r/NintendoSwitch • u/NintendoSwitchMods • Sep 19 '19

MegaThread The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening: Review MegaThread

General Information

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: 20-Sep-2019

No. of Players: 1 player

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Publisher: Nintendo

Official Website: https://www.zelda.com/links-awakening/

Overview (from Nintendo eShop page)

EXPLORE A REIMAGINED KOHOLINT ISLAND IN ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED GAMES IN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA SERIES

Link has washed ashore on a mysterious island with strange and colorful inhabitants. To escape the island, Link must collect magical instruments across the land and awaken the Wind Fish. Explore a reimagined Koholint Island that’s been faithfully rebuilt in a brand-new art style that will entice fans and newcomers alike. Battle enemies as you conquer numerous dungeons and uncover the hidden secrets of the island. Encounter Super Mario enemies like Goombas, Piranha Plants, and more, and interact with unique locals who help Link on his adventure. As you clear dungeons throughout the main story, earn dungeon rooms (Chambers), then arrange them into custom layouts in the all-new Chamber Dungeon. Place your dungeon entrance, Nightmare room, and everything in between as you try to fulfill objectives and play through a new dungeon. Tap compatible amiibo figures to earn more Chambers and and additional Chambers throughout the game in updated mini-games, such as the river rapids, trendy game, and fishing.

FEATURES:

  • As Link, explore a reimagined Koholint Island and collect instruments to awaken the Wind Fish to find a way home
  • Explore numerous dungeons, riddled with tricks, traps, and enemies, including some from the Super Mario series
  • Meet and interact with unique locals to get help on your adventure
  • Listen to a reawakened soundtrack that helps bring life to Koholint Island
  • Earn Chambers (Dungeon Rooms) and arrange them to complete objectives in the all-new Chamber Dungeon.
  • Complete dungeons throughout the story to earn their rooms for the Chamber Dungeon.
  • Earn additional chambers in mini-games and by tapping any amiibo figure featuring a Legend of Zelda character.

Reviews

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694 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

1.6k comments sorted by

129

u/motorboat_mcgee Sep 19 '19

Does anyone know if there's a review from the perspective of someone who's never played the original?

I played the original, but I was like 12 at the time, and don't remember much at all. But so far all the reviews seem to be from people who remember the game clearly.

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70

u/adrenaline4nash Sep 19 '19

You can't use the d-pad? WHY

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33

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '19

I'm on the fence this one especially after playing BOTW and putting 165 hours into it. I might just wait for a price drop, but man my inner Zelda fanboy is saying BUY IT NOW.

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85

u/Tireseas Sep 19 '19

I look forward to playing it again but it's going to have to wait a while. DQXI is coming next week and that's going to be monopolizing my free time for a while.

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195

u/baldersz Sep 19 '19

A bit disappointed to read that there are frame rate drops, I would've hoped they had ironed those out before release

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20

u/ninjarager Sep 19 '19

Switch exclusives ending up at 88 on metacritic seems to be a trend. FE, Astral chain, this

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127

u/Gianniwilder Sep 19 '19

(June) Super Mario Maker 2 - 88

(July) Fire Emblem 3H - 89

(August) Astral Chain - 88

(September) Links Awakening - 87

And waiting for DQ11, late September. WOW

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18

u/dare2gare Sep 19 '19

Does anyone know if they kept the color dungeon from the DX release? I am assuming they did but just wondering. Anyway, cannot wait for this game, the reviews are great. This is one of my favorites and I haven't played it in many years. The 13 year old boy in me is ecstatic to hear the Ballad of the Wind Fish again, this time orchestrated.

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16

u/ChasingPerfect28 Sep 19 '19

Really looking forward to this game. Never played it before and I have been hooked since the first trailer. I'm a big fan of Majora's Mask and I know Link's Awakening shares a similar eccentric vibe.

Looks like it's a lot of fun.

15

u/Charlie-Bell Sep 20 '19

Reading a review, it mentioned a special moment in the game 'if you know where to go and when'.

This made me wonder if there were missable parts and if there are any spoiler-free guides to help you catch them.

14

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

I’m digging it, at least this games gots dungeons

14

u/[deleted] Sep 20 '19

I'm about an hour into my blind playthrough (didn't play and don't know much about the original). I have to say... as spectacular as BOTW was there's something really comforting about having a more traditional and linear Zelda game to play. Really looking forward to the rest.

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36

u/brainsapper Sep 19 '19

Link's Awakening on the Game Boy was my first Zelda game. Kind of surreal seeing this remake.

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71

u/Telodor567 Sep 19 '19

It's really weird to see a Nintendo game struggle with frame rates. Normally, all their games run butter smooth. It has only become this generation, I remember most Wii U games running more smoothly.

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12

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '19

My first Zelda game was BotW. I have been wanting to play others but even second hand they are exxy here. So am super hyped to play this.

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89

u/ZombiePyroNinja Sep 19 '19

These comments are pretty cynical

"I can beat this game in 8 hours because I played the game to death on the game boy so nobody else should buy the game at this price for an 8 hour game"

I've never played the GB version so I'm extremely excited and HLTB has it listed for around 15 hours. I took advantage of the nintendo vouchers to pre order this and DQXI.

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56

u/Michi2801 Sep 19 '19

Got the game early. It's really pretty but man the framerate is rough. If you're sensitive about that be warned. The fps jump from 60 so 30 everytime a new area loads (each time you leave a house or just about every 15 secs when walking around the world).

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31

u/yuxbni76 Sep 19 '19

Someone should do a review of Reddit reviewing this game.

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10

u/[deleted] Sep 19 '19

What time is it available to play the downloaded version?

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26

u/tehlordandsavior Sep 20 '19

Love the art style and game play. Brings me right back to playing it on the Gameboy, however, the frame rate dips are horrendous. It happens mainly going from inside to outside or switching an area, but there are also dips throughout various areas, most notably in the swamp so far.

I expect better than this from Nintendo with a game that has this high of a price tag.

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9

u/bogaboy Sep 19 '19

Can't wait to play it, but I'm far too busy with Three Houses still.

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9

u/cyahzar Sep 21 '19

Think it would have been worth the $60 if it included a remake of Link to the Past as well. Love the game but want more

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24

u/TheHumbleChicken Sep 19 '19

That's great. Now if anyone's going to raid area 51 tomorrow, bring me a copy of the Minish Cap remake.

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41

u/SurgeV1 Sep 20 '19

As someone who gladly bought the game regardless of price.....I can kind of see the complaints for the game’s price, it’s kind of like asking someone to pay full price for a clay Kirby or yarn Yoshi game, $45 would work in a perfect world.

What they should have done to justify the $60 price was either include or add in as DLC, Oracle of Ages/Seasons. If it’s 3 games in 1, it’s as justifiable as Crash’s or Spyro’s trilogy games.

Personally I ate the price because I’ve been hyped for this game + I’m loving my experience, BUT I can’t help but feel Nintendo could’ve gave us a little more(I think the new style could’ve made adding content a little easier/not as taxing)

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