We all have that classic game that started it all. For me it was hands down the Legend of Zelda series. As I’ve mentioned before, when I got my first gaming console(the GameCube, I miss that blue cube) and it had the Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition. There were many many hours spent on that little disc in that blue cub. It is easily the beginning of my love of video games. And that’s why I believe it is HANDS DOWN the best RPG (role-playing game) in the history of games and here are 3 reasons that prove it.

1. The Music is Amazing 

It’s not a true LoZ (Legend of Zelda) game if you can’t point out a memorable song played through an instrument of choice or just awesome  background and/or destination music. Music has always had a special place in the LoZ series. So many important events have hinged on Link (the protagonist) using the right song before being able to move forward on his quest to save Hyrule and the world. 

Some of the best examples of this come from Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This game is arguably has some of the most memorable songs in the game’s franchise. How can you not FEEL THE FEELS when Zelda’s lullaby comes on? And how can you not feel the impending doom of Ganon’s Tower as you travel up the steps to start the final boss battle.  

Another music favorite of mine is from Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. I loved all the music in this game. It seemed when this game debuted the musicality was taken up a notch when it came to the battles and the different islands Link traveled. I loved the Dragon Roost Island theme and the boss battle of Gohma. The trumpets and cymbal crashes help intensify the battle as you try to defeat Gohma and free Valoo the Spirit of the Sky.  Music is not only used a way to progress the story, but it can be considered to be it’s own character in LoZ.

2.  You Gotta love the Puzzles

If you don’t like puzzles, LoZ might not be for you. But honestly I don’t know too many satisfying things than figuring out the solution a LoZ puzzle. Like point #1, puzzles are heavily tied to your progress in the games. They can help you find necessary items to defeat the bosses in the dungeons or find new information you’ll need on your quest. The LoZ series has had some of the hardest gaming puzzles I’ve ever played (curse you Jabu Jabu’s belly!), but for this example I really want to pull from Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

This  particular game has to have some of the hardest puzzles in the history of the LoZ series. One that I had the hardest time completing was Returning the Guardian Statues. I’m not going to go into how it’s done or why the statues are not where they’re supposed to be, (because really why did they even go to those positions??) but let me just say the level of satisfaction was immensely high after completing this puzzle. You as Wolf Link have to jump on these floating rock pieces and the giant guardians follow your movements. It was fun trying to decipher which way you need to jump to get both guardians to land on their original placements. LoZ remains as the puzzle master in my book.

3. The Side Quest Aren’t a Complete Waste of Time

In most games, the side quests can be fun, but not really add any kind of meaning or significance to the overall story. However, LoZ has continued to place not only challenging side quest, but quest that you actually feel good about completing. The LoZ game I want to highlight for this section is of course Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.

This game has some of the best side quests in LoZ history. Why, you ask? Because in order to get one of the strongest masks of the game you have to complete pretty much every single side quest of the entire game. And you have to complete them during different periods of each of the three days! How many side quests are not only combined, but lead you to an amazing final weapon to help you take down the final boss? Not that many I’d wager. One quest that stands out the most is the reuniting of the couple Anju and Kafei. Not only can you reunite the couple, you also gather a few cool masks you’ll need to ultimately gain the Fierce Deity Mask towards the end of the game. However you have to put A LOT of effort into completing this side quest that is split between the three days. 

All in all the side quests in the games help add brief and necessary breaks from the main quest to keep the player interested and entertained. To have the title of side quest master is definitely a title worth having for LoZ.

Legend of Zelda is a legend in it’s own right. I could go on and on about why I think it’s the best RPG made ever, but now it’s your turn. Leave a comment below why you think LoZ is the best or what game do you think is better than LoZ? 

Till next time, peace!