The Zelda vibes are immaculate with this new 'N64 aesthetic' Steam game with a free demo

Zelda fans, hold your hats. While the Ocarina of Time remake is hurtling towards our Nintendo Switch consoles, one indie dev has just made the best 3D dungeon-exploration title since Majora's Mask (2015).

We're still some time away from the return of The Legend of Zelda, as the unknown '2026' release date of Ocarina of Time eludes us.

Buzzing with anticipation, countless franchise fans have turned their attention to similar Steam games where dungeon-crawling and fantasy elements are rife, like Stormforge.

But this solo developer has now created the perfect blueprint that Zelda fans will enjoy, as a 3D N64-like title is coming to Steam that feels like we're truly stepping into Link's shoes.

Temple Maker 64 is Link's Awakening remade

Zelda fans have spent endless hours crawling through deep dungeons and have even had the chance to make their own in Link's Awakening.

Well, that's the recipe adopted by Temple Maker 64, which is an upcoming Steam game (with a live free demo, playable now) that combines the iconic N64 aesthetic and movement with a dungeon creator.

Players can build their own puzzles and hide traps, secret doors, and enemies within stone walls, before jumping into another person's creation and working their way through different community-made maps.

"Temple Maker 64 is a third-person dungeon creator. Build dungeons full of traps and puzzles, or grab your sword and explore community-made dungeons. Choose from a vast selection of items, monsters, puzzle elements, and bosses, all wrapped up in an N64-inspired love letter," reads the Steam description.

"Shape your rooms, build different floors, and choose from a wide selection of objects ranging from traps and monsters to puzzle elements. Imagine challenges involving classic items such as bows, bombs, and grapples, as well as unique items!

Read More: From new logos to Nintendo controllers: Inside Zelda's 40th anniversary celebrations

The aesthetic is purposefully Zelda-coded too, as the developer revealed as much in an AMA earlier this year.

"My intention is definitely to please the N64 Zelda fans (and I'm one of those myself so that helps haha)," they said on Reddit.

Applauded for 'doing what Nintendo won't,' the solo dev revealed that they aren't expecting any pushback from Nintendo, despite glaring similarities.

"Nintendo is aggressive about people using IPs, assets, or code they don't own," they added.

"They also try to patent game mechanics, but the patent is either refused or gets accepted because it's extremely specific (and therefore barely enforced). I'm doing none of that. Legally speaking, there's nothing they can do but watch in fear >:)"

Playtesters in the demo have already released a range of dungeons that can be played now, while more assets were added as recently as August 27.

While we're waiting for the Ocarina of Time remake, Temple Maker 64 could be the best Zelda-ish action you could hope for.