09-25-2006, 03:03 AM
Welcome to the Official Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess FAQ Topic. This FAQ is current as of October, Friday the 13th! 2006!.
1. What is the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
2. What's the main Story?
3. Are there any differences between the GameCube version and the Wii version?
4. Does the Gamecube version support a widescreen format?
5. I heard the Wii can play GameCube titles, can I just use my Gamecube copy on the Wii?
6. When is the game due for release?
7. Is there a preorder bonus? What is it?
8. Is it true this is the longest Zelda game so far?
9. Is Twilight Princess a lot harder than previous titles?
10. What's the age rating?
11. Does Twilight Princess use Cel-shading?
12. Where does the game take place in the timeline?
13. How old is link in the game?
14. I heard this is a new link?
15. How can there be another Link when there's only ever been one?
16. What is the Wolf I see in the trailers?
17. What is the Twilight Realm?
18. Does Link have any special powers as a Wolf?
19. Who do I see riding on Wolf Links back in the trailer?
20. Who is Midna?
21. Is Midna Link's shadow?
22. Who is the Twilight Princess?
23. Why is Midna wearing Majora's mask?
24. In the E3 trailer there is a girl in a black robe, who is it?
25. How has Link's Tunic changed in the Twilight Princess?
26. Will the Twilight Princess feature horse riding?
27. Can link ride other animals?
28. Will Epona be links horse again?
29. Does Princess Zelda feature in the game?
30. Is she a playable character?
31. Does Ganon (Ganondorf) play a part in the Twilight Princess?
32. Who is Colin?
33. Who is Ilia?
34. Will the Gorons/ Zoras/Gerudos/the Shiekah species be in the Twilight Princess?
35. Who is the fairy that follows link everywhere?
36. What environments will Link have to battle through?
37. Are any other characters known?
38. How large is the Hyrule kingdom?
39. What enemies are back in TP?
40. What Bosses does Link have to battle against?
41. What are the controls on the Gamecube?
42. Are the controls different on the Wii?
43. How do I throw a boomerang or fire an arrow like in the E3 trailer?
44. Does the Wiimote allow free range of motion with swordplay?
45. Can Link steal and use enemy weapons?
46. Can I use weapons when being Wolf Link?
47. Are there any new weapons/items in the Twilight Princess?
48. What magical items can Link use?
49. Can link carry more inventory than previous games?
50. Can I adjust the camera view and angles?
51. Can Link go fishing again in TP?
52. Can link fully swim in TP?
53. Is the Master Sword in this game
54. Are there any differences in combat compared to other Zelda games?
55. Where can I find game trailers/game music/gameplay vids?
56. Why should I buy this game?
57. The FAQ is too big, can you just give me a gist of what the game will be like?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---
1. What is the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the next installment in the long running Zelda series. This 3d action game will be the first ever Zelda title to launch with a Nintendo console. The first time public has laid eyes on this game was on 2004 at
Nintendo's E3 press conference.
---
2. What's the main Story?
Link is a shepherd/rancher in the small village of Toaru. Toaru Village is one of the many several "lands" that populate the world which border the main kingdom of Hyrule. Every year a great festival is held in Hyrule where the leaders from all the lands come to Hyrule to talk. Something major is keeping the mayor of Toaru Village from going, so the mayor sends Link in his stead. Link has hurt his horse however, and Ilia takes his horse to fountain to heal. When Link arrives at the fountain, they are ambushed by mean looking villains riding boars. They knock out Link, shoot Ilia with arrows (she is presumed dead) and kidnap a young boy named Colin. When Link comes to, he charges off after them, towards Hyrule. Link comes across a strange black wall that block the path to Hyrule. When Link approaches, a hand jumps out and pulls Link into the Twilight Realm, where becomes a wolf and is captured.
After escaping the prison with Midna's help, and clearing several dungeons you meet the guy who ambushed you and Ilia again, and he has Colin tied up to a giant pole. After knocking off his armor by chasing him around Hyrule Field, you get in an awesome jousting match. With the proper timing, you can knock the villain into the abyss and rescue Colin.
---
3. Are there any differences between the GameCube version and the Wii version?
Everything from the storyline, maps, items, and enemies will be identical in both versions. However, the Wii version will have that oh-so awesome wiimote combat system! Miyamoto also said at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2006 that Twilight Princess will also be able to run at 16:9 widescreen televisions without having your image stretched. Other than the control scheme and the 16:9 enabled gaming, there are no other differences at this time.
---
4. Does the Gamecube version support a widescreen format?
No, Gamecube version plays only in 4:3 whereas the Wii version will also display in a 16:9 (widescreen) format in 480p.
---
5. I heard the Wii can play GameCube titles, can I just use my Gamecube copy on the Wii?
You sure can! But even though you're playing on the Nintendo Wii (since it IS still in fact a GameCube game) you have to play with a GameCube controller. The GameCube software is incompatible with the Wii build.
---
6. When is the game due for release?
Wii: 11/19/2006
GameCube: 12/11/2006
---
7. Is there a preorder bonus? What is it?
As of current, there is no preorder bonus announced, but that doesn't mean there won't be one.
---
8. Is it true this is the longest Zelda game so far?
It's been officially reported that this game is the largest in the series, in terms of time it takes to complete and the actual size of the in-game world. Aonuma has said the game will take over 100 hours and that he will try to match and beat the amount of dungeons found in Ocarina of Time. The development team has acknolwedged that this game is going to be compared with Ocarina of Time (a revolutionary Zelda game) and that they're trying to surpass it in every possible way.
---
9. Is Twilight Princess a lot harder than previous titles?
According to the enemy AI programmer, the Twilight Princess development team wants to make the enemies and bosses much harder than before. Bill Trinen of NOA's localization team also revealed during the 2006 E3 Press Conference that the Twilight Princess demo was toned down because Nintendo felt it was too hard for most gamers, and the final version will be MUCH harder.
---
10. What's the age rating?
This game is rated "T" for "Teen".
---
11. Does Twilight Princess use Cel-shading?
Yes, and No. It doesn't use cel-shading to the full affect as they did with Wind Waker but there ARE certain parts in the game that are cel-shaded (e.g. Midna's arm). Aonuma stated that they are trying to use cel-shading in new and unique ways.
---
11. Where does the game take place in the timeline?
The infamous timeline question that everyone seems to worry about. Eiji Aonuma said at the GDC in 2005 that the game was actually a sequel to The Wind Waker, BUT at E3 2005 just two months later, he said the game was actually a sequel to Ocarina of Time, taking place decades after the N64 epic and would probably involve some of the same locations and characters. He also later said that the game was before The Wind Waker. However, Aonuma himself, as well as other team members, have been quoted on storyline info before the release that have turned out to be flat out false. So bottom line? I don't know. We don't know. Not even Aonuma and is development team knows. We'll just have to play and find out.
---
12. I noticed there was some lag or slowdown in a few of the E3 trailers battle scenes, is this a cause for concern?
No, my good questionnaire! This lag you see is most likely right before attacks is it not? Well, this was a trait carried over from the game Zelda: The Wind Waker. It's just a particular "style" wanted to use.
---
13. How old is link in the game?
Miyamoto said Link would be 16 in the game, but again, just like the timeline, this information is never really accurate. He also said that in the course of the game, Link ages, so although he has no deifnite age, he DOES start out as a 16 year old farm boy.
---
14. I heard this is a new link?
Aonuma said at E3 2005 this is not the same Link as Ocarina of Time (the Hero of Time). However, this Link MAY have some tie-in with the Hero of Time seeing as it is the same place as OoT (Ocarina of Time) only decades after. But as previously stated, this question has to do with the storyline and storyline questions aren't confirmed until either the release, or new information is announced.
---
15. How can there be another Link when there's only ever been one?
That is where you are wrong my friend. There are many Link's. How many? Nobody knows this answer. Not even a fan site dedicated to finding the answer. The only answer to this is what Aonuma said in 2002, that "whenever there is a new evil, a new Link arises to stop it". He essentially dismissed the "single" Link ideology some fans had, and confirmed there are multiple Links. We just don't know how many.
---
16. What is the Wolf I see in the trailers?
This is Link. Contrary to early speculation, he is not a Werewolf. Miyamoto said that Link turns into a Wolf for a very special reason, and only he transforms in the Twilight Realm. Link, so far as we've seen, can only transform into a wolf in the Twilight Realm (those orange-filtered screenshots are not normal Hyrule, but rather, the new Twilight Realm look).
---
17. What is the Twilight Realm?
It's an evil "thing" that is consuming Hyrule. It is believed that Link has to return light to the land, as outlined in the official Nintendo game information page for Twilight Princess, and thus part of Link's quest is to repel the Twilight Realm, or outright destroy it.
---
18. Does Link have any special powers as a Wolf?
The only specific information given about Wolf Link's mechanics is that you would target enemies, and then "let go" of something to attack, but since this info is nearly a year-and-a-half old, and now the Wii control scheme comes into play, it is possible this changed. From the trailers, it appears by some tactic, a "shockwave" of red light is sent outward (perhaps a Wolf Sense), and Midna's "arm" tossed out red "junk" that appeared to be a targeting system. Wolf Link then attacks. Aerial enemies are a different story, in the E3 2005 trailer, it seemed Midna's arm turned into an attacking device to fight off some form of an enemy. Also, in a sewer sequence, invisble enemies became "visible" when Link was a Wolf with Midna. If this is a special Wolf power, or just an item like the Lens of Truth, has yet to be confirmed.
---
19. Who do I see riding on Wolf Links back in the trailer?
A Twilight Being known as Midna. It is believed to be the Hero Sword, or Link's shadow but this is only speculation.
---
20. Who is Midna?
She is a being from the Twilight Realm who agrees to mutually help out Link since apparently he can help her. She helps Wolf Link break out of a cell early on in the game, and they team up. The creators have said that Midna can exist outside the Twilight Realm in the "strictest definition of exist".
---
21. Is Midna Link's shadow?
According to the E3 2006 demo it appears so. But again, this is only specualtion.
---
22. Who is the Twilight Princess?
The creator's said the title is both "obvious" and "yet creative". Obviously, nobody knows who or what the Twilight Princess is, but it has been hinted that it is NOT Zelda.
--
23. Why is Midna wearing Majora's mask?
That's not Majora's Mask. It only (sort of) looks like it. It's some "helmet" that is actually missing a piece, which is partially visible on the "logo" of Twilight Princess. Since it is part of the logo, it more than likely is something important to the game's overall story.
---
24. In the E3 trailer there is a girl in a black robe, who is it?
This girl is Princess Zelda, garbed in what looks like a traditional Japanese funeral outfit.
---
25. How has Link's Tunic changed in the Twilight Princess?
It's a different shade of green, it's made of different materials instead of it being one giant tunic, and it is much more "detailed" (his cap has stitches in it, whereas before it was always a seemless cap). Additionally, Link now dawns chain mail under his tunic. (For those of you who don't know what chain mail is, chain mail is a type of armour that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.) Early in the game, Link also dawns a Toaru Village outfit, which many of the villagers there wear.
---
26. Will the Twilight Princess feature horse riding?
Yes, and this time, you can fight with your sword as well while on the horse. This was something the creators wanted in Ocarina of Time, but couldn't implement.
---
27. Can link ride other animals?
Besides the horse, we've seen Link ride a "boar" in the GDC 2005 trailer.
---
28. Will Epona be links horse again?
According to an E3 2005 interview, you name your horse. So it's perfectly acceptable to name your horse Epona.
---
29. Does Princess Zelda feature in the game?
Yes. Yusuke Nakano has an illustration of Princess Zelda now public, which shows her wielding a small single-handed blade which resembles a rapier of sorts. She also is in the E3 2005 trailer dawning ceremonial robes that represent a person in mourning or lamenting.
---
30. Is she a playable character?
Aonuma said she would play a vital role in the game, and laughed at a question about her being playable. Obviously, nobody knows the answer but the team, so this is a possibility. Aonuma did say, however, there may be cooperative dungeons again like in The Wind Waker at E3 2005.
---
31. Does Ganon (Ganondorf) play a part in the Twilight Princess?
Yes. He is confirmed to be in the game by Eiji Aonuma and by other team members. A Nintendo Power interview in volume 193 said we would get more of Ganon then we could ever expect. However, nothing of his actual role in the game is confirmed. Not even his appearance.
---
32. Who is Colin?
Colin is a boy from Toaru Village in the E3 2005 demo. He is bullied by children in the Village, and is apparently either Ilia's good friend or brother. Link helps Colin defend himself from the bullies by demonstrating his fighting skills, and later on, Colin shows Link how to reach his horse and Ilia at the healing spring. After an attack, sometime later in the game, Link finds Colin being held captive by the Marauder boss in Hyrule Field. Link defeats the boss and apparently saves Colin.
---
33. Who is Ilia?
Ilia is the Toaru Village Mayor's daughter, and the caretaker of your horse. She is hinted to be Link's girlfriend in the 2005 demo, but no confirmation of this has been made. She is attacked early on and taken captive, though we do not know her true fate or role. She bears an uncanny resemblence to Ocarina of Time's "Saria".
---
34. Will the Gorons/ Zoras/Gerudos/the Shiekah species be in the Twilight Princess?
The Gorons were seen in the GDC 2005 and E3 2006 trailers, and there is official artwork of a Goron. The Zoras have not been confirmed, though EGM speculated based on an interview they would make an appearance. The Gerudo and Sheikah have not even been mentioned, although Zelda's "robe" in the Twilight Realm has the Eye symbol with a teardrop - the Sheikah symbol from Ocarina of Time - so fans believe Sheik or the Sheikah are making a comeback.
---
35. Who is the fairy that follows link everywhere?
This is simply a game mechanic for the Wii version. It isn't actually a "companion" or storyline character. The fairy is not in the GCN version, so it is speculated that this fairy is your Wii pointer. Like the arrow on your computer corresponds to the postion of your mouse.
---
36. What environments will Link have to battle through?
As of 9/24, we've seen a Forest Temple, a Fire Temple (Goron Mines), a Snowy area, a field much like Hyrule Field, Toaru Village, a water area with some "boss-like" enemy, a sprawling town, Hyrule Castle in the Twilight Realm, a castle in Hyrule (presumably Hyrule Castle), and a fishing pond. You most likely won't fight at the fishing pond or in the market, but as seen in Ocarina of Time, the market can be a place for combat.
---
37. Are any other characters known?
There are lots of characters known as of now, from both demos and from interviews and artwork. Raka, Tobi, Hena, two characters who are based on Malon/Talon duo from Toaru village, as well as all the villagers there, and others.
---
38. How large is the Hyrule kingdom?
IGN's Matt Casamassina said it would take 45 minutes to cross Hyrule. This was very ambigiuous and is completely unverifiable. It was also revealed last year that Hyrule's entire geography would be three times the size of the Great Sea. That was accurate as of Fall 2005. Either way, it is assumed the game world is larger than any previous Zelda title.
---
39. What enemies are back in TP?
Bokoblins. Keese. Stalfos. The usual suspects. There are also new foes like Twilight Realm aerial and ground forces, the Goron Mines boss, the Forest Temple boss (looks like Manhandla), and some sea serpent. Others have appeared as well, such as a Baboon, Deku Babas, Lizalfos, and Tektites.
---
40. What Bosses does Link have to battle against?
We've seen officially a Giant Fire Boss and a Huge Plant Boss. People speculate the former is a ravaged Goron, and the latter is possibly an updated form of Manhandla or a giant Deku Baba. We've also seen in the trailers a giant spider boss and a sea serpent. Although Link wasn't seen fighting the giant spider but indeed running away, it could very well be a pre-battle challenge of sorts.
---
41. What are the controls on the Gamecube?
The same as The Wind Waker. L target. D-pad toggles map. Equip items to X/Y/Z. Press B to swing. A to perform actions and roll. Quick 360 rotation of analog stick + B to spin attack. Analog stick moves Link, C-stick moves camera.
---
42. Are the controls different on the Wii?
It depends on what you mean. Originally, you used the analog stick on the Nunchuk attachment to move, and the Z-button on the Nunchuk to target or shift camera angle. D-pad on Wii controller equips items and Up direction toggles Midna. A to roll, B to swing sword. When in first person mode, use the Wii controller to "aim" and push D-pad to use the item. Shake the Nunchuk to do spin attack. You could also "thrust" the Wii controll to do a shield block, toss stuff with the Nunchuk, and downthrust with the Wiimote. Recently, however, the controls changed so that you would now use the Wii controll to swing the sword, and the B button would be used for firing the bow.
---
43. How do I throw a boomerang or fire an arrow like in the E3 trailer?
You use the Wii controller and must be playing the Wii version of Twilight Princess.
---
44. Does the Wiimote allow free range of motion with swordplay?
No. A simple flicker of the wrist will simulate the B button on the wiimote. That means vertical, horizontal, and diagonal gestures all translate to the command "slice". There is no 1:1 sword combat.
---
45. Can Link steal and use enemy weapons?
It has not been shown, or confirmed, that Link can "steal" other enemy's items or beasts.
---
46. Can I use weapons when being Wolf Link?
No. Your equipment slots are replaced with commands such as "attack".
---
47. Are there any new weapons/items in the Twilight Princess?
Well... it depends. There are variations and, items making an appearance for the first time in a 3D world.
First is the Clawshot. It first appeared in the E3 2006 Goron Mines dungeon demo. It is essentially a combination of the Hookshot with the Grappling Hook from TWW.
Next is the Bomb Arrow. It first appeared in the E3 2005 trailer. This is this item's first appearance since Link's Awakening and it's first time in 3D. Nintendo plans to use other items like this, where you combine two items from your menu for a new effect. Awesome.
The lantern is also making a return. It first appeared in the E3 2005 trailer also, and was a usable item in the E3 2005 Forest Temple dungeon. This is this item's first appearance since A Link to the Past and also it's first time in 3D. It is fueled by lantern oil instead of magic, but it deosn't seem to shoot fire anymore. This is another example of the using two items together. Link uses it in dark areas and will have to use it at night. That's right, nighttime is going to be realistically dark now, and virtually impossible to see in without that lantern.
As for modifying old items, if you charge your boomerang by holding the item button, your boomerang will create a mini-tornado around it, pulling items to you and causing spinning objects to spin. Like in TWW, you can lock onto up 5 to objects at a time. Simply aim your boomerang and press Z (GCN) or Z1 (Wii) to lock your boomerang to lock-on to that target. Now you can solve complex wind-puzzles by hitting specific switches in a certain order.
---
48. What magical items can Link use?
It is unknown, but what is known is that there's a magic meter so we could see a Din's fire-esque item in the future.
---
49. Can link carry more inventory than previous games?
The creators wanted to change the inventory system so you no longer know how many "items" are left. It will begin as a small "circle", and as you get more items, the circle will expand and have more "rings". So in short, I don't know.
---
50. Can I adjust the camera view and angles?
Yes you can in both versions. In the GCN version, use the C-stick for free-camera or L-button to auto-lock an angle. In the Wii version, use the Z-button to auto-lock an angle, or hold Z and then use the Wii controller to move the fairy over one of the "arrows", and the camera shifts freely.
---
51. Can Link go fishing again in TP?
Yes fishing is back. It was first announced at E3 2005, where Link was seen fishing from a canoe. At E3 2006, the Wii version of fishing was a playable demo. There are two kinds of fishing, bobber fishing and lure fishing.
Bobber fishing is a lot like fishing from OoT where you on the shore of the lake casting out. By pulling the Wiimote back, then flicking it like you're casting it, you cast the line. By moving the Wiimote after you have cast, you can cause the bobber to dance around and catch the fishes' attention.
In lure fishing, "you paddle the canoe in real-time and stop anywhere you want to... Your right thumb rests on top of the A button and, when pressed, holds the line in place. You then tilt the controller back and flick it forward. If you simultaneously release the A button, you'll send the lure soaring through the air. You'll feel the controller rumble and you can actually hear the line whirring through the speaker in the remote controller, a nice touch that makes it feel all the more real. You can then shake either the analog attachment or the pointer to jig the lure in the water and attract fish. Pushing down on the digital pad reels in the line fast, while pressing the A button reels it in slowly. When a fish bites, you tilt the controller backwards and… move the analog attachment in circular motion to reel the fish in faster."
---
52. Can link fully swim in TP?
Not exactly known. The GDC 2005 trailer showed Link swimming, but in both the E3 2005 and 2006 demos, no videos actually showed him steering himself underwater. So most likely while it won't be tWW swimming where you can only swim on top of the water for a certain amount of time, it WILL be the OoT swimming where you can dive, but only for a set amount of seconds.
---
53. Is the Master Sword in this game?
Yes, the Master Sword was confirmed by an image to be in the game.
54. Are there any differences in combat compared to other Zelda games?
Well it depends on what you mean. If you mean overall gameplay as in how you swing a sword then yes. The Wii version will include motion sensor-type combat where you swing the Wii-mote to simulate a strike. But in terms of moves your can perform in game then the answer to that is also yes. Now, instead of having to make a full stop to swing your sword, Link can run and hit at the same time. Same goes for horseback combat, now while Link is on his horse, he can gallop and swipe at enemies as he is passing them. They also included the parry system but we've seen that befor in tWW
---
55. Where can I find game trailers/game music/gameplay vids?
Many places! I'd recommend google... But if you don't wanna try Google then:
IGN Movies
Gamespot movies
GameTrailers Movies
Google Videos
YouTube Videos
---
56. Why should I buy this game?
This game is expected to be the greatest game of all time.
---
---
57. The FAQ is too big, can you just give me a gist of what the game will be like?
Sure! Basically it's about a guy named Link who has to save the land of Hyrule from a place called the 'Twilight Realm'. Here's a video to give you an idea of what the game is like:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
---
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy!
1. What is the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
2. What's the main Story?
3. Are there any differences between the GameCube version and the Wii version?
4. Does the Gamecube version support a widescreen format?
5. I heard the Wii can play GameCube titles, can I just use my Gamecube copy on the Wii?
6. When is the game due for release?
7. Is there a preorder bonus? What is it?
8. Is it true this is the longest Zelda game so far?
9. Is Twilight Princess a lot harder than previous titles?
10. What's the age rating?
11. Does Twilight Princess use Cel-shading?
12. Where does the game take place in the timeline?
13. How old is link in the game?
14. I heard this is a new link?
15. How can there be another Link when there's only ever been one?
16. What is the Wolf I see in the trailers?
17. What is the Twilight Realm?
18. Does Link have any special powers as a Wolf?
19. Who do I see riding on Wolf Links back in the trailer?
20. Who is Midna?
21. Is Midna Link's shadow?
22. Who is the Twilight Princess?
23. Why is Midna wearing Majora's mask?
24. In the E3 trailer there is a girl in a black robe, who is it?
25. How has Link's Tunic changed in the Twilight Princess?
26. Will the Twilight Princess feature horse riding?
27. Can link ride other animals?
28. Will Epona be links horse again?
29. Does Princess Zelda feature in the game?
30. Is she a playable character?
31. Does Ganon (Ganondorf) play a part in the Twilight Princess?
32. Who is Colin?
33. Who is Ilia?
34. Will the Gorons/ Zoras/Gerudos/the Shiekah species be in the Twilight Princess?
35. Who is the fairy that follows link everywhere?
36. What environments will Link have to battle through?
37. Are any other characters known?
38. How large is the Hyrule kingdom?
39. What enemies are back in TP?
40. What Bosses does Link have to battle against?
41. What are the controls on the Gamecube?
42. Are the controls different on the Wii?
43. How do I throw a boomerang or fire an arrow like in the E3 trailer?
44. Does the Wiimote allow free range of motion with swordplay?
45. Can Link steal and use enemy weapons?
46. Can I use weapons when being Wolf Link?
47. Are there any new weapons/items in the Twilight Princess?
48. What magical items can Link use?
49. Can link carry more inventory than previous games?
50. Can I adjust the camera view and angles?
51. Can Link go fishing again in TP?
52. Can link fully swim in TP?
53. Is the Master Sword in this game
54. Are there any differences in combat compared to other Zelda games?
55. Where can I find game trailers/game music/gameplay vids?
56. Why should I buy this game?
57. The FAQ is too big, can you just give me a gist of what the game will be like?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---
1. What is the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess?
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is the next installment in the long running Zelda series. This 3d action game will be the first ever Zelda title to launch with a Nintendo console. The first time public has laid eyes on this game was on 2004 at
Nintendo's E3 press conference.
---
2. What's the main Story?
Link is a shepherd/rancher in the small village of Toaru. Toaru Village is one of the many several "lands" that populate the world which border the main kingdom of Hyrule. Every year a great festival is held in Hyrule where the leaders from all the lands come to Hyrule to talk. Something major is keeping the mayor of Toaru Village from going, so the mayor sends Link in his stead. Link has hurt his horse however, and Ilia takes his horse to fountain to heal. When Link arrives at the fountain, they are ambushed by mean looking villains riding boars. They knock out Link, shoot Ilia with arrows (she is presumed dead) and kidnap a young boy named Colin. When Link comes to, he charges off after them, towards Hyrule. Link comes across a strange black wall that block the path to Hyrule. When Link approaches, a hand jumps out and pulls Link into the Twilight Realm, where becomes a wolf and is captured.
After escaping the prison with Midna's help, and clearing several dungeons you meet the guy who ambushed you and Ilia again, and he has Colin tied up to a giant pole. After knocking off his armor by chasing him around Hyrule Field, you get in an awesome jousting match. With the proper timing, you can knock the villain into the abyss and rescue Colin.
---
3. Are there any differences between the GameCube version and the Wii version?
Everything from the storyline, maps, items, and enemies will be identical in both versions. However, the Wii version will have that oh-so awesome wiimote combat system! Miyamoto also said at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2006 that Twilight Princess will also be able to run at 16:9 widescreen televisions without having your image stretched. Other than the control scheme and the 16:9 enabled gaming, there are no other differences at this time.
---
4. Does the Gamecube version support a widescreen format?
No, Gamecube version plays only in 4:3 whereas the Wii version will also display in a 16:9 (widescreen) format in 480p.
---
5. I heard the Wii can play GameCube titles, can I just use my Gamecube copy on the Wii?
You sure can! But even though you're playing on the Nintendo Wii (since it IS still in fact a GameCube game) you have to play with a GameCube controller. The GameCube software is incompatible with the Wii build.
---
6. When is the game due for release?
Wii: 11/19/2006
GameCube: 12/11/2006
---
7. Is there a preorder bonus? What is it?
As of current, there is no preorder bonus announced, but that doesn't mean there won't be one.
---
8. Is it true this is the longest Zelda game so far?
It's been officially reported that this game is the largest in the series, in terms of time it takes to complete and the actual size of the in-game world. Aonuma has said the game will take over 100 hours and that he will try to match and beat the amount of dungeons found in Ocarina of Time. The development team has acknolwedged that this game is going to be compared with Ocarina of Time (a revolutionary Zelda game) and that they're trying to surpass it in every possible way.
---
9. Is Twilight Princess a lot harder than previous titles?
According to the enemy AI programmer, the Twilight Princess development team wants to make the enemies and bosses much harder than before. Bill Trinen of NOA's localization team also revealed during the 2006 E3 Press Conference that the Twilight Princess demo was toned down because Nintendo felt it was too hard for most gamers, and the final version will be MUCH harder.
---
10. What's the age rating?
This game is rated "T" for "Teen".
---
11. Does Twilight Princess use Cel-shading?
Yes, and No. It doesn't use cel-shading to the full affect as they did with Wind Waker but there ARE certain parts in the game that are cel-shaded (e.g. Midna's arm). Aonuma stated that they are trying to use cel-shading in new and unique ways.
---
11. Where does the game take place in the timeline?
The infamous timeline question that everyone seems to worry about. Eiji Aonuma said at the GDC in 2005 that the game was actually a sequel to The Wind Waker, BUT at E3 2005 just two months later, he said the game was actually a sequel to Ocarina of Time, taking place decades after the N64 epic and would probably involve some of the same locations and characters. He also later said that the game was before The Wind Waker. However, Aonuma himself, as well as other team members, have been quoted on storyline info before the release that have turned out to be flat out false. So bottom line? I don't know. We don't know. Not even Aonuma and is development team knows. We'll just have to play and find out.
---
12. I noticed there was some lag or slowdown in a few of the E3 trailers battle scenes, is this a cause for concern?
No, my good questionnaire! This lag you see is most likely right before attacks is it not? Well, this was a trait carried over from the game Zelda: The Wind Waker. It's just a particular "style" wanted to use.
---
13. How old is link in the game?
Miyamoto said Link would be 16 in the game, but again, just like the timeline, this information is never really accurate. He also said that in the course of the game, Link ages, so although he has no deifnite age, he DOES start out as a 16 year old farm boy.
---
14. I heard this is a new link?
Aonuma said at E3 2005 this is not the same Link as Ocarina of Time (the Hero of Time). However, this Link MAY have some tie-in with the Hero of Time seeing as it is the same place as OoT (Ocarina of Time) only decades after. But as previously stated, this question has to do with the storyline and storyline questions aren't confirmed until either the release, or new information is announced.
---
15. How can there be another Link when there's only ever been one?
That is where you are wrong my friend. There are many Link's. How many? Nobody knows this answer. Not even a fan site dedicated to finding the answer. The only answer to this is what Aonuma said in 2002, that "whenever there is a new evil, a new Link arises to stop it". He essentially dismissed the "single" Link ideology some fans had, and confirmed there are multiple Links. We just don't know how many.
---
16. What is the Wolf I see in the trailers?
This is Link. Contrary to early speculation, he is not a Werewolf. Miyamoto said that Link turns into a Wolf for a very special reason, and only he transforms in the Twilight Realm. Link, so far as we've seen, can only transform into a wolf in the Twilight Realm (those orange-filtered screenshots are not normal Hyrule, but rather, the new Twilight Realm look).
---
17. What is the Twilight Realm?
It's an evil "thing" that is consuming Hyrule. It is believed that Link has to return light to the land, as outlined in the official Nintendo game information page for Twilight Princess, and thus part of Link's quest is to repel the Twilight Realm, or outright destroy it.
---
18. Does Link have any special powers as a Wolf?
The only specific information given about Wolf Link's mechanics is that you would target enemies, and then "let go" of something to attack, but since this info is nearly a year-and-a-half old, and now the Wii control scheme comes into play, it is possible this changed. From the trailers, it appears by some tactic, a "shockwave" of red light is sent outward (perhaps a Wolf Sense), and Midna's "arm" tossed out red "junk" that appeared to be a targeting system. Wolf Link then attacks. Aerial enemies are a different story, in the E3 2005 trailer, it seemed Midna's arm turned into an attacking device to fight off some form of an enemy. Also, in a sewer sequence, invisble enemies became "visible" when Link was a Wolf with Midna. If this is a special Wolf power, or just an item like the Lens of Truth, has yet to be confirmed.
---
19. Who do I see riding on Wolf Links back in the trailer?
A Twilight Being known as Midna. It is believed to be the Hero Sword, or Link's shadow but this is only speculation.
---
20. Who is Midna?
She is a being from the Twilight Realm who agrees to mutually help out Link since apparently he can help her. She helps Wolf Link break out of a cell early on in the game, and they team up. The creators have said that Midna can exist outside the Twilight Realm in the "strictest definition of exist".
---
21. Is Midna Link's shadow?
According to the E3 2006 demo it appears so. But again, this is only specualtion.
---
22. Who is the Twilight Princess?
The creator's said the title is both "obvious" and "yet creative". Obviously, nobody knows who or what the Twilight Princess is, but it has been hinted that it is NOT Zelda.
--
23. Why is Midna wearing Majora's mask?
That's not Majora's Mask. It only (sort of) looks like it. It's some "helmet" that is actually missing a piece, which is partially visible on the "logo" of Twilight Princess. Since it is part of the logo, it more than likely is something important to the game's overall story.
---
24. In the E3 trailer there is a girl in a black robe, who is it?
This girl is Princess Zelda, garbed in what looks like a traditional Japanese funeral outfit.
---
25. How has Link's Tunic changed in the Twilight Princess?
It's a different shade of green, it's made of different materials instead of it being one giant tunic, and it is much more "detailed" (his cap has stitches in it, whereas before it was always a seemless cap). Additionally, Link now dawns chain mail under his tunic. (For those of you who don't know what chain mail is, chain mail is a type of armour that consists of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.) Early in the game, Link also dawns a Toaru Village outfit, which many of the villagers there wear.
---
26. Will the Twilight Princess feature horse riding?
Yes, and this time, you can fight with your sword as well while on the horse. This was something the creators wanted in Ocarina of Time, but couldn't implement.
---
27. Can link ride other animals?
Besides the horse, we've seen Link ride a "boar" in the GDC 2005 trailer.
---
28. Will Epona be links horse again?
According to an E3 2005 interview, you name your horse. So it's perfectly acceptable to name your horse Epona.
---
29. Does Princess Zelda feature in the game?
Yes. Yusuke Nakano has an illustration of Princess Zelda now public, which shows her wielding a small single-handed blade which resembles a rapier of sorts. She also is in the E3 2005 trailer dawning ceremonial robes that represent a person in mourning or lamenting.
---
30. Is she a playable character?
Aonuma said she would play a vital role in the game, and laughed at a question about her being playable. Obviously, nobody knows the answer but the team, so this is a possibility. Aonuma did say, however, there may be cooperative dungeons again like in The Wind Waker at E3 2005.
---
31. Does Ganon (Ganondorf) play a part in the Twilight Princess?
Yes. He is confirmed to be in the game by Eiji Aonuma and by other team members. A Nintendo Power interview in volume 193 said we would get more of Ganon then we could ever expect. However, nothing of his actual role in the game is confirmed. Not even his appearance.
---
32. Who is Colin?
Colin is a boy from Toaru Village in the E3 2005 demo. He is bullied by children in the Village, and is apparently either Ilia's good friend or brother. Link helps Colin defend himself from the bullies by demonstrating his fighting skills, and later on, Colin shows Link how to reach his horse and Ilia at the healing spring. After an attack, sometime later in the game, Link finds Colin being held captive by the Marauder boss in Hyrule Field. Link defeats the boss and apparently saves Colin.
---
33. Who is Ilia?
Ilia is the Toaru Village Mayor's daughter, and the caretaker of your horse. She is hinted to be Link's girlfriend in the 2005 demo, but no confirmation of this has been made. She is attacked early on and taken captive, though we do not know her true fate or role. She bears an uncanny resemblence to Ocarina of Time's "Saria".
---
34. Will the Gorons/ Zoras/Gerudos/the Shiekah species be in the Twilight Princess?
The Gorons were seen in the GDC 2005 and E3 2006 trailers, and there is official artwork of a Goron. The Zoras have not been confirmed, though EGM speculated based on an interview they would make an appearance. The Gerudo and Sheikah have not even been mentioned, although Zelda's "robe" in the Twilight Realm has the Eye symbol with a teardrop - the Sheikah symbol from Ocarina of Time - so fans believe Sheik or the Sheikah are making a comeback.
---
35. Who is the fairy that follows link everywhere?
This is simply a game mechanic for the Wii version. It isn't actually a "companion" or storyline character. The fairy is not in the GCN version, so it is speculated that this fairy is your Wii pointer. Like the arrow on your computer corresponds to the postion of your mouse.
---
36. What environments will Link have to battle through?
As of 9/24, we've seen a Forest Temple, a Fire Temple (Goron Mines), a Snowy area, a field much like Hyrule Field, Toaru Village, a water area with some "boss-like" enemy, a sprawling town, Hyrule Castle in the Twilight Realm, a castle in Hyrule (presumably Hyrule Castle), and a fishing pond. You most likely won't fight at the fishing pond or in the market, but as seen in Ocarina of Time, the market can be a place for combat.
---
37. Are any other characters known?
There are lots of characters known as of now, from both demos and from interviews and artwork. Raka, Tobi, Hena, two characters who are based on Malon/Talon duo from Toaru village, as well as all the villagers there, and others.
---
38. How large is the Hyrule kingdom?
IGN's Matt Casamassina said it would take 45 minutes to cross Hyrule. This was very ambigiuous and is completely unverifiable. It was also revealed last year that Hyrule's entire geography would be three times the size of the Great Sea. That was accurate as of Fall 2005. Either way, it is assumed the game world is larger than any previous Zelda title.
---
39. What enemies are back in TP?
Bokoblins. Keese. Stalfos. The usual suspects. There are also new foes like Twilight Realm aerial and ground forces, the Goron Mines boss, the Forest Temple boss (looks like Manhandla), and some sea serpent. Others have appeared as well, such as a Baboon, Deku Babas, Lizalfos, and Tektites.
---
40. What Bosses does Link have to battle against?
We've seen officially a Giant Fire Boss and a Huge Plant Boss. People speculate the former is a ravaged Goron, and the latter is possibly an updated form of Manhandla or a giant Deku Baba. We've also seen in the trailers a giant spider boss and a sea serpent. Although Link wasn't seen fighting the giant spider but indeed running away, it could very well be a pre-battle challenge of sorts.
---
41. What are the controls on the Gamecube?
The same as The Wind Waker. L target. D-pad toggles map. Equip items to X/Y/Z. Press B to swing. A to perform actions and roll. Quick 360 rotation of analog stick + B to spin attack. Analog stick moves Link, C-stick moves camera.
---
42. Are the controls different on the Wii?
It depends on what you mean. Originally, you used the analog stick on the Nunchuk attachment to move, and the Z-button on the Nunchuk to target or shift camera angle. D-pad on Wii controller equips items and Up direction toggles Midna. A to roll, B to swing sword. When in first person mode, use the Wii controller to "aim" and push D-pad to use the item. Shake the Nunchuk to do spin attack. You could also "thrust" the Wii controll to do a shield block, toss stuff with the Nunchuk, and downthrust with the Wiimote. Recently, however, the controls changed so that you would now use the Wii controll to swing the sword, and the B button would be used for firing the bow.
---
43. How do I throw a boomerang or fire an arrow like in the E3 trailer?
You use the Wii controller and must be playing the Wii version of Twilight Princess.
---
44. Does the Wiimote allow free range of motion with swordplay?
No. A simple flicker of the wrist will simulate the B button on the wiimote. That means vertical, horizontal, and diagonal gestures all translate to the command "slice". There is no 1:1 sword combat.
---
45. Can Link steal and use enemy weapons?
It has not been shown, or confirmed, that Link can "steal" other enemy's items or beasts.
---
46. Can I use weapons when being Wolf Link?
No. Your equipment slots are replaced with commands such as "attack".
---
47. Are there any new weapons/items in the Twilight Princess?
Well... it depends. There are variations and, items making an appearance for the first time in a 3D world.
First is the Clawshot. It first appeared in the E3 2006 Goron Mines dungeon demo. It is essentially a combination of the Hookshot with the Grappling Hook from TWW.
Next is the Bomb Arrow. It first appeared in the E3 2005 trailer. This is this item's first appearance since Link's Awakening and it's first time in 3D. Nintendo plans to use other items like this, where you combine two items from your menu for a new effect. Awesome.
The lantern is also making a return. It first appeared in the E3 2005 trailer also, and was a usable item in the E3 2005 Forest Temple dungeon. This is this item's first appearance since A Link to the Past and also it's first time in 3D. It is fueled by lantern oil instead of magic, but it deosn't seem to shoot fire anymore. This is another example of the using two items together. Link uses it in dark areas and will have to use it at night. That's right, nighttime is going to be realistically dark now, and virtually impossible to see in without that lantern.
As for modifying old items, if you charge your boomerang by holding the item button, your boomerang will create a mini-tornado around it, pulling items to you and causing spinning objects to spin. Like in TWW, you can lock onto up 5 to objects at a time. Simply aim your boomerang and press Z (GCN) or Z1 (Wii) to lock your boomerang to lock-on to that target. Now you can solve complex wind-puzzles by hitting specific switches in a certain order.
---
48. What magical items can Link use?
It is unknown, but what is known is that there's a magic meter so we could see a Din's fire-esque item in the future.
---
49. Can link carry more inventory than previous games?
The creators wanted to change the inventory system so you no longer know how many "items" are left. It will begin as a small "circle", and as you get more items, the circle will expand and have more "rings". So in short, I don't know.
---
50. Can I adjust the camera view and angles?
Yes you can in both versions. In the GCN version, use the C-stick for free-camera or L-button to auto-lock an angle. In the Wii version, use the Z-button to auto-lock an angle, or hold Z and then use the Wii controller to move the fairy over one of the "arrows", and the camera shifts freely.
---
51. Can Link go fishing again in TP?
Yes fishing is back. It was first announced at E3 2005, where Link was seen fishing from a canoe. At E3 2006, the Wii version of fishing was a playable demo. There are two kinds of fishing, bobber fishing and lure fishing.
Bobber fishing is a lot like fishing from OoT where you on the shore of the lake casting out. By pulling the Wiimote back, then flicking it like you're casting it, you cast the line. By moving the Wiimote after you have cast, you can cause the bobber to dance around and catch the fishes' attention.
In lure fishing, "you paddle the canoe in real-time and stop anywhere you want to... Your right thumb rests on top of the A button and, when pressed, holds the line in place. You then tilt the controller back and flick it forward. If you simultaneously release the A button, you'll send the lure soaring through the air. You'll feel the controller rumble and you can actually hear the line whirring through the speaker in the remote controller, a nice touch that makes it feel all the more real. You can then shake either the analog attachment or the pointer to jig the lure in the water and attract fish. Pushing down on the digital pad reels in the line fast, while pressing the A button reels it in slowly. When a fish bites, you tilt the controller backwards and… move the analog attachment in circular motion to reel the fish in faster."
---
52. Can link fully swim in TP?
Not exactly known. The GDC 2005 trailer showed Link swimming, but in both the E3 2005 and 2006 demos, no videos actually showed him steering himself underwater. So most likely while it won't be tWW swimming where you can only swim on top of the water for a certain amount of time, it WILL be the OoT swimming where you can dive, but only for a set amount of seconds.
---
53. Is the Master Sword in this game?
Yes, the Master Sword was confirmed by an image to be in the game.
54. Are there any differences in combat compared to other Zelda games?
Well it depends on what you mean. If you mean overall gameplay as in how you swing a sword then yes. The Wii version will include motion sensor-type combat where you swing the Wii-mote to simulate a strike. But in terms of moves your can perform in game then the answer to that is also yes. Now, instead of having to make a full stop to swing your sword, Link can run and hit at the same time. Same goes for horseback combat, now while Link is on his horse, he can gallop and swipe at enemies as he is passing them. They also included the parry system but we've seen that befor in tWW
---
55. Where can I find game trailers/game music/gameplay vids?
Many places! I'd recommend google... But if you don't wanna try Google then:
IGN Movies
Gamespot movies
GameTrailers Movies
Google Videos
YouTube Videos
---
56. Why should I buy this game?
This game is expected to be the greatest game of all time.
---
---
57. The FAQ is too big, can you just give me a gist of what the game will be like?
Sure! Basically it's about a guy named Link who has to save the land of Hyrule from a place called the 'Twilight Realm'. Here's a video to give you an idea of what the game is like:
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
---
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy!
