A Timeless Masterpiece - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Review Octorok Reviews 2024-08-09 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokRThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the most important video game ever made. It firmly established the rules for 3D action-adventure titles and open world games alike, and has since garnered a reputation as the most critically acclaimed game of all time. But does this legendary game still stand the test of time, even a quarter century after release?Yes, yes it does.00:00 Introduction: A Ubiquitous Landscape03:16 Tutorial: Kokiri Forest08:37 Dungeon Design: Masterful Execution11:03 Dungeon 1: Inside the Great Deku Tree16:45 Combat: Z-Tier Gameplay25:31 The Overworld, Part 1: Hyrule, Lorule, We all Rule38:41 Castle Town: Princess of Destiny41:45 Death Mountain: Rock and Roll45:20 Dungeon 2: Dodongo's Cavern50:59 Zora's Domain and Lake Hylia: Zora the Explorer54:28 Dungeon 3: Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly59:53 Temple of Time: The Hero Awakens1:03:50 Second Act Twist: A Shattered World1:09:13 Story, Part 1: The Pain of Growing Up1:20:18 The Overworld, Part 2: A Light in the Darkness1:27:12 Aside: A Change in Structure1:28:49 Dungeon 4: The Forest Temple1:36:29 Dungeon 5: The Fire Temple1:45:49 Mini-Dungeon 1: Ice Cavern1:50:16 Dungeon 6: The Water Temple2:02:54 Footnote: Recording Problems2:04:04 In-Betweener: The Graveyard of Hyrule2:05:40 Mini-Dungeon 2: The Bottom of the Well2:09:11 Dungeon 7: The Shadow Temple2:19:20 Aside: Dungeon Order2:21:06 Gerudo Desert: Land of Sands and Thieves2:29:35 Gerudo's Fortress: The Bad Part of the Game2:38:57 Mini-Dungeon 3: Gerudo's Training Ground2:47:22 Haunted Wasteland and Desert Colossus: Nabooru, Sage of Spirit2:48:10 Dungeon 8: The Spirit Temple3:09:37 Third Act Twist: The Return of the Queen3:16:10 Final Dungeon: Ganon's Castle3:20:58 Penultimate Boss: Great King of Evil, Ganondorf3:32:00 Final Boss: Ganon3:40:52 Story, Part 2: A Link to the Past3:51:07 Story, Part 3: A Masterclass in Subtext4:00:36 Conclusion: The Zenith of the Zelda Series4:06:45 Epilogue: Until Next Time
A Colorful Tapestry - Pokemon Red and Blue Review Octorok Reviews 2026-09-04 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsGet 10% off your order from The Dragon's Treasure using code "OctorokReviews": thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSPokémon needs no introduction. Few titles in video game history have had more of an impact on our collective culture than this one franchise. But how do these games hold up, separate from the wider cultural phenomenon they've since inspired? Today, I seek to answer that question, analyzing this game's combat, level design, story, and all its other little intricacies in order to answer once and for all why we all remember the original Pokémon games.00:00 Introduction: A Retrospective04:35 Pallet Town: All Boys Must Leave Home Someday09:37 Battle System: To be the Very Best21:38 Route 1 & Viridian City: Starting out Green26:12 Dungeon 1: Viridian Forest28:40 Pewter City: Brock and Roll33:06 Aside: Pokémon Trading and the Link Cable40:04 Route 3: To the Moon42:07 Dungeon 2: Mt. Moon45:25 Route 4 & Cerulean City: Blink and You'll Mist it48:33 Routes 24 & 25: Nugget Bridge, and TMs59:16 Routes 5 & 6: Raising Your Pokémon up Right1:01:48 Vermillion City & the S.S. Anne: An Ill-Fated Cruise1:16:33 Diglett's Cave & Routes 9, 10 & 11: A Flash in the Darkness1:18:21 Dungeon 3: Rock Tunnel1:19:22 Lavender Town & Routes 7 & 8: A Ghastly Turn1:22:19 Celadon City: A Game of Chance1:29:00 Dungeon 4: Team Rocket Hideout1:32:32 Aside: A Change in Structure1:34:26 Story & Themes: Shonen1:37:11 Dungeon 5: Pokémon Tower1:43:52 Routes 12, 13, 14, & 15: A Sea-Side Detour1:47:43 Routes 16, 17, & 18: The Cycling Road1:48:42 Fuchsia City: A Toxic Environment1:56:31 Aside: Legendary Pokemon1:57:47 Optional Dungeon 1: Power Plant2:00:10 Routes 19 & 20: Surfing Kanto2:00:40 Optional Dungeon 2: Seafoam Islands2:03:07 Dungeon 6: Silph Co.2:09:15 Saffron City: Mind over Matter2:14:01 Route 21: There and Back Again2:15:07 Dungeon 7: Pokémon Mansion2:18:55 Cinnabar Island: Embers of the Past2:26:42 Final Gym Battle: The Greatest Trainer2:33:24 Routes 22 & 23: The Indigo League2:35:56 Dungeon 8: Victory Road2:39:22 Indigo Plateau: The Elite 42:51:07 Final Boss: The Strongest Trainer in the World2:57:38 Optional Dungeon 3: Cerulean Cave3:02:00 Conclusion: Until we Meet Again
Whats Wrong with Skittybitty? Octorok Reviews 2026-07-18 | Skittybitty is a middle-sized YouTuber who built their career off of a very popular video about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Though they started as a ZeldaTuber, they have increasingly become more focused on DramaTubing - and I was their latest target. Today, I want to document for you, the viewer, exactly the kind of harassment this individual has inflicted upon me and my community and dissect exactly what their motivations may be, and how this person could potentially harm the larger YouTube community as a whole.00:00 Introduction: Breaking the Silence02:59 Part 1: Dawn of a Blood Feud18:24 Part 2: Dawn of a Flame War28:57 Post-Edit Note: Racism, Brigading, and a Problematic Discord Server38:41 Conclusion: Dawn of a New HopeGet 10% off your order from The Dragon's Treasure using code "OctorokReviews": thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: https://x.com/OctorokR
The BotWification of Nintendo Games Octorok Reviews 2026-05-08 | For almost the last ten years, more and more Nintendo franchises have started to adopt game mechanics from Breath of the Wild, with varying degrees of success. This trend has gotten so popular that it even has a name: "Botwildifcation." But how disruptive is this trend? Is it a good thing? Or should Breath of the Wild not be used as the gold standard for all of Nintendo's future releases?Get 10% off your order from The Dragon's Treasure using code "OctorokReviews": thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokR
An Ill-Fated Journey - 1348 Ex Voto Review Octorok Reviews 2026-04-05 | Often times, a game's success is determined well before the date of its release. Thus was the case for 1348 Ex Voto, which had decidedly poisoned the well with a failed snarky social media campaign the month before its publication. But now that the dust has settled and the drama has finally faded: what can be said of 1348 Ex Voto? Is it actually a bad video game, or was it the mere victim of a blind hate campaign? Today, I seek to answer this question, analyzing its level design, story, and combat all in the pursuit of understanding exactly why 1348 Ex Voto flopped as hard as it did.00:00 Introduction: A Knight's Tale02:15 Visual Design and Graphics: A Step too Far05:25 Opening: Sappho and her Friend07:46 Combat: A Clash of Quality10:10 Chapter 1: Prelude13:26 Chapter 2: Mountains17:30 Chapter 3: Forest22:31 Chapter 4: Villa26:33 Chapter 5: Ghost Town28:25 Chapter 6: Ruins33:46 Chapter 7: Countryside35:37 Chapter 8: Siege37:09 Chapter 9: Castle41:39 Final Boss: Ex Voto43:52 Conclusion: An Ill-Fated JourneyGet 10% off your order from The Dragon's Treasure using code "OctorokReviews": thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokR
Prologue to a Legend - Final Fantasy Review Octorok Reviews 2026-03-12 | The history of the JRPG is a long and storied one, but there is perhaps no game that influenced the direction this genre would take more than the original Final Fantasy. It established many of the core principles this genre would continue to follow even into the modern era, and single-handedly launched Sqaresoft into AAA relevance. But how does the original NES game itself hold up today? That's the question I seek to answer in this review.00:00 Introduction: The Final Fantasy02:57 History and Background: The Birth of the JRPG11:26 Character Creation: The Heart of a Role-Playing Game17:50 Opening and Tutorial: Corneria, City of Dreams22:01 Combat: Fighting Fantasy30:47 Chaos Shrine: The Rogue Knight Garland35:16 Pravoka: A Pirate's Life for Me38:06 Elfheim: City Hidden in the Woods41:32 Dungeon 1: Marsh Cave45:47 Mount Duergar: An Explosive Secret48:33 Melmond: The Earth Begins to Rot49:47 Dungeon 2: Cavern of Earth55:50 Crescent Lake: The Twelve Sages58:35 Dungeon 3: Mount Gulg1:01:53 Mini-Dungeon 1: Cavern of Ice1:04:53 Overworld: A Land of Mystery and Wonder1:12:00 Onrac and Gaia: A Fairy in a Bottle1:12:56 Dungeon 4: Sunken Shrine1:16:00 Lufenia: A Civilization Forgotten by Time1:17:42 Mini-Dungeon 2: Waterfall Cavern1:19:11 Dungeon 5: Mirage Tower (and the Flying Fortress)1:24:26 End-Game: A Battle Across Time1:26:32 Final Dungeon: The Chaos Shrine1:33:25 Story and Worldbuilding: Dissecting the Final Fantasy1:40:19 Conclusion: The Father of Japanese Role-Playing GamesGet 10% off your order from the Dragon's Treasure using code "OctorokReviews": thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokR
Selectable Difficulties in Video Games Octorok Reviews 2026-02-20 | Difficulty balancing is one of the most imperative aspects in creating any decent video game. Too easy, and players won't feel any sense of growth or accomplishment as they progress through the game; too hard, and they won't be able to progress at all. A common remedy to this conundrum has been to simply allow players to select their own difficulty setting. It's a simple solution... but is it the right one? Today, I plan to explore the topic of selectable difficulty settings, their positives and negatives, and how they impact some of our favorite games.Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokRGet 10% off any order from The Dragon's Treasure: thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWS
This Video is an Ad for Tea Octorok Reviews 2026-02-15 | An ad for tea. And some soaps, too. Thumbnail art by Veru: https://x.com/veru_moe (18+ profile)The Dragon's Treasure: thedragonstreasure.com/OCTOROKREVIEWSAffiliate Code: OCTOROKREVIEWS
A Small Detour - The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Review Octorok Reviews 2026-01-28 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokRThough it may not receive the same sort of illustrious attention demanded by its mainline cousins, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap remains a widely popular entry in the Zelda series. From its immaculate pixel art to its beautiful soundtrack, there are many wonderful elements to this game that keeps it popular within the hearts of so many Zelda fans. But does this game really warrant such a dedicated cult fandom? Is The Minish Cap truly a special title in the Zelda series? Or is it just another entry in a long list of middling action-adventure games? This is the question I seek to answer in this video.00:00 Introduction: A Small Detour02:37 Opening: So We're Ripping off Chrono Trigger Now, huh?09:52 The Minish Woods: Help Comes in Small Packages14:38 Dungeon 1: Deepwood Shrine24:09 Overworld: A Fusion of the Bad and the Ugly50:27 Mount Crenal: An Explosive Climb53:05 Dungeon 2: Cave of Flames1:01:34 Story, Part 1: The Sorcerer's Apprentice1:09:05 Castor Wilds and Wind Ruins: Run Like the Wind1:14:53 Dungeon 3: Fortress of Winds1:20:15 Lake Hylia and the Library: The Quest for Flippers1:29:25 Dungeon 4: Temple of Droplets1:36:57 Royal Valley: Where Dead Kings Lie1:41:17 Mini-Dungeon: Royal Crypt1:43:07 Veil Falls and the Cloud Tops: Taking Wing1:46:26 Dungeon 5: Palace of Winds1:55:40 Final Dungeon: Dark Hyrule Castle2:03:37 Final Boss: Vaati2:08:09 Story, Part 2: Serviceable, but not Complimentary2:15:51 Conclusion: Capping off this Adventure
In Defense of the Gerudo Octorok Reviews 2025-11-22 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokREver get tired of seeing oversensitive Twitter users ruining your favorite fandoms? I sure do. That's why I made this video.00:00 Introduction: The "Orientalist" Accusation05:37 Background, Part 1: Who are the Gerudo?09:24 Background, Part 2: What is Orientalism?13:35 Argument, Part 1: Why the Gerudo are Distinct20:23 Argument, Part 2: Great Gerudo Characters26:04 Conclusion: A Beautiful Tapestry
Herald of a New Era - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Review Octorok Reviews 2025-08-16 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokRThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has a complex legacy attached to it. Many will clamor to its defense, claiming it is one of the greatest games of all time - yet just as many others would say the exact opposite, claiming that this title alone began a downward spiral for the Zelda series. Are either of these extremes' valid? Or does the truth lie somewhere in the middle? Regardless, one fact remains: The Wind Waker was a monumental pivoting point for the Zelda series, and as such: it deserves to be analyzed in great and meticulous detail.00:00 Introduction: A Divisive Sequel02:39 Opening Text Crawl: A World Without a Hero04:42 Opening and Tutorial: Outset Island15:55 Aside: Platforming19:44 Forsaken Fortress, Part 1: A Rocky Start27:29 Windfall Island, Part 1: The King of Red Lions29:15 Overworld, Part 1: Sailing and Progression Gates37:53 Dragon Roost Island: A Fowl Questline44:04 Dungeon 1: Dragon Roost Cavern56:12 Forest Haven: A Leaf of Faith1:05:42 Dungeon 2: Forbidden Woods1:15:11 Jabun's Quest: A Fractured Mess1:30:02 Art and Animation: Skin-Deep Beauty1:53:30 Dungeon 3: Tower of the Gods2:06:47 Hyrule Castle: A Kingdom Beneath the Waves2:14:43 Combat: L-Tier Combat2:33:35 Forsaken Fortress, Part 2: A Crumbling Middle2:42:03 Story, Part 1: A Divinely Stupid Plan3:01:15 Aside: Third-Act Structure3:04:32 Sage Quest, Part 1: Medli, Sage of Earth3:09:46 Dungeon 4: Earth Temple3:28:03 Sage Quest, Part 2: Makar, Sage of Wind3:32:06 Dungeon 5: Wind Temple3:46:20 Overworld, Part 2: Exploring the Great Sea (finally)4:12:53 Windfall Island, Part 2: An Enigmatic Island4:29:54 Aside: The Triforce Charts4:31:33 Final Dungeon: Ganon's Tower4:35:45 Penultimate Boss: Puppet Ganon4:37:35 Final Confrontation: Those Bound by Fate4:48:02 Final Boss: Ganondorf4:53:49 Story, Part 2: The Destruction of the Hyrule Fantasy5:03:05 Sequel Dissonance: How to Betray a Fandom5:13:33 Conclusion: Herald of a New Era5:23:05 Epilogue: To Fairer Shores
An Unlikely Pairing - The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages & Seasons Review Octorok Reviews 2025-03-19 | Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: https://x.com/OctorokRThe Oracle Games were one of the Zelda series' strangest experiments. Not enough was it for Nintendo to sign away one of its most beloved franchises to a third-party studio, they also decided to experiment with a never-again seen linking feature, which essentially turned two separate Zelda games into one larger adventure. Despite its bold origin, however, the Oracle Duology has mostly failed to leave any sort of lasting legacy on the Zelda series as a whole. Do these games deserve to be so forgotten? Or is there perhaps more to them than first meets the eye? Today, I seek to answer that question.00:00 Introduction: Two Games, One Review05:09 Opening and Tutorial (OoS): Accept Our Quest, Hero!08:07 Dungeon 1 (OoS): Gnarled Root Dungeon13:23 Overworld (OoS): The Land of Holodrum23:36 Dungeon 1 and 2 In-Betweener (OoS): The Staff of Seasons26:00 Dungeon 2 (OoS): Snake's Remains29:59 Aside: Animal Companions32:44 Dungeon 2 and 3 In-Betweener (OoS): Celebrity Relationships35:28 Dungeon 3 (OoS): Poison Moth's Lair38:45 Dungeon 3 and 4 In-Betweener (OoS): Sunken City40:41 Dungeon 4 (OoS): Dancing Dragon Dungeon43:53 Dungeon 4 and 5 In-Betweener (OoS): The Power of Autumn44:49 Dungeon 5 (OoS): Unicorn Cave49:01 Dungeon 5 and 6 In-Betweener (OoS): Tarm Ruins50:53 Dungeon 6 (OoS): Ancient Ruins55:34 Dungeon 6 and 7 In-Betweener (OoS): A Pirate's Undeath for Me56:38 Dungeon 7 (OoS): Explorer's Crypt59:28 Dungeon 7 and 8 In-Betweener (OoS): The Road to Hell1:00:30 Dungeon 8 (OoS): Sword and Shield Maze1:04:42 Final Boss (OoS): General Onox1:08:21 Conclusion, Part 1: Oracle of Nothing1:12:45 Linked Game Features: A Link Between Game Boys1:15:21 Opening and Tutorial (OoA): Link is an Idiot1:19:46 Dungeon 1 (OoA): Spirit's Grave1:22:54 Dungeon 1 and 2 In-Betweener (OoA): Forest of BS (The Legend of Zelda)1:27:31 Dungeon 2 (OoA): Wing Dungeon1:31:46 Overworld (OoA): The Land of Labrynna1:37:13 Dungeon 2 and 3 In-Betweener (OoA): Tokey Shenanigans1:40:38 Dungeon 3 (OoA): Moonlit Grotto1:45:26 Aside: Princess Zelda1:46:55 Dungeon 3 and 4 In-Betweener (OoA): Symmetry City1:50:41 Dungeon 4 (OoA): Skull Dungeon1:54:42 Dungeon 4 and 5 In-Betweener (OoA): Time Paradoxes Galore1:57:57 Dungeon 5 (OoA): Crown Dungeon2:01:22 Dungeon 5 and 6 In-Betweener (OoA): A Mountain of Mini-Games2:03:13 Dungeon 6 (OoA): Mermaid's Cave2:07:54 Aside: Saving Nayru2:10:51 Dungeon 6 and 7 In-Betweener (OoA): Somewhere, Beyond the Sea2:12:19 Dungeon 7 (OoA): Jabu-Jabu's Belly2:16:04 Dungeon 7 and 8 In-Betweener (OoA): The Short One (Thank God)2:17:09 Dungeon 8 (OoA): Ancient Tomb2:21:17 Final Boss (OoA): Sorceress Veran2:23:58 Final, Final Boss: Twinrova and Ganon2:27:07 Story: Plot Holes, Plot Holes Everywhere2:31:10 Conclusion, Part 2: Twin Failures
A Tragic Masterpiece - The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask Review Octorok Reviews 2025-01-15 | Thank you to Southern New Hampshire University for sponsoring this video. Go to https://snhu.edu/octorok and learn how to apply to SNHU today.Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: https://x.com/OctorokRHow does one follow up the greatest game of all time? That is the question Eiji Aonuma and the team at Nintendo were faced with in 1999, and the result was one of the greatest departures ever seen in the Legend of Zelda series. Majora's Mask isn't a typical Legend of Zelda game; indeed, excepting the second entry in the series, it is by far the most unique game in the entire franchise - a black sheep as it were. Yet despite all its quirks, Majora's Mask is often heralded as one of the greatest entries in the entire Legend of Zelda series. Does this game deserve such an illustrious reputation? That is the question I seek to answer this day.00:00 Introduction: A Looming Omen04:35 History and Context: To Follow up a Masterpiece08:32 Opening and Tutorial: Beyond Journey's End14:44 Clock Town, Part 1: The First Cycle23:47 The Three-Day Cycle: A Mechanic Lost to Time32:57 The Overworld: A Land in Turmoil52:22 The Four Worlds: Linear Map Design Done Well53:51 Southern Swamp: Monkey See, Monkey Do59:52 Dungeon 1: Woodfall Temple1:06:36 Story, Part 1: A Hero Cursed by Time1:12:55 Snowhead: Easing a Hero's Regrets1:19:02 Dungeon 2: Snowhead Temple1:26:04 Characters and Side Quests, Part 1: Side Content Galore1:48:52 Great Bay: A Rockin' Set of Swimming Controls2:03:01 Dungeon 3: Great Bay Temple2:13:02 Ikana Canyon: Valley of Death2:22:40 Mini-Dungeon(s) 1: Beneath the Well and Ikana Castle2:37:10 Stone Tower: An Absolute Slog2:39:11 Dungeon 4: Stone Tower Temple2:48:01 Clock Town, Part 2: A City at the End of Time3:00:12 Characters and Side Quests, Part 2: The Heart of the Game3:23:31 Story, Part 2: Final Hours3:28:37 Final Confrontation: Inside the Moon3:36:57 Aside: The Fierce Deity Mask3:38:40 Final Boss: Majora's Mask3:47:23 Story, Part 3: Unraveling the Lore of Termina4:08:36 Conclusion: A Tragic MasterpieceMagibauble's Video: youtube.com/watch?v=XiejXrjMObMThe Creepy & the Cozy's Video: youtube.com/watch?v=lX_eSg6NWu4&t=4s
Echoes of a Better Zelda Game - A Short Critique Octorok Reviews 2024-10-07 | At least it was better than Tears of the Kingdom.Patreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsTwitter: twitter.com/OctorokR00:00 Introduction: Low Expectations02:10 World Design: A Link to the Past05:43 Combat: A Damsel in Distress12:08 Music and Atmosphere: A Return to Form18:56 Dungeon Design: Getting Back on Track26:34 Conclusion: A Ray of Hope
No Game No Life is Worse than You Remember Octorok Reviews 2024-05-18 | I'm never watching this show again.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: An Olive Branch02:05 First Ten Minutes: Starting off on the Wrong Foot09:56 Premise and Worldbuilding: A World of Games22:31 Stephanie Dola: the Good Character31:20 Sora: the Worst Isekai Protagonist41:20 Comedy: Can You Even Call it that?44:26 First Game: Rock-Paper-Scissors47:20 Second Game: Fantasy Chess51:23 Third Game: Shiritori53:46 Fourth Game:: Love or Loved 257:12 Conclusion: Back to Zero1:01:33 Epilogue: No Game No Life Zero
Sousou no Frieren - A Modern Classic Octorok Reviews 2024-04-13 | It is not often that a newly airing anime manages to hold my attention these days, but Sousou no Frieren is truly something special. In an endless sea of derivative garbage, Frieren manages to stand out from amongst its peers with an iron fist. If you haven't watched this show yet, then please: do so at your earliest convenience. If you have watched it, then hopefully this video will help you understand what exactly it is about this show that makes it so special.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: A Diamond in the Rough03:02 Premise and Characters: A Truly Standout Cast11:29 Plot and Themes: A Modern Tolkien Fantasy21:10 Presentation: Every Frame a Painting27:38 Conclusion: A Classic in the MakingPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviewsGuitar Cover of Zoltraak: youtube.com/watch?v=Is-U7XqLv6Q
A Case for Optimism - Chrono Trigger Review Octorok Reviews 2024-01-23 | Chrono Trigger is one of those legendary games you're simply expected to play if you consider yourself a real gamer. Its legacy precedes any introduction I could possibly give it - but that certainly won't stop me from trying. Today, we're going to see if this game, the supposed "pinnacle" of Japanese RPGs, truly does live up to its illustrious legacy.00:00 Opening: Reflections00:36 Introduction: A Timeless Classic03:44 Development: The Dream Team07:42 The Beginning: A Call to Adventure11:43 Battle System: Techs Galore16:42 Ludonarrative: Bonds which Cross Time22:08 Dungeon Design: Simple, but Effective28:05 Storytelling and Themes: A Cure for Nihilism35:43 Mid-Game: Battle with the Demon King37:54 Shortcomings: 65,000,000 BC and Ayla44:08 Third-Act Twist: Crono Trigger51:22 Shortcomings: Dalton54:34 Side Quests, Part 1: The Time Egg58:40 Side Quests, Part 2: Everyone Else's1:05:02 End Game: The Black Omen, and Lavos1:08:43 The Ending(s): Changing the Future1:10:59 Conclusion: A Case for Optimism
A Critique of Final Fantasy VII, Part 1 - Midgar, City of Mako Octorok Reviews 2024-01-04 | Final Fantasy VII is one of the most important games ever made. It single handedly popularized the RPG genre in the West, and was a landmark title in pushing graphics and storytelling in video games. But does it still hold up today, even when compared to the many games it directly or indirectly inspired? The short answer is: yes. The long answer? Well, that's going to take about seven hours and another three parts to answer. For today, let us simply start our critique by analyzing the first act of the game: the Midgar section.00:00 Introduction: Three Years in the Making03:28 Background: The Birth of a Legend14:57 Midgar, Part 1: The Bombing Mission20:31 Combat and Materia: Active-Time Battles31:05 Art Design: A Timeless Masterpiece39:41 Midgar, Part 2: Tifa44:49 Midgar, Part 3: Aeris50:45 Aside: Sector 654:21 Midgar, Part 4: The End of AVALANCHE1:05:12 Dungeon 1: The Shinra Building1:22:56 The Overworld: The Planet is your Oyster1:30:12 End of Part 1: Thanks for Watching!
How Tears of the Kingdom Fixed Zeldas Character Octorok Reviews 2023-06-12 | I played Tears of the Kingdom. It was a... mixed experience. But Zelda was pretty cool, I guess.
Boundless Skies, Endless Possibilities - Super Mario 64 Review Octorok Reviews 2023-04-11 | What is there to be said about this game which has not been said already? A lot, apparently. Super Mario 64 is a game whose reputation precedes it - it was the first Mario game to go 3D, and a pioneer for the video game industry as a whole. But how exactly does it hold up today, when put under close examination and careful scrutiny? Today, we're going to analyze this game in excruciating detail and find out just what makes Super Mario 64 the legendary game that it is.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: A Monumental Legacy04:11 History and Context: To Make a Game That No One Has Made Before09:00 Movement and Controls: Endless Possibilities14:09 Tutorial: Outside Peach's Castle16:38 Aside: The Camera21:29 Beginning: Inside Peach's Castle25:04 Course 1: Bob-omb Battlefield32:30 Aside: Boss Fights35:10 Aside: Stars39:04 Course 2: Whomp's Fortress44:12 Course 3: Jolly Roger Bay50:06 Course 4: Cool, Cool Mountain56:09 Bowser Stage 1: Bowser in the Dark World59:22 Course 5: Big Boo's Haunt1:03:59 Course 6: Hazy Maze Cave1:06:56 Course 7: Lethal Lava Land1:11:39 Course 8: Shifting Sand Land1:18:07 Bowser Stage 2: Bowser in the Fire Sea1:21:52 Course 9: Dire, Dire Docks1:24:25 Course 10: Snowman's Land1:30:19 Course 11: Wet-Dry World1:35:40 Course 12: Tall, Tall Mountain1:39:48 Course 13: Tiny-Huge Island1:45:32 Course 14: Tick-Tock Clock1:52:11 Course 15: Rainbow Ride1:58:54 Bowser Stage 3: Bowser in the Sky2:01:09 Aside: Collecting 120 Stars (and Yoshi)2:03:25 Conclusion: Boundless Skies, Endless Possibilities
Was Links Awakening DX a Bad Remake? Octorok Reviews 2022-09-10 | In 1998, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening got a remake on the Gameboy Color, which, as the name of the console might imply, brought color to the previously monochromatic Gameboy original. But it made other changes as well - changes that I do not often see discussed, and which personally bothered me upon replaying the two versions of the game one after the other. Today, I want to discuss the problems with the Director's Cut, and answer a simple question: does it fail as a remake of the original title?Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Polishing Perfection01:03 Background: A Dream Come True03:14 Part 1: Owl Statues06:20 Part 2: Difficulty Balancing09:53 Part 3: The Color Dungeon14:14 Part 4: Unskippable Dialogue16:33 Conclusion: A Marred Masterpiece
A Dream Come True - The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening Review Octorok Reviews 2022-08-30 | In many ways, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening is a game of firsts. It was the first Zelda game made for a handheld console, the first to be set outside of Hyrule, and the first to introduce several later staples to the series, such as unique dungeon themes and Trading Sequences. But more than a mere game of firsts, Link's Awakening is also perhaps one of the most especially beloved entries in the entire Zelda series. Does it deserve such an illustrious reputation? In today's Review, I shall analyze this game in excruciating detail to answer that very question.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: a Dream Made True04:39 Aside: Zelda Stories, and a Change in Format05:50 Opening: The Sword Search08:21 The Overworld: a Blend of Linear Design and Open Exploration20:43 Story, Part 1: The Strange Island of Koholint24:34 Pre-Dungeon 1: The Forest of Mystery25:46 Dungeon 1: Tail Cave34:39 Dungeon 1 and 2 In-Betweener: a High Stakes Rescue36:38 Dungeon 2: Bottle Grotto39:40 Aside: Trade Sequences42:06 Dungeon 2 and 3 In-Betweener: Monkey Business44:45 Dungeon 3: Key Cavern50:55 Change in the Formula: Branching Out Like a Fan55:03 Story, Part 2: The Illusion Begins to Crack1:00:17 Dungeon 4: Angler’s Tunnel1:04:16 Dungeon 4 and 5 In-Betweener: Spooky Scary Side Quests1:05:52 Dungeon 5: Catfish’s Maw1:12:38 Dungeon 6: Face Shrine1:18:15 Dungeon 6 and 7 In-Betweener: When Roosters Fly1:20:27 Dungeon 7: Eagle’s Tower1:24:34 Dungeon 7 and 8 In-Betweener: Marin’s Rescue1:27:23 Dungeon 8: Turtle Rock1:34:37 Final Boss Fight, and the Ending: Link’s Nightmare1:43:34 Aside: The Story’s Impact1:44:26 Story, Part 4: Link’s Awakening1:50:30 Conclusion: The Zenith of 2D-Zelda
Attack on Titan ep. 85 & 86 - an Analytical Rage Octorok Reviews 2022-05-14 | You ever get so mad at an episode from a show you're watching that you decide to make an hour and a half long video detailing why it's terrible? Well I did, and this is the result.Chapters:00:00 Cold Open00:38 Introduction03:44 Part 1: Episode 8526:57 Part 1.5: The Cringevengers45:22 Part 1.9: Isayama Doesn't Understand Geography51:54 Part 2: Episode 861:21:44 Part 2.5: The God Paradox1:29:09 Conclusion: Becoming a MonsterPatreon: patreon.com/OctorokReviews
A Precursor to Greatness - The Legend of Zelda: a Link to the Past Review Octorok Reviews 2022-02-11 | Not many games can boast a legacy anywhere near as legendary as A Link to the Past can, and for good reason. Without it, the Zelda series, and perhaps the game industry as a whole, would be very different, as it was the first game in the series to establish the "Zelda formula," a term used to refer to the similar gameplay and story structures seen throughout the Zelda series and beyond. In spite of this fact, I wish only to judge this game based on its own merits, just as I do with all games in the Zelda series and beyond. Will it hold up? Or will I piss off a sizable portion of my subscriber base by saying mean things about it? Better grab some popcorn, because it's going to be a long video, baby.Miyamoto Interview Source: shmuplations.com/zeldalttpChapters:00:00 Introduction: A Natural Step Up02:31 The Tutorial: Assault on Hyrule Castle09:00 The Overworld, Part 1: a Brave New Hyrule to Explore15:27 Aside: Introductory Dungeons16:28 Introductory Dungeon 1: Thesis18:25 Aside: Dungeon Bosses20:11 Introductory Dungeon 2: Antithesis22:02 Introductory Dungeon 3: Synthesis25:26 Intermission: A Shift in Tone26:45 Story and Characters: The First, and Probably the Worst34:55 The Overworld, Part 2: Progression Gates38:06 Dungeon 1: a Rough Start41:51 Dungeon 2: Swamped with Poor Design Choices45:11 Dungeon 3: This Dungeon is Pretty Fire (Get it?)48:36 Dungeon 4: Robbed Blind of any Good Game Design53:06 Dungeon 5: a Pretty Ice Dungeon (Sorry)1:03:40 Aside: Either and Quake Spells1:05:17 Dungeon 6: Miserable Dungeon Design1:12:28 Dungeon 7: Rock Solid Game Design1:20:49 Final Dungeon: A Towering Achievement1:29:01 Final Boss: The Prince of Darkness1:32:10 Aside: Zelda Staff Roles1:33:09 Conclusion: Good, but Not Quite Great
Midna Finally Wins Octorok Reviews 2022-02-02 | 16 Years I've waited. It was worth every second. Now if only Nintendo would put out a version of the game that added this detail into the story...
Game and Watch: The Legend of Zelda - Product Review Octorok Reviews 2021-11-17 | Christmas is around the corner, and you know what that means? Yep, time to buy more Nintendo products. Is the new Game and Watch from Nintendo worth your money? Does anyone care what I think about it? Probably not, but I bought it anyway, so here's my thoughts on it.
Attack on Titans Drop in Quality - Art and Animation Octorok Reviews 2021-08-10 | I work best when I talk about a topic that I'm passionate about, and I certainly have a lot of passion about Attack on Titan, most of which is negative once we go beyond season 1. Today, I'll be explaining one of my problems with the series in depth, and debunking many of the common arguments in favor of this element that I have seen over the years. That element, is the art style change in seasons 3 and 4 of Attack on Titan.Also, for my subscribers, I am working on the Link to the Past review, I just got a little sidetracked due to a certain YouTube comment that triggered me into making this video. It will come, and it will be long, so I appreciate your patience in waiting for that. I really do appreciate each and every one of you for sticking with this channel, even as I have experimented with other topics, and I want that video to be as good as it can possibly be.Chapters:00:00 Background: The Comment that Broke Me02:05 Color Palette: from Vibrant to Drab09:33 Character Designs: Worse in Every Way11:54 3D Animation: Attack of the Bad CG14:24 Conclusion: A Tragic Loss of Quality
Things I Hate About Attack on Titan Octorok Reviews 2021-05-16 | I first saw Attack on Titan 8 years ago, when I was in high school at the time. Back in those days, I thought anime was nothing but pornography and muscular dudes fighting other muscular dudes made exclusively for antisocial nerds, which is true, but what I didn't know at the time was how good anime could be. Attack on Titan's first season, which completely shocked the world with its disproportionate popularity, showed me otherwise; it mesmerized me, and is the reason why I got into anime. Much time has passed since then; I'm older, wiser, and acutely aware just how rare good storytelling and other such media is in this world, particularly in the anime industry; it's part of the reason I started this channel, because I wanted to better understand why most stuff out there sucks, and why some of it is good.Attack on Titan was good. And then, it wasn't. That consensus has already been reached by manga readers, and will reach the general anime-viewing public one day when the final season airs. But when was it no longer good? Well, this video doesn't explore that at all; in fact, it isn't an intellectual review or breakdown of Attack on Titan like you might expect of my channel's normal content. It does, however, highlight ten major issues (of varying severity) that I have with Attack on Titan in a comedic way set to a kickass soundtrack; take this as your spoiler alert if you care about that sort of thing, but then again, you clicked on a video titled "Things I Hate About Attack on Titan," so you probably expected that anyway.Like always, I encourage comments that challenge claims I make in the video in order to facilitate further discussion, and will be more than happy to respond to any and all comments (I really do mean that, your comments mean the world to me). I understand there is less to work with here, but if you like one of the elements of Attack on Titan that I listed as one that I hate, then comment on that and explain why you think it's good, and I'll respond as always (God forbid anyone defends points number 1 or 10 though, because they both give me aneurysms just thinking about).As a final note, I'll say that I don't hate Attack on Titan. Well, I do, but in a way that only a former true love can make you hate, like with an ex wife or a disappointing son. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and the first season is still a legitimately special anime; I've watched hundreds of shows since that fateful day 8 years ago, so I know what I'm talking about when I make a claim like that; it is a special anime. But Attack on Titan is more than its first season, so... yeah I fucking hate Attack on Titan.
The Black Sheep of Zelda - Zelda II: the Adventure of Link Review Octorok Reviews 2021-04-14 | Following the financial and critical success of the Legend of Zelda, a sequel was inevitable. Instead we got... this. Today, I'll be tackling the supposed "Black Sheep of Zelda." Is it secretly good? Is it just misunderstood? Will Octo be able to finish it without destroying his NES? All of these questions, and more you didn't ask for, will be answered in this video.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: The Beginnings of a Sequel03:51 Gameplay: The Onset of Link's Adventure08:07 Palace 1: A Microcosm of all that is Wrong with Zelda II12:17 Aside: Zelda II vs. Ninja Gaiden18:18 Palace 1 and 2 in-betweener: an Artificial Game Lengthener19:13 Palace 2: Key Mistakes23:31 Palace 2 and 3 in-betweener: Death Mountain25:35 Palace 3: Eh27:46 Palace 4: a Mistake to Reflect on29:50 Palace 5: Illusionary Quality30:52 Palace 6: Not so Bad, Actually33:55 Valley of Death: Miyamoto's Hell35:22 Great Palace: Not so Great Level Design38:08 Conclusion: Do Not Play this Game
Zelda II and BOTW Take Place in the Same Hyrule - a Breath of the Wild Map Theory Octorok Reviews 2021-04-07 | This was an accidental discovery I made while researching for my upcoming Zelda II review. I apologize if you don't care for Zelda timeline theories (I usually don't either), but I think it's at least interesting to look at this from a developer's perspective, since someone had to approve this.
A Journeys Beginning - The Legend of Zelda (NES) Review Octorok Reviews 2021-03-15 | From its origins on the Famicom Disk System, to the modern break-out hit on the Switch, The Legend of Zelda is a staple series for Nintendo. Does the original title on the NES still hold up? Absolutely.Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Background: the Current State of Zelda06:05 History and Context: How Zelda was Different10:22 Hands-off Game Design: The Journey's Beginning12:15 Gameplay: Exploration and Discovery14:37 Aside: the Importance of Dungeon Design15:46 Level 1: Starting off Right23:34 Levels 2-4: A Couple of Bomb-Ass Levels25:34 Levels 5 and 6: Proper Difficulty Spikes34:37 Level 7: Does Anyone Remember this One?37:30 Level 8: Back on the Right Track39:06 The Endgame: Duel with the Prince of Darkness42:12 Level 9: Death Mountain44:53 Aside: Second Quest46:32 Conclusion: the Beginning of Something Wonderful
