criteeker's Full Review: Nintendo WII The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess...
Get your gamer minds out of the gutter.
Let me start by saying that I have never played a single Zelda game - ever. Having said that, my stepson has played every single one, and I mean every one. That said, I'll tackle this review for anyone who either hasn't played this game or is interested in buying a game for their younger family members. Who better to write a review about a game than a newbie to the series franchise?
My first unbiased impression was, "Dude, this game is lame. I have to read subtitles in a video game? Why couldn't they afford voice overs? This is so Japanese anime." I can honestly say that after playing the game, my opinion has changed in a big way. The story was compelling and drew me in. It has such an honest presentation - the kind of honesty you get behind rather quickly and a level of comfort that few games have. I really wanted to be the hero guy and save the day.
Then my logical mind took over. The game is NOT on a BlueRay disc so space is limited to a DVD's parameters. The DVD space was divided between lush environments, music, sound effects, bad guys, etc etc etc. The environments are rendered with stunning detail and color while maintaining a level of peace and tranquility.
One thing that sets this version of the Zelda franchise apart from the rest is the controls. Yes, there are buttons to push, but one swipe of your Wii-Mote and your character swings the sword. One swipe of your connected Nunchuk controller makes the character do a spin attack. The physical interaction really adds a higher level of game play to this installment.
The game centers around a guy named Link, but each gamer can choose his or her own name for Link. It's a nice touch that when characters (in the game) speak to you, they often use the custom name you choose. You also get to name your horse. I'm SURE there are all sorts of nasty names in these two slots in the Zelda universe that gamers are proud of. What did you name your horse? My nephew named his horse... (wait for it)... "Stinky Butt" - that's classic.
Training the player how to use the controls is not ordinary. Instead of the usual boot-camp type of training, the player is immediately immersed in fun tasks in and around a village. That quickly turns dark as creatures from a light-deprived "twilight" universe that turns humans into spirits and the gamer into a wolf called WolfLink. I LOVE Wolves, so playing as a wolf REALLY heightened my enjoyment at this point. While playing as the wolf, you can't speak with humans but you can communicate with animals - very cool. The remainder of the game is fighting and puzzle-solving through a myriad of environments in and out of the twilight through vast real estate.
One of my favorite visuals is when the player blows into a special leaf that creates a sound that summons a falcon. It starts off from the falcon's point of view flying high above and then swooping in on the player only to land on his arm. Pretty cool.
The remainder of the game is spent trying to stay alive and achieving goals asked of you. After a fight or finding hidden chests and Rupees (money), you can find needed elements and buy things at various vendors throughout the game. What a thrill ride.
Good Points: It'll create MANY hours of fun and frustration. Special training continues throughout the game. You achieve higher level skill moves that will help defeat the bad guys along your many journeys.
Not-so-good Points: It's only a single player game. It might have been nice for a two-player cooperative mode. Another point is the fact that when you save the game (then start playing at a later time) it doesn't take you right back to that exact save point. You're taken to the previous pre-determined check point.
Dis-A Point-ment: Once you beat the game, there's little replay value.
Graphics:
I don't think the Wii system is best-known for its graphics. Wii's strength comes with the physical interaction and fun game play. Having said that, the environments in this game are stunning and quite detailed. There are places where the graphics are a bit hokey though. When the creatures from the "twilight" enter or leave a scene, it looks like campy pixelation that someone didn't spend enough time on. Otherwise, if Wii used BlueRay discs, Wii would be just as impressive as X-Box 360 or Playstation 3. I think graphics impress people in the beginning, but gameplay and story are far more important than pretty pictures - in my humble Epinion. It's like dating... you have a choice of beauty over substance. Because of the BlueRay disc capacity, some PS3 games achieve both.
A word about the "twilight" or alternative universe: This is handled rather well. Once calm and serene towns and landscapes now take on a very ominous look. Everything is set in a foggy atmosphere with black bits that rise up. This gives the place an eerie feel to it. Sounds also have an echo effect for good measure.
Sound:
Water, fire, explosions, realistic and fantasy animals, weaponry - even footsteps are mixed quite well in this game. I would say, the sound mixers did a fantastic job - on par with some feature films.
Music:
The music is a bit of a mixture of triumphant fantasy castle stuff mixed with various themes. For instance, there are passages where horseback riding is mixed with Western film themed music while you herd goats into a barn. When nasties get closer the player is met with ominous musical effects. All in all, the music is not amazing nor annoying - it's just right.
Enemy's Artificial Intelligence (A.I.):
Initially the nasties aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer and they're quite repetitive, but they do get progressively tougher to beat. Instead of all-out warfare, there are cases where the player must rely on his or her puzzle-solving skills. With the level bosses, you really have to rely on quick thinking, tactics and weapons to advance. In other words, you need a quick mind and quicker digits.
Weapons:
Among your arsenal, you get to use a wooden sword, a real sword, a very special boomerang, a bow and arrows and others... including a sling-shot. Yes, the mighty sling shot. Able to kill smaller spiders with one pellet! Wooo Hoooo! Just don't whip out the sling-shot when you face the big spiders. You'll be in for a rude awakening.
There are a few weapons that should have been included both for the fantasy genre and for taking out more nasties simultaneously. All in all, the weapons are fun and effective.
Random Thoughts:
Did anyone else notice that all of the characters (other than Link) are left-handed? Take a closer look. All the enemy archers, nasties with clubs, soldiers (holding spears) and even when Midna's large arm pulls you through to the twilight - all with left hands. Is there some sort of hidden meaning to this? Should we play left-handed?
Also, this might be nit-picking but you'd think that before this game was released, they'd have an editor proof read all of the subtitles. There is a difference between "all right" and "alright." I'm such a Virgo.
A Word to Parents:
The violence is not bad at all - not like a combat shooter or zombie killing spree-type game. Once killed, characters in this game {poof} and then a Rupee (money) or first aid are to be had. Bonus! I'm not sure if that will teach kids that killing is rewarding though.
In the end, I have come to love this game and all its creative game play. I have grown to enjoy the rigid characters and their quirky subtitles... even Midna. Midna's the annoying yet helpful twilight fairy who rides along with the player.
This game was released in 2006, but I'm enjoying my first Zelda adventure for all it's worth. I'm almost finished - pay no mind to the dark puffy circles under my eyes. I call those, "gamer's eyes."
So let's recap. There's fierce fighting. There are cunning tactics. There's exciting adventure. There's puzzling exploration. There are barnyard animals. There are snotty kids. There are tense moments.
This game is a winner. Although I give it 4.5 stars out of 5, I had to round down for some hokey elements.
If you're on a budget, pick up a used copy. Since there's no real replay value, there are bound to be "previously played" copies at game stores.
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