In our first episode around Majora's Mask, we welcome our cousin, Andrew McCord as our guest on the show. Andrew and Timmi both are fanatics about this game, and they take this opportunity to prove why Majora's Mask is the best game in the series.

No matter your opinion about the game, it's hard to deny that this is the most unique of them all. We discuss how the time limit mechanic introduces a whole new way to tackle puzzles and manage quest progress. And even though this game recycles all of Ocarina of Time's assets and 3D engine due to its small production timeline, there's a unique spin put onto every returning character you meet in the game. The overall theme also made the game very distinct from its predecessor. Where Ocarina of Time is themed around magic and faith, Majora's Mask presented themes closer to science and technology.

The game also boasted a vibrant color palette with much more intricate artwork. This helped communicate the tone of the game, which could be summed up as beautiful on the outside but twisted on the inside. Andrew compared it to the Gilded Age of the United States when everyone was manufacturing cheap goods but gilding them in gold to make them appear beautiful. This game looks beautiful and inviting at the onset, but as soon as you take one step into the life of an NPC or the story of Termina itself, the surface corrodes away, and you are left with a deep and twisted conflict to unravel.

Majora's Mask is praised by many, but there is still a significant percentage of the fandom who dislike the game or underrate it. We discuss how the time mechanic of the game, as well as the fragmented nature of the story, turn people away. This is also the darkest game in the series, so many fans find it bleak and heavy, especially in contrast to games like Wind Waker that come after it. For us, this is one of the most fascinating aspects of Majora's Mask. It forces players to face difficult and complex emotions on screen, and it is all themed around closure, including for Link. As he is fighting to find his identity after the closing events of Ocarina of Time, this chapter in his adventure serves as a critical self-discovery that will eventually prepare him to return to Hyrule and leave his legacy as the Hero's Shade in Twilight Princess.

What are our favorite aspects of the game? Andrew loves how deep the game is (and riding around as a goron!), Timmi loves being able to get into the lives of every NPC in the game, and Tanner loves the model it created for how to create interesting sequels to successful Zelda titles.

All-in-all, this game is a landmark in Zelda history, and no matter how you feel about it, it's worth playing again and again because there will always be something new to find!

This episode is rated Casual. Discussion topics are intended for those who have played the games and are familiar with the stories, gameplay, and lore. There’s will also likely be spoilers to those who haven’t played through the games. We recommend spending a couple hours playing the games from this episode before listening.

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