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scottnmunro's review
4.0
This was a really fun book to read.
At first I was concerned because the book seemed to get stuck talking about the merits of fan theories that I was already sick of talking about but I think by the end those discussions served as jumping off points for discussions on the development process and team which I found really interesting. I was lowkey bummed that the Tower of Babel theory wasn’t really discussed. It’s my absolute favorite example of deep (if gratuitous) lore hypothesizing that expands on the world for the sake of the world. The intent isn’t to arrive at some hackneyed stinger that makes you go “buwhaaaattt!??” But rather to expand your gaze to all of the little details that make Termina so rich. I thought all of the stories about the development process were super fascinating and it kinda rocked my world to consider that majora was developed under crunch and tough circumstances. The “it was developed in only a year and reused assets” talking point is often brought up in a way that’s almost dismissive, but the Gabe peels back the curtain and shows that even despite reused assets and riding a wave of post-ocarina enthusiasm, the Majora team was still over-delivering on an under resourced project. Absolutely humbling.
Definitely a recommended read
At first I was concerned because the book seemed to get stuck talking about the merits of fan theories that I was already sick of talking about but I think by the end those discussions served as jumping off points for discussions on the development process and team which I found really interesting. I was lowkey bummed that the Tower of Babel theory wasn’t really discussed. It’s my absolute favorite example of deep (if gratuitous) lore hypothesizing that expands on the world for the sake of the world. The intent isn’t to arrive at some hackneyed stinger that makes you go “buwhaaaattt!??” But rather to expand your gaze to all of the little details that make Termina so rich. I thought all of the stories about the development process were super fascinating and it kinda rocked my world to consider that majora was developed under crunch and tough circumstances. The “it was developed in only a year and reused assets” talking point is often brought up in a way that’s almost dismissive, but the Gabe peels back the curtain and shows that even despite reused assets and riding a wave of post-ocarina enthusiasm, the Majora team was still over-delivering on an under resourced project. Absolutely humbling.
Definitely a recommended read
thepuding's review
4.0
This book is equal parts about Majora’s Mask and about what it means to make theories about media, and I wish it was more about the former. Otherwise a good read for fans of the game.
havelock's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A well thought-out analysis of the game's story and world, as well as a very interesting history of how it was made and translated. Definitely one of the better game analysis I've read recently.
madameroyale's review
4.0
Such a great read if you have fond (read: terrifying) childhood memories of Majora’s Mask, like I do. I loved getting all the backstory of the creation of not only this game, but Ocarina too (I never knew how closely their productions were entwined, or how messy they were). This book is full of lots of little insights and fun anecdotes, along with deeper delves into the game and its lasting meaning, which seems to resonate now more than ever.
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