Each and every time a new Zelda title hits the shelves it’s a signal for all serious gamers to stop whatever they’re doing and collectively marvel at one of the best gaming experiences ever created.
If you’re wondering what we’re going on about, where have you been? The adventures of a young chap by the name of Link and his various quests on the world of Hyrule have kept Nintendo addicts going for years. It’s bankable sagas like this that have made the Wii possible.
While each game is set in the same bit of space, not much carries from sequel to never ending sequel. Fans are bound to miss a lot from previous games, but at least it gives the rest of us chance to catch our breath a bit.
But what we all really want to know is, what does the Wii bring to the party? Does this Zelda play like a Gamecube game or is it truly next gen?
They say:
Gamespot: “Twilight Princess is a great game that stays extremely true to the Zelda franchise's past.”
Eurogamer: “Twilight Princess is an incredible game on the whole, with so many peaks, so many magic moments that will live long in the minds of millions of gamers.”
IGN: “Twilight Princess is must see, must play and must own entry into the series that proves over and over again why Nintendo is the best developer in the world.”
We say:
Twilight’s prequel was not without its critics. While we thought The Wind Waker’s cell shaded graphics looked gorgeously stylish, many saw them as plain old childish. Nintendo obviously took one look at the sales figures and ordered up a much more mature look this time round.
The Wii’s not got the same pixel pushing power as the Microsoft’s mighty 360 so don’t expect anything approaching Gears of War. Instead they’ve gone to town on the art direction – Zelda looks stunning this time around. Picture the beauty of ICO or Shadow of the Colossus times ten and you’re just about there. When you see the Twilight realm for the very fist time… Oh my.
You start out once again as that fella Link and this time around you just happen to be a young farmhand. The first hour or two sees you learning the basics of the control system and getting a true feel for the land of Hyrule once again.
Here’s where the Wii’s devilishly inventive control method comes in. To move around, get your Nunchuk in one hand and fiddle about a bit. To aim your cursor, pick up the Wiimote with your other hand and point it at the screen, a lot like you’d do with a light gun.
Not surprisingly, this new control method is slightly confusing at first. You’ll find yourself bouncing off walls and firing your slingshot at completely the wrong spot for a fair old while. But it soon becomes second nature and the wait is worth it. You’ve got much more freedom than Zelda titles of old.
We haven’t even got to the combat yet. Picture the Wiimote as your sword and the Nunchuk as a shield and you’ll soon see why Sony’s so worried about Nintendo this time round.
The story’s your typical Zelda fare. A mysterious twilight is engulfing the land of Hyrule and it’s up to you to stop this eternal dusk from masking the entire world. We don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say that once you enter this Twilight realm, you’ll certainly look at Link in a whole new light.
The puzzle elements and level design are top notch as usual. Unlike most games that rely on odd and daft teasers to offer a challenge, Zelda’s design is logical and the tasks are, well, obvious when you know how.
You’ll get the odd knotty puzzle keeping you guessing for a few hours, but at no point do you feel you’re left totally in the dark. Gone are the days of hitting an inconsequential point on the map to make progress.
Twilight will last you quite a fair old while too. How many hours is down to what you want to do and how you approach each task, but you’re not going to – or even want to – rush through this in a matter of hours.
Once again, Nintendo show how to make sublime and stylish adventures that keep you entertained for weeks. The Ocarina of Time still holds the title of the best Zelda ever, but Twilight has enough in the locker to make it an essential Wii purchase.
Twilight is one of the best titles you’ll ever see on a Wii and it’s barely got going yet. It’s practically perfect in every way.
Like this? Try these:
Zelda, The Ocarina of Time – N64
Zelda, The Wind Waker – GC
Shadow of the Colossus – PS2
FORMAT REVIEWED
Wii
OTHER FORMATS
None
POSTED...
Mon 11 Dec 2006 at 11:20pm
