The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Platforms: SNES, GBA, Wii(VC)
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s): Apr 13 1992(US), Sept 24 1992(EU), Nov 21 1991(JP)
With the third installment of The Legend of Zelda series Nintendo opted to go back with the top down view of the first game, but this time the game would be on a much grander scale and everything learned from the first two games was combined and using the new SNES hardware to their advantage Nintendo not only set out to make a much bigger game than the previous two but one that included a deep story as well as they now had the hardware to help them deliver that.
Presentation
In many ways this game is what many wanted the second one to be and directly follows the same structure as the original but this time adding more elements to help tell a story rather than just set you out on an adventure that you have to find your own way. The newer structure of the adventure is one that has also became the one that the vast majority of the main series has been based on and one that has kept fans coming back time and time again.
The menus much like many Nintendo games are simple and effective and aren't needlessly cluttered with sub menus, and continue from the original in selecting your item of choice, but for the first time the one thing that was needed in the two previous games is the ability to see the world map which not only shows your current location but gives you the location of where you need to go next, which can be very helpful and can stop you wandering for ages with out knowing where to go next like in the first game, although unlike the first game there are often many road blocks that you can't pass until you beat the next dungeon in the sequence now keeping a slightly more linear path.
Graphics
Much like Super Mario World this is a much more brightly coloured and much more detailed version of the NES original but don't let that fool you as the game is amazingly highly detailed through out, and has great design that now only shows the advancement of items and enemies from the original games but also is the start of a consistency that will continue though out the series which is something Nintendo does with all its big name series.
Although it is a game that was released early in the life of the SNES it still hold up as a solid looking game to this day and unlike some early 16-bit games it has aged very well, of course this has just as much to do with the art direction as it does the hardware powering it, but the same can be said for most of Nintendo games from the era.
Sound
Tunes familiar to anyone who has heard those of the original game but now with the extra enhancement of the SNES sound chip, and ones that will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series since they are some of the most memorable ones. The sound effects are great too although I guess the only one that has ever irritated me in the slightest is the being when your hearts run really low, but obviously that is more down to me sucking at certain parts than the sound itself, the sound really does compliment the game perfectly though and is great through out.
Gameplay
Very much the same as the original in many ways just more of an evolution and a tweak than anything drastically different but that is what makes the game so easy to pick up and play not only for those who played the original but those who are new to the series too.
The main differences over the original are that now you have a button to interact with things and people in the A button because the game is much more puzzle based than before the A button can be used to move and pull objects as well as talking to people, but also allows you to charge up a run when you have the Pegasus Boots. The other big change is always having that map at your fingertips by simply pressing the X Button, Y now acts as the B button did in the original where you can select your desired item or weapon from you inventory and the B button is your standard attack button, but while just pressing it unleashes you regular attack holding it down for a small charge unleashes a spin attach that not only attacks the enemies in front of you but behind you as well.
Lasting Appeal
There is loads to see and do the first time in this game and there are those people who may just want to play through the main story and just beat the game as quick as they can at least the first time anyway but there are many more things to see and do other than just beating the game as there are certain items and upgrades which while not essential can certainly help you in your quest to beat the game and help power you up. While the game isn't as open ended as the original there is still a whole lot of exploring to do and many secrets with in the world of Hyrule many of which can only be found by checking every corner to get all of the pieces of heart for instance.
It is also one of those games that you will probably want to go back and play some time later because it can feel fresh again after a time away as it is a very sizeable adventure with loads to see and do and is also the game that many of the 3D games take inspiration from as many of the mechanics and puzzles have been taken from this game and transferred in to the 3D environments.
Overall
I am not going to lie this is probably one of the best games I have ever played just because it gets so many things right, it may not be the hardest game in the world but it is a long enough adventure with enough secrets to keep you going for some time. As a Zelda game as well no one can deny the influence this game had on the direction of the series in terms of structure and many of the puzzles and gameplay mechanics that are still used to this day in some form or another, for any one who as never tried the game I would highly recommend it.
Scores
Players: 1
Original Release Date(s): Apr 13 1992(US), Sept 24 1992(EU), Nov 21 1991(JP)
With the third installment of The Legend of Zelda series Nintendo opted to go back with the top down view of the first game, but this time the game would be on a much grander scale and everything learned from the first two games was combined and using the new SNES hardware to their advantage Nintendo not only set out to make a much bigger game than the previous two but one that included a deep story as well as they now had the hardware to help them deliver that.
Presentation
In many ways this game is what many wanted the second one to be and directly follows the same structure as the original but this time adding more elements to help tell a story rather than just set you out on an adventure that you have to find your own way. The newer structure of the adventure is one that has also became the one that the vast majority of the main series has been based on and one that has kept fans coming back time and time again.
The menus much like many Nintendo games are simple and effective and aren't needlessly cluttered with sub menus, and continue from the original in selecting your item of choice, but for the first time the one thing that was needed in the two previous games is the ability to see the world map which not only shows your current location but gives you the location of where you need to go next, which can be very helpful and can stop you wandering for ages with out knowing where to go next like in the first game, although unlike the first game there are often many road blocks that you can't pass until you beat the next dungeon in the sequence now keeping a slightly more linear path.
Graphics
Much like Super Mario World this is a much more brightly coloured and much more detailed version of the NES original but don't let that fool you as the game is amazingly highly detailed through out, and has great design that now only shows the advancement of items and enemies from the original games but also is the start of a consistency that will continue though out the series which is something Nintendo does with all its big name series.
Although it is a game that was released early in the life of the SNES it still hold up as a solid looking game to this day and unlike some early 16-bit games it has aged very well, of course this has just as much to do with the art direction as it does the hardware powering it, but the same can be said for most of Nintendo games from the era.
Sound
Tunes familiar to anyone who has heard those of the original game but now with the extra enhancement of the SNES sound chip, and ones that will be instantly recognisable to fans of the series since they are some of the most memorable ones. The sound effects are great too although I guess the only one that has ever irritated me in the slightest is the being when your hearts run really low, but obviously that is more down to me sucking at certain parts than the sound itself, the sound really does compliment the game perfectly though and is great through out.
Gameplay
Very much the same as the original in many ways just more of an evolution and a tweak than anything drastically different but that is what makes the game so easy to pick up and play not only for those who played the original but those who are new to the series too.
The main differences over the original are that now you have a button to interact with things and people in the A button because the game is much more puzzle based than before the A button can be used to move and pull objects as well as talking to people, but also allows you to charge up a run when you have the Pegasus Boots. The other big change is always having that map at your fingertips by simply pressing the X Button, Y now acts as the B button did in the original where you can select your desired item or weapon from you inventory and the B button is your standard attack button, but while just pressing it unleashes you regular attack holding it down for a small charge unleashes a spin attach that not only attacks the enemies in front of you but behind you as well.
Lasting Appeal
There is loads to see and do the first time in this game and there are those people who may just want to play through the main story and just beat the game as quick as they can at least the first time anyway but there are many more things to see and do other than just beating the game as there are certain items and upgrades which while not essential can certainly help you in your quest to beat the game and help power you up. While the game isn't as open ended as the original there is still a whole lot of exploring to do and many secrets with in the world of Hyrule many of which can only be found by checking every corner to get all of the pieces of heart for instance.
It is also one of those games that you will probably want to go back and play some time later because it can feel fresh again after a time away as it is a very sizeable adventure with loads to see and do and is also the game that many of the 3D games take inspiration from as many of the mechanics and puzzles have been taken from this game and transferred in to the 3D environments.
Overall
I am not going to lie this is probably one of the best games I have ever played just because it gets so many things right, it may not be the hardest game in the world but it is a long enough adventure with enough secrets to keep you going for some time. As a Zelda game as well no one can deny the influence this game had on the direction of the series in terms of structure and many of the puzzles and gameplay mechanics that are still used to this day in some form or another, for any one who as never tried the game I would highly recommend it.
Scores
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