Inside RwanLink’s Unreal Engine 5-Powered Zelda Ocarina of Time Gerudo Fortress Remake

RwanLink’s latest labor of love is a real treat for fans of some of gaming’s most iconic hideouts. The Gerudo Fortress from Ocarina of Time gets a fresh reboot, built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5. Over the course of three months this lone creator poured their heart and soul into bringing it to life, paying homage to the original while slapping on a shiny new coat of visual polish.

Sunlight rushes in in enormous waves over the fortress, creating a magnificent contrast between ancient stone and bright blue skies. The skyscrapers rise to meet the cloudless sky, their edges rounded by sand that seeps into every nook and corner. The Unreal Engine 5 lighting is excellent, and as a result, beams of light bounce off the pale stone, softening up the darker shadows.The courtyards are beautiful, with containers and flags swinging in the dry wind, creating the impression that you’re in an isolated outpost in the middle of nowhere, where danger lurks around every turn. Guards patrolling the catwalks threw lengthy shadows across the skyline, calling attention to the distant horizons and the possibility of rescue or ruin.

Link enters the frame with some great fluid transitions, and it’s good to see that his model is the star of the show. He’s been given some excellent strong proportions that really help bring him to life, which is perfect for this project’s upbeat feel. He climbs sheer faces with his hands and grips, and each pull feels thoughtful and grounded.

These fan creations serve as a terrific reminder of why some games are so popular, and it’s because of the way they capture the essence of the universe they occupy. The Gerudo Fortress is one of those places: hard, hidden, full of possibilities. RwanLink’s take on it breathes new life into the vibe while retaining what made the original so great by retaining same old guards patrolling the same loops, the same walls standing where they always did, but the way the sun hits the place now is just a little different.
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