Aonuma:
For me, it’s when you enter Suthorn Prairie from Suthorn Beach, and the main theme starts playing. That part really got me.
Sano:
The moment you leave the cave and that theme starts playing, that’s the first time you hear it in the game. I feel like that scene was really created to resonate with the player’s feelings. You don’t know where it is that you’ve arrived, but you get the feeling that the real adventure is about to start.
Aonuma:
The sound team takes the near-finished game, and while imagining how players would feel in each scene, they compose music to fit those scenes and have it play each part at exactly the right moment.
And I didn’t notice this in the beginning because I was too busy with the gameplay, but on my sixth, seventh, or eighth playthrough of this game, I was relaxed enough to make pleasant discoveries like, “Oh, so this music plays in this scene!”. (Laughs)
Sano:
You’re enjoying the game more than anyone else. (Laughs)
Aonuma:
You know, that final scene…
Terada:
Oh yeah, I know what you mean. (Laughs)
Sano:
You can’t talk about that here! (Laughs)
Aonuma:
I know, I know. (Laughs) But I felt the power of music was so strong, it nearly brought me to tears. As the music played, I thought, “Wow, that’s good”. It was really moving. Agh, I’ve got to play it through again now.
Everyone:
(Laughs)
I see. It’s not just the story and gameplay that create that “Legend of Zelda-like” feeling, but many other elements all coming together, including music and sound effects. To finish up, could each of you say a few words on your hopes for how people will play this game?
Terada:
I think this The Legend of Zelda game is one that’s approachable even for people who don’t play games very often. With previous The Legend of Zelda games you had to fight enemies yourself with your sword. People who aren’t so good at action games might have felt that it was too difficult for them. However with this game, you can play using echoes and try out lots of different things. So I think it’s enjoyable even for players who usually struggle with more demanding action gameplay.
Also, just like Aonuma-san playing through it eight times, your experience changes every time you play this game. The gameplay changes depending on which path you take and when you get each echo. So I think there can always be new discoveries even if you play it multiple times. I hope that players will play the game over and over and make more and more discoveries.
Thank you very much. Sano-san, please go ahead.
Sano:
Um, well I had been planning to talk about the music at the end…
Aonuma:
Oh, you wanted to talk about it. Sorry. (Laughs)
Sano:
No worries. (Laughs) Well then, since Terada-san made a comment for beginners, I’ll make a comment for fans of The Legend of Zelda series. In this game, you play as Princess Zelda, who wouldn’t usually attack enemies, but she can eventually attack directly by borrowing Link’s sword. We’ve also made it so that attacking enemies with echoes is just as satisfying as defeating enemies with the sword.
So please don’t worry too much about not being able to attack by yourself. I think you should be able to enjoy the same kind of thrill and excitement as other games in The Legend of Zelda series.
Also, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening was set on a single island, but in this game, you get to explore a variety of different places in Hyrule. There are Gerudo, Gorons, and Deku Scrubs, who we haven’t seen for a while.
As many may know, the world of Hyrule is home to many different cultural regions, and the diverse graphics for each of their regions that Grezzo has crafted with love are really something to see. So I hope you’ll keep an eye out for this.
Then last but not least, Aonuma-san, please share your thoughts.
Aonuma:
Until now, the 2D top-down The Legend of Zelda games haven’t seen that many major transformations. When we were developing the remake for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, I was thinking about what I’d like to do in the next one, but I was wondering how far Grezzo would be able to go.
But with Terada-san taking the lead for this title, the staff at Grezzo approached it with fresh perspectives and free thinking. They really pulled it all together. And additionally, Sano-san, who has worked with Grezzo for many years on The Legend of Zelda series, led the project, bringing that authentic “Legend of Zelda-like” feeling.
As a producer, it felt like watching your child grow up. I’m really grateful for all the hard work. I hope lots of people will enjoy this new top-down The Legend of Zelda and will be excited for future top-down The Legend of Zelda games too.
I’m looking forward myself to playing this new The Legend of Zelda game where, for the first time, Princess Zelda is the playable main character. And to making new discoveries every time I play. And I’m also excited to see what the future holds for top-down The Legend of Zelda games.
Thank you very much.
[This article originally appeared on Nintendo UK]
