The final part of my The Legend of Zelda progress report is taking longer than expected, and with my current pace, working on it under a tight schedule will most likely push it to next weekend. But rest assured I am really working on it.
(But you'll never know, what if it's an empty draft eeeeehehehehe).
So for now, you guys get my first (really short) playthrough of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX.
My year long Zelda marathon continues with its fourth title: Link's Awakening DX. I got a digital copy of the game last Saturday after seeing it among the many titles up for grabs in Club Nintendo's 3DS rewards. With the few coins I have left, I am torn between ordering Zelda II right away or waiting until the loyalty program's final week (who knows what kind of surprises might suddenly surface). But either way, at least those titles won't be going anywhere any time soon.
So, ready?
Link's Awakening DX starts off with an opening cinematic showing Link on a voyage back to Hyrule when a storm sinks his ship. Our hero ends up unconscious in the shores of an island, and there a girl named Marin finds him, and takes him back to her home (instant boyfriend!!!).
As always we start the game with Link sleeping. C'mon that shouldn't come as a surprise anymore. I got to control Link the moment he jumps out of bed, but all I could do for the moment was walk, talk and observe the surroundings.
The two immediate NPCs are Marin and Tarin (perhaps the inspirations for Malon and Talon), the residents of the house. Marin will talk about the beach down in the south of Koholint, when approached, while Tarin gives Link his shield but not after creeping him out by knowing Link's name before he even introduces himself. These are unique NPCs with good personalities. From their opening statements, you can already tell what kind of characters they are. However, that also should have been my first clue why this Zelda title is not quite what I expected in the first place.
The shield that Tarin gave Link was his to begin with, that's also the reason why Tarin knew Link's name. Anyway, there's not much to do inside their house. Link, currently, can't even break pots right now.
Following Marin's directions (which doubles as the current objective of the game), Link starts off his adventure going back to where he was found, the shores of Koholint Island.
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| I can't wait to get a sword |
Koholint's overworld has a structure that reminds me of Pokemon Blue. The colors are also very bright unlike ALTTP's deep and dark overworld. It seems pretty normal. It's not Hyrule, but it still feels like home.
Wait, what? What the heck?! Is that a Chain Chomp? Why is there a Chain Chomp here!? No, no! Why? What in the Hyrule!? This isn't the Mushroom Kingdom. Go back, Chomper you're drunk!
It was just bouncing around, suppressed by the chains that bind it to the wooden pole. The Chain Chomp didn't seem to be harmful, and pretty much like its unleashed canine companion it must be someone's pet. Let's take a look inside that house.
She has a...she has a...for a pet...a chain chomp. A mini chain chomp for a pet!? NO!! Again, why?! Why is there a chain chomp outside? And why is there a chain chomp here as an indoor pet!? This doesn't make sense! I don't get it.
All weirdness aside, oh lord, this is just the beginning. Anyway, I still went on with the adventure at hand. Along the way I met two children playing ball. They give Link some tips about saving, but kids please I have Restore Points now. No need to worry.
Further down several monsters finally make their appearance. There are urchins which can only harm Link upon contact, and series' regular octoroks. While on the path leading to his sword, Link can only defend himself using his shield for the time being.
The sword is in a small open path at the shore of the island. Upon retrieving the blade, an owl appears and gives Link the game's main objective: to wake up the Windfish.
I returned back to Marin and Tarin's house taking a different route from the shores. Along the way I found this solitary house:
And inside is...
What the actual flock? There's a crocodile...nohohoho I'm crying right now. This is a really weird Zelda title. What's more, just look at that crocodile, he's even fancier than I could ever hope to be. And there are bananas? I'll tell you what, this game is bananas!
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| ugh.ugh.ugh |
I was about ready to create a restore point and end the session in fear that I might just be hallucinating, I did lack sleep while playing, but something just pushed me to continue north just until I get back to Marin. And thank Hylia I did.
This is the highlight for this gaming session, and I love every single bit that came out of it. Marin and Tarin are not at their home by the time I got back, but move north one area and Link finds Marin. She'll tell where Tarin is, and afterwards she'll sing the Ballad of the Windfish in bitful glory.
First Impression
[spoilers ahead]
Alright, forgive my overreaction regarding, well, most parts of the game that I came across during my first playthrough. In my defense, while I didn't really jumped up and down in surprise, the Chain Chomp genuinely surprised me, and the Croc at the beach struck me as really weird. It's pretty hard but while playing I actually kept my curiosity up (and I still will on my next sessions) even if I've already read the plot of the game .
Maybe one reason why Koholint is so messed up is because we're technically inside Link's head. It's all a dream - page 103 of Hyrule Historia said so. But when you think about it, after everything Link went through during A Link to the Past and the Oracle series, this whimsical dream world speaks a lot about Link's desire for a much more peaceful life amid all the threat that goes to him being the hero of courage and all.
People always say that Majora's Mask is the most unique Zelda game because of its dark setting, but I say Link's Awakening also has its own distinctness, it's the weirdest Zelda game I've played thus far, and I've only spent less than an hour playing it. And I really like it for that.
Well then, until my next frustrating adventure!
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