Summary
- Ports of The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are now available on Nintendo Switch Online.
- The two games were originally planned as part of a trilogy called the Triforce Series but ended up becoming a duo due to complexity.
- Oracle of Ages focuses on puzzles and logic, while Oracle of Seasons emphasizes action and player reactions, but both games can be enjoyed together through Linked Games.
Ports of two Switch release of these classic Zelda games has once again gained them the attention of players.
The development of the two Oracle games was remarkably unique, both for Zelda and for video games as a whole. The games were originally conceived as part of a trilogy, the Triforce Series, each title of which would place emphasis on a different aspect of gameplay. Moreover, this trio was also intended to be connected through the use of s, which would then all three into an overarching story. Unfortunately, this original proposal proved to be too complex at the time for developers at Capcom (the involvement of a company outside of Nintendo itself being a first for the Zelda series), leading to the trilogy becoming a duo.
Oracle Of Ages Is A Puzzle-Filled Adventure
In Oracle of Ages, Link is sent by the Triforce to Labrynna, a Zelda’s Goddess of Time). As well as being a talented singer, Nayru has power over time. It is for this reason that the Sorceress of Shadows, Veran, possesses her at the start of the game, in order to wreak havoc in the past. Subsequently, Link takes possession of the Harp of Ages, a magical artifact that allows him to travel between the past and present in his quest to rescue Nayru and save Labrynna.
Oracle of Ages, originally Mystical Seed of Wisdom in the Triforce Series, is of course based on the concept of wisdom. As such, the gameplay is intended to focus on solving puzzles. Examples of this prominently include the use of the Harp of Ages; Oracle of Ages’ time travel mechanics allow for many environmental puzzles, in which blockages in one era do not exist in the other, or where even minor actions taken in the past (such as repositioning vine seeds) can affect the overworld in the present. This approach also extends to dungeons and even enemies, which are often overcome with logic more than brute force.
Oracle Of Seasons Centers On Action
Meanwhile, in Oracle of Seasons, Link is sent to the Land of Holodrum, where he meets the Oracle Din. Similar to Nayru, Din has her own artistic talent as a dancer, but instead of being possessed, she is kidnapped by the imposing General Onox. Along with the local Temple of Seasons being buried underground, this causes different parts of Holodrum to randomly experience different seasons, which threatens to cause a deadly famine. Again, Link soon gains an important magical tool related to this, the Rod of Seasons. Notably, unlike the Harp of Ages, the Rod of Seasons can both affect the local area’s season and be used as a weapon.
Formerly Mystical Seed of Power, Oracle of Seasons is described as focusing on action. But rather than simply being combat-oriented, this means that the game also places great emphasis on the player’s reactions and overall mobility. With fewer logic-based obstacles than Oracle of Ages to consider, the player is able to maintain a constant flow of movement more easily. The fact that the Rod of Seasons can be used both for season-based puzzles and to fight enemies is a perfect example of this; as befitting the theme of power, Link is able to weaponize the seasons in a way that he cannot do with his similar control of the ages.
The Oracle Games Feature Many Parallels & Differences
There are many more minor differences between the two Oracle games as well. For example, although both games feature a Maku Tree (similar to Hyrule’s Great Deku Tree) central to the plot, Labrynna’s is female while Holodrum’s is male. Similarly, Link can collect different Magic Rings in each Oracle game, items that bestow various effects depending on the specific Ring worn. These include increasing (and reducing, for an additional challenge) damage, as well as allowing Link to transform into several enemies. Others effectively function as achievements, commemorating in-game milestones. Furthermore, Magic Rings can be transferred between games with the help of the Red and Blue Snakes at Vasu Jewelers.
Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons can be played in any order, with a revealed at the end of a playthrough allowing players to link the games together and experience the true ending to the Oracle games. These and other, similar s are collectively referred to as Secrets, and allow player choices and other aspects of the first game to have an effect on the second. For example, Zelda is abducted by Vire in a Linked Ages game, leading to a rescue modeled after the original Donkey Kong. Meanwhile, a unique interaction between ing characters Queen Ambi and Cap’n concludes their own sub-plot in a Linked Seasons playthrough.
Of course, for all their differences, there are plenty of similarities between the two games as well. Both require the player to collect eight Essences from various dungeons in order to complete the game (more specifically, Essences of Time in Ages and Essences of Nature in Seasons), and naturally they use the same overall art style and graphics as well. Some items, such as the Power Bracelet and Ember Seeds, are also shared between the two titles. Furthermore, both games feature Impa and the three animal companions Moosh, Dimitri, and Ricky, and other characters make recurring appearances in Linked Games.
Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons both mirror and contrast each other. While much of their basic structure is the same, it is in the details that differences begin to emerge. The characters, items, and stories of these two games are certainly unique, and diverge far more heavily than one might expect through their differing core concepts; Ages focuses on logic and puzzles, while Seasons is all about action-based gameplay. But regardless of which approach players may prefer, it is clear that these games are best enjoyed together. The combined Linked Games they create makes finishing both of these Legend of Zelda games a must for any fan.
Source: Nintendo of America/YouTube
