6. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

A fan-favorite and a game often talked about any time the “best video game ever made” conversation comes up, Ocarina of Time is at the very least a banger. This 1998 Nintendo 64 classic had the herculean task of bringing Zelda into the new world of 3D gaming, and did so by using the new dimension’s greatest strength: scope. Ocarina feels huge, and Link feels small. Entering the Temple of Time feels like stepping into a truly sacred place. Being atop Death Mountain feels like conquering a treacherous climb. What Ocarina also brings to the table, artistically, is balance.

The games world is divided perfectly into different biomes that all have their own aesthetic and vibe. A Link to the Past is the obvious template for many of these now-3D locales, like castles, quaint towns, and mountainous vistas, but Ocarina had plenty of new aesthetics up its sleeve. This is the first Zelda game to feature art that was dark and unsettling as in The Well and The Shadow Temple, areas that are filled with zombie-like creatures, coffins, and the Dead Hand, a guy I would not get a beer with.

A major dynamic of the game is its two distinct time periods. When playing as young Link, the world is whimsical, lush, and alive. After you pull the Master Sword from its pedestal and become adult Link, the world changes. Hyrule Castle’s marketplace is no longer a bustling city center, but a dilapidated ruin filled with zombies. Areas that were lush become desolate and characters that were kind become bitter. It was impressive to see how the game world changed with the passage of time.

This was a new visual thread added to the artistic fabric of The Legend of Zelda. Never before had players felt things like fear or discomfort when they played these games. These emotions were integral to the core narrative of the game, about a child flung into a dark and adult world.