Let's talk about Majora's Mask because it is awesome

[Wyborn]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is where we talk about an awesome, awesome game. Which is awesome. Perhaps you have heard of it?



The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

Hurray! Let's talk!

But Wyborn, what is this game?

What? You mean you don't know? Then I will tell you, dear friend, so you may share in my joy.

Majora's Mask is the sixth title in the Legend of Zelda series, released on the Nintendo 64 in the year 2000. Of all the console Zelda games it is probably the second-to-least popular, coming in only ahead of Adventures of Link. In spite of that it has many diehard fans, and many who hold it as being the best in the series.

Hey awesome! I'm gonna go into Hyrule, get my heroing on...

No, friend, you misunderstand! Majora's Mask does not take place within Hyrule.

Really?

Nope!



Majora's Mask takes place in a magical land calld Termina, a world separate from Hyrule. The game centers around Clock Town, the potential ground zero for the moon striking the earth and destroying the whole world, but the plot takes you all over the land, up mountains and into valleys and over the sea.

Wait, the moon? Ganondorf's bringing down the moon?

Ganondorf's not in this game. He's not even mentioned.

Wait, what?

Majora's Mask is the only console Zelda game where Ganondorf isn't at least mentioned. Throughout the largest part of the game, this is your enemy:



Skull Kid, wearing the hella evil Majora's Mask. He is responsible for the moon falling, much of the grief enflaming Termina, turning Link into a Deku Scrub, and, you know, ending the world. He is also a bit of a jerk!

Turning Link into a what.

Well, it's not a big spoiler, so you might as well know that an event very, very early into the game ends up with Link as a Deku Scrub who can't do so much as swing a sword. Eventually he has the ability to reain his true form as well as that of the Deku Scrub, a Goron, and a Zora using magical masks. Masks are thematic throughout the whole game, and saturate the plot.



It's all good, though: the masks serve functional purposes, and the ability to transform into different shapes is totally cool. Each different version of Link plays into different puzzles, and no mask is entirely useless.

I dunno, Wyborn. I love Zelda, but all this talk of masks and Skull Kid as the bad guy and Link being a Deku Scrub....it sounds kind of kiddy.



HOW WRONG YOU ARE.

Gah!

Gah indeed! It is not often talked about, but Majora's Mask is far and away the most "adult" game in the series, easily surpassing Twilight Princess. Loss and death are everywhere in this game, and the idea that things are falling apart permeates your interaction with every character, your exploration of every new locale. The moon hangs constantly overhead, visible wherever you can see the sky, constantly growing larger. The imagery in this game was among the first inn a videogame that legitimately disturbed me instead of just scaring me.

Well all right... hey, wait a minute!



I know this guy from Ocarina of Time! And I think I see....two Malons?

Ah! Close! You see, as Termina is a world that mirrors Hyrule, you will see familiar faces within it who fulfill decidedly different roles. The Mask Salesman in particular is a decidedly more important and sinister character, but every familiar face you see is accompanied by a new name, a new story, a new everything. You never know who you're going to run into, but rest assured they will not be the person you know from Ocarina of Time.

I can deal with that. We still get original characters, right?

Hell yes!



Majora's Mask is often hailed as having the strongest cast of characters in the series, and that for good reason. The heavy focus on character-specific sidequests means that you have time to interact with and get to know almost every character in the game, and after a while you really start to appreciate how developed they all are.

This was director Eiji Aonuma's first chance at getting full-on creative control of a Zelda title, and it oozes with his style and personal touch. As he is heavily focused on storytelling, characters, and cohesion, what we end up with is one of the most satisfying game worlds ever put on a cart or a disc.

I admit all of this sounds very cool. Is that it?

Oh no. I haven't even told you about the time travel!

Time travel!?

Yes indeedy.

You see, the thing about the moon is that it's going to crash into Termina in only three in-game days. In order to stop this you must go through every main quest, conquer every dungeon, slay every boss, and get all necessary masks, and then put an end to Skull Kid's wickedness once and for all!

Of course there is no way you could do this in only three in-game days, so you have a returning item, the Ocarina of Time. In Termina the Ocarina of Time allows you to conrol time itself - you can slow down the passage of time, skip ahead twelve hours, or reset the in-game clock back to the start of the first day. In fact, resetting the in-game clock is the only way to really save your game. This is extra improtant, because if you don't turn back time before the moon hits, things get...



Let's just say they get nasty.

Wow! This game sounds really cool!

Yes it does, my friend. In fact, we should talk about how cool this game is.

Let's talk about Majora's Mask.

[ZeldaGirl]

I would talk about MM, but Wy said everything.

[CuccoLady]

This game is by far one of the best in the series.
The characters all have in-depth and realistic stories, and the music PERFECTLY reflects the feeling of doom and destruction that is to befall the land.

The characters may look the same, but in this game ABSOLUTELY NO ONE is who they seem. Sakon seems like some random thief-- until you complete the Anju/Kafei sidequest, and realize that he is a twisted fiend who is willing to condemn others for self-satisfaction.

Also, the ending really gives you a feeling of happiness... you have saved a world from doom that is actually EVIDENT. Not like in other games, where you are just told that Ganondorf is gonna kill you eventually... in this game, the clock is ticking and you'd better get your rear in gear or EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER that you get to know and feel for will die. No pressure.

Oh, and not to mention that the main villain in the game is one of ABSOLUTE PURE EVIL. Ganondorf's persistence almost becomes comical after awhile, and all he does is just capture the princess and twiddle his thumbs. Majora, on the other hand, possesses a helpless body, causes turmoil and questionings of loyalty, and tries to kill everyone.

The player gets so in touch with the characters that the character quests ARE, in a way, part of the main story. In fact, you HAVE to do some of them to beat the game.

oh, and transforming w/ masks PWNS.

[Wyborn]

Originally Posted by ZeldaGirl

I would talk about MM, but Wy said everything.

Who's your favorite character? Your favorite boss? Your favorite dungeon? Do you like the game? How about that time travel?

All I did was state facts. This is for OPINION!

CuccoLady, I tend to agree on the points you put forth that amount to this game being awesome. I dunno if I dig the Ganondorf jabs, but Majora is easily more twisted and malicious, far and away. Completely lacking humanity.

[CuccoLady]

Oh, and I forgot to mention-- EVEN THE RUNNING MAN/POSTMAN has a serious backstory and stress, problems, and moral issues tormenting him. THAT'S HOW DEVELOPED EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER IS.

And about temples... there are only four temples, but the fact that you must do them in a set time limit makes up for that. Also, each of the temples gives you that feeling of forlornness in some way that the Shadow Temple in OoT did.

So, the moral of the story is... PLAY THE GAME ITS TEH AWEZOMES!!!1!!1111

[Wyborn]

Man, I remember the first time I got the Postman heartpiece, without the bunny ears? The one where you have to time it down the hundredth of a second?

I got it my first try. I thought that it was something you couldn't fail.

I will never, ever duplicate that.

[CuccoLady]

I thought that too!! After my HUNDREDTH try, I got it on the dot. Then, I looked up online and they said you could use the Bunny Ears...

[ZeldaGirl]

Though not my favorite of the series, I do love this game. CL hit a big part about why it resonates so profoundly with me - the character development. Simply put, its astounding. OoT you go around, but really, everything is focused mainly on Link only (there is some emphasis on Zelda and the sages and a few others). But in MM, you get EVERYONE's back story. It's really cool. Plus, the masks are wicked awesome.

I agree with CL too about Majora - really evil. I think that Ganondorf gets more badass particularly from what I've seen/heard in TP (haven't actually personally played it), but mostly, she's right on.


For some reason, I adored the Skull Kid - you know, when he wasn't trying to crush the planet with a psychotic-looking moon. Normal Skull Kid... just something about his awkward attempts to fit into a normal society made me feel for the guy. He's such a sympathetic character.

It's been a while since I've played, so I'll see if over the weekend I can refresh my memory and add to this list.

[Asnabel]

I've never played the game, but the burning desire to start a new file is so great that I'm tempted to put off Mass Effect just to finally start a file.

[Wyborn]

This is a game that very seriously needs to hit the Virtual Console. The Collector's Edition ran kind of funny.

Know what was a really, really great area? Ikana Valley. I'm not sure there's ever been a more surreal, freaky place in a game.

Originally Posted by Asnabel

I've never played the game, but the burning desire to start a new file is so great that I'm tempted to put off Mass Effect just to finally start a file.

Do as your heart commands you.

[Blake]

Of course there is no way you could do this in only three in-game days, so you have a returning item, the Ocarina of Time.

Hey Wy, I have a question (because I'm lazy and can't/haven't found the solution yet):

We all know its impossible to 'technically' do a 3-day quest. But there are some who've done the 6-day quests. Now, I know I can beat this game in 3-game days, all four dungeons. But my setback? Cremia Ranch! You HAVE to get into that ranch before sunset of the first day.

There doesn't seem to physically be a possible way of beating the first 2 dungeons in 12 hours. I believe the 6-day questers used some kind of glitch to access the ranch.

Would you be willing(or do you know?) to find out how they get into the ranch before Night 1?

And then from there, maybe I'll boot up a 6-day quest and talk about in here or something lol.

Edit: In fact since you are craving more activity in this forum I may randomly make 3-heart quests guides, uber-link quests(collect as many things as you can before setting foot in a dungeon) and maybe the 6-day quest if I can beat it and post them on here.

[Wyborn]

Nah man, I'm not much into glitches in my games.

Speed runs aren't really my thing regardless. I'd suggest going to speed demos.

Doesn't speed running sometimes make you feel like you miss the meat of the game, though?

[ZeldaGirl]

I hate speed runs. HATE THEM. But, that's mostly because I love soaking up every minute of the gloriousness that is Zelda (and any other worthwhile game I play, for that matter).

[Blake]

Originally Posted by Wyborn

Nah man, I'm not much into glitches in my games.

Speed runs aren't really my thing regardless. I'd suggest going to speed demos.

Doesn't speed running sometimes make you feel like you miss the meat of the game, though?

Yeah I'm really a speed run fan either, but I realized just how difficult it can be to do this 6-day quest. Not only are you obviously pressed for time, but you're limited in health. There's no time to continuously stop back to heal yourself if you take damage from an enemy.

I try really hard to make Zelda games difficult lol. I'll have to check that site and see if I can overcome this challenge someday.

Edit: But what I do like about this speed run is you don't really go back to visit areas continuously. Once you leave Clocktown, that pretty much is it. In some aspect it makes it feel like a dangerous adventure because you run around so much, that you rarely reach a friendly town to refresh yourself on supplies.

[CuccoLady]

^I may love this game, but unfortunately, I'm not hardcore enough to have attempted that quest >>

Oh, and I know I mentioned orchestration in my ramble, but I want to elaborate a bit.

a)THE SONG OF HEALING. Every time I enter the Clock Tower my eyes almost well up. The song drags me into the game, pulls me into the knowledge that Link CANNOT get home until he saves these doomed and helpless people from death. It's such a passionate melody.

b)the Clock Town songs. Day one gives you the illusion that you are bound to believe-- it is a happy, busy, thriving town, hustling and bustling with giddy activity. Then, day 2 makes this place MORE realistic by adding weather patterns--rain-- AND changing the music to accompany that. Still lively, but with a slightly gloomy or rainlike feel. Then, on day 3, the music PERFECTLY portrays the doom and destruction that undoubtedly faces the city and all of Termina. The last 6 hours' music especially creeps me out.

c) The temple music. For example, the Woodfall Temple music adds the cultural/authentic twist you'd expect from the Deku people, as well as a creepy and cursed feel. I think it perfectly mixes the idea that WAS as place of worship, but is now cursed and forlorn. (Same applies to other temples).

d)Finally, the Stone Tower Temple. This I separate from section c) because it is SO AWESOME it needs a new topic. It has a background of low, saddened strings portraying the feelings of loss the Ikanians feel, cursed forever in a deathlike state. However, it also has a feel of unique culture in the melody, feeling energetic, yet sad. I think it is a wonderfully composed piece.

...And that is all. For now.

[Wyborn]

Yeah. Majora's Mask did a lot to weave music into the plot, even more than Ocarina of Time, and that was to great effect. Definitely one of the stronger soundtracks in the series.

[CuccoLady]

Oh, and just a side note, I only bother going into depth like this on games I ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY WITHOUT A DOUBT ADORE DUE TO THEIR PURE AND UTTER AWESOMENESS. Which means that the game clearly owns and you should go play it. NOW.

[Blake]

Alright, my favorite part of Majora's Mask? Is it continued after OoT.

Link is so badass in this one! He's not the little whimpy kid that has nightmares in Ocarina anymore.

I just love his expression when the Skull Kid sees Link after he steals the Ocarina. Link looks like he's ready to pummel the Kid into the ground.

His persistence in trying to keep up with the Skull Kid is epic as well. From grabbing onto Epona, to flipping across ledges, it makes a very fun chase scene.

And even after you beat Woodfall temple, Tatl goes "Hey you were pretty good at that, have you done this before or something?"

I just love that for some reason. To Link it's just another good old fashioned adventure.



And on a similar note, I like how the game is basically an expansion of OoT. Contains all the same memorable characters, plus more. Essentially, there are I would say 6 dungeons(including Pirate's Fortress and Ikana Kingdom/Stone Tower) so you can't go wrong with that.



I began to enjoy this game after I beat the main quest. The various sidequests in this game was a game in itself and just made it really cool. And if you incorporate this into the main game, it really gives you choice whether you want to make your life easier and collect a total of 8 hearts in sidequests before setting foot in Woodfall Temple, or if you'd rather just get to the game and go in with the standard 3 hearts.

[Asnabel]

Actually, I have played the game, just never beaten it. I mention this so I can say that one of my favorite parts I played was swimming around as Zora Link. Especially in the Beaver Brothers minigame. Great fun.

And the idea of a three day quest is so ridiculously outrageous it boggles the mind.

[CuccoLady]

Yeah, I forgot to mention the cutscene at the beginning. I mean, it's great because there aren't so many that it kind of takes away from the storyline, but the ones they DO have are beautiful.

Oh, and I thought that this game added a really cool twist to the whole Link's sidekick thing. Usually, you just randomly get one (Well, in OoT, anyway). This time, though, even SHE has a story. She and the Skull Kid were friends... but he stole the mask and turned evil. She still wanted to stay by him even through dark times, however, but in a happy mistake, joins Link and realizes what she must do. I think her story/the Skull Kid's/Tael's is one of the most epic and heartwarming of all.