Game Designer Critiques The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MC8QQaV1zI

game analysis Link to the Past level design ARPG core loop

The first half of this video looks at A Link to the Past's game design: the core pillars of exploration, combat, and puzzles intersect heavily. Each item works for multiple core pillars; the core loop is explore, fight, puzzle, and get an item; it teases secrets you can't reach; unlocking items minimizes places to backtrack; and the game is based around interaction with the world, not necessarily the core gameplay.