This is the third game in the Zelda series, and a major progression of graphics from it’s predecessors. It follows the format of the first Zelda game, that is adventuring to and through dungeons and beating a boss at the end of each dungeon.
Story 9/10
You start out in the game as a young man in a green tunic on a rainy day. You hear a mysterious cry for help and you go off to save the person. This starts the beginning of a grand adventure in which you must save the whole of Hyrule from a great darkness.
The story line is of this game very interesting, but does not get in the way of the game play. It also isn't draw out, or too brief. As you further progress the game you will find out more to the story, giving the game a nice flow.
Controls (Game boy Advanced) 9/10
In the game you play as only Link. You can name Link another name at the beginning of the game. The controls are simple. The A button cannot be set like it can in future games for the Game boy, but will always set for your sword. The B button can be set to any item in the select menu, the items themselves serve various important tasks . The start button opens the save menu. The left trigger activates the map and the right is the action button for talking, opening chests, etc. . The controls are straightforward and easy to use, but being able to use only one item can be slightly annoying when you need two to complete a puzzle.
Play Ability 10/10
The game involves two aspects. One aspect is combat. Though the combat system is not very complicated, sometimes you need to think before you slash. Some monsters slashing is sufficient, others you must use an item. The boss battles themselves are really great to fight. I find no problems with the fighting system, and it certainly is an enjoyable aspect of the game.
The second aspect of the game is the various puzzles that must be solved to progress the game. Some of the puzzles are easy to get through whereas some take a bit of thinking. Some dungeons are puzzles themselves as mazes, and it can be a puzzle to progress to a new dungeon. What’s great about these puzzles is that they blend well with their surroundings. I also see no problems with this aspect of the game.
Graphics 8/10
This game is a tiled based game. The graphics a very satisfying to the eye and are giant leap from the previous games in the series. I didn't see anything wrong with the graphics in general except for some bits that can be expected on a Game boy device. Now to layout view of the game the select menu was decent and is better then the Game boy releases, but it could of used at least on more side menu for the quest items instead of cramping them on the side. Otherwise the layout of the game is nice. Visual effects are also well thought out.
Sound 7/10
I love the soundtrack of this game. The background songs are pleasing to the ear and fit situations like they should, however, the songs lack variety. All the dungeons have the same background song for example. Most of the sound effects are well placed, however, some are annoying. For example when you are low in health you hear a constant high pitched beeping sound. Though perhaps it served its purpose, since you hurried to grab health just to stop the noise...
Depth 8/10
Zelda Link to the Past is not as in depth as future games would be, for it does not have a trading quest, or as many between dungeon quests. Heart pieces in the game cannot be found in dungeons, so you must find outside of them, but since most of them are very easy to find they do not add a tremendous amount of depth. There are extra items you can find outside the story line, and you can also acquire bottles. So the depth is good in the game.
Difficulty- Good (10)
The game presented a good amount of challenges, and was not too easy.
Addictiveness- mediocre (5)
I would not play this a second time in a row (in a short time period), but would certainly continue to play for a 100% play-through.
Overall-8.5/10
Note: Since Addictiveness and Difficulty are implied and tied in the other sections, I do not give the a number rating. I only rate them bad (1), mediocre (5), or good (10) and they are mainly rated on opinion. I bother to rate them for the convenience of the reader.