Awesome game. Yes, there are deviations from the first one, but if you wrote this one off because of initial reviews (like I did), I highly suggest you give it a try.
Some of these could definitely overlap, but I tried to pick a unique game for each entry. This is 100% based on personal preferences and experiences, and I don't think any entry is necessarily the "definitive" game.
Salt and Sanctuary is probably my favorite 2D Metroidvania, top 3 at least, so I was super excited when they announced the sequel Salt and Sacrifice.
I remember it didn't get the best reviews on release, and a lot of people were saying they were disappointed. I ended up getting it anyway, but it was banished to the depths of the backlog before I even got a chance to try it.
Fast forward to today, I'm 24 hours in and having a blast. It's not a perfect game, there a few gripes and questionable changes from the first one, but I still think it's very enjoyable if you're into these kinds of games.
Just for some context, I've never played this game before, but figured it's one of those games I had to play eventually just based off of the historical significance.
A few thoughts:
Do I appreciate why it's such a big deal and such a huge impact on gaming? Absolutely. This probably would have blown my mind as a kid in the 90s.
Does it hold up today? Yeah, kinda. Some of the menu design stuff is janky and I played the 3DS version without the right-stick free camera mod, but overall it's pretty solid. The stylized art style and graphics hold up very well.
Did I enjoy my experience? Meh. Again, I appreciate it for what it was, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a slog to get through. Not trying to start anything or shit on anyone's childhood. I just don't have any of the nostalgia factor, and finishing it ended up feeling more like an obligation.
I intend to come back to try out Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess eventually, but I'm gonna take a break from Zelda games and play a few other titles as a palate cleanser first.
Device: Ayn Thor
Game: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (3DS)