Recently, a Polygon author played about 30 minutes of the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. He found that the new manual jump and sprint mechanics made movement and exploration more agile, while the game retained the original's atmosphere. The demo covered the opening sequence, the interior of the Great Deku Tree, Hyrule Field, Castle Town, and part of Adult Link's exploration of the Forest Temple.
During the opening sequence, Link can now perform manual jumps with a button press. The author observed that actions such as obtaining early equipment, picking up and throwing items, and handling simple combat were quick and precise. After acquiring items, players can also cycle through secondary weapons and items using buttons, reducing interruptions in gameplay.
The newly added sprint ability allows Link to cross the vast Hyrule Field more quickly when heading to Castle Town. The adventure log in the main menu provides hints about story progress and the next destination, which the author believes helps players reconnect with the narrative. Castle Town features bustling crowds, conversations, and side quests to explore.
Upon entering the Forest Temple, the author noted the ancient atmosphere created by vines, moss, textures, lighting, and ground-level fog. He felt that the visual treatment made different areas of the temple easier to distinguish, while adjusted architectural details enhanced the sense of realism without losing the original's charm. Due to limited demo time, he had not yet encountered the temple boss.