Summary
Many have argued that when it comes to making comforting and cozy kinds of games, no one can pull it off quite as well as Nintendo. Of course, there are plenty ofeasy and straightforwardMarioandKirbygamesfor example that can be a joy to jump into and play, but there have also been a fewZeldatitles that could be considered comforting aswell, despite how many times the series has drastically switched genres over the years.
The Legend of Zeldaseries has proven time and time again that it isn’t afraid to dip into somemore serious stories and topics, but this hasn’t been the case for every entry in this beloved franchise. There have been several titles which are a lot more lighthearted, jovial, and don’t require quite as much skill or determination to complete. Here are theZeldagames that fans consider to be the most comforting thanks to their gameplay, visual style, and stories.
Truthfully,Breath of the Wildcould also easily fit this spot, butTears of the Kingdomgets a few extra bonus points for the staggering amount of creative freedom it grants to the player.The new Fuse mechanicintroduced in the game allows players to conjure up an endless number of constructions, whether they be in the form of weapons, buildings, or even custom-made vehicles.
As a result, players can simply spend a play session messing around with Link’s new gadgets while exploring the gigantic map, without ever feeling pressured to get on with the story. Sure, the actual plot of the game is still amazing, but in terms of gameplay, the replay value provided by the game’s mechanics makes it a blast to jump into and experiment with, while also admiring the gorgeous visuals on display.
BecauseLink’s Awakeningis a faithful remake of the first game in the series, it doesn’t go overboard with unique gameplay systems or features that can end up being too overwhelming. Instead, it’s a short and straightforward adventure which is packed full of lovable characters and a handful of exciting dungeons to explore. This breezy gameplay already makes the game very easy-going and laid-back, but what really adds to the comfort is the art style.
Link’s Awakening’schibi-style allows the game to run wild with its colors since it isn’t trying to begrounded or realistic, like say TwilightPrincessfor example. Pair this with the top-down camera, and it almost feels like playing anAnimal Crossinggame at times, and it’s fair to say, it’s just as cozy to play.
Ocarina of Timewas the firstZeldagame for a lot of people, and though it’s far from a cakewalk on that first playthrough, it’son subsequent playthroughswhere the game suddenly becomes so comforting due to its familiarity. The game isn’t very long, clocking in at roughly 10 hours on average on a quick playthrough, meaning so long as players know exactly what NPCs to speak to and roughly where to go for each objective, they can run through the entire story quite easily.
It turnsOcarina of Timeinto a kind of comfort food that can be enjoyed in the meantime, without having to put too much focus on the gameplay itself. Though this can also apply toMajora’s Mask, the darker and more serious tone of that game, paired with the time mechanic, does make it a lot more anxiety-inducing than this beloved entry.
Similarly toLink’s Awakening,The Minish Capdoesn’t bombard players with difficult mechanics or systems to keep track of, but one unique tool which Link does carry around with him is the Minish Cap itself. By triggering the hat, Link can minimize himself so he can access certain areas and portals that he otherwise couldn’t. The truth is though, the game never gets too complicated as it’s usually fairly obvious where players will be able to trigger the hat, resulting in an average playthrough being pretty easygoing.
What really makesThe Minish Capsuch a comfy game to play though is just how charming it is. Hyrule Town for example is packed full of characters who are all lovable in their own special ways, and will have vastly different things to say to Link when he approaches them, which makes it a lot of fun to explore the area without even focusing on the story. The overall tone ofMinish Capis also a little less serious than many of the other titles.
Oracle of SeasonsandOracle of Agesare twoZeldatitles which released for theGameBoy Colorin 2001, but while the former is more centered around action, the latter places a much bigger emphasis on puzzle solving. Many of the puzzles involve using the brand-new Harp of Ages which allows Link to travel between the past and present, presenting some pretty memorable gameplay sequences.
As a result, the slower and more methodical pace ofOracle of Agesmakes it an easy game to sink hours of a day into, without needing to worry about rushing around the map to find items or to get on with the story. It’s comforting in the same wayProfessor Laytonor evenBrain Traininggames can be, in the sense that while they do require a bit of thinking, they still allow players to work through them at their own pace while enjoying the adventure in the process.
Ironically,The Wind Wakerwas met with mixed reviews when it first launched in 2003. This was a time when gory and more mature games started taking over the industry, and as a result, the vibrant and almostcartoon-like aestheticofWind Wakerwas seen as “childish” to some. How the tables have turned though, as nowadays, the game is a highly valued entry in the series and an effortlessly comforting experience thanks to its presentation and gameplay.
As soon as players jump onto the Red Lions boat, they’ll be free to explore the vast open seas at their leisure, rather than the game funneling them down a specific direction. There’s something so peaceful and relaxing about sailing across the bright blue ocean and taking in all the jaw-dropping environments scattered across the map. The wonderful visual style ofWind Wakeralso adds a lot to its charm and helps make it a game that’s easy to come back to because of how accessible and cozy it is to play.
