Last time I completed Oracle of Ages was almost 12 years ago, not long after I started this gaming diary. You can read my post about that here. Since then, I’ve played a lot more Zelda games, but in my mind the Oracles games have always been the best. Would my memory hold up, in light of Link Between Worlds and Breath of the Wild?
Actually… yes.
Ages is not without faults. Changing weapons is perhaps the biggest issue, especially on boss fights. Swimming controls, in particular once you pick up the mermaid gear, could be much better. Warping between the past and present, once you have the right tune, takes just a little too long. Having to remember where everyone and everything on the map is, for later reference, is difficult.
But most of these don’t really matter. The item swapping is a product of its time: The Game Boy Colour only had two buttons, after all. What is still outstanding is the game itself. In particular, some of the puzzles are genius. I wonder about the brains of those who created them, notably the Mermaid’s Cave dungeon. Not only do you need to contend with some of the more fiendish riddles, but you also have to leave the dungeon, change era, and return. I also must have spent four or more hours in the multidimensional nightmare that is Jabu-Jabu’s Belly. Raising and lowering water and a one-way system broke my brain several times.
From what I recall, Oracle of Ages is the more cerebral of the two Oracles games. Difficult puzzles, but generally easy bosses, with Oracle of Seasons being the opposite. It certainly seems to be the case given what I’ve said, and that all of the bosses – even the final one to a lesser degree – were incredibly easy. The only problems I had were figuring out how to damage some of them, which again bears out the puzzle-based nature.
So is it better than Breath of the Wild? I mean, really? It’s certainly a better Zelda game, yes. It doesn’t have the scope, beauty or freedom of the Switch title, but it is a purer, tighter, more focussed Zelda experience. But then, Breath of the Wild isn’t a true Zelda game in my eyes.
Seasons next!
Another Zelda-heavy week. But no Breath of the Wild at all.
Play
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (3DS)
Which I’ve now completed. I posted my thoughts up on my Gaming Diary, but to summarise: It’s still excellent. It’s still one of if not the best Zelda games. It was full of puzzles, the combat was hard, and the two fire buttons of the GBC does age the item swapping mechanism somewhat. It took just over 17 hours and I loved it.
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (Switch)
Another game from years ago, although this one has been tarted up graphically and sonically. It’s also fantastic, and I also completed it – something I could never do back on the Master System all them years ago. I was very pleased with myself, I have to admit. It did get me thinking though: Which other games would benefit from a similar type of reskin? Can we have Wonder Boy in Monster Land next, please? Also, that Monster Boy game that’s coming out soon has a big task ahead of it now.
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (PS4)
Into the latter stages of the game now. I’m halfway through Sequence 7, but Sequence 8 appears to be optional and I think it only goes up to Sequence 10. Mostly, the game is currently playing out like this: Jacob cocks up, Evie repairs the damage. Playing as Evie is still a lot more fun than as Jacob too. As for how good the game is, I’m really enjoying it. I don’t know if I’m enjoying it more than Unity, but it has grown on me a lot since I started. I’m even having fun mopping up the territory take-over side quests.
Downwell (Vita)
Just a bit here and there. It’s hard.
Want
All the same things as ever, Sonic Mania (Switch) in particular, but I’m also starting to get interested in the next Assassin’s Creed game – Empire, if rumours are to be believed. I also want some other Switch games that are already out, like Lego City Undercover and Mario Kart.
Bin
Sore as they still are, my fingers/skin/entire being hasn’t been quite so bad this last week. I’m not cured, but it has been a little less annoying.
Game-wise, Claire can go in the bin. I briefly tried it again, it crashed twice, and I gave up. I ain’t got time for that.
Expense
Nothing! Not even free stuff.
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