During the 40th anniversary Nintendo Direct event held today, gameplay footage for the much-anticipated remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was unveiled. Fans can expect to play the game on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with its release set for 5th November.
A Fresh Yet Familiar Experience
The gameplay, presented by producer Eiji Aonuma, showcases a remake that stays true to the original classic’s third-person adventure roots, while incorporating modern features. Notably, Link, the protagonist, is now able to jump manually, and the entire game has been reconstructed using a new engine.
Classic Elements Enhanced
Many of the beloved sounds and animations from the original have been faithfully preserved or meticulously recreated. The iconic chest-opening animation, for instance, is remarkably similar to its predecessor, enhanced with updated visuals.
New Features Introduced
The remake introduces several innovative features. Players can now have Link jump, swim, and dive underwater, while also enjoying seamless item swapping with a single button. Furthermore, the characters have full voiceovers in cutscenes, and previously inaccessible areas in Hyrule Castle Town are now open to exploration. A new dashing ability enhances movement speed, and the time of day progresses in real-time across the game world. Interestingly, Nintendo has decided to retain loading screens to preserve the original’s nostalgic feel.
Interactive Ocarina Gameplay
A standout feature involves the use of the player’s microphone to interact with Link’s ocarina. By humming, whistling, or singing, players can execute in-game music required for puzzle-solving and other gameplay elements.
Additional Features and Merchandise
The gameplay presentation concluded with a focus on audio enhancements, with fully-voiced cutscenes and the new Zelda remake’s theme track planned for addition to the Nintendo Music platform. A companion app accompanies this release, offering features like screenshot capturing, mini-quests for discovery, and an ocarina music creator for composing tracks. Players can further enjoy a themed quiz within the app.
Additionally, the remake will introduce two new amiibos, each unlocking exclusive in-game masks, adding a collectible aspect to the gaming experience.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.