I know, everyone does Zelda blogs. VANNAHFOX is currently writing a kick-butt 31/31 on Zelda. Over exposure?
Ah, screw it.
The Zelda series is easily my favorite in video games. Nothing else comes close. Why might that be?
Zelda games are remarkably well-balanced. You can proceed at your own speed, taking on the next challenge, or spending some down time doing something as mundane as fishing. But, so what?Other games do that. Nothing particularly revelatory there.
Ocarina of Time can be seen as the Citizen Kane of video games - innovations introduced by OoT have been so influential that they are pretty much taken for granted in many games today. Meaning, there are plenty of games that exhibit Zelda pacing, action, story, and on and on. Maybe not as many elements, and maybe not integrated as well, but that's a topic for another blog.
If I had to pick a single characteristic that makes the franchise stand out, it would be that they excel at creating atmosphere. Gameplay and atmosphere are the two elements that hook me in to a game the most, and atmosphere might be the biggest. And the most important factor in creating atmosphere, in my opinion, is the game's soundtrack. Koji Kondo's work is, again in my opinion, the standard to which other game composers must aspire. Dude is just really, really good. And others have made their contributions also.
So, because we all need music, and those reading these blogs choose to game, here is a list of my fave-rave Zelda tunes. I will embed tracks from Youtube (my forst foray in video embedding, so cut me some slack). I am choosing extended versions, so you may enjoy them as long as you wish. I find them to be great for computer work.
Great Deku Tree/Forest Temple from Ocarina of Time
There are a couple parallels with these two pieces. They are the dungeons that start Link on each stage of his adventure, first as a child and then as an adult. They both create a sense of alienation (Link doesn't quite belong there), the Forest Temple's more so, appropriately. And they're both arboreal. Balance, man, balance.
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City in the Sky from Twilight Princess
Ooccoos are...odd. They are a life form that rebels against our sense of normality. So, naturally, the music that plays as you traipse through a city full of them should reinforce that. This track does.
Plus, three of my favorite characters are Zant, Ghirahim, and the Happy Mask Salesman, if that tells you anything.
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Midna in Distress from Twilight Princess
The shift in tone, from gung-ho evil destroying to a life in peril, is captured wonderfully. It's a short loop, but it fits perfectly.
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The Earth Temple from Wind Waker
This one is just cool.
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Fi's Farewell from Skyward Sword
Okay, no one likes Fi. I get it. But this is just a nice piece. I found a piano version played by thomandy. Dig it.
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Credit Hajime Wakai and Mahito Yokota.
Sanctuary Dungeon from A Link to the Past
Makes you feel like you're in for it.Layers of strings. Ominous. Cool.
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Final Hours from Majora's Mask
I resisted the urge to rank these. That said, if I were to do so, this puppy would be at the top, no questions asked.
MM is the consensus creepiest, saddest, darkest, most melancholy Zelda game. The music is why, and this fella is the capper.
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Zelda games are full to the brim with great scores. I might change this list tomorrow. If you think I have committed an egregious sin of omission, let me know.
And, I hope these videos have sound, 'cause they're still images otherwise. If I screwed them up, I can add a list of links. Play 'em with headphones.
(Checks them out) Hey, they work. Bueno.
Bonus, in honor of that goofball Zant, the Zant Boss Battle music:
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