Would you take a look at that, we’re quickly closing in on the discharge date of Ocarina of Time on Change 2 and the top of my Dungeon Crawl replay of the N64 authentic. Does not time fly?
With the much-discussed Water Temple out of the best way, it was my determination the place to go subsequent. Regardless of Saria telling me to go to the desert, I’m lifeless set in my methods, so, as I do on each replay, it was again to Kakariko Village to see what was occurring within the graveyard.
I am certain you all know by now, however I will be discussing temple spoilers right here, so if you’re nonetheless saving your self for the Change 2 remake, you may need to flip again now.
OoT Dungeon Crawl #7 – The Shadow Temple
I am unable to bear in mind why I initially selected to go to the Shadow Temple first, over its sandy companion, however I can by no means carry myself to interrupt the order that I’ve relied on for the final ~25 years. And so, after sprucing off the Backside of the Nicely (nonetheless nightmare gasoline in 2026), it was time to play the Nocturne of Shadow and move by way of its torch-filled entrance.
I’ve an odd relationship with the Shadow Temple. I like its concepts, however I discover it a bit of linear and repetitive — notably after the exploration-encouragement of the temples that precede it. I’ve by no means actually managed to place my finger on why that is, however enjoying by way of it once more this time, it hit me: you get all of the instruments to unravel each puzzle too rapidly.
This can be a dungeon that depends on two objects: the Lens of Fact (obtained from the Backside of the Nicely earlier than you’ve got even set foot within the Temple) and the Hover Boots (discovered very early on after fixing the dungeon’s introductory cranium puzzle). With each of those in hand, you’ve every little thing it’s essential beat the entire rattling factor. Possibly it is the a number of playthroughs in me speaking, however… would not this imply you’ve got already solved all of the puzzles earlier than you get to them?
I really like the Lens of Fact; it blew me away once I first performed it, and I nonetheless get a kick out of it at the moment, transferring the digital camera incrementally to see if a wall is actual or not, however let’s not fake that it has all that a lot depth to it. It reveals you issues that are not there. That is it. This implies there are only a few ways in which the Shadow Temple can develop puzzles round it. Should you stroll right into a room and the answer is not instantly apparent, popping the lens on will possible reveal the reply.
We see it within the first puzzle with the one ‘true’ cranium. Within the room with the hidden ‘Stone Umbrella’ block to cease the spike pistons. Even within the central, guillotine-filled room with its invisible platforms. Magic vials are so frequent on this dungeon which you can maintain it outfitted for just about your complete run and play every room as a easy stroll from A to B.
The Hover Boots are extra of the identical: see a niche you possibly can’t cross and the Lens of Fact did not reveal a hidden platform? Simply hover over it.
Not like in different dungeons, the place a few of these puzzles would have been revealed earlier than you had the instruments to finish them, there’s little or no psychological note-taking required on this one, which makes the entire thing really feel a bit of breezy.
That mentioned, for all of its linearity, I am unable to in good religion knock it an excessive amount of, as a result of the vibes are immaculate. I will give it to Bongo Bongo, that man is aware of learn how to put collectively gothic structure.
The entire place is so rattling macabre! Skulls on the partitions, spinning grim reapers wielding scythes, closing-in partitions like a Demise Star trash compactor. This boss is aware of learn how to work an aesthetic! In comparison with a few of the earlier dungeon’s drier visuals, this one has such a agency identification that there is not any likelihood of getting misplaced.
After making my means by way of the motions and boarding the boat of loss of life, I bombed the river-crossing pillar (it nonetheless feels good) and headed to the boss room.
I will keep optimistic as I wrap issues up, as a result of I actually like Bongo Bongo. There’s an argument to be made that the fixed drumming (and subsequent bouncing) makes this petty percussionist one of many extra irritating bosses within the sport, and in equity… that is most likely proper. However! You set the dearth of stable floor apart for a second and you have a battle all about timing, dodging, and magic administration. I would not describe it as Darkish Souls-like, however it’s ace!
The ‘shoot the 2 big arms’ Zelda boss trope is tried and examined as of late, however that is completely top-of-the-line of them — notably once you begin seeing it as a deadly sport of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Remake Reflections
With out some moderately substantial adjustments to the merchandise placement, I am unable to see the Shadow Temple ever being one in every of my favourites. It is a bit of too linear and easy for my pro-Water-Temple coronary heart, I am afraid. However (as I’ve mentioned earlier than on this collection), even the drier Zelda dungeons are nonetheless a rattling good time!
In truth, I am unable to wait to see how the darkish aesthetic and massive boss end up within the remake.
I am approaching the end line subsequent week, as I sort out the sport’s final ‘foremost’ dungeon — don’t fret, I will be doing a particular finale, too. So, don your desert boots and sand goggles, and I will catch you all within the subsequent one.