Bun-Bun Fun: A Bunny Link to the Past

[Joat]

I already have the LP in a .docx format (albeit in a far less image-efficient format - I tended to use screenshots for ALL dialogue back then, when a simple text completion for dialogue would do, and my LP tragically lacked the phrase “Hyrule Mustard Guard” for quite some time as a result) and had been copying and pasting from said document for convenience, so up to now, whether the image has been .png or .jpg has been up to MIcrosoft Word to decide. I can fix this in the future by pasting directly from the screenshots folder rather than from the LP document.

That said, the forum is not automatically applying any filter to the image to resize it. In the second part, I resized the images before uploading them. If you open the image in a new tab, it will look the same. But if you right click on and open a screenshot image from the first post (where I realized I could specify the size in the forum post itself), you will notice that the image is, in reality, much smaller. The image isn’t saved on the server in a resized state, but rather it’s resized by specifying the width and height in the img tag. The browser does the rest from there. Mind, in that case, whether the browser decides to use bicubic scaling is out of my control, but I am most certainly saving space by this method, because it is in fact a smaller image that the browser simply makes look larger.

[Joat]

Previous

Part 3 - Eastern Palace: Wherein Link is not good at keeping secrets.

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I just realized you can specify alt text for images too, so I’ll go ahead and do that for any blind people who may be reading this. I doubt many such would read a screenshot LP, but hey, just in case.

Anyway, now time to head on out. Let’s check the map!

I AM OFFICIALLY TAKING HIM HOME WITH ME!

cough Er, in any case, let’s head east, since that’s where the tiny red X is (it’s easier to see outside of screenshots, because it’s flashing). I’ll go ahead and use the route starting from the southern end of the village.

Oh hey, it’s a BLUE soldier! I wonder if this one’s any more skilled!

…Not really. Though, to be fair, this one withstood three hits instead of two, which means that hylian blacksmiths have finally mastered making armor with about half the protective power of a peasant’s green tunic.

Anyway, let’s explore the grove above those bushes!

BUNNIES!

Quite interesting, a flute player out in this grove for some reason, whose flute playing is enough to attract all manner of animals. Including me, it seems! And a red chocobo.

Was it something on my breath?

Oh good heavens, I vaporized him…

Oh well. Moving on!

Oh hey, this is the screen directly to the left of the one my house is on! Going here when I am a wanted criminal can in no way be a bad idea.

I come prepared.

Yes, I went south because of east, because I think you should know by now that staying on task is not how I operate.

So many archers. Why are there so few locations where they are common like this?

Oh hey, I found, uh… a thing?

Ah, so it’s a dam!

Let’s try pulling a switch! What’s the worst that could happen?

Oh.

Oops?

Actually, I now don’t care. Totally worth it!

Anyway, further East!

Oh hey, a wall, let’s blow this one up, too!

Thief: So long, and thanks for all the fish!

Poor guy, he’s delirious from lack of food… but he’s also rich and gave me 300 rupees, so all’s well that ends well!

That said, I should probably just loot the chests and get outta here before he remembers that rabbit meat is edible.

And get healed, because my performance in the pre-rich-guy room full of monsters was honestly quite embarrassing.

And here we have fabulous fireball-flinging fish-folk. Frightening.

Oh, hey, it’s a… thing…

…Which explodes into other things that bounce around…

Moving oooon…

Oh hey, a cave opening! And a thing that will be a cave opening by the time I’m done with it, because I may have an addiction to making things go boom.

Well, at this rate, it’s a good thing the game keeps throwing bombs at me. Though it’s an even better thing that it doesn’t light them before doing so, I suppose.

Ah, yes, fairies. As a child, these were pretty much the only thing I ever used my jars for. At this point in the game, they’re definitely my best option. Not only do they trigger automatically, which is one thing that the red and blue potions can never achieve, but fairies heal for seven hearts, meaning that the red potion, which heals the drinker to full health, does not yet have any advantage over a fairy.

And, of course, the teaser.

And, yes, you may have noticed my bomb counter in this screenshot is one higher (actually, you probably didn’t, because it’s hard to read in that screenshot). I loaded a save state by mistake and had to do the pre-rich-guy cave of monsters all over again and did it without a scratch and, thus, without having to go and bomb the cave entrance that leads to the big fairy. Yes, I use save states for this run, but I do so for the sake of not having to redo a half-hour’s worth of work if I forget to capture something important in a screenshot.

Anyway, going past that bombable wall from earlier, I can easily receive the ice rod.

And this, my friends, is why I choose fairies over the blue or green potion. Yeah, sure, both of said fully restore magic, but there aren’t really a whole lot of points where I will want to use the Ice Rod, which is just about the only thing I use magic power for at this poin in the game. The Ice Rod freezes enemies, but I already have the boomerang, which can temporarily stun a fair variety of enemies for a bit. I caught onto the situational nature of the ice rod in my youth, too, where I’d get it just to have it, but would never actually use it.

Anyway, onward to the Eastern Palace! And don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about the witch’s hut and the mushroom. I am simply saving it for later.

Alright! Time to enter the palace! Which looks more like ruins from here, but oh well.

Does this really qualify as “in the palace”? Isn’t this more adjacent to the palace? I mean, unless this tiny, unimpressive thing is the palace, and that giant building to the right is unrelated.

Now I have the mental image of Link giving a quick bow to the elder, then saying “Greetings, elder-san!”

Sahasrahla: I am, indeed, Sahasrahla, the village elder and a descendent [sic] of the seven wise men.

…I’ll just call you Saha, for short, thank you. That name does not really roll off any tongue, human or leporine.

Sahasrahla: … Well, I’ll be! To think a little rabbit like you is searching for the sword of evil’s bane! And yet, it is no ordinary weapon.

Well, I kinda suspected such. I already have an ordinary weapon on hand. Paw. Whatever.

Sarsaparilla: Legends say only the Hero who has won the three pendants can wield the sword. … … …

Dramatic paaaause…

Sassafras: And yet, you still wish to

If I were more popular, I’d be tempted, however briefly, to stop this section of the LP here and end with a poll on which of these two options I should pick.

Salsa, Rah Rah!: Very well. If you are sincere, retrieve the Pendant Of Courage from the East Palace. If you bring it here, I will tell you more of the legend and give you a magical artifact. Farewell, Link!

I don’t know what getting Courage the Cowardly Dog merch has to do with any of this, but hey, free stuff!

In any case, I’m off to storm the palace!

Eep, the statues are after meeee!

These statues, thankfully, are not.

The adventure truly begins! This is it, troops! ONWAAAA…

Oh. Well… that’s awfully inconvenient. Alright, then. Let’s try the door on the right!

I am really beginning to think the architects had either too much or too little time on their hands.

Ah, thar we be!

Oh look, it’s… seaweed?

Fortunately, seaweed isn’t very hard to dispatch and that pressure plate to move on isn’t very hidden, so onward we go!

And now, there are black orbs rolling along the floor. And there’s no other way forward, so I guess I’m going to be on the receiving end of a rousing game of Bowling for Bunnies.

Ah, skeletons. They just don’t make ‘em like Fortesque, anymore, do they?

Anyway, nowadays, I have an easy time against these. A simple spin attack does well against these. Way back when, though, these were a PAAAIN…

Also, a lovely thing is, if you find yourself surrounded, you can simply swing your sword and problem solved, because they jump away when you do that.

The bunch of red orbs with the skull in the middle… It’s rather humorous to visualize how silly it would like if it existed in real life.

Usually, that’s a sign that the walls are about to pelt me with arrows or something. Or that those doors will never open from the inside.

Suddenly, skeletons poofed in. I’m kinda disappointed, actually, that the skeletons did not form from the bones below.

Well, that’s an odd thing for Saha to say.

Okay, I should actually explain this. Ryusuta’s changes to the dialogue made the total amount of dialogue in the game longer. However, there is a limited amount of space for that, so, to compensate, she removed the dialogue from these panels. She has stated an intention to remove the panels entirely in some future revision.

I wonder if the dialogue from the Chris Houlihan room was changed, as well. I’ll go ahead and check.

Indeed, it was!

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the easiest way to get here is to drop down a hole while the Pro Action Replay code 7E010E82 is active. For those who have no idea what this is, TCRF offers a good explanation.

Telepathy Tile: Keep it between us, OK?)

…

*posts this anyway*

Oh good heavens, these guys are a pain to fight. Unlike the red version, killable without a bow (throwing a pot at them will also kill them), but still completely immune to all damage until you get close and wake them up. Bleh.

I almost never used this as a child, due to limited ammo, but now I’ll likely use it more oft. After all, why have it if it is almost never used? And, well, the bow is a very useful item!

Brave, oh brave sir Link…

I used to do this oft as a child, as well. The first time, I think I fought them off, but afterward, I figured, why bother? The door’s right there.

As a child, I would oft take these on with my sword only. Which is not fun, since they’re so resistant to a sword. Or necessary, since these rooms are very generous with arrows, for reasons soon to be made clear.

I’d brag about my experience in bullet hell games serving me well here, but honestly, I don’t think I EVER got hit in this room, even as a child. MAYBE once. Maybe.

Ah, and of course, the red ones. These ones outright require arrows to kill. But, hey, only two, so not so bad.

Alright, this is it. You can tell it’s the room before the boss because the game was generous enough to give 20 arrows via those pots.

…And these guys are why. Sure, one can fight them with a sword, but they don’t take as much damage from that as a bow, not to mention they are harder to hit with a sword. So, best to use a bow. I am guessing the only reason they are damaged by a sword at all is to avoid rendering the battle unwinnable in the event of running out of arrows.

However, once the enemies are reduced to one, the last one turns red and repeatedly jumps up and tries landing on the bunny, because I guess it figures the fluff would make a comfy seat.

For this part, again, the bow deals more damage, but personally, I find it easier to use the sword, since the bow does take a bit of time to fire and, well, the enemy is going to be in melee range, anyway.

And suddenly, raining hearts!

Apparently, courage is green. Considering that Link, who wears green, is often associated with such, I guess I can see the reasoning on that.

“You’re next, ceiling.”

Sahasrah Llama: Three or four generations ago, an order of knights protected the royalty of the Hylia. These Knights of Hyrule were also guardians of the Pendant of Courage.

“Meanwhile, the other pendants were left unguarded because nobody cared about them.”

Saha (I ran out of ideas): Unfortunately, most of them were destroyed in the great war against evil that took place when the seven wise men created their seal. Among the descendants of the Knights of Hyrule a hero must appear.

…I see. Link, I believe you.

Well, he took that news surprisingly calmly.

Saha: You should get the remaining Pendants. And carry this with you. This is a treasure passed down by the families of the wise men. I want you to have it.

He gives you the Pegasus Boots! Now you can execute a devastating dash attack!

Okay, yeah, that’s nice, but I know what I really want to do with these…

Saha: A helpful item is hidden in the cave on the east side of Lake Hylia. Get it!

Shiny?

Saha: Other relatives of the wise men are hiding from the evil wizard’s followers. You should find them.

Do not worry! Nobody can hide from the adorabunny!

Oh, by the way, I did not know this as a child, but…

Some walls can be broken by dashing into them!

Anyway, time to go ahead and close this off. But first, one last bit of business…

YOU CANNOT ESCAPE THE CUUUUUTE!

Next

[Joat]

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Part 4 - Desert Palace: Wherein Link outsmarts the floor.

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I’ve decided to go ahead and revert to pasting images from the document rather than the screenshots folder. Yes, they may be slightly lower quality this way, but the screenshot folder method takes significantly longer.

Anyway…

I have boots, but good sir, how are you so fast?

Dashing young man: You don’t seem like such a terrible monster, though… Anyway, because you have such quick feet, it might be a good idea to run and bash into many things…

Is he trying to trick me into getting a concussion?

Dashing young man: For example, the trees in this village have many useful things hanging in their branches… Well, just try it, OK?!

…I think this is his way of politely disengaging from conversation with the bunny.

Anyway, on to the next palace!

Oh hey, it’s a guy! I wonder what he has to say.

A guy: …

Heeeyy… That’s Link’s line!

Sign: Pay no attention to the average middle-aged man standing by this sign. Leave him alone!

Of course. Signs, signs. Everywhere a sign. “Do this.” “Don’t do that.” Bah!

Oh well, I guess it’s at least a reasonable enough…

Sign: (Especially bunnies!)

…

That’s what you get for defying the will of the cuteness!

A guy: Lousy thieving rabbits… Mumble… mumble…

This does make me curious about this guy’s backstory. Did a rabbit kidnap his parents when he was a kid, or something?

And now, he’s following me! Despite his grumpy exterior, it seems that, among the things I stole from him, at the top of the list is his heart.

I’m honestly not sure what this vulture’s plan of attack is. It just ends up circling me until I kill it, and I never really give it time to do anything else. Is its plan genuinely to just circle around me until I die from other causes?

Also, landmines tend to be a bit more effective when HIDDEN.

…Ah, right, time to hit the books!

Engraving: way will be opened to he who is sincere.

Then how did all the monsters get in? No offense to them, but they don’t strike me as the praying sort. Though I suppose they do seem the sincere…ly hungry sort.

Bunny Link, live on stage!

Next question. How do I get out?

…Okay, I know bunnies are typically prey, but getting eaten by architecture? Really?

Ah, yes, this thing. It shoots lasers when the eye spots Link. Alright, fair enough, but here’s a question: How does one explain collision damage, in the case of this inert statue?

I know I should probably be intimidated, but… Why make a sand worm thing in a light blue color, exactly?

I think this dungeon needs some medicine; it’s puking up bunnies.

On another note, it turns out the ice rod one-hit-kills these sand worms! Quite nice, considering they can be a bit of an annoyance and, well, what else am I using it or my magic power for?

Remember, kids: When next something is up too high for you to reach, just ram face-first into whatever it’s on top of. What’s the worst that could happen?

If I were a fairy, I think I would live somewhere else.

Huh. You find seaweed in the strangest places, these days…

Again, nothing to a danmaku veteran.

Okay, so I wan’t exactly playing on the highest difficulty in those games, but it was far more difficult than this.

Anyway, this leads to the bunny key, yay!

carry stones now!

I love the Power Baseball Glove. It’s so bad.

Oh magical 8-stone, will I defeat Ganon?

“Ask again later.”

Oh no, the floor tiles are coming out to kill me. Whatever shall I doooo…?

Well, just standing here seems to be working pretty well, so I guess I’ll keep doing that.

How ominous, the floor tiles uprooted themselves in the pattern of a, uh… thing?

I didn’t get a screenshot of it at the time, but I managed to somehow avoid being shot by a statue eye laser by being in the middle of a spin attack when it hit me. I’m not sure exactly how that is supposed to work, but I shan’t complain.

I’ve always found it amusing that it creates an 8 before finishing the tile pattern.

And thus, a secret entrance is opened, once again proving that lighting things on fire solves everything.

Interesting boss fight, though odd they don’t incorporate the dungeon’s treasure anywhere into it. I just gotta use my sword to kill these sand worms.

Wait… sand worms…

AHAHAHAHA TREMBLE IN FEEEEAR!

Ultimately, I finished the fight with my last bit of magic. I do believe that counts as an epic moment. Or me being a terrible shot for most of the fight.

Go for the last one!

I would have colored power red, personally. It just feels more right, really.

And now, to go on toward the last pendant!

Oh hey, I missed this cave before.

Descendant of wise men: veins…

By definition, wasn’t it most definitely in my veins since I’d rescued Princess Zelda and was thus a hero at that point? Or is he referring to a specific hero? If so, that specific hero isn’t very… specific.

I still wonder how these heart pieces keep getting in these places, but I shan’t complain.

Excuse me, sir. Could you kindly explain how you got in here and how you had intended to get out? Do you have one of those super baseball gloves, too?

Thief: Check out the cave east of Lake Hylia. Strange and wonderful things live in it…

Like fish?

One bout of smashing a whole bunch of pots later, I find myself at max rupees. I should probably go find somewhere to spend it.

No.

Oh hey, the graveyard! Hard to believe I didn’t mention this in part two. This was pretty much always one of the first places I visited, as a child, whenever I first exited the sanctuary.

But hey, a good thing I waited, because now I can lift the stones to get to this gravestone!

…It was a trap.

A very ineffective one, sending me back to the end of the sewers.

But hey, now that I am back, I can open up these bomb walls that I couldn’t earlier!

…Or I could just bash into them. This is the first time I’ve played since I found out that was an option, so this is kinda weirdly satisfying, in a way. I mean, this was always a key moment I remembered as a child, finally opening this up, and now, I added something new to it.

And also I am a bunny, now. So, that also helps.

Pretty neat rewards, too! Mainly in the form of that center chest giving 300 rupees. The left one gave bombs. And yes, I reloaded from a save state after I realized I had just opened a 300 rupee chest when I am at max capacity. I normally wouldn’t use states for such a purpose, but… bleh. I don’t have time to reload from the last proper save and do stuff all over again just to avoid wasting 300 rupees.

I’m sure they’re probably very confused about this.

This is something that has always confused me. I can destroy a pile of these stones with the pegasus boots, but one stone requires the glove. Why are several of these stones more of an obstacle than just one? I guess maybe that 8 on the top of the stone is pretty vital to a stone’s structural integrity.

Speaking of 8, almost to that many hearts, so that’s exciting. Ish.

Oh hey, there was a bug under this rock! Makes sense, I suppose.

Sorry bug, but at least your death was not in vain. The war effort against socks thanks you.

Anyway, that said, not entering that cave yet. I’ve got some more unfinished business, first.

Next

[sethimothy]

Logging in simply to cheer you on! I am interested in where this romhack takes the game!

[Joat]

Previous

Part 5 - Tower of Hera: Wherein Link does not receive any carrots.

Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ your mind…

Mild-Tempered Witch of the Northeast: Heh heh…

…Why did you start the brew if you don’t have all the ingredients? And what’s so funny, anyway?

In any case, one giving-a-mushroom later…

Mild-Tempered Witch of the Northeast: heh heh… Why thank you, little rabbit! Always could trust a monster to be polite to an old lady!

Like that sock to the left of here? Does it dance for you from time to time?

Mild-Tempered Witch of the Northeast: Come back to the shop for something good… Heh heh…

Heh heh…

Anyway, while we wait, time to visit Lake Hylia at long last!

Must be quite the tourist attraction, given that only those with the Power Glove can access it.

Maybe this is a subtle hint from Nintendo. Those who buy the Power Glove shall have all of their wishes come true…

Walking fish people are kinda weirdly adorable. Only kinda, though.

And when you knock them into the water, they turn into normal fish. Somehow.

And suddenly, massive whirlpool! Then massive splash, which I forgot to screenshot.

Image from The Simpsons, modified by I’ve-forgotten-who.

King Zora: Why would a bunny want to get all soaked just to come here?

“Oh, and also have to endure my entire fish army trying to kill you.”

King Zora: Wah ha ha! Don’t be absurd! Do you know how silly you’d look trying to swim!?

In turn, do you know how silly you look trying to talk?

I mean, seriously, his mouth makes him look more like a theme park ride entrance than a living being.

King Zora: Besides, they’re not cheap! I wouldn’t sell them for less than 500 a pair!

Okay, with the bottle, I can sorta understand. It’s magic and can hold fairies. But why are flippers so expensive? How does he expect to do any business? For that price, I’d expect these flippers to allow me to run on water like a ninja or something.

For that matter, why does he have them? Do fish people need artificially-made flippers for whatever reason?

Maybe that’s the story behind the walking ones. They’re the lower-class fish people who couldn’t afford flippers.

King Zora: Wah ha ha! Well, I could use a laugh! Very well! Oh, and if you’re THAT brave, I will let you use the magic water ways of the sea folk which link lakes and rivers. When you see a whirlpool, dive into it. Just try to dry your fur afterwards! Wah ha ha!

Well, I guess that justifies the cost. Sort of. I mean, not nearly as convenient as imprisoning fairies against their will, but oh well.

(Try not to imagine how silly you must look while swimming.)

Honestly, I thought human Link swimming kinda looked silly, so I’m used to it by now.

Also, I looked it up and, honestly, a rabbit swimming looks no more silly than, say, a dog swimming, but I think we’ve already established by now that this guy is very easy to amuse. And, yes, rabbits can swim. Except Link until now, apparently. And Link also can’t hop, it seems.

…Okay, maybe fish guy was a LIIITTLE right. He looks adorably silly though, so it’s okay.

But still, now I can swipe the piece of heart they put on display in their domain!

Anyway, now to enter the Waterfall of Wishing! I imagine the thing most people wish for when they get here is that the flippers they had to buy to get here weren’t so expensive.

Funnily enough, I don’t think money is on the list. Y’know, the thing normally people would throw in a well to make a wish.

At the time I was playing, I figured the only thing worthwhile to throw in right now was the boomerang. It was only later that I remembered another option.

I could understand if the fairy seemed scolding, but why would Link lie about it under these circumstances?

…Then again, why would he, in-universe, have thrown it in to begin with?

Fairy: What an honest little creature! I will give you something better in return.

You got the Magical Boomerang! You can throw this faster and farther than your old one!

I can understand the moral lesson here, but I don’t really understand the delivery. I think it would have worked better if she asked which item you dropped, a boomerang or the more powerful magic boomerang. Or something. Point is, there’s no reason for Link to lie here, even greed.

What could possibly go wrong?

Anyway, let’s try it out on the sock and truly put it in its…

…Uh…

Po-tay-to: Tra a la, look for Sahasrahla. … … …

You mispronounced Sands Rolex.

Po-tah-to: Oh yah, you found Sahasrahla! … … … Good job la la!

Mr. Potato Head: The Musical.

Alright, so, in the center of Lake Whatsitsname, we have a cave wherein you can drop rupees, a bit at a time, into a pond to increase your “happiness.” In this case, that translates out to increasing your max bombs and/or arrows. That this translates to happiness says perhaps unflattering things about Link’s psyche.

And mine! I’ll go ahead and go get those 300 rupees so I can be EXTRA happy!

…Yeah, for the first time, they don’t let one throw much at once. And you have to wait a bit before throwing more. And you need to throw 100 per increase.

Happiness increased 20 Rupees. In total, your happiness is 20. You became happier by one step.

Hooray for happiness grinding.

Or I could just blow stuff up. That makes me happy.

Of the two, I’ll mainly use arrows. Very rarely do I use bombs as weapons due to how impractical they are to use and they are plentiful enough that I never run out of bombs for walls, even before I knew some walls can just be bashed into. Arrows, meanwhile, are a highly practical weapon, when I can aim.

Much better.

For reference, today you will have

A bunch of carrots!

You mean the carrots I could have bought with the money I just threw in?

Also, fun fact: If you have a pet rabbit, it’s a bad idea to give it a carrot as anything more than an occasional treat. Sadly, a fair chunk of rabbit owners are not aware of this.

Increased arrow max to 70, the highest it will go.

Not-troll under the bridge: Ugh… a rabbit? Look, if I give you this thing will you leave me be?

This is a Magic Bottle! You can store an item inside and then use it later!

Hooray for pestering people!

In any case, time to enter Death Mountain. Presumably host to a number of iron, gold, and/or silver mines, because that name is pretty metal.

Old Man: I don’t know who you are, but if you are going to go up to the mountain, will you take me with you? I lost my lamp, so…

It’s a good thing I got here so quick. Had I taken longer, I’d probably be dismissed as a hunger-induced hallucination. Or a snack.

So it seems.

Old Man: Little bunny, are you also going to the mountain to look for the Golden Power?

A fair assumption, since I cannot think of any other reason a rabbit would scale this mountain.

Old Man: Just ahead is a mountain full of monsters. Many people have vanished in this mountain while looking for the Golden Power. I don’t want to steer you wrong, so please don’t get too involved in such a mad quest.

If the mountain is so dangerous, why do you live there?

Old Man: age…

How can you tell my age?

Old Man: The King took her to the castle and she never returned. Kidnapping those maidens must be part of the wizard’s plot! I’m sure he is trying to somehow use the power of the descendants of the wise men…

And now, squirrel… things.

Which turn to stone upon hitting them, for whatever reason. Admittedly a pretty effective self-defense strategy.

Old Man: I wait for that day… Uhh… These are dangerous times… I talked too much.

I’d say he did, considering we’re out in the middle of a bunch of falling boulders, except that the boulders are not currently moving. I guess talking really is a free action.

Old Man: Anyway, thank you for your kindness to an old human like me. Uhh… I wanted to give you this. If you wander into a magical transporter, gaze into this mirror.

Oddly specific instructions. Something tells me he knows more than he is letting on…

Oh well. Item get!

He gave you the Magic Mirror! This mirror is blue, clear, and beautiful… It reminds you of your old human form, somehow… You feel like it is going to absorb you into another world…

And, once this cutscene of him entering the cave ends, I get an instant boulder to the face.

Dark World. To complete your quest, you will need the Moon Pearl, which is in the tower on top of the mountain. All I can do for you now is to comfort your weariness… Come back here any time.

I think this anytime-healing was an anti-frustration feature because of all the boulders.

While there is some cave past this, it’s basically just a bunch of bats and pots, with the cave exit leading out here. Higher up than before, so it is a good way to bypass some of the boulders.

Anyway, onward and upward!

Quite the view. Also quite interesting, these glowing blue stone… crystal… things.

Time to get sidetracked!

But, alas, only a fairy pool lies at the end of this path. Though, that is useful, since I have one empty bottle.

And here we are!

Just sitting out here, unloved and alone. Don’t worry, piece of heart. I’ll take good care of you.

Giving me the silent treatment, eh, Saha?

Well, that was an anticlimactic cave.

Ooh look, issa thing!

Shiiiinyyyy…

…Well, this is awkward.

For starters, why do you get to keep your clothes?

Goblin thing: I came here to get the Power of Gold but now I’m a freak and I can’t go back to the real world! If only I had the Moon Pearl from the Tower of Hera, I cold go back to my original shape! I’ve got good reason to be stressed out! So back off! Shoo shoo!

Armless Kirby: Oh? Who are you, Mr. Bunny? This world is like the real world, but evil has twisted it. The Golden Power is what changed your shape to reflect what is in your heart and mind.

Well, Link is a teenager, as we’ve established, so I guess the nature of the change shouldn’t be too surprising.

Armless Kirby: I am always changing my mind, so I turned into a ball… But if you have a ball called the Moon Pearl, you can keep your original shape here.

This sprite works, yes, though surprisingly, I think Link is more adorable with the tunic on. That said, I think a white belly would have been a nice touch, and would have added both more visual variety to these sprites and, well, I think it would have made this form cuter. I would quite recommend that for a future revision, though I imagine that would also require a palette revision, so not sure how practical it would be.

Also, again, quite the view!

Flashing disco castle: Proving that evil lairs are all the rave.

I quite like these visuals, really.

They’re laughing at me…

Well, I may as well go ahead and look at myself naked in the mirror, as long as I’m…

Oh.

Hop!

I must give the ancient Hylians credit; they are remarkably non-cryptic about their ancient writings.

Anyway, onward!

Ah yes, the switches. To change which color is raised or lowered, strike the switch, because all the best mechanisms are operated by violence.

The fact that this happens does help to encourage the player to think about how to activate a switch at range, so, nice little design touch, there.

Speaking of design, I do not think I would have ever thought of these floor panels that change where the holes are. It’s strange, yet effective.

Oh, that wacky Saha…

Ack! I can’t just stand in the doorway this time!

I’M SORRY I TAUNTED THE FLOOR TILES HELP MEEEEE!

Sassy Crawla: Whoever holds the Moon Pearl is protected from the power of the Dark World. The Dark World amplifies the transformaton you already went through, so you need the Moon Pearl’s protection to maintain your human soul and abilities!

Wait, this affects the soul, too?

Golden Power.

Ah, the Moon Pearl, freshly harvested from the Moon Clam.

Ah, this thing. The main peril with this is a ring out, more than a knockout, because the boss is very bouncy. Kind of an interesting take on a boss.

Huh. I think that’s the first time I got it on my first try. Like, ever.

You won the Pendant of Wisdom! With this, you have collected all three Pendants! Go now to the Lost Woods to get the Master Sword!

Sadly, no bulbous blue flute yet, so I actually have to travel there on paw.

Next

[Nidoking]

The thing about throwing an item into the pond is a reference to a fairy tale, which I believe is of Japanese origin. The original story was about a fisherman who threw a net into a pond, and a magical creature in the shape of a woman came to the surface and asked whether he’d thrown in a gold net or a silver net, indicating that he could keep whichever one he liked and sell it for a big profit. The fisherman tells her that it was a perfectly ordinary net, and amazed by his honesty, she gives him both of the valuable ones in addition to the original. There are lots of variations, but that’s the general idea.

[CommanderKeene]

It’s actually based on the tale of the Honest Woodcutter, one of Aesop’s Fables and a story originally of Greek origin, with the god Hermes taking the place of the fairy. It’s just that this particular fable is very popular in Japan and receives frequent references in their popular culture.

[Joat]

Previous

Part 6 - Hyrule Castle II: Wherein Link unleashes his most powerful weapon.

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In the comments, two people have proposed two different potential tales the section of the game with throwing items into the pond could be referring to. One involved nets, another involved axes (I had trouble finding a link to the former). I’d clarify which one’s correct, but I’m not sure whether to answer honestly or to choose the more shiny story, so I’ll just move on instead.

Wee!

The Master Sword he will then retrieve.

And they were doing so well on the non-cryptic thing, too. I mean, it wasn’t that cryptic, but still.

Behold, the magic levitating disco jewelry!

the face of the darkest evil magic!

Thankfully, getting a new thing to murder things with changed the weather!

Wait, does this mean the fog was an evil spell?

It’s time to finally defeat Aghanim once and for all!

… … …

Well, that complicates matters.

Still, given that she could have contacted me at any time, at least she didn’t stop me in my tracks a lot to drone on about her top-percentage Rattata. Not that Rattatas (“Rattatae”?) are not awesomely adorable, mind…

Priest: abducted her. They have taken her to the castle. You must find her before the wizard works his magic on her as well…

I know what he means, but I still have the mental image, now, of Princess Zelda being transformed into a bunny, too.

Someone really should draw Bunny Zelda. That would be adorable.

Priest: Please… You are our only hope…

And then he fades out with a warping sound. And meanwhile, whenever Link dies, it consists of him spinning around and doing a faceplant with a rather anticlimactic thud. Not quite as stylish, but I guess priests get special privileges.

Anyway, I should head off to the castle, but first, a little errand.

When at full life, the sword fires a whirly death… thing. Your static cling cannot save you now, laundry!

I think his taste in fashion may be Stockholm syndrome from being kicked around by that guy for too long.

And it makes me so very popular, it seems.

Anyway, it’s dangerous to go alone, so I’ll go ahead and take this.

Ow?

Ow.

Oh well. Shiny get!

Thank goodness you’ve got a fur coat! Watch your Magic Meter!

And it is so glamorous.

…The fur coat, that is. The Magic Meter is actually pretty basic.

Old man: retain your full consciousness and human abilities.

Ah, I get it. To justify my lack of ability to use even light weaponry such as the ice rod earlier.

With the life meter expanding and the magic meter having more of a use now, this purchase is a more useful one.

Tum dee dum…

Though the exterior had boosted security, good to see the interior of the castle is just as poorly-defended as I left it.

Die, uh… thing!

Ooh, test subjects!

Having a freeze-proof flail but not freeze-proof armor seems like skewed priorities to me.

Nice and scary, I suppose, but these things aren’t meant to be very public, and anyone who got this far would not be intimidated. Wouldn’t having your monsters’ eye so exposed by a pretty significant weakness?

No, I don’t think finding you was the hard part. That magic barrier thing kinda gave it away. You’re not exactly very sneaky.

Aghanim: Are you enjoying the form I’ve kindly blessed you with? Heh heh heh…

Maybe a little…

Hush, it’s adorable.

Aghanim: And now your failure is complete, because I now have the Princess in my clutches!

My mind went to a dirty place with that last word. Him looking so creepy isn’t helping matters.

Aghanim: Behold! The last moment of Princess Zelda!

Why is Link just standing there?

Aghanim: Ho ho ho…

Oh no, iss evil Santa!

Aghanim: With this, the seal of the seven wise men is at last broken. It is now only a matter before evil power covers this land… After all, the legendary hero is nowhere to be found

To be fair, it’s probably sheathed, so it’s plausible to think he might not recognize the Master Sword.

Aghanim: and I am armed with the power of Gold.

But I am armed with the Power of Pink!

Aghanim: Ho ho ho…Now, I must go!

That was not a phase-through-walls trick. Are you really that lazy, Agahnim? You have two functioning legs!

Aghanim: Very well…! Then die like the animal you’ve become!

Funnily enough, wild rabbits are… not exactly as weak and defenseless as popular consciousness has been led to believe.

Anyway, Aghanim has three types of spells. One is a lightning strike, one is blue spinning orbs that disperse if hit, and a big orb of magic that can be deflected back at him.

So, one obvious question is, why does he use the big orb spell if it can lead to his defeat? Well, for the lightning, that’s obvious: it’s actually way too easy to dodge if you see it coming. But as for the blue orbs spell, I figure he refrains from using that all the time for one or more of these reasons:

• He realizes that if he uses the blue orb spell all the time, that too will become predictable and far too easy to dodge. And his magical power is vast, but it’s not infinite, so from a story perspective, he realizes that if Link were to be able to dodge his projectiles all day, all he would accomplish is wearing himself out. But if he mixes up the spells, Link may be tricked into trying to deflect the blue-orbs spells because he expected a big-orb spell.
• The big-orb spell is actually the most inexpensive to cast. Him using this spell to attack is basically him catching his metaphorical breath and letting himself recharge.
• The big-orb spell requires the least concentration to cast, and sometimes he finds it difficult to concentrate properly on his more complex spells when there’s an angry giant bunny with a powerful magic sword actively trying to kill him.
• The big-orb spell may even be him actually botching the blue-orbs spell out of nerves.

Anyway, now, it is the fated rematch! In order to defeat this powerful wizard, I must use my most deadly weapon!

Aghanim: defeat yet. I will draw you into the Dark World, where my power over you is complete! BEGONE!!!

Bit of a graphical error, there, which I never noticed before this screenshot. I’ll go ahead and darken it so you can see it more easily:

For a brief moment, this room shows up as part of the warp sequence, which is neither the source nor the destination location.

Salamander: telepathy. The place where you now stand was the Golden Land, but evil power turned it into the Dark World.

Looks pretty well-lit for the Dark World.

Sammy Rala: The wizard has broken the wise men’s seal and opened a gate to link the worlds at Hyrule Castle. In order to save this half of the world, the Light World, you must win back the Golden Power.

Something tells me such is not a matter of simply besting Ganon in a dance-off or something.

Saw’s Brawler: You must also rescue the seven maidens who Aghaim sent to the Dark World.

So, what you’re saying is, I

Image from Pokémon

Exotic Butters: As members of the blood-line of the seven wise men, they have power that will surely help you. The maidens are locked in hidden dungeons full of evil creatures and dangerous traps. The Palace of Darkness should be your first goal in this world! Link, I can rely on only you. Please make this old man’s wishes come true. I beg you!

Worry not! I shall stab the forces of evil with pink!

Next

[Joat]

Previous

Part 7 - Palace of Darkness: Wherein Link goes on a magical mystery tour.

Oh look, it’s a… uh…

Alas, this wall shall taunt the player for quite some time yet.

You cannot hide from the bunny.

Oh dear, I’ve encountered the gangsta rappers of the Dark World.

Uh… spear hamsters and glam rock clams?

I guess the giant pyramid thing directly to the west is rather non-noteworthy.

Funny for this shop to be so… boring, compared to its Light World counterpart.

By its expression, it looks like it hurts more to shoot the projectile than to be hit by it.

…I have no comment.

“This lake is an omen. It foretells wet fur.”

Eh, I’m already cursed.

Did I win?

Hooray for pestering people!

nearby enemies! (It might even give them a taste of what you went through!) Watch your Magic Meter!

…

I JUST LEARNED THE MASS BUNNY SPELL!

Buh…

But that’s not a bunnyyyy…!

Oh hey, it’s the legendary flying bomb-dropping mushrooms!

You are a terrible guard, sock.

And let’s not forget the giant shield-eating pumpkins.

Anyway, time to journey to the Palace of Darkness.

And suddenly, tree! Which seems to be trying to move. Which is sad. And it also got all the way here. Which is confusing.

Tree: You’re new here, aren’t you? Did you come here looking for the Power of Gold? Well, you’re too late. It will obey only the first person who touches it. The man who last claimed the Power of Gold wished for this world. It reflects his heart.

Does that mean I should start calling the monsters of this world Blood Cells? I’ve been inhibiting them, though. Am I Cholesterol?

Tree: Yes, I came here because of greed for the Golden Power, and look what happened to me… To restore the Golden Land, a person worthy of the Golden Power must defeat the man who created this place… Until that time, I am stuck in this bizarre shape.

What happens if someone who isn’t worthy defeats the one who created this place? Does the Triforce just go and sulk in the corner?

Tree: But what a mischievous thing to leave lying around… The Power of Gold… Triforce…

Wait, mischievous?

Is the Triforce a prankster?

Alas, what’s behind that cracked wall is nothing too exciting. Back to the hedge maze!

Perhaps I was a bit too hasty in using the word “maze” here.

Well, okay, this part is a bit of a maze, especially if you don’t notice that there are transparent areas in the hedges that denote where the paths are.

And once you emerge, you have a free monkey!

Kiki: anything! Can you spare me 10 Rupees?

Image creator unknown

I suppose I shall.

Kiki: Ki ki ki ki! Good chocie! I will accompany you for a while. Kik kiki!

I get the opportunity to have you ask me for more money on my travels, yaaaay…

Kiki: Ki ki ki! If you give me 100 Rupees, I will open the entrance for you. Ki ki ki!

Out of curiosity, I looked it up, and no, it is not possible to open it without the rupee fee.

Kiki: Ki ki! Good choice! Then, I get 100 of your Rupees. Kik ki ki!

Hooray for commercialism!

Well, at least one version of this palace was completed by its builders!

Telepathy tile: Mountain. I know you are doing your best, but please hurry…

Zelda gets to keep her panel text, because her name is easier to pronounce and she’s also prettier.

This can only end well.

Almost forgot! Let’s introduce our cast of characters!

Here we have the beetle with a helmet, because safety first!

And then we have the floating jellyfish (which, sadly, are not vulnerable to the unfathomable power of the net) and the hostile walking footstools (yes, I know they are probably supposed to be turtles, but they still look like walking footstools to me).

I can see how one might see this as a good idea for a trap. Just… pretty expensive to reset.

Perfect for pitching a high-fantasy tent!

You can use it to pound on other things too.

…Except that, perverts.

Take that, malevolent furniture!

These creatures tend to mimic the player’s every move, except in different directions (and, in the case of the red one, occasionally firing). And getting them to stop requires a sword or arrow to the face. Simply saying “I’m stupid” won’t work.

Hooray for

Screenshot from Dungeons of Dredmor, provided by TVTropes

Well, this is it…

Ah yes, the helmeted boss. However, that is substantially larger than a helmeted beetle. Heck, it’s bigger than four beetles!

Fortunately, its defenses fall away after I give it a hard day’s night with a not-so-silver hammer.

And now, I’m gonna carry this weight.

Apparently not for a long time, though.

And now I’m apparently nowhere, man.

I saw her standing there.

No big deal, it’s just a day in the life.

Maiden: …This world used to be the Golden Land where the Triforce was hidden.

Yesterday?

Maiden: But because Ganon, the boss of thieves, wished it the world was transformed…

It’s all starting to come together, right now…

Maiden: I’m sure he’s intending to conquere even our Light World after building his power her.

He just needs a way to get back to where he once belonged.

Maiden: He is trying to open a larger gate between worlds near the castle using out powers. But the gate is not open completely yet… If we seven maidens come together, we can break the barrier around Ganon’s hiding place.

We can work it out, with a little help from your friends.

Maiden: I will tell you where the other girls are held. I believe you will destroy Ganon.

Don’t worry. I’ll make him twist and shout!

Maiden: When you do so, we will all be freed from his evil magic! … … … … Do you understand?

Of course I do, I’m not some fool on a hill!

Maiden: May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.

I’m sure it’ll be a long and winding road.

Great! Now, how do I get out of this dark void? There’s no sun to follow!

Next

[CommanderKeene]

Huh. Did you get the Tempered Sword offscreen, or does the romhack change the palette for the Master Sword?

[Joat]

The palette was indeed changed, because pink is a lovely color. And apparently also a highly deadly color.

[Joat]

Previous

Part 8: Swamp Palace: Wherein Link demonstrates the superiority of cottontail over cotton.

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Now, before we move on, time to tend to some things!

Three bottles of blue medicine total.

And next…

Well, this is gonna hurt…

Thankfully, the game is generous enough to give one hearts upon arrival at the end. Unfortunately, it does not replace the blue medicine I had to use.

Still, it’s worthwhile to trade it for one of the most powerful items in the game! This item gives invincibility and harms any who come close. At the cost of magic power, of course.

Round two, spikes…

Well, nearly flawless victory, at least…

Actually, let’s go ahead and fix that magic problem!

The enemies have increased in number, but not in vigilance.

This can in no way be a bad idea.

And down here, there is a random shrine.

Let’s randomly put some magic powder in it!

…You’re belligerently welcome?

Bat: But now I will get my revenge on you. Get ready for it! …Err, is that okay with you, sir?

Well, I guess so, Fluttershy.

…Ow?

Bat: Now I laugh at your misfortune! Now your magic power will drop by one half!

The bat never actually laughs, that liar.

Bat: Have a nice day! See you!

Fare thee well, bat who rolled a natural 1 on their casting roll. This “curse” does literally the opposite of the intended effect.

Anyway, one potion restocking later, back to the plot!

Yes, the dungeons are numbered, but the game, from here, actually opens up the sandbox. It just… isn’t very clear about that. Heck, the dungeons are outright numbered, so that gives a pretty clear message to the contrary. Anyway, despite the freedom, I shall be heading to the dungeons in the recommended order. Because, well, why not, really.

Well, this seems an appropriate monster placement.

That reminds me, I should remember to raise my bomb max.

And another bomb makes another hole in another random wall!

Ah, another delirious hungry traveler.

Fortunately, the exchange rate for hallucinatory fish is really high.

And then I bomb the wall and get even more money.

This seems like a pretty good time to me.

And I finish with 30 max bombs. Which I probably will not use much of at all.

Oh, hi, tree!

Ack! It sneezes bombs!

Uh, sure. Just, uh… warn if you feel a sneeze coming. Please.

Tree: I heard that using Bombs is the best way to defeat the one eyes giants. Talk about irony!

That seems like a rather… unfortunate name.

Well, I guess at least it gives me a use for all those shiny new bombs.

Anyway, back to the plot!

You too, Zelda? Is it something on my breath?

Ah, right, this.

This is entirely 100% made of logic.

Battling bugs, belligerent bouncing bubbles… brilliant!

Oh hey, a tadpole dispenser!

I think the game finds this item a bit too appealing…

things!
…What? No, that’s not a rabbit joke. It was a Hook Shot one! BOING!

Someone should combine the two. A rabbit with a built-in hook shot. For science!

♪ Duh duh-duh duh-duh, Inspector Rabbit. Duh duh-duh duh-duh duh… hoo HOO! ♫

Always check behind the waterfall.

Alright, here it is! Now we face off against…

Uh…

An eyeball with a bunch of balls of cotton floating around it.

Oh good heavens, it’s Cotton-Eye Joe!

And after deprived of its cotton, it leaps into the air, tries to land on me because it also thinks I would make a soft landing, then starting bouncing around the room. Because that sounds like a battle tactic that could not possibly…

Well, that was easy.

Maiden: Link, because of you, I can escape from the clutches of the evil monsters. Thank you!

The crystal may be a bit more problematic, though, apparently.

Maiden: …The Triforce will grant the wishes of whoever touches it, as long as that person lives…

We’re screwed if one of them wishes to be immortal.

Maiden: That is why it was hidden in the Golden Land. Only a select few knew of its location, but at some point that knowledge was lost… The person who rediscovered the Golden Land was Ganondorf the evil thief. Luckily, he couldn’t figure out how to return to the Light World…

I know where this is going.

Maiden: …Well, remember that you have magical powers, which only The Hero can make the most of!

Such as the Freeze Everything spell, the Mass Not-Quite-As-Cute-As-A-Bunny spell, and the Charm Person spell (AKA the cute bunny stare).

Maiden: Perhaps it was fate that created this form for you to live in.

No, I’m pretty sure it was Agahnim who did that. Or Ryusuta.

Maiden: Whatever the case, you must continue to find the evils hidden in the Dark World. You are the only one who can destroy Ganondorf, the thief-no, Ganon, the evil King of Darkness!

No pressure.

Maiden: May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.

Well, it already led to me getting a magic cane that makes me invincible, so that’s a good start. Onward!

Next

[Joat]

Previous

Part 9 - Skull Woods: Wherein Link discovers that not all carrots are tasty.

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I wonder if this area might be significant, somehow…

Who bothered to put a landmine up here?

It’s worth the hazard, though, for a piece of heart!

Anyway, now to speak to this, uh… thing.

Thing: After wandering into this world, I turned into this shape…

Ye were just taking a stroll and stumbled into the dark world, or something?

Thing: I enjoyed playing the flute in the original world… … … … There was a small grove where many animals gathered. I want to see that place again… I buried my flute there with some flower seeds.

…Why did you do that?

Flute player: Will you try to find it for me?

And of course, I say yes, because I am good bun.

Flute player: Then I will lend you my shovel. Good luck!

It seems this passionate flute-player decided to give up the flute to become a Dark World ditch-digger. Or something.

You borrowed a shovel! You can dig in many places. You never know what you’ll find!

It sounds exciting! And you get to keep it for a whole couple of minutes or so!

I was quite happy when I learned I get to keep the shovel in Link’s Awakening.

I missed you, mysterious Hyrule Chocobo.

And grabbing the ocarina obese flute causes all the animals to scatter.

Even the Hyrule Chocobo. Aw…

And then, the flute-player is vaporized.

And so is the shovel.

…Um?

You alright, there?

Flute player: Thank you, Link. But it looks like I can’t play my flute any more. Please take it.

How convenient. For one of us.

Flute player: If by chance you go to the village I lived in, please give it to a tired old man you will find there. … … …

Oh. So, delivery service it is, apparently.

Flute player: Well, my mind is getting hazy… Please let me hear the sound of the flute one last time…

Well, I’ll try. Here goes…

Oh come on, I wasn’t that bad!

Seems like the right candidate to me!

Old man: …mumble mumble… Oh? This is my son’s flute…! Did you meet my son? Where is he? Is he alright?

Well, he’s alive. Technically.

Old man: Oh, I see… Well, I can tell what you want to say by the look in your eyes… Would you keep the flute?

Woo, free stuff!

…Whaaat, I’m totally a good, caring, and trustworthy bun!

Old man: And will you play its sweet melody for the bird in the village square? I beg you, please! My son would probably want it this way… …But still, I wish I could see him once more…

You might have a bit of trouble seeing any family resemblance.

Something tells me this thing might be a tough crowd to please.

Um… This raises so many questions, not the least being how this thing avoided asphyxiation, starvation, thirst, pigeon excrement…

Everyone’s a critic…

Though apparently if I play only a portion of the song, it will hear from anywhere and come to somehow lift up a full-grown anthropomorphic bunny to wherever he wants, because bunnies + birds > physics.

Anyway, first buying a potion, then boosting bomb capacity by five.

And now, time for a night on the other town!

Bird! Issa bird!

This tree isn’t quite as friendly.

Those who are without rupees will be cast out from the Village Of Outcasts. Somehow.

…Hey, don’t look at me like that! I, uh… I wiped my paws before entering! So there!

I imagine your choice of entrance may be why it’s a slow business day, sir.

A bit of a fixer-upper.

I think I just robbed Princess Pitch’s holiday home.

I should probably go now.

Actually, I think Princess Pitch would be a pretty good explanation for the state of this village.

…No thanks.

Well, okay, there is a chance to get a piece of heart from this game, but I didn’t know that until after I’d originally completed this LP.

Not going this way, apparently.

How did you get there, good sir?

This-a-way we go!

Apparently, a lot of big creatures once lived here.

Anyway, there’s something important here, but first time to get sidetracked!

Fashion is serious business.

Always nice.

Anyway, it was at this time that I stumbled upon some information that I could have upgraded my shield long ago. Time to fix my previous oversight!

Alas, blue shield.

Uhhh…

Is this a glitch? What is this design supposed to resemble?

Oh. Fair enough.

I think this carrot may be bad for his teeth, though.

Oh hey, this tree is… not cut down. Though it is a different color.

And with one tackle, I succeed where they failed.

And then I fall down a hole in the tree, because falling down holes ends well a lot more often than common sense would dictate.

Case in point.

The moral of the story is, heart pieces do not grow on trees. They grow under them.

It seems this shop uses the original, and thus incorrect, palette.

Appropriate name.

Seriously, Link? You’re gonna get eaten by another dungeon entrance?

Well, there’s also the back door.

Step 1: Pull lever.

Step 2: Explosions.

Does there need to be a step 3?

Ah yes, the nigh-indestructible-without-fire Mummies and the Wall Masters (I think that’s what they’re called, even though they don’t come out of the walls in this game), which take the player back to the beginning of the dungeon if they catch the player. More of an annoyance than a challenge, to me, really.

Since I was low on health, I decided to restock on health and get to the max possible bomb capacity, with my hard-stolen rupees.

Who decided to store a magical flamethrower in the depths of a forest?

…And try not to burn your tail!

I think the narrator does not have too much confidence in Link.

It also has the added bonus of suddenly ruining the floor upon receiving it.

Anyway, onward!

Kill it with fire!

There! Better.

Barely.

Ah yes, the sparkle cloud that removes Link’s clothing on contact.

Oh hey, I get to fight Mothra!

The Fire Rod makes quick work of it, but wow, I forgot how much the spikes flew around in this fight. I think I may be more rusty on danmaku than I thought…

Yes, I know the life count is the same, but that’s one blue potion later.

Maiden: Link, because of you, I can escape from the cluthces of the evil monsters. Thank you! …Do you know the prophecy of the Great Cataclysm? This is the way I heard it… If a person who has an evil heart gets the Triforce, a Hero is destined to appear…

Rather convenient.

Maiden: …and he alone must face the person who began the Great Cataclysm.

And any bottled bees he may bring into battle.

Maiden: If the evil one destroys the Hero, nothing can save the world from his wicked reign.

No pressure.

Maiden: Only a person of the Knights Of Hyrule, who protected the royalty of Hylia, can become the Hero… You are of their blood-line, aren’t you? Then no matter what body you have, you carry the hope of everyone with you!

So it truly is his blood that matters. His uncle was right!

Maiden: May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.

And maybe an edible carrot, this time.

Next

[Joat]

Previous

Part 10 - Thieves’ Town: Wherein Link saves the day via sunbathing.

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Crossing over here to explore, because why not.

Entering here to go upward.

The jellyfish have infiltrated the Light World.

More rupees, wee…

And fairies. Nice for healing, but not much else, at this point.

I’d better be conservative. I only have 49 bombs left.

Good sir, might I suggest relocating your shop?

Aaaand more fairies.

And ten more rupees from the pots.

Anyway, time for a potion refill. Then, the dungeon!

Well, this might be a bit of an issue.

Lemme iiiiiin!

Oh. Uh, thank you.

They’re getting sneakier.

…I don’t even know.

Don’t forget the falling Marowak snakes. No dungeon is complete without those.

Alas, that cracked floor does not break with a bomb.

Uh… running crickets?

Gee, thanks.

May as well use them for something, aye?

How… specific.

Oh no, a trap… yawns

A bit excessive, is it not? Especially since multiple locks are not very helpful when each requires the same key.

Oh, sure. But first…

Time for some sunbathing!

…Then why did you follow me into it?

That’s one heck of a sunburn.

Anyway, I tried fire rod, I tried ice rod… What magical item should I…

Eeeeyup. Sounds about right. yawns I should probably be terrified with all these projectiles flying about.

But I’m not.

And yes, I know, I am officially a wimp. But hey, at least I’m an entertaining wimp!

Maiden: Link, because of you, I can escape from the clutches of the evil monsters. Thank you! As the wise men sealed the way to the Dark World, the Knights of Hyrule defended them from the attacks of evil monsters. I heard that the Knights of Hyrule were nearly wiped out in that battle… You are perhaps the last one to carry on the blood-line of the Knights…

“Perhaps”? You aren’t certain?

Maiden: It is ironic that the last one in the line has become a monster himself.

I guess it’s true, what Nietzsche said. Except, perhaps backwards.

Maiden: Maybe there is more to the story than even the prophecy could have predicted! Whatever the case… Link… We’re counting on you! May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.

And possibly something useful to spend all these rupees on.

cotton tail!

Oh, and also, remembering to get this dungeon’s treasure would be helpful. Gotta get my mitts on this mitt!

Oh no, whatever shall I doooo…

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[Joat]

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Part 11 - Ice Palace: Wherein Link is taunted by an equipment upgrade.

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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.

Next

[Joat]

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Part 12 - Misery Mire: Wherein Link uncovers a sinister plot.

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I’ve decided to stop doing the alt text. It was a nice idea in theory, but I realized that anyone using a screen reader or with an internet connection such that they’d have images disabled would be unlikely to be on this site in the first place, let alone click on a screenshot LP. And yes, putting alt text in is a rather small time investment per image, but that adds up rather quickly.

Anyway, onward!

The Swamp of Evil – No entrance, no escape.

Nothing can hide from the bunny.

Bug: How about it?

Eh. Sure, why not? Not much else to use them for.

Bug: Heh heh. Thank you. As a matter of fact, monster magic is making it rain in this swamp. If you can move the air with more force than them, the rain may stop!

With all the rupees I have, I could probably afford to hire the uncreatively-named Shiftry’s Team, but I think I have an idea of my own to try, first.

…Yes, I know that joke came out of the blue. But I shall note, when I was initially doing this LP, I was doing it concurrently with a Red Rescue Team LP.

Sadly nothing special beyond the bombable wall.

Why are you here? You have wings and can fly away, and if you desire to heal others, well, I am probably the first benevolent being to visit this swamp in… ever, pretty much. Except debatably that one insect guy.

HM, I WONDER WHAT MAGIC SPELL I SHOULD USE.

Oh, I get it now. The dungeon requires the Ether spell to enter because it prefers a cold meal.

What is that stuff on the wall, anyway? Mold? Slime? Abstract surrealist art?

The walls have eyes.

Which look really bored.

For dry, laser-spewing eyes…

There goes the property value.

Neither of these walls are bombable, those mean architects. Fortunately, I’ve started checking the walls with my sword before bombing them (breakable walls make a different sound when poked), so I did not waste any bombs.

Oh no, spiiikes. yawns

I wonder how it must feel to stand on the spikes with this cane active. Is it reduced to a pins-and-needles sensation? Is it still uncomfortable to be walking on a shifting, uneven surface with one’s bare paws?

…Well, they tried to make this a threat.

I’ve heard of foreboding lighting, but…

It will be very helpful if you make proper use of it! What a mysterious cane!

Sadly, while it’s useful for solving puzzles, it’s not as useful in combat as you would think a cane that creates blocks of explodium would be.

Fun fact: If you sprinkle magic dust on one of these bouncing orb-skull things, then you get a fairy. Quite useful for if one is low on health.

…Uh?

I wonder if I should go for the eyes…

Yes, I think I shall.

This is probably the first time I’ve decided that bombs are the way to go in a fight, in this game.

Maiden: Link, because of you, I can escape from the clutches of the evil monsters. Thank you! Ganon captured us because he couldn’t break the seal of the wise me with his power alone. And then, using the wizard Aghanim as his pawn, he drew us to the Dark World.

Wait… So, kid-friendly Nintendo has created a game where some creepy robed adult abducts seven little girls and brings them to a place called the Dark World. Okay, then.

Maiden: It was foretold that you would come to our rescue, but no one could have guessed what he would do to us all!

I would prefer no further elaboration on that.

Maiden: After cracking the seal with our powers, he sealed us inside of these crystals. He then gave us to his loyal monsters. But Ganon didn’t plan on you getting this far.

I imagine Ganon is probably rather peeved at Agahnim for not killing Link when he had the chance served up to him on a silver platter.

Maiden: You’ve shown that your strength comes from the courage inside your heart! Now, Princess Zelda is waiting for you inside of Turtle Rock. Please hurry!

Turtle Rock sounds like a really slow heavy metal genre.

Maiden: May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce!

They have all opened and closed in the same way. Are the seven descendants of the wise men secretly a hive mind? Or perhaps they just rehearsed this.

…Oh good heavens, this whole game is a stage play! It was a conspiracy with Super Mario Bros. 3 all along!

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[Joat]

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Part 13 - Turtle Rock: Wherein Link does not gain Tower Shield Proficiency.

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Before I progress the plot any further, first, a few errands.

First stop, more grave robbing!

And it gets me a super-rare magical item instead of, say, criminal charges. Not that the law is very good at catching me anyway, mind.

And now, I have a happy inventory screen!

Ah yes, this. Time to wow the world with fashion!

Er, I mean anti-fashion!

Being invisible causes me to pass through the bumper mechanism, because, uh… physics?

Oh well! Heart piece get!

Good sir, I think your aim could use some work.

Bomb Salesbug: have a new Super Bomb in stock for only 100 Rupees! Please buy it too, mister!

It…

It’s PIIIIINK!

I waaaant it!

Bomb Salesbug: Please don’t forget it.

Don’t worry. I get the feeling I’ll never forget this momentous occasion.

I got my own little pet boooomb!

There is no way in which this could possibly be a bad idea.

Ah yes, this place! At long last, we get to tear down this wall!

Woo!

Sure, why not?

Uh…

No comment.

Fairy: What an honest little creature! I will give you something better in return.

Your sword is at maximum strength! It radiates with uncompromising beauty and power!

Well, that’s… anticlimactic, admittedly. Though, I suppose I’d have a hard time with where to go for the design of the fourth sword, too. And, to be fair, this sword does look quite nice! The white-and-gold theme is simple, yet effective.

Oh, if only he could see me now…

I admittedly do not recall how to get the final tunic, so let’s see if this works.

Aw yeah, things are about to get…

…

He is still wearing his tunic after throwing it into the pool.

I’d make a quantum mechanics joke, except we are actively observing both tunics. So, yeah…

Oh well. ‘Twas a slim hope. But now, on to the most important thing!

Fairy: You are an honest person. I like you. I will give you something important… These are the Silver Arrows. To give Ganon his last moment, you definitely need them!

…Wait, does this mean Ganon is a werewolf? Is he going to try to bite me? Or take off his shirt and romance me?

Fairy: I know I don’t quite have the figure of a faerie. Ganon’s cruel power is to blame! You must defeat Ganon!

Why did he just make you fat instead of, y’know, killing you?

These are the Silver Arrows you need to defeat Ganon!

Anyway, to the plotmobile!

…Kinda hit the nail on the head with this dungeon name.

And you need to, in the light world, guess the order to pound these stakes in through trial-and-error, because, uh… game design?

HMMM, I WONDER…

EXTREME ACUPUNCTUUUUURE!

I think Link has been eaten more often than most people have eaten.

Even Zelda is speechless.

The game poses an interesting question… mark.

And the answer is magical explodium blocks that turn into moving platforms when exposed to punctuation.

Whatever works, I suppose.

Evil rolling pins! My arch-nemesis!

When it comes to staring contests, this door fights dirty.

The only winning move here is not to play.

Oh look, it’s a… pogo… ball… cactus… thing.

Get back heeeere!

Oh hey, it’s the Bow-Wow Bros.!

I decided to break some floor tiles with my sword this time so they don’t feel quite so bad about themselves.

Ooh, issa tunnel!

Weeeee-ow! Weeeee-ow! Weeeee-ow!

Seriously, those thumps make it sound PAINFUL! It’s a good thing that fur makes good padding.

Is the lava truly menacing if one cannot fall into it and is clearly too high up to be much affected by ambient heat?

I wonder…

Nope, but that would have been a rather interesting easter egg.

couldn’t block!

Ooh, shiny! And pink!

Even putting aside my bias toward pink stuff, I prefer this design to the old one. I agree, Ryusuta; the size of the old Mirror Shield was simply absurd and also would have hidden far too much of the adorable.

Though, I am a bit disappointed that I don’t get to use that “Tower Shield Proficiency feat” joke I had lined up.

You don’t scare me, rolling pins! I…

Wait, why am I even bothering?

Take that, skull thing!

Nice touch, I must say.

This door is locked by the key one needs to get to this door in the first place.

Turtle Rock contains a rock turtle. Interesting.

Also, no prizes for guessing the weakness of the two colored heads. The red one breathes lines of fire, the blue one breathes lines of slick ice flooring.

Not one head down, fairly good aim, and I need to restock magical power. They certainly expect the player to come prepared, huh?

Then again, given how many rupees the game throws at the player, not much excuse not to be prepared, so fair enough.

I managed to kill the other head with my last sliver of magical power.

Too bad I had to use a potion to restore health.

But hey, now I have magical power to break the game with!

Thankfully, the developers had the forethought to not put the heart container in a wall in this case.

I wonder if Zelda will open with something unique.

Huh. I’m surprised. I even had a “DAGNABBIT!” all lined up and everything. Also, I think Zelda’s the only one who has a different wardrobe team.

Zelda: I felt this from the first time we met. … … …

You mean when I got curb-stomped in a rather embarrassing fashion?

Zelda: I haven’t forgotten all you’ve done for me, Link…

She makes it seem like I did more than one thing to help her, specifically, before now.

Zelda: All this time you’ve worn a monster’s form because you wanted to help me.

I know what she means, but my first thought when I saw this line was, “No, he’s wearing a monster’s form because Agahnim cursed him with it.” And because Ryusuta correctly thinks it’s adorable.

Zelda: I will never forget that. You’re truly as gentle-natured as you appear in that form. It actually suits you, in a way…

And because he is far more able to defend himself than one would think, just like real bunnies.

Zelda: Anyway, Ganon is waiting inside his tower to pass through the gate linking the two worlds. Once Ganon enters the Light World, it is unlikely that anyone can stop him.

Including me? Is he somehow more powerful in the Light World than the Dark World he already rules?

Zelda: But if he stays in the closed space of this world, you can find him wherever he runs.

Admittedly, the Light World access would give him twice as much space, but only twice as much, unless we’re assuming that the Light World has more to it than shown on the map and the Dark World does not.

Zelda: Now, go to the Tower of Ganon! We will use our combined powers to break the barrier. Let’s return peace to the country without fail… … … …

Proof that crystals beat disco barriers every time!

Zelda: May the way of the Hero lead to the Triforce.

DAGNABBIT!

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[Joat]

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Part 14 - Ganon’s Tower: Wherein Link proves that three heads are not better than one net.

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It is time.

Funnily enough, when initially doing this LP, this was sort of an epic moment not just within the game, but for me. This was about the farthest I have ever gotten in this game before I got distracted by something shiny, and this would be my first time actually completing this game, modded or no.

That barrier is deader than disco.

Who are these statues supposed to impress? I doubt he actually figured anyone would get this far and, if so, that those who visit would care. Maybe he just really likes looking at statues of himself. While standing near the entrance. Even though he probably rarely if ever really exits this tower.

The Triforce has taken on a lot of colors, hasn’t it?

The previous room had a key atop a tall object that needed to be rammed into to knock said key down. This has these. I suppose I would expect nothing less from Final Exam Tower.

Not that it is a bad thing, mind – The final dungeon should use all of the skills and powers one has accumulated over the game. That said, I will fatigue both you and I if I point out every question on this exam, so I shall refrain from doing so unless it is of particular interest.

…I may be here a while.

Finding the right switch makes things explode though, so yay!

As well as giving me more tools to create my own.

Funnily enough, I remember these invisible walkways, but I could have sworn I remembered them coming into play far earlier in the game.

Ha! Your feeble attempts to make tile attack rooms more challenging are no match for…

…Well, crap.

I have no shame.

I do not remember lighting a light source to reveal the path, though.

Ah yes, the boss rush.

Fortunately, these ones are pansies, only requiring one shot per.

Okay, actually, it’s probably just a matter of having better gear now.

I may as well, since I had to use a potion.

I have you in my clutches once again, bouncy skull thing…

These things are much less threatening once one realizes that their shots are blockable with the mirror shield.

Ah, so that’s where it is!

Now you feel more like a tortoise than a hare!

But those aren’t as adorable…

Okay, I imagine someone will post an image link in the comments to prove me wrong, on that count. Or draw something themselves, if they cannot find anything.

It looks decently well, though I think white would have worked better than yellow. That said, white is the default color, so it seems Ryusuta felt differently and, admittedly, since she saw the white version on Bunny Link, I suppose that qualifies as knowing something about the situation I don’t.

I should probably be scared by this.

But I’m not.

Also, you may notice that Link now seems somewhat discolored. The lighter pink areas of his body are now more yellow-ish. This seems to be triggered by opening the map screen, I think, and seems to be fixed by Link entering or exiting a building (but not going between rooms in a dungeon), leading me to believe that it corrects itself upon entering a room with a different palette. I think Ryusuta fixed this in a later update, though.

A fairly creative puzzle.

For a somewhat useful reward. Well, not for me at this time, having no empty bottle and barely any health down, but for others, perhaps

A decently challenging room, perhaps, but just imagine how silly it would look in real life….

Ah yes, these things…

…Just got iced.

The Wizzrobes are not an issue, but clearing this room by trial and error is, sadly. At the time, I didn’t know about revealing the path with Ether.

Or I could just bomb-boost over this invisible gap.

I am awesome bun.

They’re just jealous because I have skin.

Also, I have lucky rupees!

Well, that’s inconvenient.

Here’s hoping I can get a repeat one-try wonder performance…

Easy mode activated!

Weeee…

There are a number of chests like this in this dungeon. One even had a green rupee. Ganon, you are a dark lord; have bigger treasure hauls for the sake of your own dignity, if nothing else.

Aaand here we are!

…Oh. It’s you…

Aghanim: I’m very happy to see you again, but you’d better believe me that we will not have a third meeting!

A lovely choice of wording, because whether he wins or loses, he is not incorrect.

Aghanim: Reverse the spell? HA! So long as the Dark Lord rules, my magic will NEVER die!

Oddly specific counter-spell. I could understand if killing you reversed it, but him? And if he’s the source of your power, why are you the one who has this job? Couldn’t anyone have done it?

Actually, if you’re doing the self-duplication thing, wouldn’t this count as the second, third, and fourth encounter?

Well, that was… not exactly three times harder.

Seriously, only one time did any of them use the blast I can’t deflect back.

And a pig ghost flies out of the body, which is sadly obscured by my massive life bar, and then it turns into a bat and flies away. Because pig ghosts will do that.

…How? I could understand if it were a Slayer song I was playing on the thing, but I doubt my ocarina flute-playing was loud enough to hear across the dimensional gap.

Well, that bat definitely had its daily spinach…

And so, I arrive on the scene. This is it. Time for the final battle!

But first, I’ll go ahead and wimp out and refill my potion stock.

After that, though, we end this once and for all!

…By which I mean the bunnification. Aw…

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[Joat]

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Part 15 - The End: Wherein Link fights against the literal darkness.

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Sorry for being so delayed, but I am back!

And now, it is time.

Big pink bunny, thank you!

Ganon: It’s unbelievable that you defeated my alter ego, Aghanim the Dark Priest, twice!

But now, we meet for the third time! Or fifth. Depends on how you look at it.

Wait, if that was your alter ego, doesn’t that mean you could, in fact, exit the Dark World this whole time?

Ganon: But you see now that the spell over you will never be broken!

I know he means that he will win, but if he does win, will Link be in any position to care whether his body is changed back or not?

Ganon: I will destroy you and make my wish to conquer both Light and Dark Worlds come true without delay!

Except, y’know, the massive delay I caused at the beginning of the game.

I know spears are generally considered good throwing weapons, but giving it a spin is a good way to hit your opponent with the handle instead of the pointy bits.

And with a single stomp, the room starts falling to pieces, because the mighty ruler of all of the Dark World can’t afford a decent architect.

Ganon: En Garde!

When I have spent so long wiping the floor with the monsters of the Dark World, is “of Darkness” supposed to make things more intimidating at this point?

Oh. As in, literally, of darkness.

I hit him so hard with my sword he, uh… froze, somehow?

Oh well, silver arrow time!

I am awesome bun.

This has been quite a journey. But now, here I am, where I have never ventured before. Or, well, hadn’t at the time of the original gameplay.

Uh…

Okay, admittedly, nice twist, but why were people so often calling it the Golden Power up to this point, then?

Triforce: … … …

Not gonna explain it, Triforce? I see how it is…

Triforce: The Triforce will grant the wishes in the heart and mind of the person who touches it.

The Triforce also speaks about itself in the third person, for whatever reason.

Triforce: The stronger the wish, the more powerful the Triforce’s expression of that wish.

If your wish does not come fully true, touch the Triforce once more, this time with feeling.

Triforce: Ganon’s wish was to conquer the world. That wish changed the Golden Land to the Dark World.

The Triforce has a sense of literalist humor.

Triforce: Ganon was building up his power here so he could conquer the Light World and make his wish come completely true. But now, you have totally destroyed Ganon.

Like, totally, dude.

Triforce: His dark world will vanish. And now, if you desire it, you may return to your human form… Or perhaps you’ve found happiness in your new form? That decision is yours alone.

…Does this mean I can’t consult with my attorney first?

Triforce: Take the Triforce and make a wish with your whole heart…

Oh well. Pinkforce get!

Now I’m thinking of a Zelda/LotR crossover.

Oh hey, rescuing the kingdom gave the guards faces and makes them look like actual people!

Wait a sec…

Um… my bad?

I guess we have one more reason to hope Link kept his bunny shape. It’s a lot harder to be mad at that face.

Okay, realistically, given what we see a bit later, chances are that the slain soldiers have been resurrected by the wish.

I love how he’s holding that book and looking at the camera. “Oh hey, you finally saved the world and brought me back to life. What took you so long?”

I guess they made up since last we saw them. Maybe they figured they should stop fighting or the big bunny will come over and set off a bomb in their house again.

…Happy end?

Oh, that wacky thief!

Wait, who owns those chests? I didn’t see them when I was there. Do they belong to the vultures?

I guess my Stockholm syndrome remark was perhaps a bit more on-the-nose than I thought…

Awww, I am quite much the happy we still have bunny link!

Well, mostly, but I’ll bring up the complication at the end.

Don’t worry, uncle. It’s not the size that matters…

I still think they’d have better business if they’d stop trying to kill everyone that comes anywhere near water, especially the water in their own domain.

Does he do anything to assist other than tend the shop?

Kindly refrain from making that face in my direction ever again, thank you.

…Where’s the Hyrule Chocobo? I want my Hyrule chocobo! sulks

Still hasn’t repaired that wall I blew up, I see.

And they stop doing heavy banging on metal to do some heavy metal head-banging.

Do I want to know why that net is a lot yellower than when I had it?

Actually, forget the in-universe reason. How in the world did Nintendo make such a goof? I mean, the palette has white in it, so…

How did he get up there?

“Shh, I’m incognito.”

Aw, it’s a tsundere thief!

And then, Ancient Stone Tablets happened.

And so, the credits roll, and the LP comes to a close, my first one on this site. Now, it is time for my final comments.

This is quite a lovely game, an enjoyable experience from start to finish. A simple change in graphics and text, perhaps, but it was enough to make an old game feel new again. Also, I like playing as fuzzy-wuzzies, so there’s that. Overall, I do feel this is a good-quality hack, and one can tell how much love and effort went into it. Though there are some issues, they are minor ones and I think most if not all have been probably fixed by now.

That said, I do have an issue with one thing related to the new story. Namely, this sequence of events:

Now, we cannot hear what Link said, but it feels pretty clear that Link did not merely mention the curse, but outright demanded the curse be lifted. And then, very soon after, he decides to keep it. Now, I could understand if that first screenshot were from the first encounter with Agahnim. Then, there would have been sufficient time for Link to have since warmed up to the form, but given how quickly Link went from demanding the curse be lifted to requesting to keep the form, well… that ending feels a bit forced. Personally, I would recommend either removing that line or rephrasing it, perhaps to something beginning with “And if you think I shall reverse the spell…” or something akin to that. Though, I dunno, maybe Ryusuta’s changed that line by now as well.

Overall, though, this game left me wishing that there were even more of the game to play and that it were not over yet, which is definitely a good sign. I quite commend Ryusuta for her hard work.

As for my own path from here, I’ll be starting the posting of my next LP soon. Originally, it came out concurrently with this one, but I figured I’d do one-at-a-time at first with this site. As for what the next LP is, I shan’t say yet, but I shall say it’s yet another instance of me playing the game with an unintended protagonist. So join me in the next LP, where I unleash puppy power!

[Joat]

@moderators I initially refrained from doing this because I thought this being moved to completed LPs would auto-lock it and I wanted to give people time to post if desired, but it turns out the lock is optional and I don’t have to worry about it.

This LP is complete and ready to be moved.