Lanayru Desert, an expansive and scarred landscape dotted with some of the toughest enemies we’ve yet faced. This is one of the most interesting areas we’ve explored so far, as we’re given the opportunity to switch between its past and present state by striking the Time-Shift Stones mined in its distant past by the Ancient Robots.
Listen in as we face new enemies, receive a much loved upgrade to the Beetle, discover the ruins of the Temple of Time, and inch ever closer to reuniting with Zelda.
Shownotes
These are our literal shownotes and may not reflect the content of the final episode in full.
Last Time
Last time on Tandem Legends we deftly navigated the maze of lava pools in the Earth Temple on our way to rescue the captured Zelda, leaving a trail of Lizalfos tails and an ominous echo of Fire Spume death croaks in our wake. After some heroic Indiana Jones-esque boulder dodging, we once again encountered Ghirahim who, enraged that Zelda escaped from his clutches, conjures a lava monster to battle Link. Naturally, this lava fiend is no match for us so we proceeded to the Earth Spring and finally reunited with Zelda. But, Zelda turns away from Link allowing herself to be ushered through a portal. Before following Zelda, the Sheikah guardian scolds Link and we are left to ponder what role Link will play in Zelda’s destiny.
Today
During the section of gameplay we are discussing today, we navigate the Lanayru Desert region. We encounter a parched land filled with sinksand, decrepit mining equipment, and timeshift stones which, when struck, offer a window to a lush and vibrant past where ancient robots toiled away. These ancient robots are industrious miners of the mysterious timeshift stones native to the region and prove helpful – one of them even upgrades the Beetle, drastically increasing its overall usefulness.
Vast and perilous as it is, the land is unable to deter us from our ultimate goal of finding Zelda. Unfortunately, by the time we reach her dowsing location, revealed to be the Temple of Time, our path is blocked. We’re told by our old friend Gorko that after a resident of the Isle of the Goddess ran through, an explosion shut the way forward.
A helpful robot reveals that the Temple of Time and the nearby Lanayru Mining Facility are connected by an underground tunnel. With renewed determination we are able to unlock the secrets behind revealing the facility and the next step toward Zelda.
Outline:
Chat about overall Lanayru Desert region impression, positive/negative, challenges, triumphs
Large sense of scale, ancient robot statues in distance and Hyrule crest in distance
Design of carts, robots, and structures feel vaguely Aztec or Mayan inspired
Archways seem like some kind of robot face, Lanayru = Robot Race or Lanayru = those who would become Sheikah?
Lanayru Mine Center of Commerce?
Slower paced overall? music, enemies, and/or terrain? (felt a little like a slog for S.)
First time we see a major reference to triforce? Whys it look like the royal crest? (mix of Triforce and Skyloft Loftwings)
Beetle made in or by Lanayru? Nice upgrade.
Desert feels like “Hard” region, while Faron = Easy, Eldin = Medium
Ocarina of Time Connections (everything + Hyrule Historia mention)
Breath of the Wild connections (Sheikah, robots/guardians)
Enemies:
Yellow Chuchu
Electro Spume
Technoblins (fixation on exotic underwear/fashion? And overall presence in region)
Ampilus
Ampilus egg
Hrok
Octorok (stone)
Quadbaba, Dekubaba, Keese
Music:
Lanayru Desert (present)
Quite like this theme, seems perfect for the region with lots of almost “atmospheric” sounds in the background that I think are difficult to really isolate and pick up on while you’re playing but still contribute to the overall feel of desolation, danger, and the exotic. Lots of wind instruments and what sounds like hand drums to me.
Pan pipe/wooden flute
Chimes
Hand drums
Lanayru Desert (past)
Fun changes to the base theme. Feels a little more optimistic and energetic. The percussion has been expanded out considerably with what sounds like the sounds of a foundry. After hearing this theme the “present” theme almost feels tired or worn out.
Still has some of the desert and danger vibes from the base theme, but it almost feels more like a foreshadowing rather than the point of the theme, an undertone
Almost all the instruments sound like they’re hitting big metal tubes with a mallet.
Makes the present theme feel hollow, which depicts the region as empty of life compared to the past
Feels industrial
The theme music for this podcast, Overworld, was created by Kevin Macleod of incomepetech.com, licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
