Let me start off by saying that The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening Is a fantastic game! This Epic Adventure takes place far from Hyrule, where Link finds himself shipwrecked on Koholint Island. The fate of Koholint Island is up to Link, where he will have to navigate the island, take on enemies in the Overworld, explore several dungeons, and fight many Monsters, Mini-Bosses, and Main Bosses if he wants to survive.
Link’s Awakening is a beautiful game that spans across the large Island of Koholint. Here you will find yourself spending many hours trying to unlock the many secrets this Island has to offer. Through exploration, you will run into many fascinating characters who will aid you in your quest and help you with things such as managing your inventory, setting markers, trading items for better items, mini-games, and general advice and tips for progressing through the story. The trading sequence is probably one of the most important aspects of the game, which leads to unlocking the ‘Boomerang’…….. the game’s most versatile weapon.
There are a total of 9 dungeons which are actually very challenging. Not in the sense of the enemies posing a dire threat to Link……Challenging, because of the nature of the Dungeons and their inherent ‘Trickiness’, which sometimes involves backtracking multiple times through rooms and triggering Blue and Orange colored gems. It is very easy to miss those partially crumbled walls if you are not paying attention! And this is what I really dig about this game…..The use of those glorious grenades to reveal hidden passages! Each of the 9 Dungeons has Mini-Bosses, Main Bosses, and Special Items that you will need to find in order to be successful. Items such as the Compass, Map, Stone Beak, Hidden Keys, and the infamous Nightmare Key. Completing each dungeon will reward you with a vital instrument needed to wake the mysterious Wind Fish, whose Giant Egg rests atop Mt. Tamaranch.
It wouldn’t be a Zelda Game without those amazing heart containers! Searching the Island of Koholint and finding the hidden heart pieces can be so addictive, as well as being used to increase your health to Maximum Levels………health that will greatly be needed to take on enemies such as the Goomba, Beamos, Anti-Kirby, Armos, Octorok, Gibdo, Cheep-Cheep, Masked-mimic, Piranha Plant, and River Zora. Thank goodness you will have plenty of items to help you conquer the enemies that inhabit Koholint Island, items such as your Sword, Shield, Green Tunic, Power Bracelet, Pegasus Boots, Flippers, and Magnifying Lens. Some of these items can be upgraded, like the Shield for example. Upgrading your Shield to the Mirror Shield variety, enables Link to Repel laser beams from the Beamos Creatures! Of course, along the way you will uncover these ‘Secret Seashells’ which can be traded in for something special from a vendor on Koholint Island. Roc’s Feather will allow you to bounce around as if you were weightless(light as a feather). Magic Powder provides mysterious magical effects, allowing Link to light braziers within the Dungeon Levels. These are 2 items that are very helpful and most beneficial for Link to acquire.
And don’t forget about those wonderful little Amiibos! You can even summon Dark Link for use in your chamber dungeons. The Switch Version of Link’s Awakening has a nifty little feature that lets you create dungeons! The Dungeon Creator lets you create custom dungeons using rooms from the in-game dungeons you have already cleared, as well as a few extra rooms you unlock within the game. The only function of the Amiibo charcters are to support the Dungeon Creator. Pictured below is a list of some of the compatible Amiibos that can be used in Link’s Awakening Dungeon Creator Mode………..
Ahhhhh Yes…….. Every Great RPG has a fishing game or mode within it! Just north of Mabe Village, you will find a little fishing spot where you will end up spending a fair amount of time, trying to unlock all those little secrets and surprises! As you progress through this fishing Mini-Game, you will unlock different lures that are required to catch certain fish, dependant mostly upon their weight. Completing this mode in its entirity is not absolutely necessary to beat the game, but it does offer many rewards which are benfeficial in your quest to save Koholint Island.
And for the Passionate Romantics out there……Is Marin one of the best chances for Link to find True Love? With its Tropical Island Setting, the Island of Koholint is a perfect setting for Link and the girl of his dreams……..Marin! (She even looks strikingly like Princess Zelda). Unfortunately, our Hero Link usually has something get in the way of his relationships. Link and Zelda for the most part have a platonic relationship, with a few exceptions where they actually wind up together. I guess its a friends first, lovers second kinda deal for our hero! Zelda or Marin……the World may never know!!
Zelda Link’s Awakening is a pretty large game that offers many hours of gameplay and puzzle solving. While playing this game, I couldn’t help but think of Zelda ‘A Link To The Past’, with its wonderful music score and magical gameplay. This game really has all the feels of the original Zelda, while adding some cool new features like the Dungeon Creator and Amiibo Interaction. Nintendo once again delivers with this amazing Remake. I had an awesome time playing this title and highly recommend it!
The Legend of Zelda Link’s Awakening 9/10
Game Reviews by Techno Fabulous 