Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker
- Set 100 years after the events in The Ocarina Of Time, this incredible adventure takes a different young hero named Link on an all-new quest
- Link's sister Arilla has been taken by a huge bird. The young man sets sail to track down the bird and get her back -- this sets him on a dangerous and thrilling quest that will make him as much a legend as his namesake
- As you face monsters and try to think your way around obstacles, you'll earn the Wind Waker -- a special flute that controls the winds
- Incredible new combat engine with exciting new moves like the evasion attack
- Addictive mini-games and subquests will help you earn rupees
Rating: 4 of 5
The Wind Waker--Pretty Good Zelda
Rating: 5 of 5
Best game on Gamecube
Rating: 5 of 5
Worth the wait
Rating: 4 of 5
Play the game first before jumping 2 conclusions
for itself & besides, it has tons upon tons of things 2 find & do. You could literally spend hours just sailing around finding secrets. The music-centred gameplay is also a fantastic idea! All in all, it's very fun & a very unique game.
For the Zelda purists reading this review, let me just say that I was once a purist, just like you (well, still am). I pissed & moaned about the cartoony look as well, but I just sat down & played it; 6 hours later I was deep into the game, loving everything about it. Think of this game as a lollipop laced with heroin, or some other equally addictive substance. That is, it may be brightly colored & childish on the outside, but take one lick & you're hooked 4 life!
First off, the seafaring system is a wonderful idea; however, when it usually takes 10-20 mins 2 get from point A 2 point B in the Great Sea, & you have 2 do that very often (before you get the warp tunes), it can suck the fun right out of the game. There are a lot of really annoying areas that also tend 2 suck the fun out of it. Aside from that, the gameplay is very smooth, the graphics & sound are phenomenal, & there a lot of very innovative ideas implemented in Wind Waker.
Rating: 5 of 5
WOW!!!!:)
The first thing you'll notice about The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is that it looks completely different from any previous title in the franchise. Nintendo has opted 2 use cel-shading technology on Wind Waker; the result is that the game looks like a cartoon. Die-hard Zelda purists initially howled at this change, arguing that the game skews too young. I think it's fantastic. The cartoon animation style allows 4 better expression of the characters, & several of the animations--like Link trying 2 pick up an object that's too heavy--are so cute that you can't help but laugh a little.
The second thing you’ll notice is a focus on wind. Instead of trotting around on foot, Link travels from island 2 island on a talking boat, but he doesn't get far without the wind blowing in right direction. Luckily, you'll learn how 2 change the direction of the wind early in the game, & you'll do so frequently--not only 2 power your boat but also 2 solve puzzles. Clever use of wind makes Wind Waker stand out from more conventional adventure games.
The third thing you’ll notice is that the game is just plain fun. Puzzles are innovative & refreshing, & despite some tricky puzzles, I never felt too frustrated 2 keep playing. The locales you'll visit are invariably exotic & fun 2 explore, & the host of bizarre creatures you'll encounter (friendly & otherwise) are always a kick in the pants. Moreover, though the look is radically different, Wind Waker feels like a classic Zelda game. Veterans of the early games in the franchise will experience more than a bit of nostalgia while playing it.
The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker is everything you've come 2 expect from a Zelda game, & it's one of the best adventure games 2 date. This is a must-have title 4 any GameCube owner. --Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover
Pros:
- New cel-shaded animation looks great
- Puzzles & characters are a lot of fun
- There's a special place in the heart of any gamer who's ever owned a Nintendo console, & that place is shaped like a Triforce
Cons:
- Some Zelda purists may be turned off by the cartoon look
($24.91)
Buy Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker Now!
1. Story- Basically, Link lives on a small tropical island in the middle of a huge ocean called The Great Sea. When a gigantic bird appears & kidnaps Link's younger sister, he sets off on a quest 2 rescue her with the help of a magical talking boat called the King of Red Lions. There's much more 2 the story than that, but that's all I can reveal without the risk of giving away a spoiler.
2. Controls- The controls of the game are almost flawless. The Gamecube controller is easy 2 get used 2 with a Zelda title after playing Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask on the Nintendo 64. My only problem was the yellow C-stick. When you're sailing on the ocean, you'll use a baton called the Wind Waker constantly 2 make the wind blow in the desired cardinal direction you want 2 sail in. My problem was when you are choosing a direction, it was difficult 2 spin the C-stick & make it stop at the place I wanted it to. However, I got used 2 moving it, & it was not as much of a problem.
3. Graphics- Wind Waker's surprising choice of graphics & animation was where many loyal Zelda fans moaned & complained. They expected that with the Gamecube, there would be an upgrade in the graphics department making the new Zelda look like a prettier Ocarina of Time. While instead, along with Miyamoto's plan 4 a Zelda game 4 all-ages, they got cartoonish cel-shaded graphics. I personally find the new graphics 2 be beautiful, original, & just plain fun 2 look at. Also, the redisigned characters, especially Link, are very expressive.
4. Difficulty- This is my major problem with the game. It is way too easy! Because Miyamoto said he'd make Zelda 4 all-ages, that explains why the difficulty level was decreased so much so that it could appeal 2 younger gamers. It doesn't take Einstein 2 figure out the puzzles in this game. The bosses are fun but very simple, & most Zelda veterans have likely beaten bosses similar 2 these in previous Zelda games. So, because of this, it leaves the older players with little sense of achievement after beating the game.
5. Length- My other problem with the game: it's just too short. The game has a whopping grand total of 6 dungeons, & none of them take particularly long 2 get through. Most other Zelda games have a minimum of 8 & some even go up 2 10 normal-sized dungeons. There is a place in the game where there could potentially have been a water temple, & 4 some reason there wasn't one. Also, near the end of the game,
Link must get through a tedious quest 2 collect 8 fragments of the Triforce, which I thought was cheaply tacked-on 2 extend the game's length. They could have added one or two more dungeons & I would not have had a problem.
6. Music- The music is great. It has some tunes that can get stuck in your head hours later. It also includes many of the classic songs remixed from Ocarina of Time & other previous Zelda games.
Overall, The Wind Waker is a great Zelda game, just not amazing like Ocarina of Time. 4 stars.