The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Maskis one of the most uniqueentries in theZeldaseries, and its distinct qualities are exactly why I still play it after so many years. Now, different doesn’t always mean better when it comes toZeldagames. I wasn’t a big fan of the stylus controls inPhantom HourglassandSpirit Tracks, and spin-offs likeHyrule Warriorsaren’t really for me. However, I do appreciate that theZeldafranchise is constantly keeping things fresh with innovative ideas.Echoes of Wisdomis a great exampleof a very different take onZeldagames that I love.
There area few elements ofMajora’s Maskthat set it apart from otherZeldagames, and they are ones that I would love to see return to the series in some form. First, there’s the game’s time travel mechanics, which created a new way for players to interact with the world. The game’s tone and setting also stand out as distinct from other games in the series, and are some ofMajora’s Mask’s greatest strengths. I’d love to see how a modernZeldagame would handle some of these qualities, especially with a longer development period.
Majora’s Mask Has The Strongest Setting & Tone Of Any Zelda Game
Majora’s Mask’s Termina Is Quirky & Surreal
Majora’s Maskimmediately shows players that it is going to be a very differentZeldagame. Unlike most games in theLegend of Zeldaseries,Majora’s Maskdoesn’t take place in Hyrule, but in the land of Termina. However, it isn’t the literal location that setsMajora’s Maskapart so much asthe difference in tone.
ManyZeldagames, going back to the beginning, start with Link being given a sword and sent off on a journey.Majora’s Maskstarts very differently. Link has already had his journey inOcarina of Timeand is fully equipped with his weapons. Instead of empowering Link to go on his journey, the game starts by robbing him of everything he has, even his human form. Not only is Link’s transformation into a Deku Scrub visually terrifying, but it alsoturns Link from the Hero of Time into one of the weakest enemies from the previous title.
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This initial feeling of helplessness only intensifies when the game introduces its ticking clock, giving Link only three in-game days to complete his quest before Termina is destroyed.The game has a somewhat scary and mournful toneas Link and the residents of Clock Town are forced to confront their seemingly imminent demise. This is a unique mood for aZeldagame and one that is enhanced by the game’s setting.
Aside from being tonally different, the world inMajora’s Maskalso feels distinct from other entries in the series. Termina is a strange and somewhat surreal place, a noticeable divergence that has spawned countless fan theories about the game’s setting. I was not surprised to read thatLink’s Awakeningdirector Takashi Tezuka drew a direct line from hisTwin-Peaks-inspired entry in the series toMajora’s Maskin anIwata Asksinterview, as Termina and Clock Town share a similarly otherworldly vibe to David Lynch’s famous TV show.
Termina’s Residents Feel More Real Than Other Zelda NPCs
By Having A Schedule And Storylines, Majora’s Mask’s NPCs Felt More Alive
It may sound contradictory, given that I’ve just praisedMajora’s Maskfor its surreal tone,but the game’s characters feel much more real than NPCs in otherLegend of Zeldatitles. This isn’t because of the way they speak or act, but because of the way the game’s mechanics work. NPCs have a schedule and an agenda, and many of them aren’t just hanging around waiting to interact with Link. Link can even miss certain quests if he doesn’t interact with people at the right times. This makes the residents of Termina feel alive.
This is a big departure from something likeWind Waker, where players can find Mila in the exact same place on Windfall Island every night, and have infinite chances to follow her. Even games likeBreath of the Wild, which shows NPCs going to bed at night and some change in their behavior based on major events, don’t come close to creating the same facsimile of life thatMajora’s Maskdid. Link is free to start most quests, spend countless in-game days doing anything else, and then return like he never left.
Going Back To A Unique Setting Could Help Shake Up The Franchise
Most Zelda Games Have A Similar World
To say Hyrule isn’t always somewhat unique wouldn’t really be fair to theZeldaseries. The Hyrule ofSkyward Swordis wildly different from the one inOcarina of Time, and both are distinct from the version seen inA Link to the Past. However, while many aspects ofZeldamaps may change, their settings still feel somewhat similar. This is because, regardless of their layout, they are built to serve a similar function in a similar story. So,while the layout changes, the feelings stay largely the same.
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Making anotherZeldagame likeMajora’s Maskwouldn’t just require a new layout for its world, but also a unique tone to match. Perhaps this could be achieved through a new unique mechanic, similar to howMajora’s Maskused time to create a unique feel. Alternatively, it could bea setting that requires Link to take a new approach to solving problems, similar to how Link needed to rely more on talking to NPCs when stuckas a Deku Scrub. It doesn’t matter what the new setting is, so long as it facilitates a unique tone and gameplay mechanics.
Using A Smaller World Could Make A Future Zelda Game Feel More Alive
Breath Of The Wild Was Unique, But Too Big To Capture The Magic Of Majora’s Mask
You may notice thatThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildactually accomplished a lot of what I’m asking for here. Its weapon durability forced Link to constantly look out for new items, and there were more survival elements like cooking to help keep him healthy on his journeys. The world’s vast empty stretches also created a different tone for the game, leading to many people likening it more toPrincess Mononokethan to otherZeldatitles. While I appreciate the direction thatBreath of the WildtookZeldagames, I’d love to see a new, smaller map.
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While a smaller map might be less realistic —Majora’s Mask’s frozen entrance to Snowhead is a short jog from a tropical beach — it can help make a game feel more alive. Not only can smaller maps be more densely packed with content, but asMajora’s Maskproved,they can breathe life into the smallest corners of their worlds.Clock Town may be small, but there are numerous different questlines and NPC stories all happening within its walls. This gives it the feeling of a real, living town.
I would love to see theZeldagames try to return to a more intimate setting likeMajora’s Mask. I think the advancements in gaming since its release in 2000 could create an even richer setting with a stronger sense of atmosphere. I would also love to see how a title likeMajora’s Maskwould turn out if it wasn’t constrained by a smaller development window than most modernZeldatitles have.
