The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Story Synopsis

Understand the Story Synopsis of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, covering Young Link's journey, key objectives, and the Spiritual Stones.

·Multi-source verified (91/91)

Story Synopsis

Welcome, hero of time! This section provides a comprehensive overview of your epic journey through Hyrule, highlighting key objectives, essential items, and crucial strategies to guide you from a humble Kokiri boy to the legendary hero. Prepare to unravel the mysteries of the Triforce, defeat the King of Evil, and restore peace to the land!

Young Link's Journey: The Spiritual Stones

The Kokiri Forest & The Great Deku Tree

Your adventure begins in the secluded Kokiri Forest, where all residents have a fairy companion – except for you, Link. After a prophetic dream, the Great Deku Tree, the guardian spirit of the forest, summons you. Before you can meet him, you'll need to prove your readiness by acquiring essential gear.

  • Awakening the Hero: The Great Deku Tree, sensing a great evil, calls upon you.
  • Acquiring Essential Gear:
    • Kokiri Sword: Navigate the training area behind Mido's house. Crawl through the small hole to reach the hidden grotto containing the sword.
    • Deku Shield: Purchase from the Kokiri Shop for 40 Rupees. If you're short on cash, cut grass, smash pots, or roll into trees around the forest for easy Rupees.
  • Inside the Deku Tree: The Great Deku Tree tasks you with clearing out the evil within him. This is your first dungeon.
  • Dungeon Objectives:
    • Collect the Fairy Slingshot from a chest after defeating the Gohma Larvae. This item is crucial for hitting switches and stunning enemies.
    • Obtain the Dungeon Map and Compass to aid your navigation through the dungeon.
    • Defeat the boss, Gohma. Strategy: When her eye is red, stun her with the Slingshot, then attack with your Kokiri Sword. Repeat this process until she is defeated.
  • Reward: Upon Gohma's defeat, the Great Deku Tree bestows upon you the first Spiritual Stone, the Kokiri's Emerald, and reveals the prophecy of Hyrule's impending doom before passing away.

Hyrule Field & Hyrule Castle

Following the Great Deku Tree's final instructions, you leave the safety of Kokiri Forest for the vast Hyrule Field, seeking Princess Zelda in Hyrule Castle.

  • Leaving the Forest: Head out of Kokiri Forest into Hyrule Field. Be wary of enemies like Peahats; they can be defeated with your sword or avoided.
  • Reaching the Castle: Navigate Hyrule Field to Hyrule Castle Town.
  • Meeting Malon: Near the drawbridge leading into Hyrule Castle Town, you'll encounter Malon. She'll give you the Weird Egg. Wait for it to hatch into a Cucco, then use the Cucco to wake up her sleeping father, Talon, in the castle courtyard to gain access to the castle.
  • Meeting Princess Zelda:
    • Sneak past the guards in Hyrule Castle by climbing the vines to the right of the main entrance, then navigating the courtyard.
    • Find Zelda in her secluded garden. She will reveal her prophetic dreams mirroring the Deku Tree's warnings and asks for your help to stop the Gerudo King, Ganondorf.
    • She gives you Zelda's Letter, which allows you to pass the guards to Death Mountain Trail.
    • Before leaving, stand on the Triforce symbol and learn Zelda's Lullaby on your Ocarina.

Death Mountain & Dodongo's Cavern

With Zelda's Letter in hand, your next destination is Death Mountain to seek the Goron's Spiritual Stone.

  • Journey to Kakariko Village: From Hyrule Castle Town, head north to Kakariko Village.
  • Climbing Death Mountain: Present Zelda's Letter to the guard at the entrance to Death Mountain Trail. Ascend the trail, avoiding falling rocks and Tektites.
  • Goron City: Enter Goron City and meet Darunia, the Goron leader. He is initially sullen. Play Saria's Song (learned from Saria in the Lost Woods) to cheer him up. To gain his trust and the Goron's Ruby, you must retrieve the Goron's spiritual stone from Dodongo's Cavern, which Ganondorf has sealed.
  • Dodongo's Cavern Objectives:
    • Acquire the Bomb Bag from a chest after solving a bomb-related puzzle (lighting three torches). This allows you to carry and use Bombs.
    • Use Bombs to open new paths (e.g., the large cracked wall) and defeat enemies like Dodongos (stun them by hitting their heads, then place a bomb near them).
    • Obtain the Dungeon Map and Compass.
    • Defeat the boss, King Dodongo. Strategy: Roll a Bomb into his mouth when he inhales, then attack him with your sword while he's stunned. Repeat until defeated.
  • Reward: Darunia bestows upon you the second Spiritual Stone, the Goron's Ruby, and the Goron's Bracelet, allowing you to pick up Bomb Flowers.

Zora's Domain & Jabu-Jabu's Belly

Your quest for the Spiritual Stones continues to the aquatic Zora's Domain.

  • Reaching Zora's Domain: From Kakariko Village, follow the river path through Zora's River to Zora's Domain. You'll need to play Zelda's Lullaby on your Ocarina in front of the waterfall to open the path.
  • King Zora: Speak with King Zora. He's blocking the path to Lord Jabu-Jabu, the Zora's deity.
  • Unfreezing King Zora: You'll need to catch a fish in a bottle (found in a shallow pool in Zora's Domain or purchased from the Zora shop) and present it to King Zora. He will then move, allowing access to Jabu-Jabu.
  • Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly: Enter the giant fish. You'll need to feed him a fish first to gain entry.
  • Dungeon Objectives:
    • Find and escort Ruto, Princess of the Zoras. She'll eventually give you the Zora's Sapphire, but only after you complete the dungeon.
    • Obtain the Boomerang, essential for hitting distant switches, stunning enemies, and retrieving items.
    • Acquire the Dungeon Map and Compass.
    • Defeat the boss, Barinade. Strategy: Use the Boomerang to cut its tentacles, then stun its core with the Boomerang before attacking with your sword.
  • Reward: Ruto gives you the final Spiritual Stone, the Zora's Sapphire, before she is warped away.

The Master Sword & The Temple of Time

With all three Spiritual Stones, you return to Hyrule Castle Town, only to witness a pivotal moment that changes the course of history.

  • The Sacred Forest Meadow: With all three Spiritual Stones, return to Hyrule Castle Town. You'll witness a dramatic cutscene involving Ganondorf pursuing Zelda and Impa.
  • The Ocarina of Time: Zelda, fleeing from Ganondorf, throws the Ocarina of Time into the moat. Retrieve it and learn the Song of Time from her telepathic message.
  • Entering the Temple of Time: Head to the Temple of Time in Hyrule Castle Town.
  • Drawing the Master Sword: Play the Song of Time to open the Door of Time. Place the three Spiritual Stones on the altar and draw the Master Sword from its pedestal.
  • Seven Years Later: By drawing the Master Sword, you are transported seven years into the future, awakening as an adult Link. The Sacred Realm has been corrupted by Ganondorf, who now rules Hyrule.

Adult Link's Quest: Awakening the Sages

Seven years have passed, and Hyrule is a desolate land under Ganondorf's tyrannical rule. You awaken as an adult, guided by the mysterious Sheik, to awaken the Seven Sages and seal away the King of Evil.

Meeting Sheik & The Temple of Time

  • Awakening: You awaken in the Temple of Time, now an adult.
  • Sheik's Guidance: The mysterious Sheik appears, explaining the situation and guiding you on your new quest: to awaken the Seven Sages. Sheik will teach you warp songs throughout your journey.

Forest Temple

Your first task as Adult Link is to cleanse the Forest Temple and awaken the Sage of Forest.

  • Location: Deep within the Lost Woods, accessible through the Sacred Forest Meadow.
  • Objective: The temple is corrupted, and four Poe Sisters must be defeated to progress.
  • Key Item: Fairy Bow. Found after defeating the first Poe Sister. Essential for hitting distant targets and solving puzzles.
  • Boss: Phantom Ganon. Strategy: Ride your horse into the paintings to attack him. When he emerges from a painting, shoot him with an arrow. In the second phase, deflect his energy orbs back at him with your sword.
  • Sage: Saria, your childhood friend, is revealed as the Sage of Forest. She bestows upon you the Forest Medallion and teaches you the Minuet of Forest.

Fire Temple

Next, you must journey to Death Mountain, where the Gorons are being enslaved by Ganondorf's forces.

  • Location: Inside Death Mountain Crater, accessible after learning the Bolero of Fire from Sheik.
  • Objective: Rescue the Goron prisoners and confront the dragon Volvagia.
  • Key Item: Megaton Hammer. Found after defeating a Flare Dancer. This heavy hammer is used to smash rusty switches and certain blocks.
  • Boss: Volvagia. Strategy: Hit Volvagia with the Megaton Hammer when it emerges from the lava, then attack with your Master Sword. Use the Hammer to hit it when it flies overhead.
  • Sage: Darunia, the Goron leader, is revealed as the Sage of Fire. He bestows upon you the Fire Medallion and teaches you the Bolero of Fire.

Ice Cavern & Zora's Domain

Before tackling the Water Temple, you'll need to visit the frozen Zora's Domain.

  • Location: Zora's Fountain, behind Zora's Domain.
  • Objective: Navigate the icy labyrinth to find a crucial item.
  • Key Item: Iron Boots and Zora Tunic. The Iron Boots allow you to sink underwater, and the Zora Tunic allows you to breathe indefinitely underwater.
  • Reward: With these items, you are now prepared for the Water Temple.

Water Temple

The Water Temple, located beneath Lake Hylia, is infamous for its intricate water level puzzles.

  • Location: Lake Hylia, accessible by diving into the central structure with the Iron Boots.
  • Objective: Manipulate the water levels to access new areas and defeat the source of the temple's corruption.
  • Key Item: Longshot. An upgraded Hookshot, allowing you to reach much further distances. Found after solving a puzzle involving Princess Ruto's spirit.
  • Boss: Morpha. Strategy: Use the Longshot to pull Morpha's nucleus out of the water, then attack it with your sword. Avoid its water tentacles.
  • Sage: Princess Ruto, the Zora Princess, is revealed as the Sage of Water. She bestows upon you the Water Medallion and teaches you the Serenade of Water.

Bottom of the Well & Shadow Temple

The Shadow Temple is a dark and unsettling dungeon, requiring a visit to the past to obtain a crucial item.

  • Bottom of the Well (Young Link):
    • Location: Kakariko Village. Requires the Song of Storms (learned from the man in the windmill as Adult Link, then played as Young Link).
    • Objective: Navigate this mini-dungeon to obtain the Lens of Truth, which reveals invisible objects and enemies.
  • Shadow Temple (Adult Link):
    • Location: Beneath Kakariko Village graveyard, accessible after learning the Nocturne of Shadow from Sheik.
    • Objective: Use the Lens of Truth to navigate invisible pathways and avoid hidden traps.
    • Key Item: Hover Boots. Found in a chest. These boots allow you to float briefly over gaps.
    • Boss: Bongo Bongo. Strategy: Use the Lens of Truth to see Bongo Bongo's hands, then shoot them with arrows. Once stunned, cross to the central platform using the Hover Boots and attack its eye with your sword.
    • Sage: Impa, Zelda's bodyguard and the last Sheikah, is revealed as the Sage of Shadow. She bestows upon you the Shadow Medallion and teaches you the Nocturne of Shadow.

Gerudo Fortress & Spirit Temple

The Spirit Temple requires you to travel between time periods to complete.

  • Gerudo Fortress:
    • Location: West of Hyrule Field.
    • Objective: Infiltrate the fortress and rescue the carpenters. You'll need to defeat Gerudo guards and collect Gerudo's Fortress Membership Cards.
    • Reward: Upon rescuing all carpenters, you receive the Gerudo's Card, granting you free passage through the fortress and access to the Gerudo Training Ground.
    • Key Item: Longshot (if not already obtained) and Epona's Song (to call Epona).
  • Desert Colossus:
    • Location: Beyond the Haunted Wasteland, accessible after obtaining the Gerudo's Card. Navigate the desert using the Longshot and the Lens of Truth to find the Spirit Temple.
    • Learning the Requiem of Spirit: Sheik teaches you the Requiem of Spirit outside the Spirit Temple, allowing you to warp directly there.
  • Spirit Temple (Young Link & Adult Link):
    • Objective: You must complete parts of this temple as Young Link and then return as Adult Link.
    • Key Items (Young Link): Silver Gauntlets. These allow Young Link to push heavy blocks.
    • Key Items (Adult Link): Mirror Shield. Reflects light and energy, crucial for many puzzles.
    • Boss: Twinrova (Kotake & Koume). Strategy: Use the Mirror Shield to absorb three blasts of the same element (fire or ice), then reflect the charged energy back at the other witch. Once they combine, absorb three blasts of one element, then reflect it at the combined Twinrova.
    • Sage: Nabooru, a Gerudo warrior you met as Young Link, is revealed as the Sage of Spirit. She bestows upon you the Spirit Medallion.

The Light Temple & The Master Sword's Power

With all six Sages awakened, the final Sage is revealed.

  • The Seventh Sage: Rauru, the Sage of Light, who first spoke to you in the Temple of Time, has been guiding you all along. He reveals that the Sages' power is now united.
  • Zelda's Revelation: Sheik reveals herself to be Princess Zelda, the seventh Sage. She explains Ganondorf's true intentions and the history of the Triforce.
  • The Triforce of Courage: Zelda reveals that you possess the Triforce of Courage, Ganondorf the Triforce of Power, and she the Triforce of Wisdom.
  • Sealing Ganondorf: Zelda attempts to seal Ganondorf, but he breaks free and captures her.

Confronting Ganondorf: The Final Battle

With Zelda captured and the Sages' power united, it's time for the ultimate confrontation with Ganondorf at his formidable castle.

Ganon's Castle

  • Location: Hovering above Hyrule Castle Town, now a dark fortress.
  • Objective: The six awakened Sages combine their power to create a rainbow bridge to Ganon's Castle. You must infiltrate the castle and disable the six elemental barriers protecting Ganondorf.
  • Navigating the Castle: Each barrier requires the power of a specific Sage's medallion and often a corresponding item to destroy.
    • Forest Barrier: Use the Fairy Bow to light torches.
    • Fire Barrier: Use the Megaton Hammer to activate switches.
    • Water Barrier: Use the Longshot to cross gaps and the Iron Boots to sink.
    • Shadow Barrier: Use the Lens of Truth to reveal hidden paths and the Hover Boots to cross chasms.
    • Spirit Barrier: Use the Mirror Shield to reflect light and the Silver Gauntlets (or Golden Gauntlets if obtained) to move heavy blocks.
    • Light Barrier: The final barrier, often requiring the Master Sword's power.
  • The Tower Climb: After disabling the barriers, you climb the central tower, battling through Ganondorf's forces.

Final Showdown: Ganondorf and Ganon

  • Ganondorf (First Form):
    • Location: The top of Ganon's Castle.
    • Strategy: Ganondorf will float in the air, firing energy orbs. Deflect these orbs back at him with your Master Sword until he is stunned. Then, hit him with a Light Arrow (if you have them) and attack with your sword. Repeat until he falls.
    • Common Pitfall: If you run out of magic for Light Arrows, you can still deflect his orbs.
  • Escape from the Castle: After Ganondorf's defeat, the castle begins to collapse. You must escape with Zelda, navigating falling debris and fighting Stalfos. Zelda will use her magic to clear paths.
  • Ganon (Second Form):
    • Location: The ruins of Hyrule Castle. Ganondorf, in his last act of desperation, transforms into the monstrous beast, Ganon.
    • Strategy: Ganon will knock the Master Sword from your grasp. You must retrieve it (often with the help of the Sages). Use the Biggoron's Sword or Megaton Hammer initially to damage his tail. Once you have the Master Sword, stun him with Light Arrows (aim for his head or tail), then attack his tail with the Master Sword. The Sages will assist by holding him down.

Restoring Peace to Hyrule

  • Sealing the Evil: With Ganon defeated, Zelda and the Sages combine their power to seal him away in the Sacred Realm, restoring peace to Hyrule.
  • A Hero's Farewell: Zelda sends you back to your own time as Young Link, allowing you to reclaim your lost childhood and warn the past Zelda of Ganondorf's treachery, thus preventing the tragic events from ever occurring in that timeline.
  • The Future of Hyrule: The game ends with Young Link returning to Kokiri Forest, ready to forge a new path for himself and Hyrule.