The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is launching on the Switch 2 on November 5th. The remake aims to preserve the core of the original experience while making it more accessible for modern audiences, proving that the traditional Zelda formula still has life left in it.
The game remains a third-person action-adventure where players control Link, a forest dweller who must save the realm of Hyrule from the villain Ganondorf. Players use a magical flute-like ocarina to learn songs that can change the weather, warp across the landscape, and mess with the flow of time. The remake maintains the original's large 3D world and intricate, puzzle-filled dungeons, including the ability to jump back and forth in time as both a tiny and adult Link.
The most notable difference in the remake is the visual overhaul. The blocky, fuzzy N64-era graphics have been replaced with a style that blurs the line between fantasy art and realism. While not a fully open world, the version of Hyrule features lifelike rushing water and swaying grass. The characters are rendered in a style inspired by puppets and stage shows, appearing as exaggerated caricatures with high levels of detail. For example, Link’s face looks like a porcelain figure, while his outfit appears to be made of woven grasses from Kokiri Forest.
The Switch 2 graphics also heighten emotions during iconic moments, such as a single ray of light in the Temple of Time or sand whipping around the player in the desert. The game looks great in practice, although Ocarina does suffer from some frustratingly dark areas, like in most modern games, and it also sets the remake apart from the rest of modern Zelda adventures.
Several smart gameplay changes address the awkwardness of early 3D navigation. The remake introduces free camera control via the right stick and allows Link to jump whenever the player wants, rather than only at designated points. Other modern touches include the ability to equip items quickly with the D-pad and a quest-tracking tool called the “threads of time.”
As an example of how much these tweaks can impact the experience, the source revisits the infamous Water Temple. While the original was often considered tedious and frustrating due to technology limitations, the remake allows for quick boot equipping and clear camera views, making it possible to fully appreciate what the developers were going for.
Additional changes include expanded dialogue, the ability to hum songs into the Switch 2’s microphone, and a version of the fairy Navi that tones down her annoying hints. These updates are intended to enhance the original without changing its essence, making it an ideal way to play for the new audience of fans who started with Breath of the Wild.
