The One About Ocarina of Time 3DS
It's not secret that I am a huge Legend of Zelda fan, so it was only a matter of time before I cracked and wrote a lengthy blog post about the upcoming remake of the best video game ever made. Yes, the Ocarina of Time remake that will be released on 3DS later this year.
I'm bringing it up here becuase I want to discuss remakes and the alteration of the artists' original intentions.
I am a firm believer that once a piece of art is out, it's uneditable. It's published, it's too late to do anything about it. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
For instance, I refuse to watch the most current version of the original Star Wars trilogy; they've changed too much. Give me the theatrical releases any day. However, I have no problem watching the versions that were released in the VHS boxset, you know the ones our Dad's all owned and we grew watching (if you grew up in the 90s that is). These versions were only remastered versions of the theatrical releases (besides Han shooting first, but that's a different topic). They were released so that they would be available to watch on VHS, but they were also repaired. To me this is no different then deciding to re-release a movie on Blu-ray. It's just a quality upgrade.
But while I'm gung-ho for theatrical/original versions of things, I refuse to watch the theatrical versions of Lord of the Rings; I'll only watch the extended versions. These versions were planned before the movies even hit theaters. They're the deleted scenes added back in, which had to be taken out since the films were already way over the traditional feature-length time limit.
So essentially, it comes down to what was the creator's original intent. If the edit or change falls within the original intent, then a new version is fine. However, if the change comes from an idea that was conceived later on, even years after publication, it isn't okay. As an animator, I understand what a deadline is, and I know that the minute I turn a shot in that it's done, that's it, no more edits, no do-overs. If I were allowed to alter every shot I turned in, I would never stop altering becuase there's always going be something to improve upon becuase it's impossible to make anything perfect.
So turning our attention back to Zelda...
I will always prefer my original N64 copy of the game, but I love that they're releasing a remake, since it is purely an improvement to some of the clunkier controls (same controls, just easier to access, and adapted to the 3Ds) and purely a graphical update... or is it?
Looking at the screen caps above, it really does look like a graphical update that is trying to remain as true to the original as possible.
But then we see screenshots like these:
Notice the difference in color. It completely changes the mood. And if mood doesn't fall within original artist's intent, then I don't know what does.
Then we watch some of the video of the gameplay we've seen (no official trailer yet):
Click to viewThe animation on Link's run cycle is very different from that of the original:
A run, or a walk for that matter, is very telling of a character. As an animator, this concept has been drilled into me. So for them to completely change the style of running... it's almost like that isn't my Link anymore; it's someone else, a stranger. I understand polishing existing animation so that it runs smoother and matches the more polished graphics, but this isn't polishing.
And then there's this:
My first reaction to this was, "OH MY GOSH IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL AHHHH." But then, after prolonged starring, I noticed something.
...Do you see it yet?
How about now?
You can see Sheik's other eye. For anyone who has played the game, and understands Sheik's character, this is a BIG deal. Such a big deal, that there have been elaborate theories concerning that other eye. A a single eye, is very symbolic, and the use of it definitely falls under original intent.
EDIT: Yes, I know you can see Sheik's other eye in Smash Brothers Brawl, but that is a different design from the one in the OoT. That Sheik was based off of Twilight Princess concept art, and the two remain separate.
Besides, what I've already listed, they've changed some of the set designs (Zora's Domain) and they've altered the Great Fairy's animation to be less disturbing provocative. So if they're censoring the game, will they also change dialogue?
I'm very excited for this remake, but now I'm a little anxious, becuase who knows what else they've change? While I will always have the original, for many people, for many children, this will be the first time, and this will be the only version they know.
Overall, I feel like they've made the came too light and too colorful. It is a dark game, and the ending is a perfect happy ending. And yes, I know I might be over-reacting, and that it is just a game, but it's my favorite game (and Sheik's my favorite character), and I've spent the last two years writing a screenplay for a film adaptation of the game; I can't help help but feel a strong sense of ownership.
I'll report back on this topic, once I mange to pick up a copy for myself, whenever it's finally released.