It is the one we have all been ready for. I’m six weeks into my Ocarina of Time N64 playthrough, looking at one dungeon every week, and I’ve lastly arrived on the most-discussed of the bunch.
After clearing the midway level with the Hearth Temple, it was time to sort out the Ice Cavern and head again over to Lake Hylia to see what the subsequent puzzle field had in retailer. And sure, as I’ve stated on this web site a couple of instances over time, I actually do not perceive the hate.
As a reminder, I will be stepping into exact Ocarina of Time spoilers right here, so in case you are saving your self for the massive Swap 2 remake, flip again now!
OoT Dungeon Crawl #6 – The Water Temple
I’ve stated it earlier than, and I am going to say it once more: you do not hate the Water Temple, you simply hate the Iron Boots.
Actually, it is a sentiment that I can fully perceive. Eiji Aonuma has held his palms up about it, it was fastened within the 3DS model, and from the accessible footage it appears like stated fixes are carried over to the Swap 2 as effectively.
Sure, going to the outfit menu each time it’s worthwhile to develop into/out of these heavy booties is a ache within the butt, however I will not dedicate any extra phrases to it right here as a result of, with out that nuisance, the Water Temple is very intelligent.
My obsession with ‘central puzzle rooms’ is getting just a little out of hand at this level in my Dungeon Crawl, however the Water Temple has an glorious one.
The grand chamber is the very first thing that you just see while you bob up from the Temple’s entrance. It is a number of flooring excessive, every with doorways main off in varied instructions, and most of it, you will quickly discover, is mainly inaccessible. As a result of sure, regardless of showing intimidating, the Water Temple is definitely fairly linear — as soon as you’ve got labored out its mechanics, that’s.
It isn’t a type of dungeons I can do in my sleep, I am going to admit, so after discovering little luck with the opening flooring’s locked or in any other case un-Hookable doorways, I remembered to move all the way down to the underside flooring and see how my jilted spouse was doing.
Very like Darunia, Princess Ruto does not dangle round a lot on this one. She explains the three principal water stage controls, encourages you to observe her upwards, then buggers off. However in her departure lies one in all my favorite elements of the dungeon: that cracked wall on the center flooring.
Each time I float previous that damned wall and its tantalisingly bombable crack (regular), it brings a smile to my face. It is the primary occasion of the dungeon telling you ‘keep in mind this bit, since you’ll need to come again right here’, and it is so merely signposted in your ascent that it is nearly unattainable to overlook.
The dungeon does it once more within the spike-floor room with the center water-level change, the place utilizing it raises a floating block out of the ground to disclose a brand new pathway under — one thing that was made extra apparent with an extra animation within the 3DS model, although I by no means felt it wanted it. And once more on the a number of events it presents a Hookshot goal that is simply out of attain. If solely our device had been just a little longer (once more, regular).
Whereas I do not understand it just like the again of my hand, I’ve sufficient of an understanding of this dungeon that I can strategy it systematically. My first rodeo, this isn’t. I made my method up, gathering as many keys as attainable and profiting from the simply neglected new pathways on the center flooring (whats up, bombable wall), after which again down once more. There was some backtracking and pointless boot adjustments, for certain, however on the entire, issues had been going…dare I say…swimmingly?
Quickly, I cleared sufficient to hit Darkish Hyperlink. I’ve performed via this sport so many rattling instances, but it surely nonetheless chills me like nothing else. I really like the uncanniness of the room’s inside, the anticipation of strolling its size to search out nothing however a barred door, and the eventual 180-degree spin to see the phantom determine simply standing there.
It seems like watching the elegant Physician Who episode Midnight each time I play it (IYKYK), however I would be mendacity if I stated it was a clear struggle this time round. In all honesty, it has been some time since I’ve taken on my shadowy foe, and I had forgotten nearly all of his assaults. Cue 5 minutes of non-targeted assault spamming adopted by frantic rolls when he respawned too shut.
I am not happy with it, however it’s what it’s.
Lengthy Hookshot Longshot in hand, it was time to sort out the watery large boss. I am going to go to bat for nearly every part this much-despised dungeon throws at me, however man, Morpha certain does make that troublesome.
I actually just like the idea of this one — focusing on the nucleus and pulling it out with the Hookshot when it surges to the floor is a neat loop — however the area has by no means felt fairly large enough for the satisfying attack-spam pause that the majority bosses permit. Whether or not I am on one of many 4 columns or dodging the spikes across the edge, I can solely ever pull that cocky little ball out for successful or two earlier than it leaps again into the water and the method begins once more.
Pent-up rage apart, I am unable to assist however really feel there is a very Pikmin vibe to the entire encounter. A giant plus in my e book.
Remake Reflections
Every thing that wanted tweaking about this dungeon (the Iron Boots, just a little extra signposting, and many others.) was already accomplished within the 3DS model, so assuming Nintendo carries that model over to the Swap 2 remake, I am anticipating much more folks to hitch me on Group “Wait, this one guidelines!” within the coming months.
Who is aware of, possibly fashionable digital camera controls can be sufficient to assuage my Morpha woes as effectively.
Issues are getting shadowy subsequent week as I head on an journey of pure childhood trauma. See you all there… should you’re courageous sufficient, that’s.