If even Zelda Tears of the Kingdom failed to surpass Ocarina of Time's greatness, it is unlikely that anything else ever will

Released in November 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time became the definitive 3-D action-adventure game. During the early days of 3-D gaming, Ocarina of Time not only revolutionized The Legend of Zelda franchise but also made a profound impact on the entire video game industry. As the fifth installment in the Zelda series, it brought forth significant innovation, setting new standards for what was possible in the future. Even after 25 years, Ocarina of Time remains the epitome of what The Legend of Zelda represents. It continues to influence even the most recent titles like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, drawing inspiration from the foundation established by Ocarina of Time. While the series continually reinvents itself and introduces fresh elements with each iteration, in many ways, no game can surpass the legacy of Ocarina of Time.

Widely recognized as one of the greatest video games of all time, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time holds immense influence that cannot be overstated. It redefined the possibilities of player experiences within a vast, open game world, featuring numerous towns and diverse species to interact with while embarking on temple quests. The non-playable characters (NPCs) within the game offered engaging side quests and hidden secrets, often separate from the main storyline. These elements were seamlessly woven together with an epic narrative, memorable characters, innovative action gameplay that evolves as the game progresses, and a magnificent score by Koji Kondo. Ocarina of Time established itself as the blueprint for modern adventure games.

The Most Influential Zelda Game To Date

Every subsequent Zelda game after Ocarina of Time has, to some extent, drawn inspiration from it. 3-D games like Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess introduced their own unique elements while still following the established formula set by Ocarina of Time. They featured a fixed number of dungeons, each containing a distinctive item to unlock, and required traveling and completing side activities to access them. The fundamental elements of The Legend of Zelda series have been present since the first installment in 1987 and further refined in A Link to the Past. However, it was Ocarina of Time that established the trend for the 3-D era of Zelda games.

Over time, updates have been introduced to the Zelda formula. Side games within the Zelda franchise, such as Four Swords, The Minish Cap, or Phantom Hourglass, offer a unique approach to the series' universe. Among the mainline games, Skyward Sword marked the beginning of a refresh. Skyward Sword deviated from tradition in various aspects, including dungeon progression, item management, and the approach to weapons. It laid the foundation for the most significant innovation since Ocarina of Time, which was Breath of the Wild.

Breath of the Wild marked a significant milestone for The Legend of Zelda franchise, propelling it into the realm of modern open-world games. The game took a minimalist approach to storytelling, focusing only on the essential elements and creating a sense of mystery. One of its most notable features was its progression and customization, offering players a wider range of options in how they played the game. While Breath of the Wild is highly acclaimed and renowned in the gaming industry, often drawing comparisons to Ocarina of Time in terms of innovation, some argue that it has yet to surpass it completely.

Even the latest release, Tears of the Kingdom, with its groundbreaking freedom to build and customize, along with its bold narrative choices, is ultimately unable to surpass the overall legacy of Ocarina of Time. Zelda games continue to draw inspiration from Ocarina even after all these years. It has become evident that while future Zelda games may introduce innovation and establish their own unique legacies, they will never overshadow the enduring love and admiration for Ocarina of Time as the most cherished entry in the series.