AlthoughThe Legend of Zeldais one of many gaming franchises to embrace a modern gaming staple in recent titles, it had arguably already created a better version of this mechanic nearly 25 years ago. With so manyZeldatitles reworking the franchise’s key features alongside introducing new mechanics, some games provide very different takes on similar concepts. However, it should also be noted that the most modern interpretation of any given feature is not necessarily the best version of it to exist, even within a single series.
Plenty ofZeldagames are defined in large part by their own unique mechanics, such as the titular Echoes ofEchoes of Wisdom. But at the same time, particularly successful mechanics, especially those not so closely tied to a specific game’s lore and storyline, can go on toestablish newZeldagameplay trendsfor the entire series going forward. Fundamentally,Zeldagames value gameplay over story, putting the focus of development on creating an enjoyable experience for all. But in some cases, the constant cycle of innovation can lead to highly functional ideas being discarded.
The Bombers' Notebook Was A Unique Quest Log
It Tracks the Details Of Majora’s Mask’s Signature Time Loop
The time loop central toThe Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Maskcan be complex to navigate, with the three-day cycle full of interconnected events and stories. Fortunately,the Bombers' Notebook helps players to keep track ofMajora’s Mask’s major events and characters, as well as their achievements. Although it is admittedly not as detailed as more recent takes on the idea of a quest log, there is one area in which the Bombers' Notebook outshines even the Adventure Log which has becomea newZeldaseries stapleafter its introduction inBreath of the Wild.
Notably,the Bombers' Notebook is explicitly introduced as an in-universe item, with a physical appearance that changes as Link fills it in. It is an approach thatBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomcame close to echoing with their own Adventure Logs, which could be interpreted as Link keeping a journal on the Sheikah Slate or Purah Pad if it wasn’t for the fact that the entries are written in the second person. However,Echoes of Wisdomhas left even this tentative framing device behind, and its own Adventure Log is clearly just a menu feature.
The Bombers’ Notebook is named for belonging to the Bombers Secret Society of Justice, a group of boys living in Clock Town. Link obtains the Notebook either from their Leader, Jim, or the Happy Mask Salesman depending on what version ofMajora’s Maskis being played.
In contrast,the Bombers' Notebook feels much more like an actual part of Link’s adventure, largely because it is a physical item that he obtains early on in the game. It can only contain a relatively small amount of information, but that can be justified by it reflecting the notebook’s physical size. Even if this is just a clever method to disguise a technical limitation, it is a remarkably effective way to both facilitate and encourage learning more about the time loop, and by extension engage further with the world of Termina.
Zelda’s Modern Quest Log Isn’t Very Interesting
The Adventure Log Doesn’t Stand Out In Comparison To Other Games
Although the Adventure Log of the most recent games is undeniably functional, it is also not as interesting as it could be and therefore deservesa change for the nextZeldatitle. The descriptions of each quest and any progress made in completing them are clear, but lacking in a spark of individuality which would help make them feel like they come from the world they describe. Instead,these entries feel external to the game, and subtly but undeniably break a person’s immersionevery time they check the Adventure Log for whatever reason.
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The Bombers' Notebook, on the other hand, is full of more physical alterationsmade as the game progresses. Although some UI elements are clearly included more for convenience than anything Link would be able to produce himself, such as the images of various important NPCs tracked through the Notebook, the stickers and seals that denote promises and completed quests are easy to see as being added by Link himself. As a result,this version of a quest log therefore feels like an object that Link is directly using.
Frustratingly, it must also be noted that having a relatively impersonal Adventure Log was not even the original intent ofBOTW. In actuality,BOTW’s adventure log was radically changedwhen the game was translated into English.The original Japanese version ofBreath of the Wildhas its quest log written by Link in the first person, which can offer striking insights into his personality that are entirely absent in the English text. This is a disappointing change, as the Adventure Log would have heightened immersion instead of breaking it if it had stayed true to the original text.
Zelda’s Quest Log Should Feel Like Part Of The Adventure
Making it An Actual Item Would Help Better Integrate It Into Gameplay
Functionally speaking, a quest log is essentially just a series of prompts and reminders intended to help orientate a player who may have forgotten their next objective.In games with a large number of both main and side quests, a quest log is a necessityto prevent the details of each being forgotten over the course of regular gameplay. However, just because it is a very practical feature does not mean that it cannot also contribute to the game world, as the Bombers' Notebook has proved.
As it stands, the Adventure Log is not the only recurringZeldafeature that arguably needs workto perfect, but it is one that should be relatively easy to change. Specifically, the basic concept of the Bombers' Notebook as an actual item which is treated like Link’s actual journal makes it a far more engaging way to present the usual information found in quest logs. As such,assuming the nextZeldagame also uses an Adventure Log, it should be implemented like the Bombers' Notebookwas.
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The Bombers' Notebook was a much more engaging version of a quest log than the current form of the Adventure Log is, and theZeldaseries should revive it for its next entry. Although the Bombers' Notebook itself is of course specifically tied toMajora’s Mask, its core concept is still broadly applicable to any future game.The Legend of Zeldawould undoubtedly benefit from taking more inspiration from how it handled this essential gaming feature in the past, now that the games are expanding to regularly require a dedicated quest log.
