The Legend of Zelda series is renowned for its masterful dungeon design, where puzzles, combat, and exploration blend seamlessly to create some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Over the years, certain dungeons have stood out, not just for their creativity and challenge, but for the way they have influenced the design of future games, both within the Zelda franchise and beyond. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 Zelda dungeons that changed the way we play, examining their impact on game design and why they remain fan favorites.
1. The Water Temple – Ocarina of Time (1998)
Few dungeons in the Zelda series are as infamous as the Water Temple from Ocarina of Time. Its reputation precedes it, often cited as one of the most challenging and complex dungeons in the series. But beyond its difficulty, the Water Temple is a masterclass in environmental puzzle design, influencing how developers approach multi-layered, interconnected spaces in games.
Why It’s Iconic:
The Water Temple’s primary mechanic involves raising and lowering the water level within the dungeon, which in turn opens or closes pathways and alters the environment. This mechanic requires players to think spatially, considering how changes in one part of the dungeon affect other areas. The use of the Iron Boots to sink to the bottom of the water adds another layer of complexity, making navigation both a physical and mental challenge.
Impact on Game Design:
The Water Temple’s intricate design and the way it forces players to think about the dungeon as a cohesive, interconnected space have influenced countless other games. The idea of altering the environment to solve puzzles has become a staple in the Zelda series and beyond, inspiring similar mechanics in games like Tomb Raider and Uncharted. While it may have frustrated players at the time, the Water Temple’s design has left a lasting legacy in the world of game design.
2. Stone Tower Temple – Majora’s Mask (2000)
Majora’s Mask is known for its darker tone and innovative gameplay mechanics, and the Stone Tower Temple is the pinnacle of its dungeon design. This temple is unique not just in its complexity but in its thematic and mechanical depth, offering one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences in the series.
Why It’s Iconic:
The Stone Tower Temple introduces the mechanic of flipping the entire dungeon upside down, dramatically altering the environment and the player’s perspective. This flipping mechanic requires players to rethink their approach to the dungeon, as paths that were once accessible become blocked, and new routes open up. The dungeon also makes use of all the transformation masks that Link acquires throughout the game, ensuring that players must master each form to progress.
Impact on Game Design:
The Stone Tower Temple’s flipping mechanic and its emphasis on perspective have influenced other games that play with similar concepts. The idea of changing the environment’s orientation to solve puzzles can be seen in games like Fez and Portal 2, where perspective shifts are key to progression. The Stone Tower Temple pushed the boundaries of what a Zelda dungeon could be, blending thematic elements with innovative mechanics to create a truly unforgettable experience.
3. Forest Temple – Ocarina of Time (1998)
The Forest Temple in Ocarina of Time is often regarded as one of the most atmospheric and well-designed dungeons in the series. It marked a significant step forward in the way Zelda games incorporated storytelling, atmosphere, and environmental design into dungeon gameplay, setting a new standard for the series.
Why It’s Iconic:
The Forest Temple is a hauntingly beautiful dungeon, set in a decaying mansion overrun by nature. The dungeon’s puzzles are deeply intertwined with its environment, using elements like twisted corridors, floating platforms, and ghostly Poe Sisters to create a sense of unease and mystery. The dungeon’s music, a haunting melody that perfectly complements the eerie atmosphere, adds to the sense of isolation and suspense.
Impact on Game Design:
The Forest Temple’s focus on atmosphere and environmental storytelling has had a profound impact on the design of future Zelda dungeons and other games. It demonstrated how a dungeon could be more than just a series of puzzles and enemies; it could also tell a story and evoke strong emotions in the player. Games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne have taken inspiration from this approach, creating dungeons and environments that are as much about atmosphere and story as they are about challenge.
4. Hyrule Castle – Breath of the Wild (2017)
Breath of the Wild brought a new approach to dungeon design with its open-world exploration and nonlinear gameplay, and nowhere is this more evident than in Hyrule Castle. This final dungeon challenges traditional notions of what a Zelda dungeon can be, offering a freeform experience that perfectly encapsulates the game’s philosophy.
Why It’s Iconic:
Hyrule Castle in Breath of the Wild is not a traditional dungeon in the sense of being a self-contained series of rooms with puzzles and enemies. Instead, it is a sprawling, open environment that players can approach from any direction, with multiple paths leading to the final showdown with Calamity Ganon. The castle is filled with powerful enemies, hidden treasures, and environmental storytelling, all of which combine to create a sense of epic scale and significance. The player’s freedom to choose how they approach the castle, whether sneaking in from the back, storming the front gates, or gliding in from above, is a reflection of the game’s overall emphasis on player agency.
Impact on Game Design:
Hyrule Castle’s open-ended design has influenced the way developers think about final dungeons and climactic encounters in open-world games. The idea of giving players the freedom to approach the final challenge in multiple ways, rather than following a linear path, has been embraced by other open-world games, such as The Witcher 3 and Horizon Zero Dawn. Hyrule Castle redefined what a Zelda dungeon could be, demonstrating that even the final challenge can be approached with creativity and freedom.
5. The Sandship – Skyward Sword (2011)
Skyward Sword is known for its creative dungeon design, and the Sandship stands out as one of the most innovative and memorable dungeons in the game. This dungeon combines time manipulation with environmental puzzles in a way that challenges players to think outside the box.
Why It’s Iconic:
The Sandship is a sunken pirate ship buried in the desert, and the dungeon’s primary mechanic involves the use of the Timeshift Stones, which alter the ship’s state between past and present. Activating these stones brings the ship back to life, turning it from a dilapidated wreck into a fully operational vessel. This mechanic is used to great effect throughout the dungeon, as players must navigate the ship in both its ruined and restored states to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The contrast between the ship’s past and present, combined with the clever use of the Timeshift Stones, makes the Sandship a standout dungeon in the series.
Impact on Game Design:
The Sandship’s innovative use of time manipulation has inspired other games to experiment with similar mechanics. Games like Titanfall 2 and The Medium have used time-shifting mechanics in their level design, allowing players to interact with environments in different time periods to solve puzzles and progress. The Sandship demonstrated the potential for time-based mechanics to create unique and engaging gameplay experiences, leaving a lasting impact on game design.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Zelda’s Dungeon Design
The Legend of Zelda series has consistently pushed the boundaries of dungeon design, creating memorable and innovative experiences that challenge players in new ways. The dungeons on this list—whether through environmental puzzles, time manipulation, or open-ended exploration—have changed the way we think about and play Zelda games, as well as influenced the design of countless other titles.
As the Zelda series continues to evolve, we can expect more groundbreaking dungeons that build on the legacy of those that came before. These dungeons not only test our skills and wits but also immerse us in the rich worlds of Hyrule, leaving us with unforgettable gaming experiences.