Unwinding Areas in The Legend of Zelda Part III
Posted on November 01 2013 by Jessica
Hello unwinding readers! I’m back this week with some new unwinding areas to look at as usual. And of course they are the areas some of you had requested in the comments last week. Also, I would like to thank each of you that have been reading my first editorial series and leaving comments. It’s a joy hearing about our favorite areas to unwind. Anyways, the areas you requested for this week are: the Astral Observatory, Zora’s Hall, and two editions of Kakariko Village.
Without further adieu, let’s jump in!
The Astral Observatory
There’s really no place quite like the Astral Observatory (well, there’s no place like any area in the series). Really though, on your first play through of Majora’s Mask I’m sure no one was expecting a place as magical as this after completing a game of hide-and-seek. Upon entering for the first time, you become immediately immersed in an atmosphere like no other. A randomly caged cucco, and helpful Stylin’ Scarecrow await at the entrance; followed by gleaming rainbow staircase leading up to passionate astronomer Shikashi and a massive telescope. The entire interior is literally covered from top to bottom and all around in vibrant colors. Not to mention the mesmerizing theme running on a glorious loop in the background. It’s hard to imagine there being any other theme so fitting here. Aside from spotting Skull Kid through the telescope and witnessing the Moon’s Tear fall, the observatory is an area that exemplifies a sense of relaxation and imagination. Even on the final day, Shikashi still remains claiming to have lived a happy life. What I found particularity interesting of the few things here, is the Stylin’ Scarecrow. There’s a handful of these guys spread about Clock Town meant to pass time and give advice. Given that this Stylin’ Scarecrow is placed in one of the most intriguing areas in the game, I think it’s safe to assume that the observatory is implied to be a place to unwind and pass time.
Zora’s Hall
Despite the issues going on with the Indigo-Go’s Mikau and Lulu (until you’ve helped clear it up anyway), the atmosphere here deals a pleasant sense of tranquility. Though there is some time before you can catch a performance of our favorite Zora band, there’s a few interesting things to do here. The Hall not only has a beautifully set stage surrounded by a moat of water, there are even tranquil water falls shrouding what you might call backstage. Within these few dressing rooms, you can bring up some interesting conversations with members of the Indigo-Go’s as well and even have a glimpse of how the band functions off stage. Perhaps the most interesting thing to do here is listening to the songs you might have recognized from previous games. Here we have: Tijo playing a cave theme from A Link to the Past on the drums, Japa strumming the dungeon theme from The Legend of Zelda, and Evan graciously playing the “Game Over” theme from The Legend of Zelda. Zora’s Hall is easily one of the best places to hear a variety of tunes all in the same environment.
Kakariko Village (A Link to the Past)
First introduced to us in the Super Nintendo classic A Link to the Past, is the simplistic Kakariko Village, a reoccurring fan favorite and memorable area throughout the series. Being the first village to journey across in A Link to the Past, you might have experienced a peaceful atmosphere while exploring one of the largest settlements in the game. The villagers are scattered about, performing their everyday activities, while keeping an eye out to report any wanted criminal (I think we’ve all been caught at some point). They even seem to have a good business going with their blacksmith, merchants, fortunetelling, and inn. There’s pretty much everything you might expect from a real village except of course, suiting village background music. Aside from the gang of soldiers oppressing the village for some time, Kakariko village has otherwise always been among the simple enjoy areas throughout the series.
Kakariko Village (Ocarina of Time)
Although the Kakariko Village in Ocarina of Time may have some daunting ominous truths, it’s still a great place to unwind. To some extent at least. I know, it consists of; a house full of cursed spider people, a creepy graveyard with hidden undergrounds (and usually something useful under some graves…), and a well where the evil Bongo Bongo resides along with the horrific Dead Hand. All that aside, Kakariko still has plenty to offer. To name a few, which I’m sure we’ve all spent hours doing: Hovering around with cuccos, and returning them for a bottle. Running around in circles on the spinning windmill base. Selling things to the soldier and beggar. Playing in the graveyard and paying Dampe to dig up some treasure. The list goes on! There’s simply so much to keep you busy all while you decide to go at your own pace and unwind a little. Additionally there are also several songs to be heard from within the village and graveyard. It’s amazing how much content had been well packed into such a small cozy village.
That’s all for this week! Each of these areas are undoubtedly great places to unwind. Whether you find them memorable or simply relaxing there’s usually a spot that we love to hang around in. With that said, there’s exceptionally numerous areas to call unwinding, so let me know of an area you want to see covered in Part IV. Did any of you feel the same way about these areas? Let me know in the comments below!
And I do apologize to the commenter from last week for not including, the suggested Anouki village in the Isle of Frost. You can defiantly count on it being in next week for Part IV!
