Six years ago, when Nintendo revealed the Gamecube, Nintendo showed us the potential look of the Zelda series that looked simply astonishing. The resulting game we got, however, was startlingly different, causing many fans to cry out in agony despite it being an excellent game. Nintendo, hearing the cries of the fans for a more realistic Zelda got their wish in 2004, when the next Zelda game was announced.
Then Nintendo announced they were defining the next generation of games with the Wii, showing off a revolutionary system whose control scheme and promised that the next Zelda would be available on launch day. Well, that day has finally come. You know its gotta be good, but just how good is The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess? Read on and find out…
Gameplay
Twilight Princess is, for all intents and purposes, the most mature evolution taken in the game series’ history, which is guranteed to enthuse Zelda purists. The new Zelda world is breathtakingly huge and more epic than ever before, making it a task to traverse the world at times. Characters are more alive and unique than ever, as players will have little trouble distinguishing one character from another. Heck, players might even catch a little bit of cleavage every now and then. Enemies are more numerous and diverse than ever, and the puzzles and dungeons are rarely tedious or boring.
However, the most intuitive and interesting part of Twilight Princess is its controls. Ever since the release of Ocarina of Time almost a decade ago on the Nintendo 64, the control scheme has changed very little. Until now. Building off of the basic mechanics one would expect to use from just looking at the game, players can easily get used to the controls within just a few minutes time. Using the Wii remote (wiimote) for swordplay via slashing gestures and the nunchuk for movement and some extra abilities, it simply becomes much more satisfying than pressing a button. Heck, its even fun to fish for hours on end.
- Rating: 5 out of 5
Tech Specs
Developed on a modified version of the Wind Waker engine, Twilight Princess, in comparison to all the other games on the Gamecube, is one of the most visually impressive games yet. That being said, the Wii is only twice as powerful as its predicessor, so don’t expect to see an improvement in visuals on par with what Sony and Microsoft are offering. At times, the visuals are indeed lacking, but nothing one can’t overlook once you take a look at the beautiful weather pattens and environments in both the light and twilight worlds. However, the game is dealt a strong blow in the audio department. While all the sound effects are fitting, the music is almost subpar for the series, as most of it is midi rather than orchestrated, which is quickly becoming an abandoned approach to music in the industry.
- Rating: 4 out of 5
Overall and Replay Value
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is everything fans have been frothing for over the past 3 years. While laking in some aspects, the game is one of the greatest ones in the series and possibly one of the best Nintendo has ever made. With over 50+ hours of gameplay at hand with the possibility of downloadable content in the future, Zelda is sure to be both in your Wii and on your shelf for a long time to come. What’s not to love?
- Overall Rating: 4.75 out of 5
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Single and Multiplayer: 5
Technical Specs: 4
Overall and Replay Value: 4.75
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure
Players: 1
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December 2nd, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Before I played this game Zelda OCT was (in my opinion) the greatest game ever made. This game is now my favourite. I think everyone was disapointed with Wind Waker. Nintendo definately made up for it with this.
December 3rd, 2006 at 4:08 am
See i dont understand The hate out there for Wind Waker, I thought it was an extremely well thought out and fully enjoyable Zelda game.
December 3rd, 2006 at 10:15 pm
It was a good game but the plot was lacking. It was fine but they now have Zelda going in two seperate directions Zelda TP is the sequel to Ocarina of Time. Wind Waker is but it’s got it’s own thing going on. Zelda Phantom Hourglass will be the sequel to Wind Waker. I think Nintendo screwed it’s self over with the whole water covered hyrule and then the destroying of hyrule. That’s why TP isn’t the sequel to Wind Waker.
December 5th, 2006 at 1:31 am
There is only REAL Zelda sequel i know of and it’s Majora’s mask. Every other Zelda is a new universe with some continuing threads but they aren’t directly related.
TP isn’t a sequel to OoT it’s just a new Zelda game made in the same vein.
WW and Phantom Hourglass will be the same.. a new Zelda game in the same vein of Wind Waker.
December 13th, 2006 at 1:27 am
Nope, Phamtom hourglass is DIRECTLY linked to Wind Waker. Link leaves the known waters and gets lost and finds himself caught in a new adventure. TP is the official sequel but it is A LOT closer than Wind Waker. I mean, Temple of Time, Sacred Forest (Lost Woods), Kakriko village. Anyways i beat the game (and got all 20 hearts of course) and it is exceptionaly good. I have one critisism. They should of had replayable boss fights like in Majoras Mask.
December 13th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Continuing my ran… Also in the hidden vilage Impaz is named after the founder of the village… IMPA!!! +The shiekah symbol is on all of the howling stones. If TP isn’t the sequel to OoT (or MM) then it’s really f-ing close.
December 13th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
rant*