The puzzles we get to solve in the Legend of Zelda franchise are unlike any puzzles we have ever seen. From the start of the game, all the way up until the very end these puzzles get progressively harder. Puzzles are there to make dungeons harder. They add a lot of challenge to what would normally be a simple task. Seeing a block right in front of an otherwise unreachable ledge wouldn’t be any fun, would it? Wouldn’t you rather have to reflect the light coming into the room against a tile on the wall to make the block appear? Or wouldn’t you rather have to hit several switches in a certain order in a limited amount of time to open the door? Most people would answer yes to those two questions. People want a challenge, playing through a game with minimal difficulty wouldn’t be nearly as good as a game that is a bit tricky at times.
With all that being said, in this week’s Zelda Dungeon Talks, various staff members will share their favorite puzzle across the whole Zelda series. As always, feel free to leave your opinion also.
Question: What puzzle in the series did you enjoy solving the most and why?
Kev Doughty – View Profile
Whenever someone mentions great puzzles from the Zelda series it’s always the same room that instantly comes to mind; the Earth Temple’s mirror puzzle room in The Wind Waker. It’s a simple enough concept, use mirrors to reflect light onto a specific area, but the solution isn’t as easily figured out. Some of the mirrors are hidden away and you have to use the mirror shield to reflect the light you’ve got so far to gain access to them. To make things even more mind bending, you occasionally need to take control of Medli and use her harp in conjunction with the mirror shield to bend the light in the right directions to uncover the secrets hidden away. With a lot of puzzles all you see after solving it is the result (e.g door open, chest appear etc) but, with this one, you get to see the light reflecting around the room showing you exactly what all that hard work has caused and then the result it has. Reflecting light puzzles have been done many times and not just in Zelda games but, that time, it was done incredibly well.
Alexis Anderson – View Profile
Though it isn’t quite a puzzle, I remember really enjoying the Infiltration of Hyrule stage from Four Swords Adventures; the Links have to avoid the spotlights around Hyrule Castle and are plopped into jail if spotted. I normally hate having to sneak around the various avoid-being-seen areas in the series, particularly Gerudo Valley because of the jail aspect. However, I loved it in Adventures. There were a number of ways to avoid the spotlights; you could hide in the moat around the castle or just walk the path, but in walking the path strategy and formation were key. Not only could you be found through sight, but also a crashing sound like breaking a pot. I think the gimmick was more enjoyable in Adventures because the Links are just so adorably animated, this is really one of my fondest childhood memories.
Jon Lett – View Profile
The largest mirror room in The Wind Waker’s Shadow Temple always stuck with me. I have played that game so many times that I can essentially speedrun the room, finding the most efficient way through the room as possible. What I like about it is that, while the requirement of controlling Medli can be a bit tedious, using her and Link to reflect light from multiple points, and the final sight of all the mirrors in place, is quite satisfying. The moment the room lights up, the whole look of the room makes you feel a lot more accomplished than the usual solved puzzle fanfare.
Josh Tasaico – View Profile
My favorite puzzle in the series would have to be the ice block puzzle in Twilight Princess. I found it so challenging and it had me stumped for several hours. I can remember so clearly the determination I had to figure the puzzle out myself and not look at a guide. I’m glad I didn’t resort to the Internet to figure it out either because the satisfaction of solving that puzzle after such a long time was an awesome feeling and that’s probably what caused me to like the puzzle so much. I enjoyed it because I enjoy a good challenge and let me tell you now, this puzzle was an excellent example of a good challenge. Never give up too easily guys because it’s worth the struggle for the satisfaction that you experience afterwards.
Alasyn Eletha – View Profile
I think the puzzle that I really enjoyed and found total satisfaction in solving was the entirety of the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time. When I first played through the Water Temple I was ten and I had to use a guide. The second time I played through it I was determined to go through the whole temple on my own without looking for the answers. I got stuck and I quit- which basically angered me and I didn’t pick up the game for a while after that. But then I decided to give it one more shot about five years ago, and when I finally completed that darn Water Temple all on my own I felt that it was almost as satisfying as finishing a Zelda game. Now, whenever I replay the game, I find the Water Temple a welcomed challenge.