Daily Debate: Which 3D Zelda Game Has The Most Beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets?
Posted on June 01 2020 by Sean Gadus
Sunrise and sunsets are among the most beautiful sights that the natural world has to offer. The transitions between night and day (and vice versa) include some of the most evocative mixes of colors in nature. In countless different societies, these events have cultural and spiritual significance, sometimes representing concepts like life, death, and rebirth.
When creating worlds in films and games, sunrises and sunsets have retained their mythic significance and immense beauty. For example, the binary sunset in the original Star Wars film is considered one of the most iconic shots in cinema, and a symbol for Luke’s journey from farm boy to Jedi. The passage of the sun often represents strong significance in gaming too, with a fantastic sunrise heralding a new era.
Since Ocarina of Time implemented its day/night cycle, the rising and setting sun has played a key role in the atmosphere and sense of adventure in 3D Zelda games. Even in 1998, the sunrises and sunsets of Ocarina of Time were an incredible sight to behold, with the sky being painted with a gorgeous, orange hue. As the series progressed, the sunrises and sunsets evolved as well. The colorful, cel-shaded style of The Wind Waker resulted in some gorgeous morning and twilight skylines. And while some players may dislike Twilight Princess‘s more muted style, the game included some magnificent orange-pink sunsets. I particularly thought the sunsets over Gerudo Desert were especially beautiful.
One major disappointment with sunrises and sunsets comes from Skyward Sword. Because it lacked a true day/night cycle, this game didn’t have true sunrises and sunsets. With such a fantastic art style, Skyward Sword could have presented some beautiful sights in its skyline. However, the most recent 3D game, Breath of the Wild, made up for previous disappointments. It took advantage of the advancements in lighting and animation to create some amazing skies that contained a glorious mix of vivid colors. The horizon was brought to life in a way that had never been seen in previous Zelda titles.
So, with all of this in mind, which 3D Zelda game do you think has the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets? Let us know in the comments below!
Sean Gadus is a Senior Editor at Zelda Dungeon. His first Zelda game was Ocarina of Time, and he loves all of the 3D Zelda games from 1998-2011. The final battle of Tears of the Kingdom is one of his favorite final battles in the entire series. He wants to help build a kinder, more compassionate world. You can check out his other written work at The-Artifice.com.
