The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2): additional details and footage, more JP commercials
On November 5th, the legend will be reborn with the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on Nintendo Switch 2. Vastly improved graphics, orchestral music, gameplay improvements, and more… This remake has quite a lot to offer, even for long-time fans of the series!
If you want to see more of the game in action, here’s a video with over 5 minutes of additional footage:
Next, here’s some character profiles:
- Young Link: a young boy who lives in Kokiri Forest. After learning about the crisis looming over Hyrule and his own destiny, he leaves the village and sets out on journey along with Navi, the fairy.
- Adult Link: following a certain event, Link takes on the form a young man, and embarks on a journey across Hyrule and time.
- Zelda: the princess of the Kingdom of Hyrule. Even though she’s still a young girl, she exudes an air of nobility and mystery, and is well-appreciated throughout the Kingdom. Through a prophecy seen in a dream, she senses the imminent approach of darkness.
- Ganondorf: born into the all-female Gerudo Tribe. Every 100 year, only one male Gerudo is born. He harbours boundless ambition, and plots to seize the Triforce, which is said to grant any wish to whoever touches it.
- Navi: the fairy that guided Link to the Deku Tree, the forest’s guardian. She is a reliable partner who offers Link (who has to undertake his journey alone) various tips on his adventure and information about enemies encountered in the world.
- Saria: a young Kokiri girl, and Link’s childhood friend. She’s kindhearted, and is always looking out for Link. She loves music, and can often be found playing the ocarina in secret places.
- Darunia: the leader of the Goron tribe, who live in Goron City. A rather stubborn fellow, and a big brother figure to the other Gorons who deeply love him.
- Ruto: a Zora princess who lives in Zora’s Domain. A free-spirited girl who often causes trouble for her servants, but who is kind-hearted deep down.
- Sheik: a mysterious young man who claims to be a survivor of the Sheikah tribe. He frequently appears before Link to play music on his harp, teaching him various Ocarina melodies.
- Impa: Zelda’s nurse. A descendant of the Sheikah tribe, who is said to have once sworn allegiance to the royal family of Hyrule and served them from the shadows.
- Kaepora Gaebora: a large, highly intelligent owl. It frequently appears before Link, guiding him on his journey through Hyrule.
- Epona: Link’s beloved horse, who is fond of a certain melody. She gallops across Hyrule Field with Link (now an adult) on her back.
Next up, some details about some enemies:
- Deku Baba: plant-like monsters that attack anyone that comes near it. The items they drop change depending on where you hit them.
- Deku Scrub: chatty plant monsters that attack by spitting out nuts. If you can force them to surrender, they will spill the beans on a variety of things.
- Stalfos: skeletal monsters that lurk deep within the forest. It is said that an adult who wanders into the Lost Woods eventually turns into a Stalfos.
Story Premise
Link is a young boy who lives in Kokiri Forest. One day, the Deku Tree (the forest’s guardian) summons Link, and tells him he’s destined to save Hyrule. In order to confront Ganondorf and his unfathomable ambitions, Link sets out on a journey beyond the forest with his companion, Navi the fairy.
Jumping
By pressing the X button, you can jump anywhere. You can use this move to jump from rock to rock to cross a waterway, and if you press X while climbing (vines, for example), you can climb faster.
Rolling
If you press the A button while walking forward, you will perform a forward roll. Alternatively, you can dash by holding down the A button. Both are quite useful when traveling long distances.
Ocarina
Playing the mysterious Ocarina produces various effects. For example, by playing the Sun’s Song, you can instantly switch from day to night, and vice-versa.
Also, you can play the Ocarina by humming into the Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone. And if you’re musically inclined, you can play Ocarina melodies using actual instruments: ocarinas, recorders, and the piano are among those supported.
Threads of Time
The Threads of Time is a brand new feature that allows you to check your next objective (in case you’re lost and/or have spent too much time exploring, you’ve forgotten what you were supposed to do/where to go), but also look back on your adventures so far. It includes a large tapestry that gradually fills in as you progress through the game.
Kokiri Forest
Kokiri Forest is a quiet and mysterious forest inhabited by the Kokiri and fairies. It’s where Link grew up.
Deku Tree
The Deku Tree serves as the guardian of Kokiri Forest. Its interior is actually the site of the first trial that tests one’s courage.
Goron City
Located deep within Death Mountain (an active volcano constantly erupting), Goron City is, as the name indicates, a city inhabited by the Gorons.
Dodongo’s Caven
Dodongo’s Cavern is a hot cave, located on the Death Mountain Trail. In order to enter, you first need to blow up the boulder blocking the entrance.
Zora’s Domain
Zora’s Domain is a beautiful waterside town inhabited by the Zoras, located in a cavern where crystal clear water flows.
Hyrule Castle Town
Hyrule Castle Town is a bustling town located at the heart of the Kingdom. It’s teeming with people, and various shops can be found there.
Jabu-Jabu
Jabu-Jabu, who lives in Zora Fountain, is the guardian of the Zora. One day, his belly began to writhe and transformed into a dungeon.
Gerudo’s Fortress
The Gerudo’s Fortress is a fortress built at the entrance to Gerudo Desert. It’s home to the Gerudo, an all-female tribe of warriors.
Navi’s Advice
Just like in the original, Navi (your fairy partner) offers you all kinds of advice throughout your adventure. When encountering a monster for the first time, it’s a good idea to ask Navi about it first.
Forest Temple
A temple located beyond the Lost Woods. Inside, distorted spaces and fantastical mechanisms await.
Hall of Fallen Foes
A mysterious place said to exist somewhere in Hyrule. Statues of monsters you’ve defeated are lined up in there. You can learn more about the characteristics of said monsters, and even challenge the most powerful of them (the bosses) to a rematch.
Fairy Thoughts
Scattered throughout Hyrules are Fairy Thoughts for you to find. They seem to hold special secrets, so if you come across one, you should have Navi read it to you.
Kokiri Sword and Deku Shield
A small sword and a small shield, both designed for children. Link in his child form can equip them.
Fairy Slingshot
A toy that doubles as a weapon. You can use it to hit distant targets. It uses the force generated by pulling the string to send Deku Nuts flying.
Deku Nuts
Nuts that can be found throughout Hyrule. If you throw one at a monster, it will startle and freeze it on impact.
Boomerang
A long-range weapon that comes back to you after you throw it. It can also be used to retrieve items that are out of reach.
Finally, here’s some more commercials for the game from Japan:
If you want to see more of the game in action, make sure to check the following post:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Switch 2) comes out on November 5th worldwide.
