2025 Special - The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

Before going any further, I'd like to question those out there who read reviews for validation. I mean, if that's all you care about and you're a fan of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, then let me save you a bunch of trouble by saying: This is a very good game. To all of the non-fans out there expecting validation, well... Sorry! The exit for both crowds is right around the corner. While I'm at it, the people who only read reviewers they agree with? Talk about a weird bunch. So, uh... what happens when the reviewer says something that they disagree with? Honestly, as if games-writers didn't have enough nonsense on their agenda, they have to walk some insane tightrope while jumping through flaming hoops. 

I say all this, because right now I'm questioning why I decided to pick up a keyboard again. 2019 really should've been the end. My writing career was already the last moments of Old Yeller stretched out over the course of a decade. The love I had for both video games and writing had turned into a piss-boiling hatred. Obviously, I'm not going to say that I've felt better since quitting, because 2020 to this very moment has been a shithouse rolling downhill for everyone. But... but I thought at the very least I killed my passion. The one thing I had - besides my brain - that has never done me any favors. "It sucked, but at least it's over." as I've likely said about so many video games that I've played. If I'm being brutally honest, it's unfair. It's unfair that my passion is still alive. It lives on in spite of... EVERYTHING.

I'm getting to the review... I think.

With that garbage out of my system, it's time to conjure up a hypothetical person who has managed to go nearly 25 years without playing the better half of Capcom's Game Boy Color Zelda duology. Let's be real here, it's not that difficult. I was that exact person earlier this month. Of course, now the question becomes, "Which is the better half? Ages or Seasons?" Saying that both games are great and commending them as equals is so boring. There can only be winners or losers. Condemnation has been powering Gamers since the advent of a second Pong game. Besides, I simply have to string the validation crowd along for a while longer.

First off, and this will be clear to anyone who has played both games, Oracle of Ages got a bit more time in the oven. There is a story beyond "Link takes orders from a tree." Unlike Din, Nayru has something resembling agency. Veran, the villainess, specializes in possession, which is much more interesting than kidnapping. The world of Labrynna isn't as confined as Holodrum, likely since it only has to account for a past and a present instead of four seasons. There is a spirit of adventure, something that wasn't always present in the other game. In fairness, Oracle of Seasons had the occasional wrench tossed in its development cycle. Originally it was planned to be a remake of the first Legend of Zelda. The fact that Flagship managed to turn it into something that was several times more ambitious is a little shocking and kind-of scary. Imagine them at the full extent of their powers and- oh yeah. The director went on to do Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. That probably explains a thing or two.

Ages is also the game that I recommend everyone should start with. Think of it like going from Normal (Ages) to Hard (Seasons). Going in reverse is fine too, just don't be surprised when you're crushing bosses without a sweat. This Oracle entry simply isn't as demanding. Once you've determined the strategy needed to defeat your adversary, then there's little else to worry about. A boss in Seasons might have been more aggressive or had gimmicks that placed a greater strain on your abilities, but as I mentioned in the last review, if you start with Ages, the "that's it?" feelings will bubble to the surface on more than a few occasions.

Now, I have to point out the double-edged sword that extra time in the oven turned out to- dude... All of these sayings mixing together are melting my brain. Let me just square it with you: Oracle of Ages went overboard on the minigames. Since The Legend of Zelda's very beginnings, there has always been some sort of mini adventure between each dungeon. Finding the entrance typically involved reaching the destination and/or solving some a puzzle of sorts. Later games expanded on this aspect in many ways. For example, Death Mountain in Zelda 2 didn't have a palace at its summit, but you still needed the hammer it houses to continue on with the game. These mini adventures are what creates a grand and memorable epic. Unfortunately, Ages' mini adventures are sometimes just a series of minigames. It's... not great.

Again, anyone who has played this game knows exactly where I'm going here. Gorons; you're all on notice. In-between the fifth and sixth dungeons, players have to partake in a lot of extracurricular activities to be recognized by the Goron family or whatever. There's an item-trading chain that requires time travel, bomb dodging, shooting targets from a mine cart, and everyone's least favorite: Rhythm Hell. The Graceful Gorons hold the two keys you'll need for the sixth dungeon, and they won't give them up, unless you can match their rhythm in a surprisingly unforgiving minigame. 

Let me say right here that I must've lucked out. My worthless carcass has flunked everything from Guitar Hero to Elite Beat Agents, but I still managed to get both keys in less than ten attempts. There are a lot of players who didn't fare nearly as well. Getting the timing right is a big ask, potentially huge depending on the skill level of the player, so locking them out of the rest of the game is awfully rude. Why is a rhythm mini-game tougher than every boss, anyway? That's such a weird decision on Flagship's part. I guess I'll also lob a complaint about the 'bartering with the Tokays' quest, mainly because I have to barter just to get back the stuff they stole from me. It's an unnecessary inconvenience, but at least I'm actually engaging with the game and not just timing button-presses.

Dungeon-wise, and this really could've gone either way, but I think I'll give the win to Oracle of Seasons. Ages also has plenty of great dungeons, but I have to dock points for all of the minecarts. I'm not sure why there are so many instances where Link has to ride a cart around. I don't even know how fans of video game minecarts can exist. Nonetheless, they're in several dungeons, mucking up the theme and not adding all that much substance. One of the other puzzles is also noteworthy for its badness. It's a "paint the floor" puzzle where you move from space to space until the entire floor is a specific color, without skipping around or painting yourself into a corner. One in particular has a space you're supposed to cover up using the Wand of Somaria. I can't explain why it's a dumb solution, but it's a dumb solution.

It's a dumb solution, trust me.

Like I mentioned in the previous review, both Ages & Seasons can be "linked" by inputting passwords received upon the completion of either game. Also, special NPCs that only appear in linked games will dole out passwords that lead to awesome items. I think it's a fantastic idea, even if it left me slightly confounded at times. My play-through of Ages was linked, so upon completion of the main story, I had to face off against Twinrova and Ganon in a climactic battle. In preparation for what was certain to be a tough fight, I tried to get the Master Sword, but I must've messed up somewhere. Either I had to play through a linked game of Seasons, or I did something out of order, or... well let's just say I was in too deep to retrace my steps. Ganon is doable with the level 2 sword, though not without a ton of spin attacks. I'm sure kid me would've had a lot more patient to work this feature out... except I was already 20 years old in 2001... 

Wow. Another depressing thought. I haven't had one of those in several seconds.

After some careful analysis, I've come to the conclusion that the validation crowd won't be happy. Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages are equally great. Barring a very unfortunate run-in with Gorons, the world of Labyrnna feels more like a real place, and not so much a series of puzzles & secrets like Holodrum. Both games have excellent dungeons, with Holodrum edging ahead slightly. The boss battles could go either way. Look. Just play both of them. If you've already played both, then love both. They're deserving of that much. 

There is a play-through of Link's Awakening in my future, so perhaps then the decisive winner among the three Game Boy Zelda entries will be crowned. Then again, who knows? Maybe I'm secretly waiting to play the "Actually I don't think Link's Awakening is all that great." card. 

Nah. That's just sick and twisted. 

I really must not care about Link's animal friends to go two entire reviews without mentioning them.