 Though Link must still collect several items in order to progress in the game ( as in the previous and subsequent installments of the series ) , these special items grant abilities which either remain in permanent use for the rest of the game or can only be activated in the overworld . In place of actively used items , The Adventure of Link features eight spells for Link to use during action scenes . Each spell is learned from a different wise man in one of the eight towns within Hyrule . Link often has to complete side @-@ quests , such as retrieving lost items , before they will teach him their spells . Some spells and items are necessary for advancing beyond certain points in the game . Also , the Life spell becomes the main means of recovering health during action scenes , since healing Fairies are only found in rare fixed spots , and only appear randomly as overworld encounters . 
