your goal (wherever THAT may be ;)
The dungeons are no exception to this rule; just following the map will only get you so far in these underground levels, and while it isn't exactly required to find all the secrets, who isn't going to spend that extra time attempting it? And finding that extra hidden key for the door is only half the battle: you lay bombs, travel through walls, defeat (seemingly) countless enemies, all to be rewarded with that one fraction of the Triforce. Is it worth the mindfsck you go through? Hell yeah it is!
SOUND 5/5
We all know the Super Mario Bros theme. Hell, it's undoubtedly one of, if not the, most recognizable ditties in all of gaming history. Now what would you expect from the man who boasts that on his resume to create for this wonderful fantasy epic? Well I'm here to tell ya, if there's any one song as instantly recognizable as Super Mario Bros' overworld theme, it's definitely Zelda's overworld - or hell, any tune in this one.
I mean, every song, every theme, every effect... they all blend and work so well in this game. From second one of the title screen, you know this game is nothing short of epic. The second you pop out of the first cave / "shop" with your trusty wooden sword and hear the music kick up, you're ready to go on an adventure. When you step foot in the first dungeon, your skin crawls. Everything down to the 'energy blade' sound effect is perfect, and I don't think any of us could see (or hear, rather) it any other way, which is reason in itself to give the Sound a score of 6... but I suppose a 5 will have to do.
GAMEPLAY / CONTROLS 5/5
You walk left, you walk right. Sometimes you get to go up and down some stairs, or through a wall.
Okay okay, so I kid, though admittingly the gameplay is rather simple. You've got your D-pad and your A and B weapons / items, alongside your Rupee count. The menu navigation is quick and to the point, and the maps are easy enough to navigate (it's what's outside the map you gotta worry about...). Not much of an opportunity for confusion as far as attacking, laying bombs, and running away here, just stay alert and avoid the traps, enemy fire, and a few falling rocks and you're set. Great in its simplicity.
OVERALL 5/5
Great music, engulfing story, nice graphics, awesome design; who here does not remember the countless hours of enjoyable frustration that came at the hand of Legend of Zelda? The replay value, the second quest... hell, the legacy. I've been re-playing a lot of my old NES, and this is definitely one of the classics I truly miss. The nostalgic memories upon hearing the menu theme in its 8-Bit glory, re-living Link's first adventure, battling with Ganon for the first time (again), it's all here to stay. This is what a game should be.
Now if you'll excuse me, it's time to see why I hated Zelda II so much again...
