Demo available: The greatest game of all time gets an Unreal Engine 5 remake
Released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is one of the most influential action-adventure games ever made. It set new standards for 3D worlds and still holds the highest Metacritic rating of all time with a 99 Metascore. While Nintendo released a 3DS remaster in 2011, a full remake had never happened – until now, thanks to a dedicated fan.
On March 10, 2025, YouTuber CryZENx released a new playable demo of his fan remake, bringing Zora’s River to life with modern graphics. He began the project around ten years ago in Unreal Engine 4 before switching to Unreal Engine 5 to leverage its advanced lighting and physics. Unlike many other fan projects, this version features destructible objects, collectible items and enemy encounters. Fans can get a first look in the gameplay video below:
How gamers can play the demo
The free demo of CryZENx's Unreal Engine 5 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is available for download and runs at 30 FPS. Supporters on his Patreon can access a 60 FPS version.
Reddit users worry about potential legal issues
So far, there hasn’t been much discussion on Reddit about the latest demo or gameplay video of CryZENx’s Unreal Engine 5 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. However, earlier threads have highlighted users' admiration for the project's graphical quality and attention to detail. Some community members express concern that Nintendo, known for protecting its intellectual property, might issue a cease-and-desist order if the project gains more attention. Historically, Nintendo has taken action against fan-made projects, such as the Super Mario 64 HD remake and AM2R, an unofficial Metroid II remake. While no legal action has been reported against CryZENx's remake so far, the project's future remains uncertain.
Source(s)
YouTube / CryZENx
