Daily Debate: What Makes a Zelda Game Great for You?
Posted on September 04 2021 by Heather Beard
The Legend of Zelda has come a long way since its original release in 1986, and since then the games have only improved as time as gone on. New gaming consoles, better graphics, a wider variety of music, and more have come to make what we know and love about our favorite Zelda games. In the past I have personally written and discussed my favorite Zelda games and why, as have many of the staff here, but today I want to ask a different question. What makes a Zelda game great for you?
Does a great story and plot line drive why you love The Legend of Zelda series so much? Is it amazing graphics and quality of gameplay, is it the music, the puzzles and/or dungeons? There are so many qualities that we have come to know and love in the Zelda series that after time we come to expect them in a Zelda game. I know that many were upset that traditional dungeons were not present in Breath of the Wild, but personally that did not bother me so much. A great Zelda game for me is driven by its story.
As an avid reader I find myself throwing myself into the plot of the book and it feels like I’m there. I do the same thing with video games too. The stories of my favorite Zelda games become a personal experience for me, and if the story isn’t solid then the game isn’t always that great for me. My favorite Zelda games are full of lore, fascinating characters, and evolving plot lines. Breath of the Wild, The Wind Waker, and most recently Skyward Sword top my list of favorite Zelda games mainly because of their stories. Don’t get me wrong, gameplay is a big part of the experience for me, but that would be second in my list of what makes the game a great experience for me. An example of a lack-luster experience would be, the original The Legend of Zelda game was because there isn’t much to it, not really a story. I found it hard to make a connection other than that it’s nostalgic, and on my “must play list.” I would rather play a game that captures my attention through its storytelling, rather than a game that just plops me in the over world with little direction.
There are so many amazing qualities to a Zelda game, but I know everyone has something that tells them “this game is great!” So what do you think? What makes a Zelda game great for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Hi I’m Heather! I’m Senior Editor and Art Director at Zelda Dungeon and I’ve been a member of the ZD team since 2019. I am a graphic designer, artist, and nerdy mom to an awesome little boy. When my nose isn’t in a book, working on my novel or watching anime you can find me curled up with my cats Mandy-Lynn and Daisy Mae.
