Link rides away on his steed Epona after fulfilling Princess Zelda’s request and saving Hyrule from imminent danger. Skull Kid, an imp with a mystery mask aided by the fairies Tael and Tatl, ambushes him in the Lost Woods. Skull Kid transforms Link into a little plant-like creature called Deku Scrub and steals his horse and magical ocarina. Tatl soon joins Link and promises to assist him in reverting to his natural form. A chance encounter with a wandering mask vendor reveals that the Skull Kid is wearing Majora’s Mask, an ancient artifact used in hexing ceremonies that summons a terrifying moon over Termina. A link has three days to figure out how to prevent this from happening.
Majora’s Mask follows from Ocarina of Time, using the same engine, aesthetic style, and a nearly comparable UI. The game retains traditional Zelda elements (dungeon exploration, sword fighting, bows, bombs, heart containers, and so on) as well as those introduced in its immediate predecessors, such as active blocking with a shield, various throwing items, and the use of ocarina melodies to solve puzzles. Compared to earlier Zelda games, this installment focuses more on interaction with NPCs and offers a broader range of items, alternative quests, and mini-games.
This entry’s time system is also unusual. The game has an internal clock, with one hour roughly equaling one real-world minute. If the player does not complete all of the objectives within three in-game days, the moon falls on Termina, annihilating everyone and bringing the game to a close. However, by performing a tune on the ocarina, the player can return to the first day at any moment, keeping all quest-related progress and inventory but losing other stuff, such as ammunition or money (unless kept in a bank). It is also feasible to acquire songs that drastically slow the passage of time or rapidly advance the clock to the next day. Some events occur exclusively at specific times; several characters maintain their schedules over three days. When located, owl statues sprinkled throughout the countryside function as quick-save sites and teleporters between areas.
Mask collection and use are essential aspects of the game. The majority of the twenty-four masks discovered in the game are optional and help complete side missions or increase Link’s powers, like allowing him to run faster or become invisible. Using transformation masks, the link can be transformed into a Deku Scrub, a Goron, or a Zora. Each form has different skills, many of which are required to complete the game. Deku Link, for example, can shoot bubbles from his mouth and float between flowers; Goron Link can manipulate heavy switches and walk across lava without taking harm; and Zora Link can swim quickly and build force fields.
