How Majora's Mask Perfects Tone

[@krissjames7276]

I'm glad to see you give Majora's Mask credit for its excellent use of strong, vibrant colors, and how the use of colors changes throughout the 3 day cycle - it's one of the things that makes it so much more visually interesting than OoT to me, and something I rarely see people bring up. I also liked how you made note of Majora's Mask having lots of funny and more light-hearted moments, which often gets ignored as people focus on its status as the darkest Zelda game. Great analysis overall.

[@devonm042690]

Skull Kid squirming about in the air that precedes his final cry before the Giants arrive is him trying to rip the mask off. If you look close you can see his arms are right up by his head, but there's little sign of his big hands. The sound of his friends calling out has snapped him back to his senses, and his final cry is one of desperation as he's gotten as firm a grip as he can and he just _pulls_. That's why his body becomes so rigid and yet has that constant quiver. The sheer exertion of trying to remove Majora's Mask.

[@romano-britishmedli7407]

Huh! I've known this game for roughly 20 years, but I never considered this perspective. Until right now watching the video, I've always assumed Skull Kid was just afraid on the Giants undoing the whole moon-thing and overwhelming Skull Kid/Majora's Mask with their sheer power.

[@devonm042690]

@@romano-britishmedli7407 There's a distinctive, high pitched sound that can be heard when Skull Kid's head pops upright for a bit before he starts struggling. It sounds like a strange squeak or chirp. It's the timing of that, along with the actions that follow that I laid out that clued me into this. It's my understanding that this sound is meant to be an indicator that he's back to himself, an improvisation of the usual visual cue due to not being able to see his face.

[@deadpoule4402]

And here I thought your content couldn't get any better

[@KayJulers]

Thank you! Always glad to find fellow Zelda fans!

[@vicwrd8489]

@@KayJulers nice vid bro

[@TheEthernetHub]

Majora's Mask is my favorite game of all time. Loved the video, great analysis. I definitely hit you with a like and a subscribe

[@bloodydoll5897]

I think you referenced this on Twitter before the video went up, but something I think Majora's Mask nails on the head is how much little unnecessary details, like the scene with Skull Kid twitching, the world of Termina has. It feels like the Zelda team always knew exactly what to give a specific NPC on a certain day and time and situation, and as a result the game gives me a feeling of liveliness and by extension immersion that I can't say I've felt in another Zelda game, and maybe another game in general. Something that I think leverages this is how intricate the side quests feel, none rarely if ever feel like a lazy fetch quest, and always feel natural and human, well, at least as natural and human as Zelda characters can get of course. On top of that, the side quests have a sort of "failure" state where if you don't do complete it, the character(s) feel the consequences, which really gives you a moral incentive to help these complete strangers, on top of the promise of a tactile reward, which is unfortunately something many action adventure and RPGs could learn from. Additionally, the side quests give insight on how everyone feels about the moon and the upcoming festival, and none of it feels off topic or out of place, which helps a lot in the world building and character development areas, but are in practice just individual pieces of the overall tone the game gives off also I think the footage was good, although I've only ever played MM on a Wii and 3ds and watched my friend play the GameCube version briefly,, so i don't know what the original game is supposed to look like in comparison, but I don't think the footage quality would look bad to me even then. also also, sorry for not giving feedback sooner, I was heavily sleep deprived and jittery when the video went live so I had a very hard time focusing.

[@KayJulers]

I definitely agree and I think the situations where performing one quests closes off the path to another line (such as stopping Sakon for the Blast Mask making the Couple's Mask inaccessible) really emphasize your point about "failure" states and immersion. The game has such a good selection of side quests that I would hope other games pull inspiration from Majora's Mask. I think Torna was successful in helping the player establish a connection with the town and denizens, though. I'm glad to hear the footage came across fine, and no worries! I'm really appreciative of your thought out comments and everything. Hope you are feeling better!

[@HarmonicWave]

The versions on Gamecube, Wii or Wii U virtual console are the same as the N64 version as far as visuals. The 3DS version was the first time they updated the graphics (but also ruined a few features).

[@MaxMonado]

I want to replay Majora's Mask right now...

[@KayJulers]

My job here is done.

[@panchikopt2]

Same I'm trying to buy it again on my 3ds

[@Claego]

I can sum up Majora's Mask with this: In land of many mask, one mask wears you

[@GARU7x]

This video deserves WAY more views.

[@pirobrony8101]

I love Majora Mask it's actually my favorite video game of all time (the original one) I love how you point out on each day is different which alot of people don't talk about I even love how day 2 it's raining all day like glooming time is almost here or something like no matter where you are mostly it's raining all day long but I also love each night is different like night 1 has like the Ocarina of Time night 2 it has like light blue sky and it looks beautiful to look at and final night has like a dark red sky like end of world feeling and it is like they could just made each day and night same like in Ocarina of Time but gladly they didn't Anyway I love your video very much and Majora Mask is still my favorite video game of all time heck I was playing Majora Mask last night and did some fan art of my oc wearing one of the masks from Majora's Mask

[@yqafree]

One of the best Majora's Mask video out there btw

[@Zeoproo]

16:38 That's the Elegy of Emptiness

[@wayfarer1021]

Majora’s Mask is such a masterpiece and this video deserves way more views… Awesome job!

[@TitanEaterOfCrayons]

This is by far the most emotional game that has ever been made. Everything in this video explains why, and it explains it perfectly. Bravo my man, you deserve more love.

[@DanDanDoe]

This is a great analysis. So far I’ve watched quite a few videos on Majora’s Mask, but you mentioned some very new things I have not yet noticed or heard, so this was incredibly worthwhile.

[@Tutorial7a]

This video is fantastic. Several of the points you make are ones that seem obvious, though I had not considered them as deeply, and others (like the shadows on the artwork) are things I never would have thought of. Hope to see more content like this in the future!

[@KayJulers]

Thank you for the kind words! The art was definitely one of the main points that really kickstarted this video idea, so I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@tinotcg5815]

I love that Xenoblade came up in this video ahaha. Absolutely fantastic video about my favorite game of all time. Thank you

[@KayJulers]

I have to bring it up whenever I can haha. Slowly building the connected Nintendo universe. Thank you and I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@404nonexistent]

I understand why this prolly didn't get as many views. 1/3rd of a movie and all. But it's still a crime this didn't blow up more. Solid deconstruction and critique.

[@birdboy_official]

This video is wonderful - thank you for taking the time to make such a high quality video appreciating how much this game offers as a work of art.

[@tonywords6713]

13:50 great points, the main thing I always remember about this game is all the side characters and stories, even though theyre very rudimentary because of tech limitations theyre way more memorable than anything in Skyrim for me

[@ZombieChimps]

Does this seriously have less than 1k views? The algorithm is killing you dude, this is easily as good (better, in fact) as the front-page MM videos. This is strong as hell and I'll be following along for more Zelda content if you make any. Just found your channel and subbed so I haven't checked yet to see what else you're about. Cheers!

[@Tjocral]

This just popped up on my recommended hopefully it's about to get some algorithm love. Only 4 years after lol great video!!!

[@HarmonicWave]

I played this when it originally came out over 20 years ago, but I only made it to the beach. I decided to stop this video around 22 minutes in because I still need to finish this amazing game and experience it for myself. Great video though.

[@1116dennis]

This video is much deserving of at least a sliver of popularity for your articulation of what makes the tone and atmosphere of this game--its masterful usage of juxtaposition--is really insightful. From tackling its aesthetic, music, and the narrative whole, you effectively conveyed the nuances behind its thematic coherence and the emotions it evokes so well. The effort and work behind this detailed analysis is nothing short of admirable. As for myself, what I particularly love about this game is this sort of explicit conveyance of the vague permeating its design. How the game oozes of mystique, achieving it through a meticulous picking of just the right things to say. The man with the cucco cheeks only requires a menial of amount of dialogue to convey through the player his resignation from the moon falling and the reconciliation he had found from the cuccos to mediate the surrow of not being able to run fast as he once had. It only requires a single interaction from Anju and her grandmother to see her conflicting feelings in burdening her family solicited from an adamant guise of grief. It only takes a few observation of Kafei's actions to get the idea of his dedication towards his relationship and attention towards the little details correlating to said relationship due to in part of their perceived value in keeping its integrity, however detrimental that may be. All that and so much more. Majora's Mask is purposely vague, it rests comfortable in essentially allowing the player to be the writers themselves--to rouse their imagination via the provision of contexts begging to be explored. And nothing can encapsulate that more than the actions of the player and Link and how it correlates to the ending. One can be sort of pessimistic and perceive Link's actions to be futile and reinforce the game’s alternative tackling of the idea of being a hero, how no matter how much one tries, they can never truly save everyone. Or that Link's actions are all entirely selfish with him doing so for the sole sake of the tangible reward he receive and how it aids him, to help out of convenience and obligation; if everything resets at the end of the day, did you truly help anyone but yourself? Perhaps one can be optimistic and hope, perceive Link to be a savior in an alien land devoid of hope and all resigned to an overwhelming dread--him being the sole person actually having courage to take a step and impose change. Every facet of this game purposely teases one with implications, and to do that whilst still evoking a single unifying profound emotion is a testament to the accomplishment of Majora's Mask and how much it succeeds as a work of art. Oh and I think what you were looking for in discerning the peculiar emotion conveyed by "Final Hours" is the concept of the sublime--to find beauty in amidst of suffering perceived through the lens outside of its proximity. And truthfully, that fits this game perfectly--Majora's Mask is sublime.

[@romano-britishmedli7407]

KayJulers: "Hey, Majora's Mask, can you maybe... stop giving me existential crises, please?!?" The Game: "Shut up! You're done contemplating about your existence when I say you're done!" Awesome vid! Majora's Mask is my favourite Zelda-game.

[@Mas0o0n]

Hey man, me too! I flip flop between Ocarina and Major's being my favorite game. I tend to reconcile by saying that I consider them two halves of a whole "Zelda 64"

[@AnAdorableWombat]

Words cannot describe how amazing this game is. I cried, I laughed, I got angry, I became depressed and confused. This game hit all my emotions

[@dominicbonogofski]

Final Hours is a song that embodies exactly what it's namesake tells you: the final hours. The final hours, where everything is hopeless. The final hours, where nothing can stop the thing that is hanging above your head. The final hours, where you've come to terms with your fate. Look around Clock Town. Not many people are still left behind, but there are a few: a swordsman, once proud and cocky, broken down by his inevitable doom to a state of despair terror. A public servant, who has dedicated his life to a set schedule, and even though he wants to flee, he is torn between what his instincts tell him and what he has known all his life. A mayor, who cannot bring himself to leave his own town. A mother, who sits in a milk bar, drinking away her sorrows, because she knows she couldn't leave either. A couple, who await their doom together, accepting their own fate. A carpenter, who yells in defiance at a fate too impossible to believe. Four soldiers, each who await the order to evacuate, but wait in a frantic panic because they see their fate coming closer. A bartender, a man who runs a milk bar, and awaits his favourite customers, because he couldn't bring himself to leave the place he has put so much work into. Six kids, unaware of the falling moon, who play happily, undisturbed by the lingering doom above them. And one boy, a young boy in a green tunic, hat, and shorts, who waits for the gate to the top of the clock tower to open, so he can defeat a demon. Everyone has accepted their fate, or is unaware of it, except the one who will drive off what plagues them. Final Hours is meant to be a song that emphasizes the feeling of dreadful hopelessness, and it does that very well.

[@Zer0_Ph34r]

Great video. I love Majora's Mask and I think you nailed what makes it so engaging and unique. Only critique I would give is that the positioning and usage of in game music was a bit weird. When you were talking about several songs, you never actually played them (area music before dungeons and then after, main field theme, etc.) and you were analyzing several tracks together before presenting them. I would suggest playing the music you're referring to in the back ground as you talk about it. For more analytical parts (such as clock town day 1 vs day 2) I would suggest speaking about one, playing it, then speaking about the other and then playing it. just my opinion though, I'd like to see what else you come out with regardless of those minor tweaks.

[@lolgod6932]

You've earned a sub my guy. You're going places and I love it.

[@constantinoszarbalas4066]

This was fantastic man! Well done! Love your love for the game and how you explore so much below the surface. Great stuff, keep it up!

[@Ruki185]

Fantastic video! Majora's Mask is my favorite game of all time and probably will forever be. Just as you said, it holds a very special place in my heart and imo there's nothing quite like it.

[@zacharienelsen7973]

This video is really, really good. The quality of your naration and analysis is top notch, and you had my full attention for the whole 30 minutes. Majora's mask and ocarina of time are a part of my childhood. For a long time I preferred Oot, because all of Majora's mask just made me anxious. Like even the happy places didn't really feel happy. Growing up, I now love it, and appreciate even more just how emotionally strong this game is. Thank you for this video, discovering more about this game is also like discovering more about a part of my past and my present.

[@anotherenclosedlivingbeing1989]

Such a well described analysis wow. I am in love with Oot and majora’s mask as they are my favorite games too, but i find amazing how you pointed out such details that i did perceive but not too deeply and now i can appreciate them more, thank you!

[@undefeated3257]

Hey man, you did a really great job with this. Big enjoy! Do more zelda

[@F776-b2s]

How the fuck do you only have 726 subscribers? The quality of this video was astounding! Love your content!

[@princessoftermina]

Lets give a big hand and lots of appreciation to mr koji kondo! Hes such a musical genius

[@datguyleon7871]

Amazing video which definitely deserves more views

[@NickSchoenfeld]

Zelda has always been my favorite series so thank you so much for this. Very intelligent and perceptive, couldn’t be better.

[@yqafree]

What did Majora's mask inspire? 23:00

[@boko_6471]

I'm play mm64 for the first time after only playin mm3d for years. Its just.... amazing. Truly amazing.

[@masonschwalm2010]

4:08 Wouldn’t it technically be “horse-jacking”? On second thought that sounds dirty, never mind, lol. Seriously though, well done! 👍🏻 Majora is tied with Twilight Princess for the spot of my favourite Zelda game, or even just video game in general, and I’m glad that you did it justice. Keep up the good work! 🙏

[@tinyguy9398]

“I… I shall consume. Consume… Consume everything.” - if abject depression had a voice

[@billybobbobson3797]

Criminally underrated!

[@SpicyStrawberryBoy]

Amazing video dude! This only furthers my endless Love for this game even more 💙

[@christfa66]

HOW DOES THUS NOT HAVE MORE VIEWS

[@Kileerie]

Very high quality video, hope to see you popping up in my sub-box more. Impressive analysis.

[@wabloinguspoleris8523]

What scene is @13:40??? I played through majoras mask many times and do not remember this...

[@ady123181]

When you get the up all night mask, the old lady in the inn tells you 2 stories about the history of termina. This is a scene from one of those stories.

[@javonjones8310]

Majora's mask in the title? Liked and subbed.🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@justinmendoza4019]

Really enjoyed this video!

[@wyattwebb6963]

Would anyone like a challenge to feel like they helped the citizens of Termina? Simply collect all stray fairies, beat all temple bosses, free the deku princess, collect all zora eggs, beat the King of Ikana, do the ranch and Kafei quests, and then beat Majora in three days. It can be done in a single run (barely pulled it off myself), but be very careful not to waste a second.

[@David-hj4wo]

I remember playing this as a kid and I couldn't watch the scenes where link put on the masks and it's like a creepy cut scene too scary for me back then and even know it's unsettling

[@jackleef8226]

At 23:01 what is the reference? I’m honestly not sure but I’m really curious

[@bryandacote8109]

Wait, what is he referring to at 23:01?

[@MaxMonado]

Xenoblade 2's Elysium

[@buggobricks]

Radical video good sir

[@c0d3_888]

there is no happy ending. even if majora is defeated. you saved everyone from death, but not from despair.

[@dagakotowaru7591]

Agreed! Imagine an anime tv series is made on majoras mask!! I cannot begin to think how awesome it would be

[@Arob4343]

More Majora in the future, this is what we need Nintendo

[@Arob4343]

@your boi dimples in addition to the concept, I want more of the character Majora. And the time loop scenario in gaming

[@gamerpersongamebutilostmyo1576]

You are seriously underrated

[@godlikesnake8909]

KOJI KONDO IS A GENIUS

[@TheHoFFnev]

The part where question if majora's mask could have inspired something what were you gonna say?

[@thisisfyne]

Awesome video! Not a single thumb down - that says a lot. Edit: Dude I fucking teared up at the end of the Anju/Kafei side quest summary. What a game..

[@gustavofabiao3589]

Amazing video. I'm really glad that I clicked on this.

[@rileym7110]

Wait a minute.... I have a question. When link takes the ocarina on his first cycle.... why doesn’t Skull kid have one during the others? He would have still had during all the days wouldnt he? That would have been cool, two ocarinas.

[@Kagomai15]

Because it's a magical item and the source of your time reversal. There are plenty of items that stay with you when you reverse time! :)

[@colintabor5656]

also with color theory in this game rainbows are not used as symbols of peace, but rather used to symbolize chaos, madness, and insanity

[@karlazeen]

Majora's Mask's promotional art is beautiful.

[@corv1d770]

This deserves more attention! I can tell you put good effort into making this, and it captured a lot of the reasons I love the game despite its flaws and despite it being dated. Also that "we'll be right back" caught me off guard and I lost it- Edit: 18:54 H E B L E W U P ????

[@DigimonTamerfreak]

The titan obviously looks like the happy mask salesman.

[@Kagomai15]

You called the music that plays after midnight of the final day an anomaly, but if I recall correctly, isn't it the Clock Town theme again, just slowed and dramatized?

[@ninjataco7777]

Awesome vid

[@womp6338]

Playing this game feels like being in a dream.

[@danielroybal1064]

Can u do new zelda video

[@Hmorte14]

Not Xenoblade but still love the vid

[@KayJulers]

Glad to hear, thank you!

[@NT-sx2bd]

Majora's mask is the Enneagram 4 of Zelda games

[@SmeagolTheBeagle]

I love all Zelda but, Majoras mask is just different.

[@bryanjames5470]

First and awesome video

[@KayJulers]

Thank you!

[@bryanjames5470]

@@KayJulers thank you for the heart

[@TheEternalElir]

23:00 The Cthaeh 😬

[@LOADUP01]

@Kay julers if you like this game. You should play Aidyn chronicles 64

[@Silent_Fool]

A matchup that many people is interested. Spoilers for people who haven’t caught up to the third semester in Persona 5 Royal. Skull Kid vs Takuto Maruki. Two beings who doesn’t want sadness and pain, but focuses on happiness for themselves.

[@ensuena5461]

Same

[@thomasjulian4402]

Zelda 3D Games Ranked 1. Ocarina of Time 2. Breath of the Wild 3. Majora's Mask 4. Twilight Princess 5. Skyward Sword 6. Windwaker

[@KayJulers]

You already know you're going to catch heat for this LOL

[@bensjammin9]

Skyward Sword belongs at the bottom lol

[@ashketchum6971]

Mine would be: 1. Twilight Princess 2. Skyward Sword 3. Breath of the Wild 4. Majoras Mask 5. Ocarina of Time 6. The WindWaker

[@raioh4747]

it's simple, really, if I see Majora's Mask I click, just like that

[@williamkoscielniak820]

My dumbass when I was younger got to the final battle but I kept getting my ass handed to me, so I put the game away for a while and then wound up selling my N64 and all of its games. So I never technically beat the game. Maybe if/when Majora's Mask for 3DS comes to the switch I'll give it another go. I want to play it again at some point, but I want to make sure I play the remake but I don't want to play it on a handheld. This is a game that I know I will appreciate the older I am. EDIT - wait, the final boss fight wasn't hard? I couldn't even get past his first form! I couldn't hit his underside with the damned arrows!

[@MahouShoujo-Studios]

Lol, I didn't even finish snow head. It was too hard for me at the time, and I felt constant pressure from the time running out

[@klamsanac8173]

You get around to playing Hollow Knight yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.

[@KayJulers]

Not yet, unfortunately. I really need to pick it up on my switch.

[@aa-lc6hs]

@@KayJulers Hey, I'm not sure if you have a preference between physical versus digital copies of a game, but Team Cherry, the developers of Hollow Knight, have partnered with Fangamer to release a physical version of Hollow Knight for PC, PS4, and the Switch. It's currently on preorder, and the second wave of preorders will be shipped out sometime in late July, but if you had any large, extensive games similar to XCX that you'd want to play in that wait, you'd also be getting an instruction booklet & map with the standard physical version. There's a collector's edition available for preorder at the same time, with some more goodies (including a Switch-exclusive cleaning cloth, which is pretty delightful) packaged in a lovely white box. Unfortunately, it may be a bit too long of a wait for it, but if it's not, and you felt good about the price ($34USD for the Switch version, presumably due to the slightly different production requirements?) for what you were getting, I feel it'd be well worth it. Especially since Hollow Knight is simply exquisite!

[@KayJulers]

@@aa-lc6hs I'm definitely a fan of physical copies for my collection, so I appreciate the heads up. I've had several friends rave about it and I really like the style from what I've seen out of footage. I've got quite the backlog with XCX and Xenogears, so the wait shouldn't be much of an issue. Thank you for the information! I'll take a look into it.

[@fancyorangemittens]

Was that a Steven Universe reference?