I don’t know any gamer worth their salt that doesn’t like Zelda. Granted, some only like the gorgeous visuals and more refined combat mechanics of the 3D Zeldas. Others only like the top/down 2D Zelda’s that harken to the past (you could say, a Link to the Past. Get it? Sorry). Me? I’ll take Zelda anyway I can get it. Except for Zelda II: get that tripe away from me.
Both games in the Oracle series are classic top/down Zelda’s in the vein of A Link to a Past and Link’s Awakening. Along with being able to bend space time and control the weather, Link is also able to appraise and wear magical rings (finally, I’ve got a friend in the diamond business), and call upon animal friends to traverse obstacles. The latter may be the reason I adore Seasons and Ages so much; I can’t wait until Link can once again call upon critters and beasts to thwart evil.
The game starts off with our hero Link being transported by the Triforce to the land of Holodrum to save the land from being ravaged by the evil General Onox. Onox on the beck and call of Twinrova
(the sexy fire and ice witch made by the combined forces of two not so sexy Gerudo witches) who seek to harness the Oracle of Seasons Din to resurrect Ganon. We can’t have that, now can we? Link must now travel the land to attain the Essences of Nature to save Din and prevent Onox and Co. from bringing back the jerkiest of jerks back from the grave.
Controlling the seasons for me was far better in my opinion than controlling time in the Oracle series. Time travel is messy. Call me casual, but I just don’t like messy. I don’t need my games to hold my hand, but I also don’t want to have to be shamed into using a strategy guide (happens to the best of us) because of being stuck in a game for upwards of two hours running around in circles. There are only four seasons to worry about. Summer brings life: vines to allow you to climb to high places. Winter brings cold: freezes rivers over to be easily crossed like you were the Son of Man. Easy, peasy.
It may be shallow to do so, but I often gauge my level of enjoyment of any particular Zelda title with the arsenal I’m offered. I’m a guy who likes variety, and Seasons has plenty of it. The Magnetic Gloves are a weapon I wish would make a comeback: an accessory that pulls Link towards magnetic objects, and allows him to pull away magnetic objects from certain enemies.
As previously stated I adore each and every animal friend Link uses to traverse obstacles. There was Dimitri, a friendly Dodongo who can swim over waterfalls and bite your enemies. There’s Ricky, a kangaroo who boxes (that old chestnut) that can also jump over holes with ease. And then there’s Moosh. Sweet, wonderful, morbidly obese flying blue bear Moosh. I’ll miss you most of all. How your tiny wings keep you in the air is a mystery to me. I was grateful for your company.
If I had to find something with the game that left me cold, it would have to be the bosses. Most are pretty easy, to the point of being complete afterthoughts. The last boss however was incredibly satisfying. I wouldn’t mind seeing Onox again, despite decisively handing him his ass.
Conclusion
Going out on a limb here, but I think I prefer Oracle of Seasons to Ages. Both games are excellent mind you, but in Zelda games I think I’d prefer to control the passing of the seasons to the passing of time. A great arsenal and supporting animal pals cast make this Zelda one for all seasons.
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