You ever played a game that gives you brainrot?

I never experienced a story and dialogue writing that made me wanna groan constantly with how unfunny, outdated, stupid, and even insane in the worst way that it is. The only reason I didn't rate this game any lower is because the gameplay and gunplay are fine and the designs of the enemies, environments, music, and (certain) characters are okay enough, but the writing is so abysmal and baffling to where it brings down the entire experience.

I hope Randy Pitchford gets robbed of his kneecaps

Played the HD version on PC.

I get it. The game is cheesy, its gameplay plays like a first entry of a series that came out in the early 2000's, the dialogue can be ABSOLUTELY stupid and predictable, but goddamn this is the video game that put me on to video games fully.

Gameplay is simple but fun, the music is very good and memorable, the characters standout in their own silly ways, the bosses are good and fun (and secret ones can provide a good challenge), and its a nice, simple hero's journey story through and through. I can't help but to adore this game despite its flaws and how ridiculous it can get.

This game is like 🤏 THIS close to being one of the strongest Zelda games with its story, characters, dungeons, the music, and my god most of the bosses (it has one of my favorite final bosses in Zelda, if not one of my favorite ones ever), but man it really has some of the worst pacing and padding I've experienced in a video game.

I get that they wanted to stretch the game's length out and they had to redo the whole thing at one point, but it is extremely tiring having to revisit the same areas 3 or even 4 times just to fetch an item, having to prove you're a hero AGAIN like you haven't done it twice over, or to outright waste time because the game loves to do that. It feels so held back from how it could've ultimately been, its wack, I'm just glad the HD version fixes some of the glaring problems with the original game.

With that being said FUCK having to fight the Imprisoned 3 times who the fuck thought that was a good idea??? The boss wasn't even good the first time around, probably top 3 in worst Zelda bosses ever man

When I was talking to someone about this game, they called it "the A24 of Zelda games" and it genuinely hasn't left my mind since because of how fitting that is (which I know is a lil cringe if you’re a filmbro but it makes sense if you’re not). It's the strangest and most drastically different game in the series by far, yet it’s one of the best of all of them. From just a writing standpoint alone, the themes and parallels are incredible for something like Zelda, the atmosphere has so much dread, the memorable people of the Termina give the game so much life when they try to live theirs with the end of the world literally looming over their heads, the dungeons, while aren't as many as usual for Zelda, are really well designed and those big brain moments REALLY hit when you figure out the puzzles in the game, even the bosses are so different and have different ways to take them down as you please, the music is still amazing but now darker and bleaker. The new main mechanic, the masks, offers a pool of combat, movement, and puzzle solving abilities that, when figured out, really leads to some engaging and satisfying moments in the game. Despite the tone being the darkest for the series, its somehow has the brightest message of finding hope, helping and bringing joys to others even when everything seems hopeless. Maybe I'm looking a lil too hard into the game but its just an amazing, bizarre, and even surreal experience, its really something that sticks with you long after you play it.

Just a disclaimer though this is not your baby's first Zelda game, it can be hard and its very easy to get lost, overwhelmed, and know where to go, but the game truly rewards you for your time and curiosity. If you love Zelda, please give this game a go.

Such a big staple in the series and its great!

Iconic music, great gameplay and puzzles, dungeons are really good, overworld and underworld are fun to explore, just a great time. My only real complaint is the game can (and will) beat your ass in certain dungeons and you need a certain item to beat the final boss which you will likely NOT know you that do until you either happen to encounter an NPC who mentions it late game or by the time you're already there, so its a bit frustrating when its not something you can run into easily. Regardless, its still a great one to play.

I can't believe I spent the last 10 years sleeping on this game and it ends up in my top 3 Zelda games of all time.

The music?? The snappy gameplay and mechanics??? The characters??? The dungeons?? Bosses?? The worlds??? They went CRAZY on this for no damn reason!! While looking stunning for a 3DS game and running smooth as hell. My only super minor complaint is the in-game art style's identity isn't as outstanding as the rest of the series but that really doesn't matter when you made the best 2D Zelda ever.

also Ravio is my GOAT this isn't for discussion