Highlights
Ocarina of Time, though highly acclaimed, has not aged gracefully in terms of controls and graphics, making a modern remake a potential improvement.
The recent triumphs of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have sparked a revival of the Legend of Zelda series, evoking interest in an open-world reimagination of Ocarina of Time.
Although adjustments may be necessary for the mechanics and structure, Ocarina of Time holds potential to seamlessly adapt to an open-world environment without compromising its essence. In particular, the time travel mechanics could be further developed to enhance immersion for players.
Ocarina of Time, a beloved Nintendo classic, remains highly acclaimed and one of the best-rated games of all time. Its innovations in storytelling, world-building, and 3D gameplay set a new standard in the gaming industry. However, as a game that is now over two decades old, elements such as controls and graphics have not aged gracefully. A modern-day remake would undoubtedly enhance these aspects.
In recent years, The Legend of Zelda franchise has undergone a transformation with the successful releases of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. These games revolutionized the series, deviating from the formula established by Ocarina of Time in 1998. The current open-world immersive sim format has ushered in a new era for Link and his companions. Given the success of this new style, it would be worthwhile for Nintendo to consider remaking Ocarina of Time using the same blueprint.
Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom: Different Yet Similar
Remaking a game, especially one as beloved as Ocarina of Time, can be a challenging task. The developers must find the right balance between refreshing the design and staying true to the original. Ocarina of Time follows a linear adventure format with specific objectives, while Tears of the Kingdom offers an open world experience, allowing players to explore freely without any set order. This makes it impossible to directly translate one game into the other.
Nevertheless, with careful adjustments, Ocarina of Time can adapt to an open-world setting. When it was first released, the game world of Ocarina of Time was already massive, and players were amazed when they first stepped into Hyrule Field and witnessed the vastness of the world before them. Although it may seem small compared to modern games, Tears of the Kingdom captures that same sense of awe and exploration from the very beginning. Despite their structural differences, both games fundamentally embody the essence of Zelda.
How to Re-Work Ocarina as an Open World
If an Ocarina of Time remake adopted a more open-world approach similar to Tears of the Kingdom, there are ways to maintain the essence of the original game. The beginning of the game within Kokiri Forest would resemble the Sky Islands, providing players with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the game mechanics before facing a challenging dungeon. Once this introductory phase is complete, the primary objective would be to reach Hyrule Castle and encounter Princess Zelda, although this would not be mandatory. Instead, players would have the freedom to explore the vast landscapes of Hyrule and its unique locations.
An additional captivating aspect that would distinguish Ocarina of Time within an open-world framework is its time travel concept. In the original game, Link had the ability to travel back and forth in time, allowing him to witness firsthand the influence of the past on the future, including both the environments and the inhabitants. Expanding on this concept on a larger scale would be truly mesmerizing, as it would offer endless possibilities for Link to interact with various characters and witness noticeable alterations to the environment.
Given the recent launch of Tears of the Kingdom and Nintendo's prior remake of Ocarina of Time on the 3DS, it seems unlikely that this hypothetical project will materialize in the near future. Nonetheless, the idea of combining the strengths of both franchises is undeniably intriguing.
The game, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, can be played on various platforms, including 3DS, Nintendo 64, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch Online.