Zelda: Link’s Awakening – A Dream Worth Loving and Losing
There’s something quietly unsettling about The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. On the surface, it’s colourful, playful, and almost toy-like. But the longer I spent on Koholint Island, the more that sweetness started to feel like a mask hiding something sadder underneath. That emotional pull is what makes this game unforgettable for me, and also why some of its frustrations sting more than they probably should.
This is a game I love, but it’s also one that constantly tests my patience in ways that feel uniquely Link’s Awakening.
The Remake of Zelda: Link’s Awakening Looks Beautiful…Until It Doesn’t
The remake’s diorama art style is gorgeous. Everything looks handcrafted, soft, and inviting. But the technical issues break the illusion more often than I would like.
Frame rate drops are noticeable in several outdoor areas, especially during transitions or when moving quickly between screens. Many players have pointed this out, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
For a remake of such a beloved game, those stutters feel like they shouldn’t exist.
Dungeon Design in Zelda: Link’s Awakening Punishes Forgetfulness
The dungeons are clever, but they can also be exhausting. The constant swapping of items becomes a mental tax rather than a puzzle challenge. I lost count of how many times I paused just to equip the Pegasus Boots, only to immediately switch back to something else.
The original hardware limitations explain it, but the remake choosing not to modernize this aspect feels stubborn to me.
Combat Feels Dated in the Wrong Ways
Combat is serviceable, but stiff. Enemies often knock you back in ways that feel unfair, especially in tight dungeon corridors. Deaths start to feel annoying.
The game punishes small mistakes harshly, and checkpoints don’t always respect your time. When I failed a boss because I forgot to equip the right item, it didn’t feel challenging. It felt like busywork.
If you’re drawn to Zelda games that balance innovation with emotional weight, check out our review on Tears of the Kingdom Proves Why Zelda Still Rules Gaming , where freedom and experimentation redefine the series again.
If you need more of a combat heavy game then read Hyrule Warriors Age of Imprisonment — When Zelda Meets War I am sure you will love this one!
So, how melty is it?
Dreamlike Arrival — 7/10
The charm is immediate. The world feels cozy, weird, and inviting.
Early Dungeon Delight — 8/10
Puzzle design shines, even if item swapping already starts to irritate.
Mid-Game Friction — 9/10
Frame drops, menu juggling, and knockback frustration pile up.
Late-Game Exhaustion — 9.5/10
Difficulty spikes and outdated systems test patience more than skill.
Awakening Realization — 10/10
The emotional payoff hits hard—but the journey there isn’t always smooth.
Total Melt Score: 8.7/10
Beautiful, meaningful, and occasionally maddening.
Link’s Awakening is special because it understands loss better than most Zelda games. It doesn’t reward you with permanence. It asks you to care anyway.
But that emotional brilliance sits beside mechanical decisions that feel frozen in time. I admire the commitment to authenticity, even when it works against player comfort.
I still recommend it. I still think about it and I still feel a little hollow when it ends. That’s the power of this game, even when it frustrates me, it leaves a mark.
For official information and updates visit the official The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening page.
