Games To Try Before You Die: Zelda II -The Adventure of Link

Now here is a game that everyone either considers really good or really bad. This game named by many is considered the 'Black Sheep' of The Legend of Zelda series, and I really don't know why. I think it's pretty fun! Frustrating yes, but that doesn't mean that the game is bad.

What: Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a game that released on the NES. You play as an an older Link, who grew up after saving the land of Hyrule from the evil Ganon (from the first game). Link sets out on a new adventure to save a different Princess Zelda from a sleeping spell! The enemies need the blood of Link to spread on the ashes of Ganon to revive him! Awaken the Princess, and save the land!

Why: After playing the first Legend of Zelda, which is considered by many as the greatest game of all time, this game took you through a loop. It got rid of the top down view to go with more side-scrolling action view. You now also had to gain levels, build EXP., find spells and more. When this game came out, people were really confused on whether this game was really the next Zelda game, but it was and people weren't to excited for it like they were the first one. It played more like an RPG than an exploration game! It took what was so special about the first game and basically tossed it out the window, making it more of a linear experience. Also forgot to add, this game is INSANELY difficult!

Why do people pan this game so much? In rare cases, some things get better with age, and that is the case with Zelda II. At first, this game is a crazy mess of difficulty and confusion. Once you sit down with it though and figure out the game mechanics and how it works, you start to enjoy the game. Sure there is a lot of grinding for building your levels and such, but nothing is more satisfying that finding a 'P Bag' and it giving you 200 EXP. points! Once you grind at enemies for what seems like decades, your adventure is ready!

In the first Zelda game, hints were very cryptic and hard to understand. In Zelda II, they are little easier to figure out, whether that takes away from the gameplay or not, Zelda II at least made it a little easier on the brain. Leaning more towards the action aspect of the game, Link can learn all sorts of different moves which make the swordplay in the game exhilarating. Instead of just stabbing left and right, now you could point in all directions, jump on enemies, and more.

Is it a bad game? No, I wouldn't call it that, but I would call it one hell of a difficult game which in many people's eyes, makes it a bad game. It may be unbalanced, but when it comes down to it, the story is good, the town's are neat, and the music is always good. if you are looking for a challenge that is just going to piss you off...

Zelda II is your game.