Majoras Mask 3D - Review Thread

I have a hard time judging Zelda dungeons. Since I played the 64 games when I was really young, all of the dungeons seemed staggeringly hard. Wind Waker felt extremely straight forward and hollow in comparison. The newest Zeldas have all had great dungeons in my eyes, but they are still very straight forward.

OoT and MM were a lot more complex. You'd have to be observant and remember to return to suspicious rooms. I don't feel like Zeldas do that anymore because that's usually how people get stuck.

I deleted my entire file when I got stuck in Stone Tower Temple. I thought I glitched out a key or something. Turns out I didn't see a door that was hiding in the corner that led to the boss key. e________e

But like I said, I can't tell if the dungeons are hard or just noob/kid hard.

Linkstrikesback said:
Annoyingly, I can see the complete apparent lack of any extra content as a big barrier to it doing nearly as well in sales as it should. Almost ironic that they've doomed it to be effectively the inferior 3d zelda on a system to ocarina a second time, despite taking much longer to develop the game.

MM with only minor changes vs OoT + OoT MQ just isn't even a fair comparision.

Even worse if they really don't have a hero mode. If they really expect "FISHING HOLES!" to cause even one person to buy the game...well....

Don't get me wrong, MM is already my favourite 3D zelda, but it's a shame they're basically leaving it to be the relatively obscure little brother to OoT for a second time. What were they even doing over at grezzo for 3 years?!?
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All the kiddies reading Creepypasta about Ben are finally going to buy the game.
 
Echoenigma said:
Nintendo obviously doesn't. The time system is still going to be too frustrating for a lot of players, the 3DS fixes are really just an attempt to put a bandaid on a gunshot wound.
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The time system wasn't that bad....a lot of the fixes make the time system practically pointless. If your saves are permanent and you can move to any point in time you want....the whole 3 day doom cycle seems arbitrary.
 
The Lamp said:
It's amazing how much opinions differ, because I found both Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess to have babby's-first-zelda-tier, embarrassingly simplistic temple design. At least MM had the challenge of the fairies + the usage of masks.
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It's kind of a stretch to praise MM's challenge for including the fairy collecting element. That's kind of a cheap way of creating difficulty, and people always gave Rare shit for doing that in their later N64 games.

That's actually my only complaint about MM. Due to the development time constraints the game relies too much on collecting random objects for people to progress. I don't want to make it sound like I don't like the game though because it's my second favorite Zelda and I think it's leagues better than TP and SS but yeah the game isn't perfect.
 
The Lamp said:
The time system wasn't that bad....a lot of the fixes make the time system practically pointless. If your saves are permanent and you can move to any point in time you want....the whole 3 day doom cycle seems arbitrary.
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Yeah, the changes reduce a lot of the emphasis of the 3 day time system, but honestly I'm not sure if that's going to be enough to fix the game for mass audiences.

there's still a ticking timer at the bottom of the screen and when it runs out you lose all your money and items and dungeon progress. That's probably going to cause some frustration.
 
Mistle said:
Ugh, the bombers notebook popping up when you do something is gross. What the hell. Watching the Gamexplain review, and it pops up telling you what to do in a quest. Just it popping up is checkbook-y enough, let alone it also telling you what to do.
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It doesn't. Read the thread. The gamexplain review is completely wrong and misleading in that aspect.
 
Linkstrikesback said:
Annoyingly, I can see the complete apparent lack of any extra content as a big barrier to it doing nearly as well in sales as it should. Almost ironic that they've doomed it to be effectively the inferior 3d zelda on a system to ocarina a second time, despite taking much longer to develop the game.

MM with only minor changes vs OoT + OoT MQ just isn't even a fair comparision.

Even worse if they really don't have a hero mode. If they really expect "FISHING HOLES!" to cause even one person to buy the game...well....

Don't get me wrong, MM is already my favourite 3D zelda, but it's a shame they're basically leaving it to be the relatively obscure little brother to OoT for a second time. What were they even doing over at grezzo for 3 years?!?
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It's just release timing. They are using MM as a hype machine in conjunction with the launch of new 3DS, and is a certain way of getting momentum going for the system's probably last Q1 as a relevant hardware.

MM will kickstart 3DS momentum, Fire Emblem Awakening 2 is the big H2 title that everyone is waiting for, and what else to do in the meantime? Hey, Code name Steam! The spacing benefits this new IP so it'll be interesting to see how the market reacts to it.
 
This game supports the circle pad pro, right? I just bought one for like $20,so I probably should have asked earlier but oh well.
 
TheMoon said:
It doesn't read the thread. The gamexplain review is completely wrong and misleading in that aspect.
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Are people really blowing it out of proportion that badly? I am trying to avoiding seeing anything, but I'm hearing so many conflicting views about what actually is and is not in the game I literally have no idea what to expect.

The boss battles are the same. No they're not, they're different. They're easier. Their harder. You can only do them one way. No, there are multiple ways.

The Bombers Notebook is too handholdy, it literally tells you exactly what to do. No it doesn't. Yes it does. It literally warps you to where you need to go.

Zora Link is too casual and easy to play. No he isn't, he's much harder now. Just kidding, he's harder but... also easier at the same time.

Holy FUCK make up your mind. Zelda fans suck.
 
Solid SOAP said:
Are people really blowing it out of proportion that badly? I am trying to avoiding seeing anything, but I'm hearing so many conflicting views about what actually is and is not in the game I literally have no idea what to expect.

The boss battles are the same. No they're not, they're different. They're easier. Their harder. You can only do them one way. No, there are multiple ways.

The Bombers Notebook is too handholdy, it literally tells you exactly what to do. No it doesn't. Yes it does. It literally warps you to where you need to go.

Zora Link is too casual and easy to play. No he isn't, he's much harder now. Just kidding, he's harder but... also easier at the same time.

Holy FUCK make up your mind. Zelda fans suck.
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I think we should just leave the thread and make up our minds when we play
 
zeldablue said:
But like I said, I can't tell if the dungeons are hard or just noob/kid hard.
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Noob/kid hard. Veterans aren't going to be challenged because we're used to the logic Nintendo is working with to design puzzles. They're the magicians performing for a bunch of magicians. We know all the tricks so it gets harder and harder to surprise us.

Give someone who has never played a game before a copy of Twilight Princess. Start them in the Faron Temple and see how long it takes them to figure it out. I bet it will take awhile.

One thing to note: you can see the complexity of the design grow with each successive installment. Just compare the Deku Tree dungeon to the Faron Temple. One level is clearly designed the first time ever experimenting in 3D space and another is a level designed by people with confidence and have measured the player's abilities and expectations.
 
Solid SOAP said:
Are people really blowing it out of proportion that badly? I am trying to avoiding seeing anything, but I'm hearing so many conflicting views about what actually is and is not in the game I literally have no idea what to expect.

The boss battles are the same. No they're not, they're different. They're easier. Their harder. You can only do them one way. No, there are multiple ways.

The Bombers Notebook is too handholdy, it literally tells you exactly what to do. No it doesn't. Yes it does. It literally warps you to where you need to go.

Zora Link is too casual and easy to play. No he isn't, he's much harder now. Just kidding, he's harder but... also easier at the same time.

Holy FUCK make up your mind. Zelda fans suck.
Click to expand...

There's nothing conflicting about detailed first hand accounts from someone who is playing a copy right now.

Look at "The Boat"'s posts on the last few pages.
 
The Boat said:
I'm finding MM dungeons reasonably simple, although I still didn't get to Stone Temple Tower. It's natural given the time limit, they're not overly simple like WW's and they're surprisingly not focused on blocks and keys (something I didn't remember), but they're definitely simpler than OoT's and TP's, especially TP's. Not even a contest.
I don't even know how it's possible to think TP dungeons are "embarrassingly simplistic", that's just downright, factually wrong. The layout, progression and puzzles are by far, the most intricate in any Zelda game.
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Agreed. I thought the TP dungeons just used OoT's dungeons as a template then threw in some steroids. Each dungeon's item was great (Spinner, Ball and chain, double hookshot, dominion rod, etc.). SS kinda switched things around where you would use multiple items throughout the dungeons which was a fresh and innovative idea for the series. The dungeons were also just well designed. Hell, I'd put ST above MM in terms of dungeons.
 
kayos90 said:
Outside of the formally labeled "dungeons" much of the map and the world is extremely tight as well. I would say 90% or more of Majora's Mask's world is excellently designed. I can't say the same for other Zelda. The percentage of awesome when looking at it from a level design perspective is best with MM. There is too much to complain about when comparing to other Zelda games' level design.
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Outside some of the more unique NPC interaction the overworld map design, the narrative elements/non-dungeon narrative events, and the dungeon-like overworld elements are still quite lackluster in comparison to it's predocessors (barring the Ikana valley, that place had it all; engaging puzzles, obstacles, NPC interaction/narrative elements, etc.), and about on par with the "non-dungeon" stuff in OoT.
They were definitly well-crafted and engaging but I really don't feel that the game is anything special in that regard, OoT is about on par and the newer Zelda's often handle it all much better than MM ever did.
But hey, we might as well agree to disagree.
 
KirbYuuYuu said:
Asking for that is like asking for the Moon.
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What can I do for you?

here are some links for SOAP

The Boat said:
I'll say this again for the millionth time: this is false. Completely and utterly false. The notebook never tells you what to do, it doesn't do it in that example either.
The notebook is simply a logbook that points down your successes and failures and keeps track of quests. If someone is stupid enough to play the game without reading the dialog that's their problem.

It never tells you where to go, what to do, who to talk to, it doesn't tell you anything other than what you were just told. The original created a promise sticker (I don't remember if it had a description), this one creates an entry in the logbook.

It doesn't tell you anything the NPCs don't. The only exception I've seen is when you talk to a Business Scrub and he says he wants to go to a place with trees and stuff and if you fail the notebook says he wants a swamp title deed.

That Goron Quest for example, the gamexplain guy is making a wrong conclusion and everyone who's inclined to think the game was casualized doesn't even see what's happening.
When you meet the hungry Goron, no entry is created. You later meet a Goron that tells you you can have his sirloin hidden in the chandelier, just like in the original. No entry is created. When you get the Sirloin, you get an entry saying where you got it and that the Goron who told it where it was hid it there, which you already know because he told you so. It doesn't tell you anything related to the the hungry Goron where you have to take it.

The notebook was created so that people could keep track of what's happening and use that to help people. The new notebook just does it better and helps you keep track of things so you don't need to point them down or memorize them. I remember that I only 100%ed MM ages after finishing the game and it was hell to remember what I did or not and who told me what. This prevents that problem.

The only change that actually helps with quests is if you talk with bombers when they run after you they tell you a rumor about a side quest like "it seems there's a great fairy that needs help in the mountains". This creates a rumored event entry that helps you knowing there are some side quests if you're completely lost, but it doesn't really tell you anything, doesn't even have a map.

Hell, the Gossip Stones tell you much more with the Mask of Truth and that was in the original.
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The Boat said:
No problem.

It does tell you more than the original, because the original didn't tell you anything other than character descriptions and schedules (I honestly don't remember if the promise stickers has any description) but everything it says is what a character just told you.

Of course, there's no getting around that this makes things slightly more obvious and there might be one or two exceptions like the one I mentioned, but it's nothing you haven't read before.
It doesn't point down everything you're told, just relevant info you're told in certain key points when you create the events and succeed/fail.

Here are some examples, linked for minor, minor "spoilers", note that the final entry in the Goron quest was only created when I finished the quest.

Hungry Goron:
http://imgur.com/jFKqVgY
Rumored events:
http://imgur.com/DOpPkNm
Madam Aroma:
http://imgur.com/63EutMy
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The Lamp said:
Yes, I know that.

While both MM and TP are easy, I think MM has much more interesting (non-simplistic) temple design because of the mask factors. But for the record, I also had more challenge finding the fairies in MM than anything I had to deal with in TP.

Maybe I need to replay SS. I haven't touched it since it launched.
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It's obviously impossible to compare perceived difficulty, but I disagree.
The mask transformations are cool and add a lot to the game, but they don't add that much to the dungeon's complexity. You use the Scrub to fly, Zora to swim and Goron to roll, that's about it, it's always a no brainer. They do add something fresh to the game though, no doubt.
I just finished Ikana Castle and while the Great Bay Temple requires some thinking, all the dungeons are pretty straightforward so far. They're not too easy, but they're not exactly complex if you're a minimally experienced player.

Finding the fairies isn't complex per se, it just requires work, you need to explore every nook and cranny and that's cool, I like it when you need to fully know the levels, it's one of the reasons I love SS. Having to break every jar to see if there are fairies wasn't the best idea in my book, but it makes sense that they're hiding there, not a deal breaker.

TP has much more complex layouts and obscure puzzles, not to mention there's also the wolf form, which is comparable to MM's transformations.

Seriously, just looking at the layout and the puzzles, TP is way, way more complex than MM. TP dungeons are the epitome of 3D Zelda classic dungeons and SS moves in a different direction.

In the end I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree, but I like discussing these things :p

Esque7 said:
Agreed. I thought the TP dungeons just used OoT's dungeons as a template then threw in some steroids. Each dungeon's item was great (Spinner, Ball and chain, double hookshot, dominion rod, etc.). SS kinda switched things around where you would use multiple items throughout the dungeons which was a fresh and innovative idea for the series. The dungeons were also just well designed. Hell, I'd put ST above MM in terms of dungeons.
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ST has some of the best dungeons in the series. I can't say they stayed in my memory as much as other Zeldas' dungeons, but I've always found 3D dungeons much more memorable, which is natural, the extra dimension allows for a lot of details and scenario characterization. Ignoring that, the puzzles in ST are fantastic.

SS is a new breed altogether.
 
I think Nintendo should have made the mechanic changes optional. Have a classic mode toggle in the Menu. I'm worried about having the new save system change the atmosphere of the game for me. The notebook and the ice arrow changes are knocking on absurd hand holding. And absurd hand holding is one big reason later Zeldas have really lost their magic for me.
 
televator said:
I think Nintendo should have made the mechanic changes optional. Have a classic mode toggle in the Menu. I'm worried about having the new save system change the atmosphere of the game for me. The notebook and the ice arrow changes are knocking on absurd hand holding. And absurd hand holding is one big reason later Zeldas have really lost their magic for me.
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Explain to me how the notebook is "absurd" hand holding when it only takes notes AFTER you did something. It keeps track of your actions. Please explain based on the facts and not the misinformation in the gamexplain review.
 
televator said:
I think Nintendo should have made the mechanic changes optional. Have a classic mode toggle in the Menu. I'm worried about having the new save system change the atmosphere of the game for me. The notebook and the ice arrow changes are knocking on absurd hand holding. And absurd hand holding is one big reason later Zeldas have really lost their magic for me.
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There's a lot less handholding in Link Between Worlds than the latest console titles
 
So I played the demo at Gamestop and it convinced me that I will like the game. C-Stick camera is nice because unlike Smash, you do not have to push it that hard. However, I got around just fine without it.
Still has not sold me on the new XL though because it was a bit heavy, even taking into account the thing to hold it in place.
 
Any word from these reviews about graphical differences between Majora's Mask running on the OG 3DS vs the new 3DS?

Might make me jump on a new one if so...
 
That IGN review is absolutely awful, one of the worst I've ever seen. It is one giant spoiler after another, if I hadn't already beaten the game I'd be pissed.

It's more of a summary than a review. Tell us what you thought about the game, and what you liked/disliked. Don't fucking show every boss fight, and explain the strategy used beat them, good god.
 
TheMoon said:
It doesn't. Read the thread. The gamexplain review is completely wrong and misleading in that aspect.
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I could be wrong, but from all footage I've heard it DOES pop up. Even if it doesn't tell you exactly what to do, having the game pause to bring up a menu like that seems like a poor design choice.

The bomber's notebook has two design changes, one good (giving you more details), one bad (being a lot more intrusive). Being that intrusive is something that bothers a lot of people and the gamexplain review is right to make mention of it.

If there had been an option to disable the pop-ups, no one would care about the more detailed notebook, but as it stands this change is going to annoy a lot of people.
 
Solid SOAP said:
Are people really blowing it out of proportion that badly? I am trying to avoiding seeing anything, but I'm hearing so many conflicting views about what actually is and is not in the game I literally have no idea what to expect.

The boss battles are the same. No they're not, they're different. They're easier. Their harder. You can only do them one way. No, there are multiple ways.

The Bombers Notebook is too handholdy, it literally tells you exactly what to do. No it doesn't. Yes it does. It literally warps you to where you need to go.

Zora Link is too casual and easy to play. No he isn't, he's much harder now. Just kidding, he's harder but... also easier at the same time.

Holy FUCK make up your mind. Zelda fans suck.
Click to expand...
Didn't you expect it, though? It's the same meltdown each time. Ignore what everyone says, buy the game, enjoy it and make you own opinion. And in the unlikely chance you hate it, sell it with minimal loss. Thank God, I've never cared what Internet boards or reviews think about Zelda games before playing them, or any series I know I'll buy anyway.
 
Appleman said:
Any word from these reviews about graphical differences between Majora's Mask running on the OG 3DS vs the new 3DS?

Might make me jump on a new one if so...
Click to expand...
I tried it the other day side by side with 3DS vs N3DS and didn't notice any difference, but it wasn't an extensive test. I'm not very eagle eyed with these things though.
 
The Boat said:
I tried it the other day side by side with 3DS vs N3DS and didn't notice any difference, but it wasn't an extensive test. I'm not very eagle eyed with these things though.
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I think it was designed with 3DS in mind compared to MH4 which was always intended to be used with n3DS.
So not much improvement.
 
Simbabbad said:
Didn't you expect it, though? It's the same meltdown each time. Ignore what everyone says, buy the game, enjoy it and make you own opinion. And in the unlikely chance you hate it, sell it with minimal loss. Thank God, I've never cared what Internet boards or reviews think about Zelda games before playing them, or any series I know I'll buy anyway.
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My only regret is reading everyone's opinions on GAF has spoiled some of the surprises I wish I found for myself!
 
Gamecentral review:

http://metro.co.uk/2015/02/04/zelda-majoras-mask-3d-review-a-link-to-the-dark-side-5049404/

In Short: Always a jewel in the Zelda crown, and this remake successfully smooths out some of its rough edges – without losing the edgy appeal of Link’s most unique adventure.

Pros: Genius game structure, with the side quests expanding the non-linearity and your emotional connection with the characters. The three main masks are great. Incredible atmosphere.

Cons: The beginning and ending are still a bit scrappy and the reused Ocarina Of Time assets are very obvious. Only four dungeons. The new Bomber’s Notebook changes won’t please everyone.

Score: 9/10
 
This "they didn't do any hand-holding because they didn't need to, the game was already piss easy" is nonsense imo.

Since when have Zelda games been anything other than easy? Skyward Sword isn't particularly harder than ALBW, with or without hand-holding.
 
I just came to say Majora's Mask is the greatest game of all time and deserves the gratifying scores of 4/4, Yes/Yes and Water/Water.

Aight I'm out.

Or6pWkP.gif
 
BY2K said:
This "they didn't do any hand-holding because they didn't need to, the game was already piss easy" is nonsense imo.

Since when have Zelda games been anything other than easy? Skyward Sword isn't particularly harder than ALBW, with or without hand-holding.
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These threads have been crazy town. People actually act like Zelda is a "hardcore" game in any way. Legit lol.
 
Scott667 said:
I could be wrong, but from all footage I've heard it DOES pop up. Even if it doesn't tell you exactly what to do, having the game pause to bring up a menu like that seems like a poor design choice.

The bomber's notebook has two design changes, one good (giving you more details), one bad (being a lot more intrusive). Being that intrusive is something that bothers a lot of people and the gamexplain review is right to make mention of it.

If there had been an option to disable the pop-ups, no one would care about the more detailed notebook, but as it stands this change is going to annoy a lot of people.
Click to expand...

Yes it does pop-up. That's not the problem. The problem is the review claims it tells you exactly what to do next which is completely false.

Christopher said:
If their download policy wasn't ass backwards I'd digital download if
Click to expand...

Please don't bring this misinformed nonsense in here, too.
 
I imagine a lot of people are forgetting that Link Between Worlds had that hint system with the ghosts and the Play Coins, but unless you equipped that special glasses item you never saw them.
 
TheMoon said:
Please don't bring this misinformed nonsense in here, too.
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He's not misinformed, it's grade-A bullshit and a perfectly valid reason not to buy games digitally.

Christopher said:
How is it misinformed? I guess apple, PSN and every other provider must be the back asswardsone
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You're not misinformed. Nintendo is about decade behind the curve at this point. Proper account systems aren't rocket science but you'd think they are if you looked at Nintendo in isolation.
 
Elios83 said:
Gonna pre-order this tomorrow =)
Never played it back in the days (unlike Ocarina), hopefully it's as great.
Click to expand...

You'll love it if you give it time to get invested.

All of the changes that people seem to be complaining about, were all put in place for first time players.

A lot of the mechanics that were changed were things that were understandable in 2000, but haven't aged as well as the rest of the game.

It's a very different Zelda game, with its focus being less on the dungeon, and more on the side quests.

A great title. Hope you enjoy it :)
 
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