Don’t let your dreams be buried. In a reality where it’s almost impossible to ever get an official Studio Ghibli and The Legend of Zelda crossover, a fan has risen up to the occasion to do God’s work. Content creator RwanLink has released a 4K trailer for their upcoming project titled Castle Town, and it’s a breathtaking sight to behold.
Slated for release on 21 November 2023, the fan-made film harnesses the power of Unreal Engine 5 to reimagine 1998’s Ocarina of Time in Studio Ghibli’s signature flair. The environments look gorgeously polished, while the cel-shading elevates the aesthetic in a way that fits nicely with the original presentation. Heck, even the comfortable, whimsical charm characteristic of the Japanese animation powerhouse has been flawlessly recreated.
Various references to the classic adventure can also be seen in the brief trailer, such as the Deku Scrubs and familiar premises of Hyrule Castle Town. “You will experience an animated short film and take a guided tour of castle from a third-person perspective. This video has been crafted with immense love, passion, and dedicated hard work during 4 months,” RwanLink added in the comments section.
“I’m eagerly looking forward to sharing the final video with you on November 21st to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your incredible support!”
For those who are in the know, RwanLink has been a constant presence in the scene for more than 13 years. The enthusiast specialises in all things Zelda, but Castle Town is all the more impressive when you consider that it started out “as a fun side project” to test out a new art style.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was released and published for the Nintendo 64, and is largely considered to be one of the best entries in the franchise. The 1998 classic is also highest-rated game of all time on the review aggregator Metacritic, with Tears of the Kingdom being the latest mainline game to keep the legacy going.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Trinity Sun
