Masks: More Than Just Face Value in Gaming
Masks in video games stand out. They do not only hide your digital face. They represent power and fun too. Legendary masks hold deep lore as well. Let’s explore this captivating world of in-game masks now.
The Enigmatic Allure of Masks in “Majora’s Mask”
“The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” reigns supreme when it comes to mask-oriented gaming. Saving the world comes with many faces, literally.
Majora’s Mask: The Root of all Evil (and Awesome Gameplay)
Let’s discuss Majora’s Mask. This mask is more than just decoration. It serves as the game’s main antagonist. Skull Kid becomes possessed by it. He gains immense power. This mischievous character makes poor choices too. A bad influence, indeed.
The lore behind Majora’s Mask is quite chilling. Some say it possesses “evil and wicked power.” The chaos it caused led the “ancient ones” to seal it away. They buried it in shadow. They treated it like a dangerous item to protect the world. But guess what? The seal didn’t hold.
In “Tears of the Kingdom,” you can find Majora’s Mask. Defeating the Floating Coliseum in The Depths gets you this powerful artifact. Imagine wearing it during a boss fight! Psychological warfare at its finest!
Transformation Masks: Becoming Someone (or Something) Else
Majora’s Mask features transformation masks. They change Link drastically. These shifts come with new abilities and forms. But there’s a dark twist: Link screams during transformations.
Deku Mask: The Anguish of a Lost Soul
First up is the Deku Mask. Link’s transformation into a Deku Scrub involves a curse from Skull Kid. To break it, he learns the “Song of Healing.” The Happy Mask Salesman guides him.
Why does Deku Link look so sad? There’s a bittersweet story. He embodies the Deku Butler’s Son, who faced a tragic fate. The poor boy met his end while mushroom hunting. This sad design reflects his grief. Link inherits this sorrow, causing him to scream when he wears the mask.
Bunny Hood: Zooming Through Termina
Need speed? The Bunny Hood is your go-to mask. It boosts Link’s speed and jump height. Simple, effective, and perfect for players seeking faster gameplay.
Other Masks in “Majora’s Mask”: A Motley Crew
“Majora’s Mask” contains many masks beyond transformations. Each mask offers unique abilities or challenges. Let’s explore some of them.
Skull Mask: Fooling (or Not) the Skull Kid
Want to blend in with Skull Kids? Good luck with that! You can find the Skull Mask at the Happy Mask Shop after buying the Keaton Mask. You can trade it with the Skull Kid in the Lost Woods. Spoiler alert: he isn’t fooled.
Garo’s Mask: Gatekeeper to Ikana Canyon
Ikana Canyon requires the Garo’s Mask for entry. To obtain it, ride Epona to Gorman Race Track. Winning against the Gorman Brothers earns you this mask, which opens access to all the eerie thrills Ikana offers.
Gibdo Mask: Talking to the Undead (Sort Of)
Gibdos roam Ikana Canyon. Want to avoid confrontation? Use the Gibdo Mask. You must purify the canyon via the Song of Storms first. Then, cure a mummy in a music box house with the Song of Healing. He’ll reward you with the Gibdo Mask.
Spooky Mask: For the Faint of Heart
The Spooky Mask focuses on scaring others. NPCs react differently due to its spooky nature. It even glows in the dark! Perfect for nighttime encounters.
Epona: Not a Mask, But Still Essential
Epona isn’t a mask, but vital in Termina’s adventures. To obtain Epona, you must complete a mini-quest. Start by using a Powder Keg to clear a boulder blocking Milk Road.
Next, help Romani defend her cows from alien abductors. If successful, Romani teaches you Epona’s Song, granting you a reliable steed for your journey.
Mask Mania Beyond Majora: Other Notable Game Masks
Masks appear in many games, beyond “Majora’s Mask.” Many other titles feature intriguing masks with diverse abilities. Let’s look at a selection from various game worlds.
Oni Masks (General): Elemental Power-Ups
Oni Masks show up as powerful items in various titles. They are often tied to elemental powers. Looting Elemental Chests is an effective method to acquire them. You might find Oni Masks or elemental items including Void and Fire types.
Oni Genji Skin (Overwatch): Crossover Coolness
In “Overwatch,” the Oni Genji Skin is highly sought after. This skin unlocks along with a Spray and Portrait via the Nexus Challenge. Play 15 matches with a friend in “Heroes of the Storm” to earn it. Teamwork brings rewards.
Sheik’s Mask (Tears of the Kingdom): Horriblin Gauntlet Required
“Tears of the Kingdom” carries on the mask tradition with Sheik’s Mask. To claim it, enter Lone Island Coliseum’s depths. Upon reaching the chest, you face Horriblins. Defeat five waves before opening the chest to get Sheik’s Mask.
Legendary Mask: Loot Drops and Story Rewards
The “Legendary Mask” sounds impressive, doesn’t it? You can get it through several methods, primarily receiving it from chests. Search for hidden treasures or complete significant story tasks to claim this epic item.
Loot and enemy drops. Classic RNG at its best. You can complete story missions to unlock it from the challenges menu. Grinding for drops or progressing the narrative, the Legendary Mask is within reach.
Golden Aegis Mask: Completionist Glory
The Golden Aegis Mask is a completionist’s badge of honor. This mask honors players who earn every golden badge in story missions and Ironman challenges. It symbolizes dedication and mastery. Prepare for serious gameplay to achieve this golden glory.
War Surgeon Mask (White Mask Helm) and Lord of Blood Mask (White Mask Helm): Invader Hunting in Elden Ring
Elden Ring features the grimly named War Surgeon Mask, or White Mask Helm. To acquire this mask, hunt three Nameless White Mask invaders in Mohgwyn Palace, Siofra River. They are not easy to defeat.
Important tip: Do NOT defeat Mohg, Lord of Blood before acquiring the White Mask Helm. If you defeat Mohg too early, you cannot obtain the helm until New Game Plus. Prioritize loot over boss battles, at least for now.
Bonzo’s Mask: Dungeon Delving for Rares
Bonzo’s Mask is a “RARE Dungeon Helmet” obtained from Dungeon Reward Chests. Dungeons and rarity create a classic grind recipe. Prepare to explore dungeons and pray to the RNG gods for this helmet.
Midna’s Helmet (Tears of the Kingdom): Depths Dive for Twili Tech
Midna’s Helmet from “Tears of the Kingdom” is locked in a chest in the Lone Island Coliseum in the Depths. Coliseums in the Depths are key locations for masks. Expect combat and puzzles to unlock this Twili tech piece.
Joy Mask, Demon Mask, and Mask of Rage: Navigating Obstacle Courses
Joy, Demon, and Rage masks tie to certain locations and challenges in a game. The Joy Mask is in the Hall of Joy, easily grabbed from a statue. The Demon Mask requires navigating Lava Obby near the Honey Dispenser or the Noob Shop. Sounds sticky and hazardous.
The Mask of Rage involves climbing rooftops to reach the Tower of Rage, ziplining, and claiming the mask. Each mask rewards players for overcoming specific environmental challenges.
Fierce Deity Mask (Tears of the Kingdom): Crouching for Hidden Treasures
The Fierce Deity Mask returns in “Tears of the Kingdom”. To find it, go to Kala Citadel ruins on the southwest side. Find a room blocked by rubble. Walk around, locate a hole in the wall, crouch, and enter to get the Fierce Deity Mask.
Briggsy’s Mask (Sea of Thieves): Adventure Completion Required
In “Sea of Thieves”, Briggsy’s Mask is earned by completing the “Skull of Siren Song” adventure. Deliver 30 skulls to the Siren Song quest giver. A pirate scavenger hunt with a spooky twist. Collect skulls, earn a mask. Fair trade.
Deathclaw Mask (Fallout 76): Fasnacht Festival Luck
The Deathclaw Mask in “Fallout 76” is a rare drop from the Fasnacht Day event. The drop rate is only 0.24%, even with optimal performance in the event (keeping all bots alive). Participation and performance matter, but luck is crucial during Fasnacht.
Amai Mask: Autograph Hunting for Multiplayer Perks
The Handsome Kamen Amai Mask is unlocked for multiplayer after completing the Amai Mask autograph side mission. A charming quest adds quirky multiplayer flair.
Nihilus mask: The Sith Lure of Self-Destruction
The Nihilus mask, from “Star Wars” lore, is a Sith artifact that leads wearers to self-destructive power. Not suitable for the faint-hearted or those who value well-being. A classic Sith bargain: power for everything else.
Zombie skull: Charged Creeper Souvenir
The Zombie skull, and skeletons, wither skeleton, creeper, and piglin heads drop from respective mobs if they die due to a charged creeper explosion. An explosive way to collect trophies reveals charged creepers’ destructive power. Be cautious near explosions.
Beyond Masks: Game Mechanics and Lore Tidbits
Masks are fascinating, but let’s discuss other intriguing game mechanics and lore snippets from the brief.
Rupees, Wallets, and Miyamoto’s Cuteness Factor
Rupees are Zelda’s iconic currency. Shigeru Miyamoto named them “rupees” because it “sounds cute.” A little like “ruby.” There you have it – currency naming origins due to cuteness. In “Majora’s Mask”, defeat thirty Gold Skulltulas in Oceanside Spider House for a Giant Wallet.
Link’s Muteness: Officially Canon?
Is Link mute? It appears to be “officially canon” in “Echoes of Wisdom”. Hueberry claims Link’s ability to speak vanished after capture. The silence has an explanation now. No more doubts about Link’s voice acting.
Gorons: Rolling Stones of Hyrule
Gorons love rolling stones. “Gorogoro” in Japanese mimics heavy objects rolling, fittingly describing them. These bulky beings move slowly unless rolling and can resist lava. Deep water is their weakness. Gorons can’t swim, as shown in “Majora’s Mask”. Stay on land if you are a Goron.
Why Babies Cry (and 6-Month-Olds Screech): Relatable Life Lessons
Crying babies and 6-month-olds screeching relate to Link’s scream when wearing masks and Deku Link’s sadness. Babies cry for reasons like hunger or dirty diapers. Six-month-olds screech while discovering their voices, seeking adults’ reactions.
Befriending Skull Kid, Saving Old Ladies, and Defeating Majora: Practical Tips
Here are practical tips: To befriend a Skull Kid (in “Ocarina of Time”), play Saria’s Song. To earn the Blast Mask in “Majora’s Mask,” save an Old Lady from the Bomb Shop at Midnight on First Night in North Clocktown. Helpful advice wrapped into fun facts.
Masks are more than cosmetics in games. They are gateways to lore, power, and sometimes, humor or fright. Whether using Majora’s Mask or hunting Oni Masks, they deepen gaming experiences. Now, I’ll explore that Coliseum in the Depths and claim Sheik’s Mask.
