Bomber’s Notebook #023 – Ocarina of Time vs. Majora’s Mask Part 1

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask are indisputably two of the most recognizable video game titles in history. Ocarina of Time transcends the competition as the highest-rated game on several aggregate review score websites and even won GameFAQ’s “Best. Game. Ever.” contest in 2009 as voted by fans. Majora’s Mask topped the list in GameFAQ’s equally popular “Game of the Decade” vote in 2010.

The two installments in the long-running Zelda franchise are commonly lauded as innovators, as gaming masterpieces and occasionally as works of art. Both used the same graphics engine, control scheme and similar character models. Majora’s Mask is the direct sequel to Ocarina of Time and both titles were developed for the Nintendo 64 console. It’s difficult to ignore the blatant similarities as the games are indefinitely intertwined as siblings. But which reigns superior in terms of overall appeal and universal approbation? Make the jump to read the first part of this two-part series!

Story

Ocarina of Time stuck to the basics: Princess Zelda needs saving, the tyrant Ganondorf is plotting to make Hyrule a truly evil realm and Link must be the hero to set everything right. He must harness the power of the Ocarina of Time and find the legendary Blade of Evil’s Bane, the Master Sword. Link must venture to Hyrule Castle as a child to meet with Princess Zelda at per her request, where she informs him about her apprehensions concerning Ganondorf.

After gathering the three Spiritual Stones and returning to Hyrule Castle on one fateful night, Ganondorf carries his plan into motion and storms the castle, kidnapping Princess Zelda and beginning an era of fear just as Link visualized in his dream. She throws the Ocarina of Time into the moat in front of the castle entrance. This is where Link’s journey really begins. He must scour the overworld in search for the Sages and collect multiple Medallions so that the power of the Sages may be added to his own. The story and motives are very straightforward, although the relation between Sheik and Zelda is a nice plot twist.

If these two games were movies, Majora’s Mask is comparable to an indie film while Ocarina of Time is a summer blockbuster. The sequel was a unique objet d’art very unlike anything Zelda had ever seen before or would ever see again. It doesn’t encompass the epic vibe that its predecessor did, but Majora’s Mask captivates audiences in an entirely different way. Termina is a bizarro version of Hyrule populated by characters you’ve definitely seen in Ocarina of Time that all have different names and perform different roles than they did before. This gives Termina a very distinct vibe – it’s similar to Hyrule, but in some ways it’s virtually an alien expanse.

Similarly, the objective of the game to save a country. Link has already saved the land of Hyrule and became a true hero. Majora’s Mask is a personal quest in search for a beloved companion, but events quickly go awry when the Skull Kid steals Epona and drags Link into a strange, foreign land. The land of Termina (derived from “the end” in various languages) subtlely indicates that it is bound to be terminated in some way or another. It’s a nice subtle hint and well-placed foreshadowing of the plot of the game.

This is quite fitting, as a playful evil spirit known as Majora is sealed inside a devilish-looking mask takes possession of the Skull Kid’s body, forcing him to drive the Moon down into the earth. The Moon will collide in exactly seventy-two hours, in which Link must defeat the bosses of four dungeons, rid the land of its curses and defeat Majora’s Mask itself. There is much more at stake in Majora’s Mask than in any other Zelda title, making it a beautiful, mature, somber addition to the beloved franchise.

Time Mechanics

Ocarina of Time not only introduced the flow of time and changes from day to night, but also allowed Link to travel back and forth between time periods, in many instances creating time paradoxes and creating the Split Timeline. Link can go seven years into the future once Ganondorf has seized the throne, or stay in the present time before the chaos ensues. You will notice how people have changed and see the progression of time. A bean Link planted in the soil seven years ago sprouts into a plant. A Scarecrow you talked to in the past has passed away by the time Link is an adult. Some of the changes are disheartening and quite frankly depressing, but it’s a very nice concept. Simple, right?

Majora’s Mask makes much more use of the time mechanic, but does so in a polarizing manner. Because Link has only seventy-two hours to save all of Termina, he discovers the “Song of Time” which transports him back to the First Day. He will not be able to keep any minor collectibles or ammo, though. A clock is shown near the bottom of the screen, letting Link know the time. The Bomber’s Notebook adds citizens’ schedules as Link converses with new people. All of these characters have their own sidequests that can only be completed in the allotted time periods.

The time mechanics of the game make it very realistic. People have their own schedules and do very different things across the three days. Link will analyze their behaviors and complete sidequests based on where they go and what they do everyday. One cannot help but feel a great sadness, though, since the plights of the townspeople are accompanied by the impending crashing of the Moon into Termina. They all know that it’s going to happen and as the days wear on, becoming increasing hopeless and defeated.

Howsoever, many gamers found the rewinding and slowing down of time to be a pain. It’s like having someone breathing down your neck. The entire adventure feels rushed and moves at a quick pace, forcing the player to keep focused the whole time while they solve puzzles and battle enemies. These mechanics are just as despised as they are cherished.

Dungeons

The dungeon count is clearly one-sided here in favor of Ocarina of Time. A whopping nine dungeons were packed into Hyrule while Majora’s Mask sported a mere five if you include the Moon, four if you exclude it. It’s pretty easy to claim that Ocarina of Time is superior in this regard just by looking at the numbers. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the Forest Temple, Water Temple and Spirit Temple, there were some dungeons that were noticeably short near the beginning of the game.

Of course the first three dungeons are meant to introduce the player to the game, but unfortunately the dungeons and their bosses are pitifully underwhelming. Now if you like being eased into the experience, you should be able to appreciate what Nintendo did here. However, seeing as how A Link to the Past and all other games that came before Ocarina of Time featured an exceptionally challenging difficulty level, the contrast between the 2D dungeons and Inside the Deku Tree is immediately apparent.

Majora’s Mask, on the other hand, is unforgiving right from the outset. Not is only Link thrown straight into the game with only seventy-two hours to complete the opening leg of the journey and presumably not knowing about the Inverse Song of Time, but the Woodfall Temple is a full-fledged first dungeon. It doesn’t scrimp on the details, it doesn’t serve as an introduction to the game mechanics because Ocarina of Time already covered them. The Snowhead Temple, Great Bay Temple and Stone Tower Temple that follow the initial dungeon are all extremely lengthy, feature excellent and varied level design and do away with the cramped corridors of Ocarina of Time dungeons.

All in all, Ocarina of Time‘s dungeons may have been greater in number, but Majora’s Mask‘s dungeons trump them in quality and in length. The time mechanic may coerce players into trying to complete dungeons more quickly, raising the sense of urgency to a consistently high level. This could genuinely soil the experience for some, as there are players who just want to solve puzzles leisurely. Due to these problems, Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask appear to be evenly matched in this category.

Overworld

Hyrule is filled to the brim with colorful characters, beautiful vistas and enemies for Link to slash. Well, perhaps it used to be that way. Hyrule was brimming with lively residents and enemies with no real problems to speak of during Link’s childhood. However, once Ganondorf gains control of the kingdom, the vivid, happy, healthy Hyrule is no more. Wildlife droops, the land becomes shrouded in a foggy purple mist every morning and the Castle Town Market is flooded with gruesome ReDeads.

The Market during Link’s childhood

Ganondorf’s influence is immediately apparent from the minute Link steps outside the Temple of Time. The beautiful, thriving Hyrule that Link once knew had withered away and given way to a land of darkness. Death Mountain no longer spouted a healthy, silver circle of smoke. Instead it puffed out a tainted, black halo. The lucid waters of Lake Hylia were drained until the soil around it was sucked dry of its nutrients. Zora’s Domain has been frozen over and all that Link once knew is now gone as his friends are now hallow shells of their former selves. The time mechanic shows deep contrast between Ganondorf’s Hyrule and the old Hyrule and it’s an absolutely ingenious concept.

As for the actual size of Hyrule, it’s a very generous country. It is divided into a few regions and feels like a province or country that could actually exist. The Kokiri reside in the Kokiri Forest, the Gorons live atop Death Mountain and the Zoras take up residence in Zora’s Domain. Hyrule Castle serves as the epicenter of all official activities while the Market just south of it is the economic pinnacle of Hyrule. There are many friendly villages and locales to explore, although Hyrule Field is a tad on the empty side. Nonetheless I believe that Ocarina of Time has a fine overworld and really endorses the idea of open exploration.

Majora’s Mask also features different regions, but they are very clear cut. Termina is split into four cardinal directions and one center of business and trade. These different regions populated are by different races: the Deku, Gorons and Zora take root in Woodfall, Snowhead and Great Bay respectively while the undead entities camp out in Ikana. Termina is less open than Hyrule, making for a smaller overworld with more content. Some people will enjoy how Termina is compact, some people may prefer the openness of Hyrule Field. The land is riddled with secrets, including hidden chests, holes and secretive locations.

Stay Tuned

Stick around for next week’s editorial, which is the second part of “Ocarina of Time vs. Majora’s Mask”. So what do you think? Which game has a better story and dungeons? Which utilizes time more wisely? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below!