THE GREAT DEKU TREE
For this assignment I was asked to critique a level from one of my favorite games by describing in detail why I believe the level works in terms of good game design. For this I chose the first dungeon in the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is not my favorite game or level but I believe it is appropriate for this assignment.
The Setting....
You take on the role of Link, a young boy who is summoned by a fairy to meet with The Great Deku Tree. The Great Deku Tree is a wise earth spirit who serves as a guardian of the kakari forest and its inhabitants. Upon meeting the Great Deku Tree he warns Link of impending evil conspiring to send the realm of Hyrule into an age of darkness. He tells Link that he has been cursed and asks Link to test his wisdom and courage by venturing into his body to break the curse. Upon agreeing to the task, the Great Deku Tree opens his mouth and Link ventures into his depths.
The Level Begins....
Upon entering the level you are greeted with a brief cut scene that pans around the main room. A vast hollowed out vertical tower filled with spider webs. Just a few steps in and you are already assaulted by vicious man eating plants.You might notice that the game play, visuals and audio are a stark contrast to everything you experienced thus far.You have stepped out of the lush vibrant world accompanied by whimsical, light hearted music and into a brooding atmosphere. These first cues help set the mood for the player to let them know that this is time to get serious.
One of the first focal points in the level is a webbed flooring. You can peer down into the web viewing an area that is so far unreachable. As you make your way up the level you come upon a room that locks itself with iron bars. Here you face an enemy that spits seeds at you that retreats under ground when approached. The only way to advance is to defeat the enemy by raising your shield to deflect the seeds back at the attacker. This shows the player how to use the shield effectively. The next room contains one of the first "power ups" the Slingshot. This tool will prove to be essential by allowing the player to hit targets that would normally be out of reach. The same room is set up with a puzzle that teaches the player the purpose and mechanics of the item by preventing further advancement until a ladder is shot down from the ceiling. You are now back in the main room and come upon a vined wall which can be climbed but contains enemy spiders. You can now shoot the spiders down with your new tool demonstrating different situations in which to use it. You come to the top of the level but find no area to advance further. There is however a ledge with an out of reach restorative heart. This small incentive provides a hint to the player to jump from the top of the ledge. Upon doing so you will have enough momentum to tear through the webbed flooring you previously noticed at the level's entrance, gaining further advancement through the dungeon. More rooms and puzzles lay ahead all of which are variants of earlier completed puzzles but with increased complexity. I believe these familiar puzzles insure that the player does not become frustrated or bored because the objective is clear but requires more skill to bypass.
At end of the level there is a large dark chamber containing the first boss, giant arachnid creature named Gohma. This is the most challenging point in the game thus far but the level the player progressed through was in part preparation for this battle. The player must utilize the slingshot to open up the bosses weak point for further attack. By now the player should already know basic combat techniques and should have some prowess with the slingshot as it was used throughout the level. After defeating the boss a health upgrade is rewarded as well as a teleporter for easy access out of the level. After exiting, important knowledge and a key itme is passed to the player by the Deku Tree further directing the player toward the main goal of the game.
Conclusion....
The deku tree level accomplishes many goals an entry level should provide. It provides an engaging atmosphere that teaches players the basic fundamentals of the game, as well as setting the stage for things to come.
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