where other zeldas go left or right, this game goes up, literally. adding a jump to the 2D zelda formula has gotta be one of the best ideas in this entire game. it adds such a degree of freedom and true openess to the world and it's puzzles, i'm so shocked by how much i enjoyed that aspect. now i will forever dream of a zelda game that really really leans into this game's 2D/3D platformer aspects.

the story to this one really sneaks up on you w

the dungeon design in this one is impeccable (apart from level 7 which sucked dick). the biggest flaw with this game easily comes when trying to go from one dungeon to the next. I flat out refused to believe any human has ever beaten this game without a guide. perhaps, if the worlds greatest scholars collaborated on it over a few years, they could get it done. whilst the puzzles involving the overworld are mostly horseshit, the world itself is so charming and colourful, with weirdo mario characters and an art style that puts this among the switch's best looking games. the characters and muisc are so great, you almost forget about how the next thing you had to do in the main quest was find the secret fisherman under the bridge in a part of a non-optional 30-step fetch quest. And the story, which is intertwined with this love for the world, really sneaks up on you with what is probably the strongest ending in any zelda game, and a message that really sticks with you.

an excellent zelda game, held back by some old game bullshit, but a lot less old game bullshit than every other zelda game.