The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (2019 Remake)

 Link's Awakening (Remake)

First game of 2024 down! I originally played Link’s Awakening (the non-DX version) on Game Boy in the early 2000s. It mysteriously showed up one day (I think a distant relative accidentally left it at our house), and was my introduction into 2d Zelda proper. I don’t think we ever made it properly past the first few dungeons. I vaguely remember getting into the dungeon that requires the chain chomp and then getting lost. Honestly, this was a recurring trend in Zelda games back then; I was stuck in Dodongo’s Cavern until the 5th grade. I’m glad to say that I’ve finally gotten past that hump and then some.

 

Now that I’ve completed it, I think that this is the perfect Zelda game to get familiar with the mechanics. The world is varied but not too big so that you don’t get lost, combat is simple, and dungeons will get you to scratch your head for a moment or two. I can’t say that I’m a fan of the mandatory trading sidequest in order to find the correct room order to face the final boss. That, and a handful of brain teasers, are just about the only things I didn’t enjoy during my time with the game. That being said, there’s still something about Zelda that doesn’t click with me the way a game like Metroid does. I’m fine with the puzzle solving and exploration elements, but something about it being in an isometric or 3d space just isn’t as enjoyable as vanilla 2D. Although it’s not a game that I 100% vibe with, it’s still one that I can heartily recommend.

Check “Beating a Zelda Game” off my New Year’s Resolution list!