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Adventure of Link > Adventure Of Link Gameplay
The Adventure of Link bears little similarities to the first game, or for that matter, any other game since released in the series. Rather then the top-down view of the previous title, The Adventure of Link primarily features side-scrolling areas within a larger world map. The game also brings together strategic combat system and more RPG elements. Link can also pick up extra lives, which no other game in the series has.
Experience levels
The Adventure of Link features an experience point system, which lets him upgrade his attack, magic, and life. Link is able to raise each of his attribute to a maximum of eight levels. Raising a life level will decrease the damage Link receives when hit; raising a magic level will decrease the MP cost of spells; and raising an attack level will strengthen his offensive power. Each attribute requires a different amount of experience to level up, with life level requiring the lease number of points to level and attack requiring the most. Once enough points are gained to raise an attribute, you may choose to level up that attribute or to cancel and continue gaining experience points toward your next level in another attribute.
Once Link has raised an attribute to the maximum level of eight, any further advance in that attribute will give Link an extra life, but will not advance the attribute past eight. Link also acquires up to four Heart Containers and up to four Magic Containers that permanently increase his life points and magic points. Most other games in the series only allow Link to increase his strength through new weapons, items, and Heart Containers. Certain enemies drain Link's experience when they attack, though he will never lose a level.
Overworld map and side-scrolling
The Adventure of Link uses a two-mode dynamic perspective. The overworld is still from a top-down perspective. Whenever Link enters an area the perspective switches to a side-scrolling view. The side-scrolling view is where most of the action takes place and it is the only mode which Link can take damage and be killed. Link also enters this mode when he gets attacked by wandering enemies.
Whenever the player is wondering through the various environments of Hyrule, black enemy shadows appears and pursue him. Of the three random creatures that appear, there are three types, which go with the difficulty of the enemies in the battle mode: a small, weak blob denoting an easy enemy, a large, strong biped denoting harder enemies, and a Fairy, which will put Link on a single screen with a free Fairy to refill his health. This separate method of traveling and entering combat is one of the many elements adapted from the role-playing genre.
Combat system
The Adventure of Link makes use of simple controls and mechanics for Link's battles. Armed with a sword and shield, Link must alternate between standing and crouching positions in order to attack enemies and defend himself. Link also has the ability to jump, which can be used for attacking the taller of airborne enemies and for evading attacks. Eventually, he can also learn techniques for downward and upward stabs in midair.
Magic
In the place of usable items, The Adventure of Link features spells for Link to use during action. Each spell is learned from a wise man, each one in a different town. Link often has to complete side-quests before they will teach him their spells. Some spells are necessary for advancing beyond certain points in the game; both the Jump and Fairy spells allow Link to reach the ledges that are otherwise too high.
