Legend of Zelda

[Cravdraa]

I recently played through the original game again.
It's interesting how much easier it was this time through, even though I didn't use any maps or notes and was just going from memory of my last playthrough years ago.

I started out hitting a lot of the secret caves with money in them until I could afford a candle and then started collecting heart containers. I was able to buy the blue ring and pick up the white sword just after finishing the first dungeon.

As early as the second dungeon I started finding myself with an excess of keys, since I'd only explore each dungeon until I'd found the item, map and compass (most of which I didn't remember the locations of) and there were quite a few redundant empty rooms that just so happened to be locked and even more that could be accessed by just bombing a wall instead of using a key. I think by the time I finally collected the Magic Key in level 8 I already had a surplus of 7+ keys, and not once had I gone out of my way to look for a key the entire game, so it hardly made a difference.

Picked up the Magic Sword somewhere around level 6 and enjoyed the complete domination it gave me (finding it was interest since I'd forgotten which grave to look under.)

I noticed that there really were a lot more hints towards all the secrets in the game than most people give the game credit for. The old man often tells you exactly what to do and isn't nearly as cryptic as a lot of people claim.

The final dungeon had me worried, but I found it much easier than I'd remembered it. I'm better at combat than when I was younger, so while the enemies were tough, I had no problems at all getting past them, and I tended to try bombing a lot more walls this playthrough, so finding my way through the secret rooms was a lot simpler than I remembered, though I still went through a few circles and dead ends. Once I found the red ring I actually found I was breaking even with the health the onslaught of enemies dropped, and I usually had the sword beam to help me make short work of them.

I'm thinking of seriously attempting the second quest now. I've never finished it before because it actually IS nearly completely trial and error with a complete lack of direction,which proved a little to tedious on previous attempts. I might cheat a little on this one and look up a map or two for some of the more obscure stuff though.

Anyone else play though the game that started it all anytime recently? It really does hold up pretty well, even to this day. Anything you particularly like about it?

[Booyakasha]

It's funny. I can't remember actually discovering a lot of those weird secrets hearts and rupees in LoZ. You'd think that would stand out in mind.

LoZ is the unfair gold standard by which I judge Zelda games. Last time I played all the way through it, from start to finish, was whenever the GBA rerelease was (2004-ish, maybe). I remember being strangely scandalised by their declunkification of the opening story crawl and in-game dialogue in general ('what? no "prince darkness gannon"? no "triforce with power"? uproar! consternation!' etc). Aside from that, it was as comfortable as an old shoe.

Still love that opening crawl music. I've just now realised, I don't believe we've ever seen a sword in game corresponding to the basket-hilted beauty from the logo.

[Cosmonautical]

I always loved the Western Zelda 1 and 2 boxarts, and especially dig the much more reflective gold carts. It all stunk of classiness, and I do not often consider any of the best of games to even half as much class.

The first Zelda has a very strong exploration vibe that trounces all of the recent Zeldas. If you want to go blundering into the last dungeon as soon as you've begun the game, that's your mistake to make and you'll be almost admirable in your cowardice as you immediately conclude that a no-hit run is nigh on impossible in a room full of blue darknuts or wizzrobes.

Once you've got the magic wand and key, you're pretty much set, though.

I should try a "just the items" run like this sometime, I've been itching to play it again.

[Marilink]

I love me some LoZ. You're right though, Crav, once you get the hang of that game, it is not too difficult to replay (except for gorram Blue Wizzrobes). The map and secrets are very memorable. And even if you don't remember, who doesn't love bombing every single wall?

Crav: You should play it without the sword now.

I have a question for those of you who know the game better than I: Are there any bombable walls in the game that are off-center? I can't recall.

[Booyakasha]

...I can't picture them out of context.

[Cosmonautical]

He means ones that aren't between the little triangle/torchholder things on the walls. I know there is at least one door on the vertical-oriented walls, and those might have an even count for tiles with no center tile. Would that count?

If you mean the strictly horizontal walls, I think they had to put them in the middle because of the way the engine works - you always move door to door in the center of the screen, in the dungeons.

By the way, here's a rad-as-hell Wallpaper I just found while searching screens:

Legend Of Zelda - Dungeon 3 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Valigarmander]

I got around to beating LoZ for the first time earlier this year. It was a great romp, and the only thing that caused me major frustration (aside from those stupid Wizzrobes) was running out of bombs in a dungeon and having to leave and get more. I wish it was easier to farm for those.

But yeah, great game. I think I might try the second quest the next time I'm in the mood for the game.

[X-3]

I played it for the first time a few months ago. I had some difficulty finding things and staying alive. It took me awhile to get used to the controls, though. It felt a bit different than LttP, which I am used to.

Good game overall. Also Death Mountain is pretty awesome. Makes me feel like a one-man army or something.

edit: oh I didn't beat the second quest though.

[Marilink]

I don't think I've ever actually played the second quest, unfortunately. I'm really bad at beating games twice in a row, and I always forget to go back and play it.

[Leinad]

Thanks to this topic I decided to finally sit down and play this game all the way through on the NES in one sitting. (I beat it once on the Gamecube a few years back, but I never really played my NES cart). I just beat Ganon, having died 29 times throughout the entire game. I was surprised that I remembered most of the game well enough that I was able to do everything except finding the heart containers and getting the silver arrows without help. Thank you Cravdraa for giving me something to 'waste' my entire day on.

[Cravdraa]

Heh, I'm looking at the second quest and it just looks plain mean spirited. Maybe I'll play it, maybe I won't. =p

I beat Zelda II again much more recently. Maybe I'll play Link to the Past again. Haven't played through it since the GBA port came out, however long ago that was.

[Marilink]

That's gotta be over 6 or 7 years ago, Crav. You're due.

I now want to play LoZ and AoL through again. Maybe I will...eventually.

[Panfan]

I started a replay of LoZ last week actually. Not too far due to other obligations but it's good for some nostalgiaing hard

[The Missing Link]

Originally Posted by Cravdraa

Heh, I'm looking at the second quest and it just looks plain mean spirited. Maybe I'll play it, maybe I won't. =p

The second quest is very mean-spirited. They first start by adding invisible doors. And then they later on add one-way invisible doors.

Also, at several points during the game, you meet the Old Man, who requires you to "Leave your money or your life," at which point you have to lose 50 rupees or 1 heart container.

[CaptHayfever]

^He probably does this, too:


And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

[Joker]

My boomerang Sword combo skill is the stuff of legend.