Why can't Nintendo make a Zelda game with as much character interaction as MM?

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, is hands down, my favorite Zelda game. Why? Not only does it offer something different gameplay-wise, has excellent replay value, and great story-lines (The main quest story is almost non-existant, but that's made up for with all the great side stories), but it has an extremely immersive environment filled with believable and lively characters. Never have I seen a game with characters like this, not even Oblivion, a game that promised the most realistic character A.I. around was as immersive as Majora's Mask was. For the next Zelda game, I'd love to see more of an emphesis on side quests and NPC interaction. TP had very few side quests, and Wind Waker had a few, but they weren't as good as Majora's Mask's. They don't have to have an amazing schedual system like Majora's Mask did, but maybe a daily, or even weekly schedual system instead of characters just standing around all the time.

I fully agree with you, ech character should have some kind of backstory/current problem, whcih you need to solve. It made Termina feel more alive than Hyrule ever did... The only place in a Zelda game which was also trying to get this feeling was Windfall, which didn't come as close to Termina as it could've been...

I 100% agree with you. I'd like to see the following things incorporated into the next Zelda game in terms of NPC involvement:

A time of day system. This enables a complex schedule system. Every person has their specific things they do.

A quest advancement schedule. In Majora's Mask, certain quests would be different if you had certain items [example being that you can't find all the possible endings of the Anju and Kafei sidequest without the Garo mask and the Hookshot]. Something similar could be done to that effect, though instead of it being based on doing the same quest over with new items and thus new endings, it would be new quests unlocked by your status in the game. For example, when you defeat some enemy, that could cause a person to come out of hiding and open up a new quest. Different people would say and do different things depending on how far along in the game you are.

A weather system. There could be rain, clouds, sun, fog etc...certain quests are only accessible under one weather condition. There might be some foresty quest that is only available when a fog sets in the forest. Each individual schedule would also be affected by weather...example being that "Billy" is usually outside in his backyard or running around town, but if it's raining you find him in his room.

just a few thoughts I think could make the NPCs amazing, and even surpass that of Majora's Mask. Until then, MM will continue to reign as my undisputed favorite Zelda game.

^ I couldn't agree more!

funny thing: KnS/AST used a weather system, but it wasn't very deep. At certain times(the game had a clock) it would rain, the Zoras would come out of the rivers and attack you and you couldn't use bombs because of the rain. When the rain was gone, fog would cover everything. I think it created a cool atmosphere and should be reused/expanded.

Wind Waker had some as well, not as deep, but it was pretty cool. Yeah I'd like that.

Ya I would love another Zelda game with that much character interaction, perhaps another bomber's notebook or something like it?

Originally Posted by Erimgard

I 100% agree with you. I'd like to see the following things incorporated into the next Zelda game in terms of NPC involvement:

A time of day system. This enables a complex schedule system. Every person has their specific things they do.

A quest advancement schedule. In Majora's Mask, certain quests would be different if you had certain items [example being that you can't find all the possible endings of the Anju and Kafei side-quest without the Garo mask and the Hookshot]. Something similar could be done to that effect, though instead of it being based on doing the same quest over with new items and thus new endings, it would be new quests unlocked by your status in the game. For example, when you defeat some enemy, that could cause a person to come out of hiding and open up a new quest. Different people would say and do different things depending on how far along in the game you are.

A weather system. There could be rain, clouds, sun, fog etc...certain quests are only accessible under one weather condition. There might be some foresty quest that is only available when a fog sets in the forest. Each individual schedule would also be affected by weather...example being that "Billy" is usually outside in his backyard or running around town, but if it's raining you find him in his room.

just a few thoughts I think could make the NPCs amazing, and even surpass that of Majora's Mask. Until then, MM will continue to reign as my undisputed favorite Zelda game.

Oooh. I like the sound of that.

Note: Part of the reason, I think, that MM's main story was so short, but the game was so immersive was because the world was made first, and then the story was put in as an afterthought to lead the player about Terminia. This formula, it seems, was abandoned since MM for the more traditional "Quest then world" design template, likely because MM wasn't as widely popular as OoT other than by a handful of dedicated (and very vocal) fans of the spin-off, including myself.

Now, if the MM formula could be followed, but with an OoT-length story-line still being maintained, then I think the game might just be the greatest Zelda iteration of all time, or a colossal flop, depending on how you look at it. But my money would be on the former.

Originally Posted by vIsitor

Now, if the MM formula could be followed, but with an OoT-length story-line still being maintained, then I think the game might just be the greatest Zelda iteration of all time, or a colossal flop, depending on how you look at it. But my money would be on the former.

I COMPLETELY agree. I've been thinking this since I beat MM. Overall I liked OoT more, but if there's one thing to rival OoT and win, it'd be the NPC interaction. You became their lives. If a story could have as much power as OoT or others, with graphics like TP or better, with NPC interaction emphasized as much as MM then we'd be playing the greatest Zelda game in the franchise hands down. Something that I've always wished to have more of is more interaction w/ the Zelda character herself. I'd guess that WW was the game w/ the most of it, but most of the game you either didn't know she was of royal blood, or she herself didn't dress or act as such to really give off that vibe. I would love for you to be able to go to the castle for well over half the game, be able to communicate with her, watch HER character change accordingly (possibly even a day to day basis, not just a simple go-to-this-place or fight-this-person or do-this-thing (like OoT). Then after a long period of the game is when Ganon could pull his trick and capture her or what-have-you. This would give off a much better effect of leaving you saddened that she was taken because she was an actual character in your characters life, as opposed to a very limited, absent, bossy character you'd almost like to say "good riddance" to. There are soo many possibilities with throwing great NPC interaction into the mix. And don't limit the interaction to characters that in the end don't matter. Like I said earlier, any and all characters that you are able to walk up to should have a possibility of being a personal interaction.

I am exactly with you. Majora's Mask is my favorite game as well. I almost felt like I got attached to the characters. They were so well done. I just wish there would have been more of a mix. They all were sort of just goofy. Nothing to serious except for the wedding quest between Anju and Kafei. That was the one complaint I had with TP. Not to many side quests. Just barely enough to keep you playing after you beat it. But I totally agree.

MM and WW both had extensive NCP interaction. It's part of what made them so good, obviously.

Of course it feels great when you walk around the place, and everyone you talk to says "thank you", or they express how happy they are and how Link affected their lives.

I read an interview once where Anouma stated that he wished there could have been more of this in TP, but because of time constraints they never got to that point.

Another game like MM, where there was a lot of character interaction will be briilliant. And i couldn't agree more Erimgard, that sounds like a fantastic idea. MM no doubt is the most successful Zelda game that takes full advantage of its characters, with WW coming close. The character interaction in MM, in my opinion is what makes it such an entralling game. So i believe Nintendo, in future Zelda games should definately focus on developing character interaction like it did so well with MM.

By God of Twilight
I read an interview once where Anouma stated that he wished there could have been more of this in TP, but, because of time constraints they never got to that point.


Due to time constraints my butt!

Nintendo delayed the game for a COUPLE OF YEARS! and what do we get is this rush it up/Slap it on game where it's very linear due to forcing you to get these bugs in a realm called the Twilight: not allowing room for even a breather not to mention this annoying imp on your back giving rude comments about your world that YOU are trying to save.
Then it came with beautiful vibrant graphics and very little NPC interaction except for Ordon village which so far in the game I think is the best village for a background village. Wanna know this game it's calledLegend of Zelda Twilight Princess for Wii or Gamecube

I just restored Lake Hylia and I am disappointed except the fun cannon shooter thingy with the music machine that Fyer cranks.

By the way God of Twilight I thought you hated the MM interaction there was a thread about it where you said it was stupid along with HybridDog in my TP Towns blah thread. I sworn one of the guys was you so what made you change your mind?

"Why can't Nintendo make a Zelda game with as many bosses as ALttP?"
"Why can't Nintendo make a Zelda game with as many optional items as ALttP?"
"Why can't Nintendo make a Zelda game as epic as OoT?"
"Why can't Nintendo make a Zelda game with as much originality as LA?"

But anyway, I do think character interaction is a very important aspect of the Zelda series. Of course, it would be good if they expanded the element. Majora's Mask seems to be many people's favourite due to the deep character interaction, so it'd be good to bring it back.

That's why we need a MM sequel - but one that isn't rushed, so that we get many dungeons, unlike MM.

Originally Posted by xSacredSERAPHx

I COMPLETELY agree. I've been thinking this since I beat MM. Overall I liked OoT more, but if there's one thing to rival OoT and win, it'd be the NPC interaction. You became their lives. If a story could have as much power as OoT or others, with graphics like TP or better, with NPC interaction emphasized as much as MM then we'd be playing the greatest Zelda game in the franchise hands down.

...Except that the OoT plot is lacking. Give me a original plot like MM or TWW any day of the week.

More NPC interaction such as MM would be great. Would be nice to have every character to have his or her own schedule. I once thought of a system where there would be a 7 day week where a random weather would occur on each day.

On Tuesdays, one character could be in the towns Garden, while if it were raining and on tuesday he or she might be in the local Tavern swaping stories with a friend.

If it were Tuesday and it was snowing, he or she could be on a roof top singing to the moon!

Of course sidequests would be a bit of a challenge so I suppose some of you might not like my suggestion to counter balance this. Through out the game Link could obtain certain songs and sometimes manipulate time to some degree. A song such as The Winter's Blessing would cause the next day to snow. While if you played the Sun's Awakening, the next day it would be bright and sunny. Of course there would be the standard Sun Song that turns it from day to night, night to day.

This system if carried out properly would make MM interaction look like OoT in its NPC interactions.

But unless Nintendo looks in this thread, or one of you send the idea to them. It will all remain just a little day dream

You lot are always complaining. Nintendo aren't super heroes. You try being one of video games most succesful companies and trying to make games. Just because the games dont have what YOU want in it doesn't make them bad! You should appreciate what you've got and not just complain about what wasn't there. The Zelda games could use a couple of tweaks to the formula I admit. But im not flaming Nintendo for it. Anyway, on the subject of this topic. I think going back to the formula of MM would be a good idea. I'm not so keen on repeating the same three days though

A Zelda game with its own calendar.
Think about it.
Every 30 days on our wii's internal clock, and a certain Hyrulean holiday would be celebrated. The season would change, and new locations would be opened up. Day and night would correspond to your wii's clock. Just an idea, but it might be cool.
Also, with the technology they have today, I'm sure they could make an epic game with huge npc interaction. There should also be more flexibility, and more things to do. Maybe a coleseum, where you can take on any enemy you have fought so far, to perfect your strategies and such. There shouldn't be huge, blank, uneventful areas you only want to visit once (cough cough, snowhead). There should be people hanging around with stuff for you to do, hidden secrets, and dungeons that aren't neccesary but give awesome rewards at the end. Huge towns with people who do different things every day, randomly selected so they are never doing the same thing twice in a row. That would be an epic Zelda.

^
I'd considered something like that too. The only problem I see though is what happens if you miss a day? If your tv needs repairs and you can't play wii for a day? Now you have to wait a whole year to unlock an event...could be quite a pain.

Originally Posted by ganondorf1234

You lot are always complaining. Nintendo aren't super heroes. You try being one of video games most succesful companies and trying to make games. Just because the games dont have what YOU want in it doesn't make them bad! You should appreciate what you've got and not just complain about what wasn't there. The Zelda games could use a couple of tweaks to the formula I admit. But im not flaming Nintendo for it. Anyway, on the subject of this topic. I think going back to the formula of MM would be a good idea. I'm not so keen on repeating the same three days though

So we shouldn't expect quality from Nintendo?

You say "Nintendo aren't super heroes" (terrible grammar BTW)
Well duh, super heroes don't exist. They are producers of quality games though.

"You try being one of video games most succesful companies and trying to make games."
Well if they are successful, don't you think there's a reason for it? It sure aint lowering the standards of the gaming market. It's because they have continued to produce quality games for 20+ years. Should we expect any less than quality from them? If we get low quality, don't we have a right as their consumers to be upset?

"You should appreciate what you've got and not just complain about what wasn't there."

Let's make a simple analogy:
Zelda is like a chocolate cake.
In the first few games, they added frosting, some nice decorations, and pulled out all the stops. Then they start taking bits of that frosting away from us. Don't we have a right to be upset that the frosting isn't on the cake we paid for after having been promised an amazing larger than life experience?

"The Zelda games could use a couple of tweaks to the formula I admit. "
So now you're complaining that Zelda isn't perfect. Hypocrite.

"But im not flaming Nintendo for it."
Neither is anyone else.

Anyways, if Nintendo would pull out all the stops, and really put their best effort in Zelda, I think we'd have something.
List of Important Elements to take Zelda from pretty good to epic
1) Voice Acting
Everyone but Link speaks
2) Difficulty
something Zelda has lost over the years
3) Length
akin to difficulty
4) NPC interaction
MM did an amazing job, now we just have to hope future games can follow in its footsteps or superceed it.
5) A "living" world (changing weather, people not always doing the same thing)
Akin to interaction, but really taken a step further.
6) Orchestrated music
We needs it!
7) New story/gameplay elements for story (no more collect 3 items, get sword, kill bosses, kill ganondorf)
Only so many times we can kill him. Am I right?
8) New items aswell as old ones we've come to love
self explanatory
9) Do not remake OoT or make any references to it. It is great, but it's run its course and deserves a rest
10) Celda style
most suiting for Zelda, and allows for expressive people.

I'm just saying this forum is about posting ideas for new zelda's! Not complaining about what you already have(or not have as the case seems to be.)