Eyes on Plays: The Legend of Zelda

[Necronopticous]

Eyes on Plays:

This month of March, 2009, experience or re-experience what Zelda was before it was laded with superfluous meters, tutorials, plot sequences, bad camera control, platforming without a jump button, Z-targeting, and so on. Avid fans of this timeless masterpiece are encouraged to take up one or more of the suggested challenges which each bring a whole new unique life to the game. As for newcomers, treat yourself. It has been a long time coming. There are few games as gracefully constructed as the Legend of Zelda.
Red Ring Challenges
	Minimalism - Complete the game without any unnecessary acquisitions
	Frailty - Complete the game with the original three heart containers only
	Pacifism - Persevere to the final battle without ever collecting a sword
Blue Ring Challenges
	Completionist - Complete both quests
	Collector - Acquire every possible item and upgrade
	Cartographer - Fully explore every dungeon room and overworld secret
	Survivor - Complete the game without dying
Green Ring Challenges
	Analyst - Whatever it is that Kishi is doing
Notes State-saving completely eliminates the purpose of attempting a challenge Manual save/retry: Press start on player 1 controller, then up + A on player 2 controller The Minimalism challenge is extremely difficult, and the final battle requires a degree of luck and persistence not possessed by many men There is no green ring It's the Legend of Zelda and it's really rad

[Marshall Banana]

I won't attempt any challenges; I just want to play.

[Momiji]

I gotta give these a try. The Legend of Zelda doesn't take that long to play through, unlike Final Fantasy games.

[Shlup]

*hi5*

[Kawaii Ryûkishi]

Red Ring Challenges
	Minimalism - Complete the game without any unnecessary acquisitions
	Frailty - Complete the game with the original three heart containers only
	Pacifism - Persevere to the final battle without ever collecting a sword

[Momiji]

Would you mind clarifying the 'Minimalism' challenge a bit more, though?

[Necronopticous]

In the minimalism challenge, you only ever collect anything you absolutely need in order to beat the game all the way through. No heart containers, no rings, no medicine, no boomerang, no rod, no lion key, etc. You shouldn't even consider this challenge unless you're very familiar with the game, and in that case you'll be able to easily identify the set of things you need to be able to beat the game.

[Momiji]

So basically, 'Frailty' without unnecessary luxuries. Got it.

I probably could do it if I really set my mind to it. I have the game pretty much memorized up to stage 6 (used to have the whole game memorized, but it's been a REALLY long time.)

[Necronopticous]

Added the Survivor challenge. I forgot about that one. It could just as easily be called Retryer, though, I imagine.

[Momiji]

How about a time-attack challenge?

Then again, it would be hard to monitor... it's too easy to cheat. x_x

[Necronopticous]

I considered a speed-run challenge, but speed-running this game is too dependent on luck, and there is no in-game timer. It's a no-go.

[Marshall Banana]

Link is a fatty.

[Shlup]

Link is hot. I'd hit those pixels.

[Momiji]

Link is a fatty.

Nice touch on the name.

I'm going to go for Pacifism for the first playthrough, then I'll go for completionist.

(After I get as far as possible with the Pacifism playthrough and show a screenshot for proof, can I then go and get the sword and complete the first quest?

[Necronopticous]

Yeah, of course.

The swordless challenge is a lot of fun.