Although perhaps best known for its characters and story, The Legend of Zelda has a strong emphasis on puzzles in every game. A variety of puzzles are exceptionally difficult, leaving players frustrated and in need of a guide or walkthrough. Difficult puzzles have appeared all across the Zelda series, from Link's Awakening to Tears of the Kingdom.
The Legend of Zelda is renowned for its diverse puzzle design, ranging from straightforward to near-impenetrable. These puzzles pose significant challenges and can lead to intense frustration and dread. Despite the availability of guides, certain puzzles within the game remain notoriously difficult, trapping Link in intricate dungeons or requiring him to return later after a brief hiatus.
The Legend of Zelda is a Nintendo franchise that has become synonymous with producing great games, but which Zelda titles are the best for players seeking a true challenge?
Phantom Hourglass was a Zelda game released for the Nintendo DS, and its Temple of the Ocean King is especially frustrating. To complete the game, players must repeatedly return to the temple and explore more of it, entering a minimum of five times to complete the puzzle. The game's most difficult puzzle requires closing the DS to solve, imprinting a map from the top screen onto its bottom screen. This solution is ingenious in retrospect but frustrating in the moment due to its awkwardness.
Ocarina of Time has several puzzles that are frustrating and difficult to remember the solutions to when stepping back into the game for a new playthrough. The Green Poe Puzzle is one of several colored Poes that Link needs to defeat in the Forest Temple. Summoning this one requires speed and precision. Blocks fall from the ceiling and need to be arranged to match a nearby painting. However, one block is extra, which can lead to wasted time, as Link only has a single minute to arrange the blocks.
In the Sacred Grove of Twilight Princess, Link comes across a puzzle that resembles a chessboard, with two statues positioned on the board. Link must control both statues simultaneously and guide them to specific positions on the board. However, the statues have a peculiar behavior, as they move in opposite directions from each other. To position them correctly, Link must employ a strategy that involves controlling both statues at the same time, balancing their positions, and ensuring they move in the desired direction.Located in Washa's Bluff in Breath of the Wild, the Mijah Rokee Shrine is frustrating due to the cryptic instructions for opening it. Kass is in the area and sings a song that provides the instructions, but trying to figure out the shrine without speaking to him is almost impossible, since the instructions are highly specific and cryptic. Link must stand on the pedestal of the shrine during a Blood Moon without any armor or clothes equipped in order to enter the shrine.
Ocarina of Time's Water Temple presents a formidable challenge due to its intricate dungeon layout, which involves navigating multiple levels through swimming, akin to the Oracle of Age's Jabu Jabu's Belly. This temple's intricate design requires players to activate switches at various times to access different levels, adding complexity to the gameplay. Facing Dark Link, another formidable foe with a skill set similar to Link's, adds an extra layer of difficulty to the encounter. The temple's labyrinthine design, however, is one of the most challenging puzzles in the game, further adding to the difficulty.
Skyward Sword features eyes that act as locks for doors, preventing Link from accessing him when he looks at them. The intricate design of the locks, which rely heavily on motion controls, poses a significant challenge in overcoming these obstacles. While Link's sword plays a crucial role in disorienting the eyes, it offers no guidance or hints about what actions he should take. As a result, Link must rely on the unpredictable nature of the eyes' movements to enable him to pass through these challenging puzzles.
Zelda: Link's Awakening is a puzzle game that involves a significant amount of repetition, with players facing the same enemies and solving the same puzzles as they did in previous encounters. However, the game also offers unique puzzle solutions that diverge from traditional Zelda gameplay, requiring players to think outside the box and solve problems in innovative ways. The repetitive nature of the battles can sometimes lead to wasted time, as players may encounter the same enemies and solve the same puzzles multiple times without any significant changes.
As much fun as Zelda games can be, they often become equally frustrating, with guides being the primary source of assistance. Solving puzzles with physical guides purchased in stores could be a time-consuming endeavor, requiring patience and perseverance. However, with readily available walkthrough videos, players can overcome these challenges and explore the depths of The Legend of Zelda in a more engaging and enjoyable manner.