The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds pays homage to all The Legend of Zelda games that came before it, but introduces new gameplay options and an emphasis on exploration.

Fans of The Legend of Zelda games will instantly feel waves of nostalgia in the beginning hours of A Link Between Worlds. Interesting puzzles, secrets all throughout the game world and a new item system are some of the things that distinguish A Link Between Worlds. 

The story follows the familiar The Legend of Zelda formula with a few changes. The main character, Link, begins the game as a blacksmith’s apprentice delivering a sword. Link quickly discovers an evil stranger named Yuga who is turning people into paintings in a plan to revive a great evil and embraces his destiny to combat Yuga and the great evil.

In older The Legend of Zelda games, the player would progress through a dungeon and get a special item to help them solve puzzles inside that dungeon. These items include a boomerang, bombs and a bow with arrows. A Link Between Worlds puts aside the old system and allows the player to rent any item they would like early on in the game.

Allowing the player access to any item he wants encourages more exploration and choice. Right from the outset, two dungeons are presented to the player and the item needed for that dungeon is ready to be rented from Rovio, a new character in A Link Between Worlds.

A helpful icon at the entrance to a dungeon shows what item the player will need and a new, fast travel system, which provides transport to any save point that has been found in the world.  This allows the player to get the item they need without much hassle. 

However A Link Between Worlds has so many items hidden throughout the game map that walking back to Rovio instead of fast traveling may reveal new secrets, and the player will certainly be tempted off the beaten path. The secrets in the game map require different items to solve, and the rewards vary from rupees (the game’s currency) to extra health for your character.

Another of the major gameplay additions that A Link Between Worlds incorporates is the ability for Link to become a drawing on the wall and move through 2-dimensional space. This ability is often used to add to the creativity of puzzles. Oftentimes, a situation where there is a gap or area that seems completely inaccessible can be solved by becoming a drawing on the wall and moving across the gap. 

Each dungeon is very unique and frequently has its own set of rules that make the puzzles interesting and intuitive. The puzzles are creative but will not stump the average player for long.

The visual experience of A Link Between Worlds is pleasing and the game makes great use of the Nintendo 3DS’ 3-D screen. The world looks vibrant and uses colors well, but the game doesn’t do anything incredibly unique with its art style. With a focus on fun and interesting puzzles and exploration, the game has something to offer for both series’ veterans and new players.