We’re one week nearer to the fifth November launch of Ocarina of Time on Change 2, so meaning it is time for my second replay catch-up.
For many who missed my adventures Contained in the Nice Deku Tree final week, I am replaying the unique OoT, one dungeon every week, within the run-up to launch. This time, it is Loss of life Mountain’s flip.
As soon as once more, I am going into dungeon specifics right here, so when you’ve by no means performed OoT earlier than and you might be saving your self for the remake, simply know that there are spoilers forward!
OoT Dungeon Crawl #2 – Dodongo’s Cavern
Dodongo’s Cavern has at all times felt like a step down from the brilliance of the Deku Tree, to me.
Perhaps it is the brown rock aesthetic, perhaps it is the pesky Bomb Flower aiming, perhaps it is the abundance of Fireplace Keese (it is undoubtedly the abundance of Fireplace Keese), however the journey into the mountain at all times looks like a little bit of a sophomore droop.
My opinion hadn’t fully modified this time round, however I am more and more sure that even my less-preferred Zelda dungeons are nonetheless a rattling good time.
From its opening room, the dungeon instantly presents simply two instructions — left or proper — and introduces two main dungeon options whereas it is at it: the lava and Beamos. This can be a dungeon stuffed with slippery little enemies, and these laser-firing sentinels aren’t any exception. They scared the pants off me after I was youthful, however now I can slip round them with ease. No laser burns for Hyperlink this playthrough.
What struck me this time round is how cyclical the format is. Zelda dungeons usually present you an space, then lead you thru a sequence of puzzles to entry stated space from a distinct angle, and Dodongo’s Cavern does that consistently.
The opening room is the sport’s introduction to a dungeon ‘hub’, with facet routes doubling again on themselves to open up new paths into the primary space. I like that raised swap in an alcove on the best as you first stroll in. It is low sufficient that it is principally asking you to attempt to climb as much as attain it, although simply excessive sufficient to be not possible.
It is not till you make it previous the following statue-dragging swap puzzle, your first Lizalfos face-off, and the torch room that you simply’re ultimately fed again round to the different facet of the ledge. Even in any case of those playthroughs, it nonetheless makes me go, “Oh, I am right here!” after I loop again.
It manages to include some verticality into its looping construction. I am not the most important fan of the bomb puzzles on this one (extra on that later), however making a set of stairs by bombing the one rock column with a simultaneous explosion from left to proper is at all times a magnificence. It is on this second ground that you simply encounter the Lizalfos for a second time (their tag-team swapping nonetheless guidelines), and you may peer by means of the smoke on the ground to see the room that you simply first fought them in.
Observe it round and also you’re again within the hub room, however increased this time! There’s even a brand new transferring platform! Come on, that is nonetheless a deal with.
However I am being a bit too constructive right here, as a result of the second ground additionally accommodates my least-favourite room in the entire dungeon. It is the maze-like room with a bunch of Blade Traps. It is not the paranoia of being stabbed on each nook that catches me out, however the finish puzzle the place I am required to pluck a Bomb Flower from the highest of a pillar and chuck it onto a close-by ledge to explode the cracked wall.
I’ve performed this dungeon nicely over a dozen instances, and this throw takes me far too many makes an attempt each. single. time. I do know that I do not have to land the bomb on the ledge and an in-air explosion is simply as efficient, however there’s one thing concerning the timing and aiming that I can by no means wrap my head round. I am going to maintain my fingers up after I by chance throw a bomb as an alternative of dropping it (or vice versa), however this explicit train drives me up the wall.
Clearing the highest ground and opening the hub room’s central cranium (which, sure, continues to be tremendous cool), I dropped down into the dungeon’s stomach to face the Infernal Dinosaur himself, King Dodongo.
I’ve at all times beloved Zelda’s ‘chuck a bomb into the massive man’s mouth’ boss fights, and that is the go-to instance of the format, however regardless of how nice it feels to launch an explosive into Dodongo’s gob, I could not assist however discover this time round that the entire thing feels a bit… samey.
The roll / inhale / shocked assault sample is nice for a primary section, however a bit extra to The King’s large battle can be welcome. What if he modified route mid-roll? Elevated velocity? Got here with an added little soar? The inhale was generally a fakeout, so you have to keep in your toes to know when to prep a bomb?
It is a satisfying early encounter, however perhaps the repetition may do with some tinkering. If solely they have been remaking this factor, eh?
Remake Reflections
With a number of tweaks, I feel I may very well be absolutely on board with this one. The aesthetic will certainly get a lift due to all of that 4K goodness (I am already drooling on the considered the lava lighting), and right-stick digicam controls ought to assist put lots of my bomb-aiming qualms to relaxation. Beef up King Dodongo a bit, and we may very well be onto a winner.
That is two out of the three Baby Hyperlink dungeons ticked off the listing. The third is usually my least favorite of the bunch (hardly a scorching take, I do know), so I am excited to see how a lot it bugs me this time round. Till we meet once more, my fellow dungeon crawlers.
