A generation after the dust has settled, 1992's Link to the Past easily stands amongst the decade's greatest games. The pacing of Link's quest unravels with such delicate, consistent satisfaction that the experience never quite dulls, even after dozens of revisits. Commanding greater efficiency each time Link steps out into the rainy night, the process of transforming a boy with a lantern into an experienced warrior destined to slay Ganon is a guaranteed pleasure.
After a handful of years in front of the NES and arcade cabinets, here I finally discovered an astonishingly vast, believable world to explore, containing just enough dialogue and charm to enrich immersion, without slowing the action. From the enveloping fog of the Lost Woods to the paradise within Zora's Falls, you'll develop a distinct connection with each area, highly varied yet cohesively melding together. The overworlds have a slight three dimensional feel with hills, complex cave networks and a gradual elevation from south to north. Within multiple story dungeons, single floors are often duel layered with stairs to climb and balconies to leap from.
The dungeons are more puzzle intensive than the original, while still focusing on combat. Improved by diagonal movement, charging attacks, and a formidable inventory, the battle system remains simple, yet the speed and sheer variety of enemies and terrain makes combat irresistible, whether you need rupees or not. Topping the satisfaction of solving each dungeon like a craftsman at work, a memorable boss awaits at the end. Thinking I already completed a substantial adventure upon first defeating Agahnim, I was suddenly transported to an entirely different land, where the real challenge begins. Grotesque and hostile, yet surprisingly cozy as you adjust, the Dark World is so fascinating that it haunted dozens of my dreams throughout the years. Warping through both worlds for the remainder of your journey will unlock secrets hidden in each.
Pulling you in even stronger than a dimensional rift is one of the greatest SNES soundtracks. While certain songs sound remarkably clean, others use muffled instrument samples and wind effects to give off an otherworldly feel. Composed with particular genius, the jazzy Light World dungeon sets a mood of immense gravity without being overtly threatening. Modest, yet immensely effective, the colorful graphics stand the test of time, frequently a template for throwback games produced to this day.
The totality of LTTP is near perfection, though I always stumble my way through the obtuse puzzles of the dreary Ice dungeon. Turtle Rock, located atop an apocalyptic Dark World distortion of Death Mountain, contains some annoying traversal gimmicks. Finally, the in-game economy is imbalanced by far more rupees than useful goods and upgrades. Regardless, those few low points never dissuade me from returning every couple years. Not only one of the most efficiently designed and enduring games of all time, Link to the Past shows how even if you've found yourself sent into a Dark World, your vision and unyielding efforts can gradually restore it back into a Golden Land.
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