8 Things That Need to Change in the Ocarina of Time Remake

Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time remake announcement took many fans by surprise, but nobody is complaining, as the classic game was long overdue for a modern remaster. That said, many fans are requesting Nintendo not make any severe changes and keep the remake true to the original. However, Ocarina of Time is over two decades old, so the game has certain outdated elements. Here are some things that Nintendo needs to change in the Ocarina of Time remake.

1. Modern Character Models

This is one of the in-your-face changes that need to be made to the remake. The original Ocarina of Time characters were limited by the technology of the time, and modern games have more realistic models. This can change the facial expressions, body language, and other features of characters. Link may be the most improved character with modern technology because he is mute, so his expressions need to be perfect for players to resonate with him.

2. Combat

Ocarina of Time revolutionized combat mechanics when the game was first released. Z-Targeting was a game-changer, and many newer titles, including modern ones, were inspired by it. However, the complete combat system is significantly outdated compared to modern games. Nintendo doesn’t need to change the basics, but combat needs to expand. Dodging, parrying, and better use of the shield are just a few examples of how the developer can change the combat in the remake while keeping the essence of Ocarina of Time intact.

3. Expand the World

The game’s world at the time was as extensive as possible, but things have changed significantly since then. RPGs have massive worlds, filled with side quests and enemies that you have to search for. Hyrule Field is an easy example of Ocarina of Time having iconic locations that can be expanded to become more full. The nostalgic field was relatively empty at the time, with not much to do other than cross while traveling. Nintendo doesn’t need to add more enemies, and adding traveling NPCs or even wildlife can make the location more lively.

4. Dynamic NPCs

The NPCs of Ocarina of Time are all memorable and have a sense of nostalgia, but they are much more rigid compared to modern characters. Each NPC follows a basic structure, where they have a few dialogues and set schedules. A modern NPC would be more dynamic, reacting to Link and following a more complex schedule. Adding these elements in the remake can make the NPCs even better and make the game more immersive.

5. Refined Dungeons

This may be a controversial change, but it’s realistic. Ocarina of Time dungeons are still fun, but they are repetitive and slow compared to modern dungeons. You would need to backtrack your paths, complete similar tasks, or get stuck if you miss something and then have to waste time finding out what you missed. Nintendo could make better quest objectives so players know what they need to do, and the map can also be improved; the latter is especially true for the dreaded Water Temple. The puzzles need to stay, as they are a core part of the game, but some mechanics need to be refined.

6. Inventory Management

Pausing the game every time you need to select an item gets old real quick. This may be one of the most outdated mechanics of Ocarina of Time. Modern games have item swapping mechanics that work in real time, and you don’t need to continuously pause the game. This system can be worked into the remake, allowing a better way to switch between items such as the hookshot, bow, or bombs.

7. Expand the Sidequests

Ocarina of Time’s NPC interactions and the sidequests they offer were one of the best things about the game. However, the sidequests were limited and often felt monotone. This needs to be changed in the remake so they offer more substance, and you get the feel of success when the rewards are unlocked. The Biggoron’s Sword trading quest, for instance, can be expanded so there are more character interactions or other objectives, rather than Link traveling from one place to another or waiting. Sidequests can add to the game’s lore or help Link evolve, rather than just being a way to get a shiny new item.

8. Improved Save System

This is an important quality-of-life change that the Ocarina of Time remake should have. In the original game, you had to manually save the game. If you loaded after quitting, you would return to your last save, which can be all the way across the map. This made it a huge hindrance to retracing your steps and potentially dealing with certain enemies or having to solve puzzles to progress. An auto-save system can help avoid this by saving before major events so you can spawn there instead of having to redo a large part of a dungeon.