August 31, 2008 at 11:39 am (A Link to the Past)
Tags: boss, flippers, Game play, hookshot
I’ve been pretty busy the last few days, and while I’ve taken time here and there to play, I haven’t taken the time to update the blog.
One main accomplishment was getting the flippers from the king of the Zoras. For some reason, I expected to find these in the lower right of the map, but it turned out to be the upper right corner of the map. Finding them wasn’t terribly difficult, and I’m always maxed out on rupees so affording them wasn’t a problem either.
With the flippers in my arsenal, I was now able to enter the second palace. You have to flood the entrance to the palace by warping to the Light World, and then back in the Dark World you could swim to a ladder that was previous inaccessible.
The palace was quite enjoyable. A new element of puzzle was here with the water. At various points you can flood and drain rooms to gain access to different areas. Another cool part of this palace was obtaining the hookshot. This is a grappling hook that you can shoot across the entire width of the room you are in. Certain items will make the hook latch on, bringing you to the item. This is very handy for jumping across long distances that are otherwise out of reach. It’s also a handy way to grab an item without walking over to it.
The boss in this palace was fairly easy, but also pretty fun. You use the hookshot to pull little cloud like figures off the enemy, and then defeat them while they are detached. You repeat this process about 10 – 15 times, and then attack the remaining body of the boss. I think I lost only one heart in the whole battle, if that’s any indication of how easy it was.
On to palace three . . . I will try and update with more frequency.
Time played since last post: 90 minutes
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August 19, 2008 at 10:58 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: Game play, swimming, zora
I navigated to the second palace, but quickly realized I will need to be able to swim to progress. I recall a number of hints regarding the Zoras, but I will have to explore tomorrow.
I was planning a brief night tonight, and so it shall be.
TIme played: 15 minutes
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August 18, 2008 at 10:58 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: boss, crystal, Game play, map, palace
It’s late, so this post will be brief. I finally beat the first palace and got the first crystal. The palace itself wasn’t too hard (though it was more challenging than the three palaces in Hyrule). However, beating the boss in this palace was deceptively hard. I bet it took more than 20 tries for me to best him.
In the end, I beat it and got another heart container in the process. Also, the first maiden I rescue marked the location of the other 6 maidens on the map, so I have a clear direction to proceed in.
More to report tomorrow.
Time played (from last 2 days): 2 hours
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August 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: first palace, Game play, hammer, item, puzzle
I have fully explored the first palace. The level of difficulty has definitely gone up a notch. Finding all the keys and navigating is a puzzle in itself. Some of the enemies themselves have an element of puzzle to them. For example, there are these creatures that move exactly the opposite of you. You can use that to your advantage and time an arrow shot just right to defeat them.
The treasure in this palace was the hammer. Having this item is really nice, since some enemies (like those turtle creatures) can’t be defeated without it. I look forward to returning to the light world and using the hammer to pound down some stakes that are likely guarding treasure.
The boss in this level isn’t really difficult, although I’ve died like 5 or 6 times. It just takes a bit of patience to hold back and wait for the right time to strike with the hammer. I may come back to it tonight just to wrap up this palace.
Time played: 45 minutes
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August 15, 2008 at 9:18 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: dark world, Game play, hyrule, palace, pendants
I have completed all of the introductory quests for the game. I got all three pendants, the master sword and defeated the evil wizard. I am now warped into the dark world (I think that’s what it’s called) and have made my way to the first palace. There is quite a nasty maze involved in getting to the palace, so be warned.
I’ve spent about 20 minutes inside the palace, and it’s clearly harder than the first three in Hyrule. I’ve made my way through probably 10 or 11 rooms, but I’m going to take a break for the night. Of course, I’ll be coming back tomorrow. In fact, I’ll probably have that music as a backdrop in my dreams tonight.
Time played: 90 minutes
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August 15, 2008 at 6:12 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: book of mudora, Game play, heart container, ice rod, pendant
My goal is to get all three pendants and the Master Sword tonight. We’ll see how that goes. I finished up the East Palace, and found the boss extremely easy. I went back and got the Pegasus shoes. Some other items I picked up along the way: second magic bottle, a few more pieces of heart, and another heart container.
I followed the elder’s advice and went east of Lake Hylia. I found a secret cave where I was given the Ice Rod.
Next, I made my way to the Desert Palace in the southwest of the map. I got to the entrance, but couldn’t proceed. Nearby I found a cave where an old man explained I need the Book of Modura. I went back to the library in the village and tried dashing the shelf, and the book fell down. Returning to the Desert Palace, I got in and completed the palace, getting both the Power Glove and the Pendant of Power.
I did a little exploring as I made my way toward the north of the map for the final pendant. I plan on coming back and finishing that tonight.
Time played: 1 hour
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August 15, 2008 at 3:53 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: Game play, hints, net, Sahasrahla
I’ve been itching to get back to this game for a couple days, so I took a “break” from work and played for 45 minutes or so. Events are moving rapidly here in the beginning of the game. I made my way to Kakariko village, asked around for the location of Sahasrahla and discovered he was on the east edge of the map. Along the way, I picked up bombs, a net, an empty bottle, and two pieces of heart. I should add, I truly despise the “snitches” in town. It’s not that defeating the lone guard that chases you is hard, it’s just annoying.
It took a little effort to navigate to the safe house Sahasrahla was hiding in, but I found it. Of course, he had a mission for me too. So off I went to the “East Palace”. I haven’t completed it, but I got the big key, the treasure (a bow), and the map and compass. I died before reaching the boss, so I decided to quit for the moment and come back to it.
Playing this game so close on the heels of Adventure of Link causes me to feel involuntary rage on seeing the “red screen of death”, a carryover from Zelda 2. At least Ganon isn’t there to laugh at me as a pig silhouette.
I have been taking quite a few notes along the way, and I’ll eventually go back and track down the locations referred to in the hints:
- Lake with Zoras, source of river, turn people into fish (i assume this will let me swim)
- Sick kid in bed gave me a net (I found a bee and caught it in the net, then placed in the jar, but not sure where to use this)
- Blacksmith grumbling about a lost partner and being able to temper my sword
- A book on top of a shelf in a building (possibly a library)
I hope to come back and play another hour (or more) tonight. This game is just warming up, but I am really enjoying it.
Time played: 45 minutes
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August 11, 2008 at 7:45 pm (A Link to the Past)
Tags: back story, Game play, introduction, manual, review
Last night I read over the manual, and I was seriously looking forward to this game. On first impression, it seems like A Link to the Past preserves the spirit and feel of Legend of Zelda, but removes some of the tediousness and frustration.
For example:
- I like the save system. When you restart you can pick one of multiple locations to start from (house, sanctuary, save point). No more starting at the very beginning each time.
- I like the overworld map system. Pressing L brings up a detailed map and a second press up a complete world overview. This makes it easy to figure out how to get somewhere and less time aimlessly wandering.
- Quests: This may be just the beginning of the game, but I like how you have a clear direction, without being told exactly what to do. Your destination is marked on the map, and you get some minor hints, but it’s still fun to solve.
- Graphics/Music: It is to be expected that the SNES graphics are improved over the NES, but it’s not just the quality. The style and color add a nice texture to the game. The music is appropriate and enjoyable too.
Now, on with the game. I liked the game intro, but the back story is much more complete and thorough in the manual. If you care at all about the story, I highly recommend reading the manual front to back. You also get some nice hints and tips, which are worth the read.
I followed uncle out of the house and made my way into the castle dungeon. Finding the secret entrance wasn’t much of a challenge. I navigated the dungeon and freed Zelda. Along the way I picked up the boomerang. She then led me to the Sanctuary where this nice old man gives you a new quest (and a heart container).
My next move is to find the village elder and locate the Master Sword. I’ll save that for tomorrow.
Time played: 30 minutes
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August 10, 2008 at 7:38 pm (Adventure of Link)
Tags: endgame, Game play, triforce
It took me another hour, but I beat Thunderbird. Landing that final blow and seeing the boss disintegrate was so fulfilling. I screamed “Yes” loud enough to make the neighbors uncomfortable. It was pure joy, even though I knew I had another boss yet to beat.
After Thunderbird, Shadow Link seemed downright easy. I think I beat him on the second try. The old jump-and-attack method that you use with the Iron Knuckles works equally well with Shadow Link.
I would sooner stab myself in the face
The ending is about what you’d expect for an NES title. Nothing fantastic, but that doesn’t matter. I’m done. I can move on to the games I’ve really been looking forward to. I grabbed a couple screen shots to prove my monumental victory.
Time played: 1 hour
Total time to beat game: about 20 hours
Next title: A Link to the Past
The sweet little triforce icon means I beat it
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August 10, 2008 at 5:02 pm (Adventure of Link)
Tags: boss, Game play, hard, thunderbird
Thunderbird is so hard!
I took another 5 or 6 cracks at defeating Thunderbird, but I did not prevail. I once got Thunderbird down to 2 bars on the life meter, but then I died. I still think my approach of using Thunder/Reflect is the right one. I’m beginning to get a bit of a pattern down, but I need to perfect it.
I really wanted to beat this game this weekend, so I will likely try again later tonight. For now, I need a break though.
Note: The image is not my screen grab. My magic is only at level 6. Perhaps if my level or attack were at 8 I’d have better success. There’s just no way I’m venturing out of the palace at this point though.
Time played: 45 minutes
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