The "continuation" of the masterful Ocarina of Time appeared in Japanese stores on April 27, 2000 and his mark is still present
Note: This text contains some spoilers about Majora's Mask
"You have encountered a terrible fate, right?" This is how a unique adventure begins within the Zelda saga, by mechanics yes, but especially by tone, by the depth of some subjects that it touches, by that depressing air of living in a world in which hope inexorably exhausts little by little, in which despite being the supposed hero we are imprisoned with a constant feeling of helplessness. Every achievement, every triumph, every warm story we help build in Termina's world is doomed to be consumed by the cursed moon or to be forgotten in the currents of time.
It is well known that part of Majora's Mask's strange "Trapped in Time" movie-style design comes from a limitation, or rather a requirement. Miyamoto entrusted Aonuma with the recreation of the dungeons destined for the Master Quest version that the future DD64 would have, a peripheral designed to increase the memory of games in N64, but Aonuma was unable to alter what he already thought was perfect and, secretly, he set about creating new ones, finding it more satisfying. By asking Miyamoto to let him make a new game instead of a new version of Ocarina, he accepted on the condition that it be finished in one year (it would take 18 months). The idea of the three-day cycle and condensing everything into a more concentrated and denser space was both a stroke of genius and a virtue born of necessity.
The attitude towards death
One of the many remarkable facets of Majora's Mask is the way in which the inhabitants of Termina gradually become aware of their certain death as the three days pass, as well as the human nature of their response. How would we behave before an inevitable end? First, in disbelief, how is the moon going to fall on our heads? what nonsense, they are adults and they have "important things" to do. But when the third day arrives and a sinister-looking satellite is obviously closer and closer, it is time for everyone to face their destiny. Some try to escape, others take refuge in the last drink or use alcohol to make their loved ones forget the sorrow of what is coming, there are those who cry in the corners and also those who mourn the mistakes of their lives. We always think that we will have time to fix what we have broken, to say what we did not say, or to apologize for what we should not have said, but there comes a time when we find that our time is up, having to take our regret with us. U.S.
But in the end there is also a place for peace, love and hope. We remember fiancées Kafei and Anju, the protagonists of the greatest love story ever told in a Zelda, reunited at last on the last day only to see the end on the last night: "here we are well, we will welcome the tomorrow … together, "they proclaim to Link. Whether Termina disappears or Link plays the song of time to return to the beginning, the lovers will be separated again, but the brief moment of being together is enough to give them strength despite Kafei's curse and how much they have suffered.
"As you can see, all of our clients have sought refuge. It may be my downfall, but I am the kind of person who is in their business through thick and thin. So here I am still at the bar, waiting for one of my favorite clients to appear … And look, it was not wrong, here you are. " It is difficult not to get excited at the words of the owner of the milk bar, impassive in the face of adversity and grateful that we have stopped by the bar to spend a moment with him at the end of everything.
Ends
The inexorable flow of time
They are small great details in a game that does not use great dialogues or long cinematic scenes, but that is capable of thrilling with the stories of the inhabitants of Termina through short sentences with an unforgettable impact. Majora's Mask is considered, with good reason, the darkest game in the series. It's not just the race against time and a threat that seems too huge to be stopped, but the fact that all the characters we help have stories to regret, or things they would have liked to do and didn't do for one reason or another. And when we manage to give them some light, we must make the song of time sound again and undo what has been done, returning to find those characters with their regrets. Some believe that behind the supposed depth of Majora's Mask there is more fan literature than real intention on the part of its creators, but there is no denying the spark of genius necessary to create a game that stands up to so many theories and reflections. with, relatively, so few lines, compared to other games that do seek that depth and have not just found it despite tons of text and dialogue.
For all this, and especially in these times that we have had to live, we celebrate these 20 years of Majora's Mask and we remember with special affection the last words of the mask seller: "Whenever there is a meeting, there must be a separation, However This does not have to be forever. Whether the farewell is forever or merely for a short time … That depends on you. " A few words that we write down for our own life and the people that matter to us.
Time is not eternal. Please value your time.
Mask Vendor
