Review: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

Majora's Mask 3D | Principal Platforms: Nintendo 3DS | Developer: Grezzo, Nintendo | Publisher: Nintendo | Genre: Action-adventure | Year: 2015

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This is a review of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask based on my experiences with the 3DS remake of the game. It may include spoilers.

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The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is the follow-up to the much-lauded The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and continues the story of Link. Continuity-wise, Majora’s Mask takes place in an alternate reality where Link still holds the 'Ocarina of Time' gifted to him by Princess Zelda. Many familiar faces make a return here, albeit in different roles, such as the Happy Mask Salesman and the Skull Kid. I wish I had played Majora’s Mask sooner, because I’ve since discovered it’s a game that’s big on theme and intriguing game design.

Link, accompanied by his new fairy sidekick Tatl, set out on a quest to save the land of Termina from imminent destruction, involving a colourful cast of characters and one seriously freaky-looking moon. Don't be fooled though, the formula in this game is unlike most Legend of Zelda games. The focus on Zelda herself is dramatically downplayed in fact, to the point where she only gets one scene in a flashback!

This quote from the opening moments of the game illustrates how the story is more about Link than it is about Zelda: “Done with the battles he once waged across time, he embarked on a journey. A secret and personal journey…”. Link’s journey is decidedly darker in tone this time around though and it's encouraging to see Nintendo make such a bold tonal change.

Tatl is Link’s new fairy companion and it’s clear to see that she is a polar opposite to Navi from Ocarina of Time. Navi is typically calm and reserved but Tatl is sassy and excitable; the latter often coming out with sarcastic remarks when you ask for advice. Tatl’s role in the game is made all the better by the fact she has a personal stake in the story, which allows her to stay relevant right up until the end.

The moon itself has a sinister face and the ambiance music that plays moments before its fall is equally as eerie.

The main gimmick of Majora’s Mask is a perpetually ticking clock that gives the player 72 hours of in-game time (about 54 minutes of real time) to make as much progress as possible, before needing to reset the timer via the Song of Time. Most of the world state elements get reset including solved puzzles, keys and unbanked rupees. Even NPCs will have their memories wiped clean so they won't recognise Link when spoken to again (Groundhog Day anyone?). Only key items and major accomplishments are retained upon a reset.

I really like this mechanic because of the incredible atmosphere it gives the game. As is usually the case in video games, the forces of evil are almost always willing to put their plans on hold whilst the hero explores every nook and cranny. However, Majora’s Mask isn’t like that. If Link takes too long saving the day, Termina will get destroyed, fancy that eh?

Sometimes though, the time limit can work against the game, threatening repetition. You could be halfway through a dungeon and realise you don’t have enough time left to finish it, forcing you to reset and solve all the puzzles again. It’s something that I luckily never ran into, but it could happen. Planning ahead can help avoid this situation, such as starting a dungeon with a full allotment of time and by using the Inverted Song of Time to extend your time allowance.

Of course, the other big gimmick in Majora’s Mask are the masks themselves! Link can acquire many different masks throughout the game and each one has its own purpose; some even allow Link to change form when equipped (Think Kameo: Elements of Power). The Goron mask is my favourite because of its ability to turn Link into a high-speed, one-man wrecking crew!

Speaking of speed, the fast travel mechanic is well implemented here. Warp points are conveniently dotted around the map in areas well-traveled, cutting down on unnecessary walking. Traveling in Ocarina of Time can be a chore, but Majora’s Mask fixes this gripe as it’s never been easier to get around. Warping back to town after doing some adventuring, whether it’s to deposit rupees into the bank or stock up on items, is not too dissimilar from a game like Diablo.

The Sheikah Stone makes a return from Ocarina of Time 3D and can help players who are struggling to find their way. It’s a thoughtful inclusion, especially considering the time constraint which can restrict player exploration.

A handy journal is provided which keeps track of your progress for various quests, so you know which tasks have already been fulfilled which ones still need attention. Players can also set an alarm so Tatl can remind them when important events occur, this is a nifty feature because certain quests only become available at certain times of each day. Effective time management is key and it’s a concept the game will try to reinforce too.

Out of the four main dungeons in the game, Stone Tower Temple is easily my favourite. Although it starts off fairly mundane, things quickly get turned upside down, literally! At the midpoint of the dungeon, the whole area gets flipped upside down creating an entirely new dungeon for Link to explore. It's an amazing piece of level design and a genuine surprise I didn't expect. The dungeon boss is also memorable. By using the Giant Mask, Link can grow to epic proportions to battle an equally large boss, it makes for a great spectacle.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the quirky soundtrack, composed by series veteran Koji Kondo. Whilst not as memorable as his previous work, there are some standout tunes here, primarily the Clock Town theme, which is different on each of the three days. The music for day one is particularly addictive and gives a cheerful ambiance to the bustling town.

Counter to this though, is the truly haunting Final Hours ambiance that plays when there are 6 hours left on the timer. It serves to remind the player that time is running out and conveys the feeling of impending doom perfectly. Naturally there are a few recycled ditties here that series fans will instantly recognise, such as the Lost Woods and Goron Village themes.

The final boss, whilst creative, could have benefited from being more challenging. I thought to myself, “Is that it?”, when I felled the boss. I would have felt even more disappointed if I spent time collecting every health upgrade only to find out the end boss is a bit of a pushover anyway. However, I do appreciate the unique appearance of the boss itself as well as the multiple phases it has.

Although Majora’s Mask never quite reaches the same heights of its predecessor, it still serves as an excellent companion piece and stands out as one of the most eclectic games in the Nintendo library.