12-08-2007, 11:52 PM
There are very few games on the Nintendo DS that offer much more then the casual gaming genre that we see so much of. I mean if you look at the line of of games on the DS that offer a great story, DS inspired controls, stunning visuals and sound effects; you probably couldn't name that many. Now we are blessed to have not only a game to offer all of that, but a sequel to one of the most well known prestigeous franshises under the Nintendo umbrella: The Legend of Zelda. Just that name alone, you know it must be more then the ordinary game. This time around, the game is a direct sequel froma console to a portable handheld.
Once you open the package and start up the DS main menu screen, you just know you're in for a treat and a adventure that you can not find anywhere else on the DS. The story sets sail not too long after the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker, Link and Tetra [also known as Princess Zelda] are off setting sail for adventure to find the ghastly Ghost Ship. Man of Tera's pirate crew have doubts about the ships existance and the others are just plain ol' scared of the thing and want nothing to do with it. Tetra's tomboyish nature, she wants to find the ship to prove if it is real or some good for nothing pirates. Just as things seemed so innocent and playful, a thick fog settles in. A ship appears from the fog and sets next to Tetra's ship. Tetra's falls in, then our hero Link follows after her, only to wake up on a island.. looking at a fairy named Ciela. She takes you to her Grandpa named Oshua* and your journey begins.
The games basic controls are the most important part of the game. If it was done differently or not traditional... the game wouldnt be as enjoyable. The game is completely touch screen controlled, besides the D Pad and face buttons, to pull up the inventory and map. You move link with the stylus and Ciela [the fairy] acting as a guide. unlinke the fairy in Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Ciela is actually are part of the game and not just some pointer on the screen. The further she is away from Link, the faster he runs and vise versa if she was closer. To pick up items like rocks and pots [clasic LoZ style] all you have to do is tap on the pot and Link runs to grab it. Fairly simple right? =]
Combat is just a bit different, but still very simple and effective. Sliding the stylus vertically makes Link do a stabbing/jabbing thrust with his sword. Sliding the stylus horizontally makes Link slash, well horizontally, which is more effective when fighting multiple enemies near Link. To do the famous spin attack, you quickly draw a circle around Link to to a quick spin attack. Simple right?! It really is easy to do. The most difficult technique to do is just rolling. As you are runnign with Link, just draw tiny cicles near the edge fo the screen. Most of the time you wont get it done correctly, but the more you try and practice the easier it is to do and execute. Another great addition to the game, that at first glance may not seem all important was infact the map interaction. You can jot simple notes down on the map to remind you of important puzzle elements or treasure chests! I had no real problems with any of the touch screen controls at all. At first I was very skeptical about this, I mean, think about how many solitary touch screen games have you played, and they really sucked or felt "broken?" Once you found out that there were traditional controls, you quickly switched back! I have several times, but after playing this game, I want more games to follow suit.
Now you may be wondering about the Wind Waker looking visuals, they are excellent. Many of the LoZ loyalist felt that Wind Waker wasn't the true sucessor to the highly acclaimed Orcarina of Time for the N64 a few years back. Mainly due to the Wind Waker's cartoony and child like design. Other felt that the artsy design made the game that much more different and unique then the oter LoZ games. In Phantom Hourglass, the cel shaded design returns, and on the DS.. its almost comparable to the GCN counter part. In terms of the character designs, man of them are just funny to just rediculous! The emotion portrayed not only by Link, but several other key character's is evident throughout the whole game. They are filled with life and plenty of emotion. Plenty of the cut scenes will keep you glued on your DS screen because you just don't know what to expect! The game just doens't feel ike a DS game, it is that immersive.
Sailing which was a very big part of the Wind Waker has also changed. The sailing in the Wind Waker was long, and often tidious. In Phantom Hourglass, it is a bit different, you just set a route to where exactly you want to go and the ship goes on its own. Along the way you'll fight a lot of different sea cretures and pirate ships too, I have died a couple of time just because I figured that I'd just sail without seeing any monsters. Not the case. Keep your eye on the screen and fight off as many monsters as you can! Another great addition to the sailing aspect of the game is being able to upgrade your ship as well. As you journey throughout the seas, you will come across plenty of ship parts to upgrade your ships health and outer appearence. Combining certain parts together can increase or even decrease your ships stamina [hearts]. Of course mixing and matching gets different results so be sure to try them all.
The music and sound effects in the game are on par to console LoZ games. A lot fo the music and sound are taken from prior games, which isn't anything new. But you will be happy to know that there are new songs. So that isn't too big of a deal to me. [blah]
What really impressed me the most was the boss fights. They were all very innovative on how they use the DS dual screens. Each one was unique in their own right. Some of the boss spaned in a epic two screen battle, while some bosses, you got to see from their point of view to get the drop on them!
Multiplayer? Yes, there is multiplayer and it's Wi Fi. It's not what you think, no it is not a Four Swords Battle! Is it worth mentioning? Just a bit... Ok, there are two teams, the Red team and the Blue team. Each team gets a chance to play as both Link and Three Phantoms. Link has to quickly as possible, and without getting caught [a Metal Gear sort of way] pass the Phantom gaurds and grab Force Gems then place them in their base. Link is directly controlled by the player while the Phantoms on the other hand are route based controlled. Similar to sailing in the game, you draw a route on the screen of where you want the Phantoms to go. If the spot Link, they will automatically chase Link and attack him! There are also plenty of extras, like power ups and DS based "achievement-like" goals. These goals are pretty sweet and doesn't add too much to the game, yet they are fun to get. Another Wi-Fi feature is there is an island that you could trade special items with other players across the world, or even across the room! Have a friend that have a special ship item that you need? Trade! It happens right after or even before you two play a Battle game. Still, Wi-Fi isn't all that fun. Since there is only 1 kind of multiplayer game.
Pros
+ Visuals, Gameplay, Sound rolled up into one cartridge. Pure win.
+ Epic story line, will keep you playing for hours.
+ Plenty to do/collect and tons of islands to see.
Cons
- Solid game, yet... that was just a bit too easy once you figure out the boss. Classic Zelda.
- WTF, what was the point of having Wi Fi, when it isn't all that fun the second time around?
Overall: Mints give this game a full 9.5 out of 10. Would've have been perfect if the difficulty rose as the story continued. Wi Fi also was just pointless. But regardless of that, this game is a must have in any self respecting DS owner's collection.
Once you open the package and start up the DS main menu screen, you just know you're in for a treat and a adventure that you can not find anywhere else on the DS. The story sets sail not too long after the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker, Link and Tetra [also known as Princess Zelda] are off setting sail for adventure to find the ghastly Ghost Ship. Man of Tera's pirate crew have doubts about the ships existance and the others are just plain ol' scared of the thing and want nothing to do with it. Tetra's tomboyish nature, she wants to find the ship to prove if it is real or some good for nothing pirates. Just as things seemed so innocent and playful, a thick fog settles in. A ship appears from the fog and sets next to Tetra's ship. Tetra's falls in, then our hero Link follows after her, only to wake up on a island.. looking at a fairy named Ciela. She takes you to her Grandpa named Oshua* and your journey begins.
The games basic controls are the most important part of the game. If it was done differently or not traditional... the game wouldnt be as enjoyable. The game is completely touch screen controlled, besides the D Pad and face buttons, to pull up the inventory and map. You move link with the stylus and Ciela [the fairy] acting as a guide. unlinke the fairy in Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Ciela is actually are part of the game and not just some pointer on the screen. The further she is away from Link, the faster he runs and vise versa if she was closer. To pick up items like rocks and pots [clasic LoZ style] all you have to do is tap on the pot and Link runs to grab it. Fairly simple right? =]
Combat is just a bit different, but still very simple and effective. Sliding the stylus vertically makes Link do a stabbing/jabbing thrust with his sword. Sliding the stylus horizontally makes Link slash, well horizontally, which is more effective when fighting multiple enemies near Link. To do the famous spin attack, you quickly draw a circle around Link to to a quick spin attack. Simple right?! It really is easy to do. The most difficult technique to do is just rolling. As you are runnign with Link, just draw tiny cicles near the edge fo the screen. Most of the time you wont get it done correctly, but the more you try and practice the easier it is to do and execute. Another great addition to the game, that at first glance may not seem all important was infact the map interaction. You can jot simple notes down on the map to remind you of important puzzle elements or treasure chests! I had no real problems with any of the touch screen controls at all. At first I was very skeptical about this, I mean, think about how many solitary touch screen games have you played, and they really sucked or felt "broken?" Once you found out that there were traditional controls, you quickly switched back! I have several times, but after playing this game, I want more games to follow suit.
Now you may be wondering about the Wind Waker looking visuals, they are excellent. Many of the LoZ loyalist felt that Wind Waker wasn't the true sucessor to the highly acclaimed Orcarina of Time for the N64 a few years back. Mainly due to the Wind Waker's cartoony and child like design. Other felt that the artsy design made the game that much more different and unique then the oter LoZ games. In Phantom Hourglass, the cel shaded design returns, and on the DS.. its almost comparable to the GCN counter part. In terms of the character designs, man of them are just funny to just rediculous! The emotion portrayed not only by Link, but several other key character's is evident throughout the whole game. They are filled with life and plenty of emotion. Plenty of the cut scenes will keep you glued on your DS screen because you just don't know what to expect! The game just doens't feel ike a DS game, it is that immersive.
Sailing which was a very big part of the Wind Waker has also changed. The sailing in the Wind Waker was long, and often tidious. In Phantom Hourglass, it is a bit different, you just set a route to where exactly you want to go and the ship goes on its own. Along the way you'll fight a lot of different sea cretures and pirate ships too, I have died a couple of time just because I figured that I'd just sail without seeing any monsters. Not the case. Keep your eye on the screen and fight off as many monsters as you can! Another great addition to the sailing aspect of the game is being able to upgrade your ship as well. As you journey throughout the seas, you will come across plenty of ship parts to upgrade your ships health and outer appearence. Combining certain parts together can increase or even decrease your ships stamina [hearts]. Of course mixing and matching gets different results so be sure to try them all.
The music and sound effects in the game are on par to console LoZ games. A lot fo the music and sound are taken from prior games, which isn't anything new. But you will be happy to know that there are new songs. So that isn't too big of a deal to me. [blah]
What really impressed me the most was the boss fights. They were all very innovative on how they use the DS dual screens. Each one was unique in their own right. Some of the boss spaned in a epic two screen battle, while some bosses, you got to see from their point of view to get the drop on them!
Multiplayer? Yes, there is multiplayer and it's Wi Fi. It's not what you think, no it is not a Four Swords Battle! Is it worth mentioning? Just a bit... Ok, there are two teams, the Red team and the Blue team. Each team gets a chance to play as both Link and Three Phantoms. Link has to quickly as possible, and without getting caught [a Metal Gear sort of way] pass the Phantom gaurds and grab Force Gems then place them in their base. Link is directly controlled by the player while the Phantoms on the other hand are route based controlled. Similar to sailing in the game, you draw a route on the screen of where you want the Phantoms to go. If the spot Link, they will automatically chase Link and attack him! There are also plenty of extras, like power ups and DS based "achievement-like" goals. These goals are pretty sweet and doesn't add too much to the game, yet they are fun to get. Another Wi-Fi feature is there is an island that you could trade special items with other players across the world, or even across the room! Have a friend that have a special ship item that you need? Trade! It happens right after or even before you two play a Battle game. Still, Wi-Fi isn't all that fun. Since there is only 1 kind of multiplayer game.
Pros
+ Visuals, Gameplay, Sound rolled up into one cartridge. Pure win.
+ Epic story line, will keep you playing for hours.
+ Plenty to do/collect and tons of islands to see.
Cons
- Solid game, yet... that was just a bit too easy once you figure out the boss. Classic Zelda.
- WTF, what was the point of having Wi Fi, when it isn't all that fun the second time around?
Overall: Mints give this game a full 9.5 out of 10. Would've have been perfect if the difficulty rose as the story continued. Wi Fi also was just pointless. But regardless of that, this game is a must have in any self respecting DS owner's collection.
It's a pity the Wi-Fi wasn't done a little better.
