[AoL] Zelda 2 isn't that bad.

Currently I'm on a mission to play through the entire series from the beginning. So far I'm only on Zelda 2, but hey I'm getting there. Frankly I wasn't looking forward to this and halfway considered skipping it, but I'm committed to my mission of getting to credits in every Zelda game, so I said screw it, we're doing it!

Annnnnd ya know what, it's not that bad. Immediately, I understand why it's not everyone's favorite Zelda game, but I actually kinda like it for what it is. A super early 2D souls-like platformer with a fantasy RPG element has potential. Honestly, if it hadn't been a Zelda game and got a few tweaks it could've been a much more celebrated classic.

I didn't grow up with Zelda so I'm trying to put myself in the shoes of someone who would've been about 9-12 years old playing these games when they were new. And honestly, Zelda 2 feels pretty fleshed out for an adventure game of its time. The world feels surprisingly full for the time, and I could definitely see myself having enjoyed the game as a kid.

Don't get me wrong, there are certainly things about it that I wish were different, but it's really not the awful dumpster fire I thought it going to be. Plus I am seeing the origins of some things that I know are reused later in the series - such as all the village names being the names of characters/sages in Ocarina (Darunia, Ruto, and I think Saria is one too), and that's pretty neat.

I also like the guy who just says "I am error." I know that's his actual name now, but at first it just made me laugh and go "Me too buddy!"

Anyway, just wanted to share. Anyone grow up with this game and wanna share why they love it??