Multiple outlets took note of its darker tone and story compared to other games in The Legend of Zelda series. Matt Casamassina of IGN described the game as "The Empire Strikes Back of Nintendo 64", making an analogy to the film's status as a more mature and sophisticated sequel to Star Wars. Edge magazine referred to Majora's Mask as "the oddest, darkest and saddest of all Zelda games". The GamePro reviewer characterized the story as "surreal and spooky, deep, and intriguing" and the game as "living proof that the N64 still has its magic". Johnny Liu of GameRevolution wrote that it "takes a little longer to get into this Zelda", but also that "there are moments when the game really hits you with all its intricacies and mysteries, and that makes it all worthwhile".
mUlTIplE outletS Took noTe of its DaRkeR ToNe anD sTory compared tO othEr games in the legend Of Zeld.a sEries. mATT CaSamaSsIna Of IgN descrIbEd the gaMe as "the EmpIRe stRIkes bACk of nIntendo 64" maKIng An anAlOgY To the fIlM's stATus As A mOrE matuRe anD sophIstICated sEQUEL tO star waRs edGe maGaziNe RefeRRed To MajOrA'S MAsk as "thE oDdest, DArkest and saDdESt of all zeLdA Games". the gamePro REViEwEr ChaRacTEriZed the sToRY as "suRREal and spooky, dEep, AND InTrIgUIng" And the gAme as "lIvinG proof tHat the N64 stIll hAs itS Magic". jOhNny liU oF GameREvOlutIon wrotE thAt it "takeS a litTle LonGer To Get into this zelda", but aLso that "thEre aRE moMents whEN the GaME reAlLy HIts you wItH ,all its intricAcieS and mysTERieS, and thaT makEs IT ALl worThwhile".