This was the first Zelda game I'd ever played, and it was a delightful way to start. The art style is really nice, cute and subtly stylish; the overall aesthetic is just kinda warm and comfy. Everything feels just right, from the gentle music to the controls.
The overworld is not huge, but it's a masterclass in efficiency: every inch of the map has a purpose, and sometimes more than one. I must have zig-zagged the island hundreds of times and was never boring due to the tight design and efficient use of space and shortcuts. Link's Awakening effortlessly rewards exploration and experimentation from the very beginning on thorough the end.
Not especially difficult, but satisfying none the less to clear dungeons, progress through the overworld and uncover secrets. I particularly enjoyed toting the shovel everywhere digging holes all over the island, and the fishing mini-game.
The dungeon maker activity is sadly very limited and not particularly enjoyable; finding blocks to unlock new parts of it was more fun than actually using it. But aside from that? This is a nearly perfect action-RPG and a really great introduction to Zelda. I've played games influenced by the early Zelda games all my life, but never the OG.
By the end, I found myself sad that it was drawing to a close. I really like these characters, and the world they populated was one I didn't want to leave. I suppose that's the ultimate success measure of an RPG: it created a world that I missed when I left it. Wonderful game I look forward to replaying.
The overworld is not huge, but it's a masterclass in efficiency: every inch of the map has a purpose, and sometimes more than one. I must have zig-zagged the island hundreds of times and was never boring due to the tight design and efficient use of space and shortcuts. Link's Awakening effortlessly rewards exploration and experimentation from the very beginning on thorough the end.
Not especially difficult, but satisfying none the less to clear dungeons, progress through the overworld and uncover secrets. I particularly enjoyed toting the shovel everywhere digging holes all over the island, and the fishing mini-game.
The dungeon maker activity is sadly very limited and not particularly enjoyable; finding blocks to unlock new parts of it was more fun than actually using it. But aside from that? This is a nearly perfect action-RPG and a really great introduction to Zelda. I've played games influenced by the early Zelda games all my life, but never the OG.
By the end, I found myself sad that it was drawing to a close. I really like these characters, and the world they populated was one I didn't want to leave. I suppose that's the ultimate success measure of an RPG: it created a world that I missed when I left it. Wonderful game I look forward to replaying.