The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D

 

So the first game I played on the New N3DS is Majora's Mask 3D. Played the original back in 2000 and as with all the other 3D Zelda games it took me until after 2006 to complete it. With guide and everything. Now it just took me 3 days... Yes, 3 separate gaming days. Story is simple, you're Link, fresh from your adventure in Ocarina of Time you stumble upon the Skull kid with a mysterious mask that steal (or is it kidnaps?) Epona and your ocarina and then transform you into a Deku scrub. You end up in Termina that in 72 hours will be destroyed by the moon as it comes crashing down and it is your job to save this world. This is a dark game. The music especially makes you feel on edge, sure the town music is upbeat and happy the first two days, but the third day with the rumbling and creepy underscore don't make you that happy and when nightfall comes and you are past midnight the whole thing erupts into something like hopelessness as the people left in the city just waits their destruction, either standing guard or hiding away. Doesn't help that the background story is that of the Skull kid who lost his friends, stole this mask and *spoilers* gets manipulated by it to destroy the world. So you set out to the four temples and saves as many people you can and rescue the four giants so that they can stop the moon. Rather simple really.

Changes then since this is a remake. Nicer graphics, some changes when it comes to gameplay and design choices in the layout of the world and dungeons to solve puzzles. Gameplay changes are like falling in a bottomless pit doesn't hurt you, the owl statues save permanently and the Zora fast swim must use magic to power it causing rather irritating moments if it runs out. Chateau Romani milk more important than ever. Dungeon layout have stray fairies moved in some cases, one particular irritating room in the Stone Tower Temple has been made easier since they give you a ledge to climb out of the water instead of the dolphin swim jump you needed to do (still need it for a switch though, but still). The bean seller under the Deku palace has an extra exit so you can get some spring water if you forget (if I ever replay it I need to see if I can bypass the Metal Gear sneaking segment to get there). Most of these changes I can see why they made since if I hadn't played this game before with a guide I think it wouldn't have finished it. Also they apparently changed the speed so the 72 hours are shorter than the original, but Link on the other hand is faster making it balancing out. Although I was unable to finish my super mega final run by doing as many side quest as possible, defeating all bosses and collect all fairies before taking on Majora. Could also be for me not planning ahead like last time. 

Why wasn't I able to finish it if we go with the first route? First of they changed the boss battles. All bosses have new moves and patterns that you need to be aware of  and it makes the boss fights go on for longer and they all have an eye weak point you need to bring forth before killing them. Example the first boss usually took a couple of hits with the fully upgraded sword, still does, but you need to wait until he doesn't block you. The second boss is the bull run. In the original you just slammed into him and hoped he would fall so you could grind the spikes into his behind. Here you need to stop and fires fire arrows on him and such. The fourth was usually just grab the giant mask and slash with your sword until Twinmold was killed, here you need to take down the blue one with arrows first and then use the giants mask to brawl with it. I don't say that fight isn't much more awesome, but it drags on a bit to long on the final act. All these changes keeps me occupied to long so the fairy hunt is off. I get why, since it wasn't much to the fights in the original, here they really keeps you on your toes. Now that I think about it, the one that feels easier is the third one which incidentally was the hardest one in the original. how about that.

Is there something else new about this? Yes, one new side quest for a 7th bottle which uses the Gorman mask so it is actually useful for something. In the original it was just there to make the milk run from Romani ranch easier, but you needed to do the run before getting the Gorman mask and replaying it always felt better without the Gorman mask:

Yes, much better. Also they have added two fishing ponds. I didn't play anyone since it doesn't give anything like mask or heart pieces and such, but now that the game is over might be worth a shot.

So, besides the changes in bosses that screw out my winning strategy (and I must try if Fierce Deity Mask can solve that problem) is there changes I don't like? The Moon dungeons. God, the moon dungeons. The Twinmold and Oldowa dungeon fine since the mechanics haven't been changed and they haven't been redesigned, but Gyorgs dungeon, my f***ing god. Rather simple maze game in the original, swim left or right to get to the heart piece and child. Easy, trail and error (or using a guide map). Here it becomes a timed event where you need to know where to go and before the time runs out perform a dolphin jump to reach a ledge before the gate you raised at the beginning closes on you. if you miss you goes below the gate and are transported back to the beginning and has to redo it... again... and again... until you make it. Hated it. And here you need the Zora speed attack so hope you drank that Chateau Romani milk since you need it. Then Goths stage. Already the worst stage in the original made worse since the camera is bugging out on me. Tip is that before you start the run, press L to center the camera so it follows you when you bounce of the chest otherwise it's rather impossible. Glad thing you don't take damage this time around so can't fail. Also, talking about failing, it's rather impossible to mess up in this game due to the revamped saving mechanic. Take for example the 3-day challenges you need to fix an event that changes everyday for heart pieces. What you do is that every morning save and go play those game until you fix it or if times run out, restart the game. Yes, probably less aggravating, but still... then again, I'm the one that abuses save states like hell so I shouldn't probably complain.

All in all it's a rather good game, the changes are for the better and it really has made it more fun... for the most part.