The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Jun 05, 2025 1 year ago

Trailer 1 / 3

Type Base game 2019 Genres Adventure Puzzle Companies Grezzo · Developer · Nintendo · Publisher · Digital Works Entertainment · Supporting Follow Log in to follow

As Link, you awaken in a strange land away from Hyrule, where animals talk and monsters roam. To uncover the truth behind your whereabouts and rouse the legendary Wind Fish, explore Koholint Island and all its trap-ridden dungeons, reimagined in stunning detail for this new release of one of the most beloved The Legend of Zelda games. Along the way, you'll meet a hilarious assortment of charming characters to which you'll never want to say goodbye. In this new version of the game, the classic soundtrack has been reborn with new arrangements, and now you can equip more items at once, review key conversations, and navigate the map in new ways. Try your hand at the renovated mini-games to earn dolls based on the Super Mario series...or Chamber Stones, which you can use to arrange your own Chamber Dungeons. Each one is a puzzle in and of itself!

What it’s like

Experience a whimsical, self-contained adventure on the dreamlike Koholint Island, where reality is fluid and inhabitants are surprisingly sentient. The tone balances lighthearted charm with underlying melancholy, creating a unique entry in the series that feels intimate rather than epic. Structurally, it follows a tight linear path through distinct, puzzle-heavy dungeons, emphasizing logical progression over open-world freedom. The craft shines in its presentation: a vibrant, toy-like art direction breathes new life into classic mechanics, while the remastered audio enhances the emotional resonance of each scene. Players engage with a cast of eccentric characters whose interactions drive the narrative forward, offering a compact but emotionally resonant journey that prioritizes atmosphere and character connection over systemic complexity.

Strong in Atmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCharactersGameplay / MechanicsPolish / PerformanceVisuals / ArtExploration / WorldPacingProgression / ReplayabilityWriting / Dialogue

Keep in mind The linear structure may feel restrictive to players accustomed to open-world freedom or non-linear exploration found in other recent Zelda titles. Additionally, the combat is intentionally simple and less demanding, which might disappoint those seeking deep mechanical challenge or build variety.

AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from ign.com, en.wikipedia.org, nintendolife.com, metacritic.com, opencritic.com.