Majora's Mask Conclusion: Haters gonna hate, this game is awesome.

Gameplay/Difficulty: 17/20

To be fair and honest, not a lot has changed in this game in terms of the bare-bones mechanics since Ocarina of Time. However, the addition of masks that can drastically change the way you interact with areas is brilliant, and while the three-day system can be a little bit of a pain in the ass, it's innovative and I have to give Nintendo credit for the idea. In terms of difficulty, the puzzles in dungeons are a decent challenge and you're never thrown up against anything too horrible. (It even errs a little on the easy side, I think.) I will say that sometimes it's not at all clear where you're supposed to be going and what you need to get to proceed.

Music/Sound: 16/20

Majora's Mask has some wonderful tunes in it, and some lazy tunes in it. Each area (except Clock Town) has one of two tunes attached to it - either the main Overworld theme (once you've cleared the area's dungeon) or the "troubled area" theme which is slightly remixed to suit each area. I feel that it would have helped the game to have each area with its own music, but whatever. Some of the music is a little cheesy, and a lot of it is taken right from Ocarina of Time. When it's good, though, it's really good - Skullkid's theme was designed to sound like something out of a Chinese opera, and is definitely creepier than anything in Ocarina of Time. You definitely end up being more afraid of Majora than of Ganondorf. Each dungeon has its own great tune that was nicely composed.

The sounds are great, even if they are largely ripped right from Ocarina of Time. Instead of Navi's "hey, listen!", Tatl has her own little ringing bell noise. There are new noises for new enemies, some groovy new sound effects to go with the new visual blur effect, and that's about it.

Design/Graphics: 18/20 

The game looks good - it's an improvement from Ocarina of Time. The textures are much improved, the colors are much better, and each environment was really treated with time and concern. I think my particular favorite is the Astral Observatory, which you visit right at the beginning of the game, but I can't honestly think of anywhere in the game I might call "ugly" or "nondescript." There are a few graphical issues - swords and weapons still clip through walls and floors, it's possible to wedge yourself into some weird camera angles, etc. Still, for the machine they were working with, they did a pretty great job.

Charm/Nostalgia Factor: 18/20

This game is the greatest thing ever. Who doesn't want to play a game over and over again which has a falling scowling moon in it?

I dock it a couple points because it doesn't have your traditional Zelda/Ganondorf/Link trio and Hyrule, so it doesn't always really feel like a Zelda game. Still. The greatest thing ever.




Story/Concept: 20/20

This game's story and concept are flawless - not because of what they tell you, but what they don't tell you. What is Termina? Where is Termina? What does the Happy Mask Man represent, and why is he there? What does it mean that Link ends up with a mask more evil than Majora's Mask? Who are those protective gods, and how do they relate to Din, Farore and Nayru? Who is Ikana's royal family, and how did they relate to Hyrule? Is Link dead, or alive? Does Kafei turn back into an adult at the end, or not? (They show his wedding, but only Anju!) Does Link ever find Navi? Where does he go after he leaves Termina?

I can't say enough good things about the story and concept of this game. Seriously.


Total: 89/100


I love this game. I really do. It's got some flaws and the age is starting to show a little bit, but as far as I'm concerned, no other Zelda has a story that is nearly so complex and ambiguous. I like that in a game.