The upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for Switch 2 introduces a host of changes aimed at modernizing the classic adventure, according to an early hands-on experience. Tweaks to puzzles, miniboss encounters, navigation, and dialogue are among the notable alterations.
Kokiri Forest Revelations
In Kokiri Forest, Link's wallet capacity is increased from 99 to 200 rupees from the outset. The small reward of five rupees for jumping across stone platforms near the shop has been removed, with additional blue rupees now scattered throughout the forest. A new scarecrow training dummy has been added near the shop, serving as a tutorial for defense mechanics. The challenge to acquire the Kokiri Sword has also been reworked, with its chest now placed high on a platform requiring a jump, a departure from its original location.
Dungeon and Field Updates
Inside the Great Deku Tree, a treasure chest that previously held a recovery heart now contains Deku Nuts. The Skulltula enemies have altered attack patterns; instead of occasionally revealing a weak spot, they now spin when hit by a sword, exposing their underbellies, a change designed to encourage players to actively trigger openings.
Hyrule Field now features Lon Lon Ranch with higher visibility of grazing horses, and Peahat enemies are encountered more centrally. A cracked piece of ground near new Peahat locations serves as a more obvious hint towards hidden areas, a departure from the invisible entrances of the original. A new sign outside Castle Town gate simply points to landmarks, offering no new lore.
Castle Town's New Perspective
Castle Town itself has undergone a significant perspective shift, now offering full third-person camera control without fixed angles. Players can traverse seamlessly from the town entrance to the Temple of Time without loading screens or camera breaks. A new NPC, a blonde woman, greets Link upon entering, warning him about spending his money, hinting at potential future interactions or quests.
Forest Temple Enhancements
The Forest Temple has seen several puzzle adjustments. Link now hookshots a more traditional target above the temple entrance, rather than a tree branch. This mirrors changes in the Great Deku Tree where an eyeball target replaces a ladder. A puzzle involving blocks and ladders now features an accessible elevator for easier repeated access to upper areas. Floormaster enemies are now telegraphed by a spotlight that changes color before they attack. The arena for the Stalfos fight now features a shallow pool of acid instead of a large hole, restricting Link to the edges while the Stalfos moves freely. Visual distinctions have been added to rooms associated with red and blue Poes, with corresponding colored carpeting and stained glass windows to aid navigation. A torch puzzle has been redone without rotating elements, and guard rails have been added to prevent unintended jumps onto a falling block before it rises. The encounters with the final two Poes have been remixed: the sliding block puzzle for the green Poe is no longer timed, and the final Poe fight features a new cutscene and unique rounds instead of repeating patterns. The final room before the boss now incorporates torches into its rotating cylinder puzzle.
General Gameplay Additions
Character dialogue has been significantly expanded, with NPCs exhibiting deeper knowledge of Link and more conversational lines. Some cutscenes now feature voice acting, and new dialogue choices are available, reminiscent of Link's more sarcastic tone in recent Zelda titles. The Din's Fire attack now occurs in real-time, requiring players to be mindful of their surroundings. Similar to the 3DS remaster, a songbook allows for quick access to Ocarina button prompts. The inventory screen reveals a fifth slot for empty bottles, suggesting an additional collectible. The inventory menu is also now divided into sections for Child Link, Adult Link, and shared items. The hookshot reticle turns red when targeting an enemy, providing clear visual feedback. A quest log offers subtle guidance and flavor text written in the style of old legends. The game's music has been updated with live musician recordings, enhancing the auditory experience.