The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

When A Link Between Worlds came onto the scene, its biggest claim to fame was the fact that it revisited the Hyrule of A Link to the Past. However, I have yet to play through that game, so my experience with its iteration of Hyrule was brand new when I played A Link Between Worlds. This led me to focus a lot more on how this game breaks conventions, crafting a revitalized approach to the Zelda formula while still feeling familiar and approachable.

A Link Between Worlds' story is a pretty standard Zelda affair. Everything is peachy in the start, giving you a chance to learn the world and the mechanics, but then the villain shows up and does villain things, and you are the only one who can stop him. While the game advertises the ability to flatten yourself against a wall as its neon gimmick, that isn't what sets this title apart. Where most other Zelda games require you to challenge the dungeons in a predetermined order, using the items you find to progress further in the overworld, A Link Between Worlds opens every door at the same time. 

After the preliminary story wraps up and you really start your quest, a stranger opens up a rental shop in your house with every dungeon item available right off the bat. This system allows you to choose what challenges you want to tackle and when you take them on, rather than forcing you down a specific pathway. Each item also relies on the same refilling meter rather than any sort of ammo, which appropriately limits your ability to abuse a weapon while removing the need to grind for bombs, arrows, and magic. This streamlining made A Link Between Worlds feel like the most approachable Zelda game and allowed me to feel like I was in control without feeling like the game was too easy.

I found the unique approach to items and dungeons to be a welcome break from the series' traditional linearity. I definitely appreciate a straightforward adventure, but the agency offered here is a perfect compromise between freedom and structure. While I don't think that makes this the absolute best Zelda game, I definitely think it makes it one of the best. That, along with its approachability, makes this one of the easiest games in the series to recommend.


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