termina

Termina is a fictional parallel world featured in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, a Nintendo game released in 2000. In the narrative, Termina exists in a separate plane of existence from Hyrule and is beset by a looming catastrophe: the Moon, animated by Majora’s Mask, descends toward the world on a repeating 72-hour cycle. The player, as Link, must uncover the cause of the disaster and avert it.

Geography and major locations center on Clock Town, a bustling hub built around a large clock and serving as the core of Termina. Surrounding Clock Town are four distinct regions: Great Bay, a coastal area; Snowhead, a northern mountain region; Woodfall, a swampy southwest; and Ikana Canyon, an eastern highland area. Each region contains its own dungeon: Great Bay Temple, Snowhead Temple, Woodfall Temple, and Stone Tower Temple in Ikana Canyon. The landscape also includes Termina Field and various smaller towns and locales that host side quests and lore.

Gameplay and plot emphasize exploration, puzzle-solving, and collection of masks that transform Link’s abilities and alter interactions with the world. A central mechanic is the time loop: events unfold over a 72-hour cycle, which players can reset and revisit to influence NPCs and progress toward stopping the Moon’s descent. The story weaves themes of fate, vigil, and collaboration with in-world beings tied to Termina’s fate.

Legacy and reception highlight Termina as a standout setting within the Zelda series, noted for its distinctive atmosphere, innovative time-based gameplay, and memorable temples. The world continues to influence discussions of game design and narrative scope.