Deku Forest (Level)

Deku Forest is the first Level in, and the first Level of the Woodlands area. It is followed by Buzz Blob Cave.

Themes and Navigation
The Deku Forest is a large, open woodland with rivers and waterfalls. As the first Level, it features very basic puzzles which require either Totem formations or the Bow to solve.

In Stage 1, the Links begin at an open area surrounded by a moat of water. A bridge crosses the water. Three Bows are provided for immediate use in a circle of hedge bushes. Once all three items are picked up, the Triforce Gateway exiting the stage starts to glow. The Links must then cross a bridge to a large gate with three Switches; two on top of standing logs, and one on the ground. The Links must press all three Switches to open the gate. The Switch on the tallest ledge can be reached by forming a Totem of three and throwing the top Link to the switch, followed by the shorter ledge by throwing the second Link to its switch. The last Link then merely has to step on the final switch to open the gate.

in Stage 2, the Links are immediately faced off against a group of Blobs. The Links must defeat all of the Blobs to move on to the next stage. Some of the Blobs are on ledges, and must be reached by forming a Totem. Pots are provided at ground level, which can be thrown at them to attack. A pair of chests can also be found on the ledges which contain Rupees.

Stage 3 places the Links on a cliffside over a river. A Switch nearby must be hit to activate a moving, wooden platform, allowing the Links to reach the other cliff. On this cliff are more Blobs, as well as chests containing Rupees. Another moving platform bridges the gap between another cliff, but on the other side is a lowered drawbridge preventing the Links from reaching the exit. A Switch at the waterfall can be shot by having the Links form a Totem on the moving platform. Once the switch is hit, it will raise the drawbridge, leading to the Triforce Gateway.

Stage 4 is the final stage, and features a small stream of water in the middle of an open forest. The Links face a group of Totem Dekus here, and must defeat them to open the gate to the last Triforce Gateway.

Drablands Challenges
Deku Forest includes the following Drablands Challenges: "Fewer Heart Containers!", "Clear within the time limit!", and "Guard the Orb!".

During a Drablands Challenge, more enemies and newer enemies appear in the Level. The first Stage features more Blobs, with two notably appearing on top of the two logs where the Switches are, making it harder to throw the Links to them as the enemies can push them off. A strategy to defeat these Blobs is to form a Totem of three and shoot down the Blob on the shortest log first, then throw two Links onto that log to shoot the Blob off the tallest log. Stage 2 features electrified Buzz Blobs as well as a Totem Deku. Stage 3 has Moblins and a hidden Heart Like, while Stage 4 includes Tektites in addition to the usual Totem Dekus.

In "Fewer Heart Containers!", the Links' health is reduced to half, to a minimum of four Hearts.

In "Clear within the time limit!", the Links are initially given 30 seconds to complete the Level. Hourglasses can be picked up to increase the remaining time. If the Links run out of time, then the entire Level is failed.

In "Guard the Orb!", the Links must transport a luminescent Orb that repels a shade of red light. This Orb will protect the Links the shade, which will harm the Links should they step outside the Orb's radius. One Link must carry the Orb to red cups at the end of each Stage to open the Triforce Gateway.