Zelda: Majora's Mask Put Heartbreak At Its Core, And That's What Made It Special

"The second Zelda title released for the Nintendo 64 and the follow-up to the universally acclaimed Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask retained much of its predecessor's mechanics and assets, but it reframed them with a recurring three-day structure that proved to be controversial among fans at the time. But while this unconventional time loop contributed to the game's divisive reputation, it also gives it a unique identity among the series, and is the reason the game remains so moving more than two decades later."

"Although Majora's Mask revolves heavily around time travel, it was not the first Zelda game to explore the concept. Time also plays a central role in Ocarina of Time, embodied in the eponymous instrument that allows Link to access the inner chamber of the Temple of Time and retrieve the Master Sword. Once he pulls the sword from its pedestal, he can freely trek back and forth between two distinct ages: his idyllic childhood, and the dark future that awaits Hyrule."

"Majora's Mask, however, takes a much more fluid approach to time travel than its predecessor, giving Link a greater degree of control over the flow of time itself. Whereas Ocarina of Time had him repeatedly traveling between past and future to ultimately thwart Ganon, Majora's Mask sees Link reliving the same three days as he attempts to stop the moon from careening into the world of Termina."

Majora's Mask framed Ocarina of Time mechanics with a recurring three-day cycle that forces repeated resets and creates intense temporal constraints. The game centers on Link preventing the moon from destroying Termina by reliving the same 72 hours and using the Ocarina of Time to rewind when necessary. Rewinding resets completed tasks, compelling players to balance urgent objectives with incomplete long-term goals. The loop mechanic generated controversy among fans but also differentiated the title within the franchise. The fluid control of time in Majora's Mask enables layered, poignant side stories and character-driven moments that sustain the game's emotional impact across decades.

Read at GameSpot