Daily Debate: What Dungeon Has the Best Atmosphere in the Zelda Series?
Posted on July 05 2021 by Chakell Herbert
I remember when I first set foot in the Forest Temple in Ocarina of Time as a kid. Something felt… different.
The moment I walked through the doors, the fact finally sunk in for me that Link wasn’t a little kid anymore, and the story was starting to take a serious note. From the eerie wails of the strange music to the ominous, fortress-like setting, and those dang Wallmaster shadows that still haunt my nightmares, I was both fascinated and terrified to move forward! Tackling that dungeon was the first time my courage was really tested in a video game as a kid. But now that I’m older? I love it. I appreciate its setting so much more.
The Forest Temple still stands as my all-time favorite dungeon of the series, all because of the unique and unsettling atmosphere, and the feeling of triumph you get when braving it. I think what makes it so special is because the previous dungeons as child Link are a bit of a cakewalk when compared to it. Even the build up to entering this fortress is fantastic! As soon as you visit Link’s childhood home in the forest again, everything feels off, and tension builds even more when you notice Saria is not in her usual spot in the meadow. Then, lo and behold, you discover that there’s been a hidden temple in the Lost Woods for years. It’s like finding a secret in your backyard, which is something I always dreamed about as a kid (and still do to be honest).
The Forest Temple’s atmosphere not only sets up the darker mood of the other adult dungeons well, it changes the atmosphere of the entire game, and really sets that “loss of innocence” and “growing up” trope in Ocarina of Time in stone (we can talk about the trauma of the Bottom of the Well later).
I definitely think the Forest Temple has the best atmosphere of the series, but what are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite dungeon based on atmosphere alone? Let me know in the comments below!
Chakell (pronounced shuh-kell) is an associate editor for Zelda Dungeon! She has loved The Legend of Zelda series since she was a little girl because of its equal mix of princesses, besting bad guys, and heartfelt stories. Chakell lives in the overall tame state of Utah, but holds onto her childhood hopes to find an adventure in her backyard one day. She has a degree in English and is a full-time editor for a magazine. You can usually find her gaming (obviously), laughing with her husband, taking a long time to tell stories because she keeps getting distracted; getting sucked into books and podcasts; or snuggling her cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
