I finally finished The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages. This wasn’t the linked version because I wanted to complete both games individually so I could properly see the differences between the versions. Also, I was too lazy to do the secret stuff yet. This game is definitely the more complicated of the two to traverse. Both of these games have two different maps to explore. The difference is traversing Subrosia is very different than traveling between past and present. Time traveling between two time periods is used as a basis for puzzles, which means you need to have a general understanding of both maps. The Rod of Seasons could only be used in specific spots in the overworld map for certain traversal puzzles, whereas time traveling is used to connect the two world maps of past and present and offers you new ways to traverse them. The mechanic isn’t perfect, but it is one of the best time mechanics in any Zelda game and I don’t say that lightly.
Just like the partner game, you can get a bunch of different upgrades to your character if you manage to search around for them. Some of them are a bit tricky to find, but they are all doable. One thing you will notice after playing both games is that the items you get are not the same between games. For instance, the boomerang has an upgradeable version called the Magical Boomerang in Oracle of Seasons which you need to finish the game. In Oracle of Ages, not only is the boomerang, not an upgradeable weapon, it isn’t even required to beat the game. It is an optional item that won’t get access to until over halfway through the game. The difference in treatment is insane. That isn’t the only case, but it is probably the most extreme case.
I will admit something. The reason I pushed this off to this week is because my game ended up losing a bunch of data and I didn’t have time to redo it all. I maybe could have done it, but since that meant doing Dungeon Seven again, I decided to call it and try again later. My justification is that this dungeon is like a miniature version of the Water Temple dungeon in Ocarina of Time. Yeah, they thought that the rising water levels mechanic was so good they added it back into this game. I was brain dead by the time I left and I forgot to save. I just wanted to apologize, but can you blame me.
Honestly, when comparing the two games it is hard to say which one is more enjoyable because even though I enjoy way more puzzle segments in Oracle of Ages, that game also has way more underwater sections than Oracle of Seasons. I could make a separate rant about the underwater controls in the second half of the game, but I won’t. I will just say that Oracle of Ages has the edge in puzzles and mechanics, while Oracle of Seasons has the edge in items and diversity. So, just play both. I’ll talk more about linked games at a later time. Who knows? See you next time.
That Casual Gamer Guy 