The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time returns in a remake for Switch 2 that aims to make the landmark adventure more accessible to modern players without substantially changing its design. The review describes the update as a faithful reconstruction, with refreshed graphics, modernized controls and expanded, fully voiced story scenes.
Hyrule retains its carefully arranged regions and defined routes rather than becoming an open world. The remake adds environmental detail and depth while preserving the original map’s scale and atmosphere. The review notes that the more compact world can feel sparse beside contemporary games, but argues that its layout and distinct locations remain effective.
The story follows Link from his childhood in the Kokiri Forest through a journey to confront Ganondorf. A seven-year leap in time changes both Link and Hyrule, turning familiar places into a darker, transformed kingdom. Expanded dialogue and voiced cutscenes add to the presentation while maintaining the original story’s restrained approach, according to the review.
Time remains central to the adventure’s puzzles and progression. Players switch between child and adult Link, using abilities from each stage of his life to affect events and reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible. The remake also adds “Threads of Time,” a menu feature that tracks progress and offers a broad indication of the next objective without marking every step for the player.
The update refines combat and navigation with independent camera control, the ability to jump at any time and quicker inventory management. The classic Z-Targeting system remains in place. The review says these changes improve the pace, though it still identifies cumbersome horseback handling and backtracking—particularly early in the adventure—as drawbacks.
Dungeons remain a major strength, with puzzles built around reading environments and using items acquired along the way. The remake improves their visual presentation without altering their designs. The review highlights the Forest Temple’s disorienting layout and the Water Temple’s changing water levels as examples of the original’s enduring level design.
The new visuals give Hyrule more detailed architecture and lighting, while a dynamic day-and-night cycle continues across locations. The review reports that the game runs at 60 frames per second in both modes. It also notes that the remake retains some of the original’s limitations, including linearity and a comparatively simple combat system.
Sources: Everyeye.it.