As a beloved entry in the long-running Nintendo series, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one that older gamers will have fond memories of, so a user by the name of CryZENx is currently recreating the classic title in Unreal Engine 5. As one of the best 3D games of the 90s, the original release helped usher in a new era at a time when gaming was still finding its feet. So it's perhaps not too surprising that someone is interested in bringing back this quarter-of-a-century old release as an unofficial remake.
When this fan-made project will come out cannot be said at this stage, but the creator has released a new video showing what they've currently done. As can be imagined given the engine it's being made with, this upcoming iteration of Ocarina of Time looks pretty amazing, with much more detailed visuals that give it a more up-to-date look, complete with incredible water effects and lighting. However, despite the game being brought into this modern era of the industry, it still retains the look of the source material, making it instantly recognizable to those who recall the N64 release.
CryZENx has evidently been hard at work on their remake. In fact, a few months ago they released other videos showing Ocarina of Time in Unreal Engine 5, specifically demonstrating the aforementioned water effects and lighting. For anyone who wishes to support the developer, they have a Patreon page where the creator says contributors will gain access to an early version of the remake for testing purposes. As mentioned earlier, there's currently no release date for the project, but it certainly looks as though things are coming along nicely.
In fact, it's not just UE5 that CryZENx has been using, either. A while back, they also uploaded footage from an Unreal Engine 4 remake of Ocarina of Time, specifically showing off the co-op mode. Much like this newest iteration, it takes the nearly 24-year-old game and reimagines it as something a bit more contemporary, giving it a bit of a visual pop without compromising the overall look and feel of the classic RPG.
Unreal Engine is one of the most powerful game development tools on the planet, and it's being used for more than just fan remakes. In fact, there are a number of AAA titles that are utilizing Epic's engine, such as the new Witcher game, Layers of Fears, Redfall, and the new Tomb Raider installment.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is available on 3DS, Nintendo 64, and Switch.
Source: Patreon