1) How would you describe the level of engagement compared to more action oriented games from the same period?

• I would say that Zelda is comparable to other more action oriented games in terms of engagement. What it does differently though is make use of a narrative, which is given to the player via written dialogue, to drive the gameplay. Being able to freely venture the game world, coupled with a narrative giving pointing you in the right direction, makes the game very engaging. 

2) What role does setting and characterisation play in the game?

• The setting and characterization are very important to the game. Since the game is based on exploration, the land being explored better be interesting. Similarly, since a narrative drives the gameplay, the characters themselves must be interesting for the player to get immersed and play the game.

3) How do spells, pickups and power-ups assist the game play?

• In real Zelda, pickups and power-ups add another layer of engagement to the game. Every time you collect a new piece of equipment from a dungeon, you find yourself with new gameplay opportunities and exploration options.