Post by Shoe on Feb 13, 2009 10:19:14 GMT -5
I rented the Wind Waker and played through it nearly twice within the time that I had it (I did buy it later, of course), and it absolutely blew my developing brain away. I was really artsy-fartsy back then, admiring anything new that popped up, and Wind Waker was certainly fresh in my unexperienced eyes, though not only due to the art style (it was only my second experience playing Zelda and my first experience at a 3D Zelda) and still remains that way to this day.
This game was charming and simple enough to hold my interest as a budding teen while its involving gameplay, story, and hidden complexity still holds that interest as I near adulthood. I honestly cannot remember what I felt when first opening the game screen, other than the excitement of a new experience, but I definitely recall the more memorable moments of the game, (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD)such as seeing the desolated Greatfish Isle while sailing cursed waters, Aryll being snatched up by the Helmaroc King and later getting the Skull Hammer and beating that sucker down with apocalyptic fury, among countless other happenings. (SPOILER END)
I had also never played a cel-shaded game before—and I'm fairly certain that was something new with the Gamecube's graphics engine and what not—and I found that the style fit the atmosphere of Zelda to a T, as Gem would say. I also loved the colorful expressions the characters were able to display as opposed to previous video games. The music and gameplay was absolutely thrilling, oh my goodness, I could go on forever about it. I say “music and gameplay” in the same breath because they really were intertwined. If you've played it, you'll know what I'm talking about. See, in the battles, the music would sort of “jump” whenever you struck the enemy, and that is honestly one of my favorite features of the entire game, as it made it all the more exciting and was one of the things that made it a fresh experience. The L-Targeting feature made battles so much more fun than just running around and hitting them (though there were times when it was best to do that anyway), and there were just so many things to do, I'm still not bored of that game (but I can't find it! BAWWW).
I'm always disappointed and slightly angry when I hear people bashing the game for its graphics alone, (holy crap I just want to cause them so much physical harm) and that it caused the team to make the fanfic-half-horror that is Twilight Princess which could never hope to measure up to this game in my opinion. I'm being remarkably biased, though, I know. The link at the end of this so-called review will clear that right up, however.
I admit the Triforce gathering was the point in which I stopped playing through the second time when I first played the game (though, now, I don't mind it at all given my newfound love of boats and sailing) and some would say the number of dungeons was small, and though I agree, it doesn't really bother me all that much.
My outlook on the game is probably highly opinionated on my part, but I am not very easily impressed, especially nowadays what with the impeding hole that gaming is slowly but surely walking into. Anyway, you should definitely try it if you haven't already (YOSCHEE). It was an absolutely revolutionary experience for me.
Okay, so this was probably more of a nostalgic praise than a review, but what can I say? I worship that game. And, if you're wondering why I did this so suddenly, it's because I read this: www.eurogamer.net/articles/news250705zelda and nearly cried.
This game was charming and simple enough to hold my interest as a budding teen while its involving gameplay, story, and hidden complexity still holds that interest as I near adulthood. I honestly cannot remember what I felt when first opening the game screen, other than the excitement of a new experience, but I definitely recall the more memorable moments of the game, (SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD)such as seeing the desolated Greatfish Isle while sailing cursed waters, Aryll being snatched up by the Helmaroc King and later getting the Skull Hammer and beating that sucker down with apocalyptic fury, among countless other happenings. (SPOILER END)
I had also never played a cel-shaded game before—and I'm fairly certain that was something new with the Gamecube's graphics engine and what not—and I found that the style fit the atmosphere of Zelda to a T, as Gem would say. I also loved the colorful expressions the characters were able to display as opposed to previous video games. The music and gameplay was absolutely thrilling, oh my goodness, I could go on forever about it. I say “music and gameplay” in the same breath because they really were intertwined. If you've played it, you'll know what I'm talking about. See, in the battles, the music would sort of “jump” whenever you struck the enemy, and that is honestly one of my favorite features of the entire game, as it made it all the more exciting and was one of the things that made it a fresh experience. The L-Targeting feature made battles so much more fun than just running around and hitting them (though there were times when it was best to do that anyway), and there were just so many things to do, I'm still not bored of that game (but I can't find it! BAWWW).
I'm always disappointed and slightly angry when I hear people bashing the game for its graphics alone, (holy crap I just want to cause them so much physical harm) and that it caused the team to make the fanfic-half-horror that is Twilight Princess which could never hope to measure up to this game in my opinion. I'm being remarkably biased, though, I know. The link at the end of this so-called review will clear that right up, however.
I admit the Triforce gathering was the point in which I stopped playing through the second time when I first played the game (though, now, I don't mind it at all given my newfound love of boats and sailing) and some would say the number of dungeons was small, and though I agree, it doesn't really bother me all that much.
My outlook on the game is probably highly opinionated on my part, but I am not very easily impressed, especially nowadays what with the impeding hole that gaming is slowly but surely walking into. Anyway, you should definitely try it if you haven't already (YOSCHEE). It was an absolutely revolutionary experience for me.
Okay, so this was probably more of a nostalgic praise than a review, but what can I say? I worship that game. And, if you're wondering why I did this so suddenly, it's because I read this: www.eurogamer.net/articles/news250705zelda and nearly cried.
