Tag: dungeon week

We all remember the first time we guided Link to that location in that game and embarked on conquering that dungeon. For some, it’s hookshotting to the top of the broken steps and entering the Forest Temple. For others, it’s being fired from a canon and landing atop the City in the Sky. And for others still, it’s hefting the statue before the Ice Palace. Each of these temples features one theme; be it forest, sky, or ice, these themes…

There are two things in my life that I’ve always enjoyed: art and writing/storytelling. As both an artist and writer, when I evaluate games outside of just gameplay, the main two things I care about are whether there is a meaningful story being conveyed, and if there is a strong visual language/art direction being utilized. The Legend of Zelda series has many games that excel at this criteria, but perhaps among the best is Twilight Princess. It has a unique…

I am a Zelda dungeon fanatic (both in terms of in-game dungeons and this glorious website where we currently reside). Few things bring me as much joy as a good dungeon full of whimsical puzzles and memorable baddies do. However, there are some dungeons in the Zelda series that not only made me scratch my head, but almost made me rage-quit a few times during my first playthrough. Being difficult doesn’t mean that these dungeons were bad, but good heavens,…

The Zelda series’ reputation for expertly crafted dungeons and puzzles that cleverly incorporate important key items is unparalleled in the video game industry. So much of what makes the series special is the emphasis on coming up with creative solutions and thinking outside the box, and these principles are perfectly encapsulated in Zelda‘s dungeons.   What Makes a Dungeon Good? There isn’t just one thing that makes a dungeon memorable and fun to explore. There are many factors that come…

The Zelda series is filled with tons of awe-inspiring dungeons to explore and conquer. But what makes a dungeon worthy of the top tier? What makes it memorable and enjoyable, and just plain good? In my own experience, I’ve always wondered if it’s the overall theme of a dungeon that makes it memorable. Each game in the series usually has a plethora of themed dungeons that range from desert, to lava, to water (everyone’s favorite, right?). I feel like a…

What makes a satisfying dungeon is a great question for Zelda fans to discuss. This is a complex discussion because the elements that make a great early dungeon and the elements that make a great late-game dungeon are quite different. The early dungeons in Zelda games are often designed to teach the player the language of puzzle solving and to serve as tutorials for how to navigate a complex collection of rooms and floors. Yes, these early dungeons still need…

From the very start of the series, dungeons have been intrinsic to the identity of The Legend of Zelda. Whether they be levels, palaces, temples, cisterns, or Divine Beasts, these structures are in many ways collectively a crucial ingredient of the whole Zelda franchise. These areas, more than any other, sell the heroism, adventure, fantasy, and sense of discovery for which we come to Zelda again and again. “Dungeon” is in the name of this website for a reason, after…

The Earth Temple scarred me as a child. There just isn’t a better way to put it. This miserable mausoleum was leaps and miles and worlds away from what I’d encountered throughout the rest of my journey across the open sea. I began with a furtive crawl, more so than in any other dungeon that I would be eager to sprint through and marvel at with glee. Here the dynamic colors and life I’d seen throughout The Wind Waker were stripped…

When I think of Zelda dungeons and what they mean to me, I often think of the Ancient Cistern from Skyward Sword. In my eyes, it’s the epitome of the franchise’s level design. I had to think very hard on why I love it so much, and I concluded that it’s not simply the theme or the mechanics of the dungeon that draw me to to this dungeon, but how those elements come together to tell a story. The Ancient…

If one was to describe the qualities of a great Zelda dungeon, the list would certainly include things like intuitive design, innovative puzzles, and memorable boss encounters. And while I completely agree that these elements are essential toward a dungeon’s success, there is an additional consideration that I believe raises certain labyrinths above the rest. That consideration relates to how well a dungeon explains its purpose and functional utility within the game’s setting. Beyond just servicing gameplay, I appreciate dungeons…