Part 11 - Ice Palace: Wherein Link is taunted by an equipment upgrade.
And now for some more exploring! This house seems like a good starting point.
Possibly dead thing: skill in my shooting gallery? I’ll give you give shots for 20 Rupees. If you’re as sharp as I think you are, you stand to rake in the Rupees.
Ah yes, this place. I recall passing it by for most of my life. However, one day, while waiting for my ride to pick me up after college classes, I got out my DS and played the GBA remake of this game, then proceeded to master this mini-game. Not 100% accurate (I think I only ever once got the max 124 rupees per game), but still plenty enough to make a reliable profit.
For old-time’s sake.
I still have it, it seems.
Hm… I suppose I shall go again.
I am awesome bun.
That said, not going again. I already have plenty of rupees.
What is that form supposed to symbolize about vis heart?
Well, I don’t know if…
Shovel Gnome: Then I will lend you a shovel. When you have it in hand, start digging!
Okay then, I guess it doesn’t matter what I think.
Was the choice removed the dialogue space? I’m pretty sure I remember there being a choice.
Well, I need to play this a whole bunch of times to try to find the piece of heart.
And so, at long last.
Also, note my rupees count. I do not think this is a very profitable business. Especially in the original version.
Anyway, time to disturb the bouncing pogo frog!
Bouncing pogo frog: Ribbit ribbit… don’t hurt me, bunny! Please!
I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he does not know about the whole “reflection of the heart” thing. If he did, this would be silly. Even if said bunny is heavily-armed.
What I will instead comment on is, what does being turned into a frog say about one’s personality?
Bouncing pogo frog: ..You’re not going to harm me? Wait, you’re from the Light World? I used to live in Kakariko Town!
As do most people who are not soldiers, from what I have seen.
So, roughly about a third of the population.
Bouncing pogo frog: Ribbit! I have a request of you! Please take me to my partner!
A bit of a mess, but good ventilation.
Anyway, back to the Light-World version!
He says in the most unenthusiastic voice.
Blacksmith: Drop by here again! At that time, we will temper your sword perfectly!
Apparently, the Master Sword has not yet been mastered.
Oh hey, it’s the little shop treasure chest that wasn’t there yesterday.
Because the key is locked inside this chest, you can never open it.
Why did who do that, under the influence of what substance?
Just take it with you.
Uh… ‘kay?
Well, I guess it looks nice, at least.
I got my own personal pet treasure cheeeest…
You guys are just shooting at me because you’re jealous.
Hey bunny-hater! Guess what I have that you ca…
Guy: I heard that you know I used to be a thief, right?
…Um?
Guy: Well, I’ll open a chest for you. Will you keep it a secret from everyone else?
‘Kaaay…
This is a Magic Bottle! You can store an item inside and then use it later!
Well, that was certainly convenient. I wonder what I’ll use it for…
Okay, blue medicine. Definitely blue medicine.
Wow, that’s pretty cheap. Until you consider they implied free, earlier. Oh well. Not like I’m using my rupees for much else.
Blacksmith: All right, no problem. We’ll have to keep your sword for a while.
Well, that’s inconvenient. Especially since I did not keep the old sword, apparently. I mean, I’m completely defenseless!
Blacksmith: I thought you might like it!
Here it comes…
…I knew it. Though I do wonder where the Lv.4 sword will go from here.
…But now you’re suddenly hungry…
But your HP and MP are looking good, so it works!
Anyway, rather than call out these two for their blatant speciesism, I’ll go ahead and try out the new sword on the fifth dungeon!
But first, let’s look at this very subtle secret!
Did I even need to read this? I kinda know the drill, by now.
Like so…
Ow.
That poor bird.
This is the Bombos Medallion! Its magic makes the ground explode with bunny rage!
And kitty rage, and ‘roid rage, and nerd rage, and adamantium rage, and… Okay, I’d better stop this joke. Or, rather, rage-quit.
Anyway, now to actually progress the plot.
And so, it begins.
It wants a huuuug!
Instead, it gets a fireball to the face.
Kinda sounds like most dates I’ve been on.
Which is probably why I am now in love with a kitty instead of a dragon.
Telepathy tile: (Removed conversation for dialogue space.)
Well, fine, then! If you won’t talk to me, then maybe I should spend time with those overly-clingy ice… things.
A rather oddly-designed skating rink.
OH HOW WILL I EVER OPEN THIS DOOR?
Ah, these things, which can only be finished off with a bomb. It almost makes increasing the bomb max worthwhile. Almost.
Telepathy tile: (Removed conversation for dialogue space.)
I’ll take that as agreement.
I am now being attacked by darkness itself. Unfortunately, I do not have Magic Missiles prepared.
There we have Zelda again, giving me the cold shoulder. dodges frozen tomatoes
Well, this is inconvenient.
“Mail”? Like, chainmail? That does not look like chainmail. Or plate mail. Or snail mail.
But, does it clash with your fur color…?
Well, sort of. I admit I prefer the green, but the blue isn’t THAT bad of a match. Though I feel it would have been better if the darker blue were lightened a shade. It would have been adorable! Another change on my wish list, that.
Two-hit combo!
It’s funny to think that, in my childhood, this would have been quite a welcome surprise, a place for me to restock on fairies. Now, though, I much prefer medicine, so I feel kinda “eh” on rooms like these. Oh, how a different playstyle can change things. Back then, I used to have even more issue with finding a purpose for rupees, spending a lot of time with 999 of them. Now, though, I actually have a use for rupees again. So, that’s nice! Though, now I can get a whole bunch of rupees with the arrow game at any time, so there’s that.
During this boss battle, ice occasionally falls from above. I guess this is what I get for mocking the indoor weather mechanic of Red Rescue Team during my LP of that.
Fun Fact: When the shell is melted away, it instantly disappears. However, according to TCRF, the shell is meant to fade out, but does not due to a palette glitch.
And then it splits into three. Though, now I can hit it with my sword like some common brute instead of killing it with fire like an awesome wizard, so that’s nice.
And of course, victory is mine!
Maiden: Link, because of you, I can escape from the clutches of the evil monsters. Thank you. They say the Hylia people controlled mysterious powers, as did the seven wise men.
Apparently mysterious enough that I am not told what they were.
Maiden: But the blood of the Hylia has become thin over time. We who carry the blood of the seven wise men do not possess strong power any more, either. Our powers will increase if we mix the courage of the Knights with the wisdom of the wise men.
And also a pinch of salt.
Maiden: Only a short time remains until the gate at the castle linking the worlds opens completely. If you defeat Ganon, this world will vanish and the Triforce will wait for a new holder.
Hopefully not with everyone inside it.
Maiden: I believe in you… Good luck! May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.
And perhaps somewhere a bit warmer, next time.