Oracle of Seasons Review

Written by Zelda_freak

First Impressions: 5/5

Though I didn't know much about the game when it was in the making or when it was released (I barely knew what the Internet was), I gave it a 5/5 because I am always psyched about Zelda games.

Gameplay: 9/10

As always this Zelda game has great game play. It is of good design and has nifty puzzles; the changing seasons was a good idea and was done perfectly, simply seeing the seasons change with a swing of a rod was amazing. The game link was also a great idea, but was a bit too hard to do (it always said that the code was wrong), so I had to take away points for that.

Graphics: 5/5

Then the graphics were, of course, great, with the same design from LA, but with color the game looked excellent. But that was then, this is now, though they looked wonderful when the game came out, now they are only so-so when compared to the GBA's graphics.

Story: 18/20

It had a very good story, but the problem is, you need to have both games to understand the whole thing, and you had to do the dreaded "game link". *shivers* Otherwise, I found the story to be excellent.

Challenge: 5/5

This game really challenged me the first time through. Its puzzles are hard to figure out, but not as hard to do, and the bosses got very hard as you progressed through the game. (The absolute last boss being one of the hardest fights I've ever had.)

Interaction: 12/15

The interaction between people was not that wonderful, but it was good enough, the only reason I gave it a 12 was because of the ability to change the seasons, which lead to much more interaction with the world itself then we have ever seen in a Zelda game. (With, perhaps, the exception of OoA.)

Side-Quests: 4/5

Though there aren't as many side-quests as in other Zelda games, there is the "game link", which lets you do a lot more in the game than before, thus adding more side-quests. If the "game link" was not as hard to do or some more side-quests were normally in the game, it would be a lot better.

Continuity: 3/5

If the game told you where in the timeline OoS and OoA took place (or at least hinted at it), it would have done better here, but there is no indication as to when it takes place. However, it does leave you to much speculation...

Music: 9/10

Though the GBC is limiting technology-wise, I still feel it could have been better. The ideas for some of the songs were good, but they just could not do them justice on the GBC. They should have gone with something simpler, in other words. But they did have my favorite song! Do do do, do do do, do do do do do do do! (That's the Song of Storms, you fools!)

Overall Feel/Originality: 17/20

This game definitely had a Zelda atmosphere, the classic weapons were there along with new ones. All the great bosses were there, basically everything you know and love is there. And the originality was...well original, the plot was great and a breath of semi-fresh air (reviving Ganon has been done but at least they disguised it). The new or improved items and weapons were a plus.

TOTAL: 87/100; a B

Buy this game! If you have any GB system (other than the original and pocket ones), then this game is a must for your collection!

Buy It?

Yes!