Phantom Hourglass is a huge, HUGE improvement over the first game!
--Graphics--
For the DS, PH has great graphics. The cartoony, Cel-Shaded type of graphics they used for Wind Waker is perfect for the DS. The backgrounds are nice and the enemies look cool. Like most games i've commented on, this game has great graphics.
9/10
--Gameplay--
The new Touch Screen controls work almost perfectly. Sribbling on your screen swings your sword, tapping people makes you talk to them, items work fine... everything is great! Now, the two main factors that they fixed in this game from the previous is more exciting temples and a smaller ocean. Compared to the temples in Wind Waker, PH's temples are smaller but they are a lot more fun to play. Some of the puzzles are easy but walking around slashing enemies with your stylus is just plain fun. The boss battles are also a lot better then the Wind Waker ones. Now the ocean has been made into a lot smaller version compared to Wind Waker's. And that's what it should've been the whole time! Ocean was a bad idea to begin with and I was dissapointed they brought it back, but at least they made it better! Not as much time is spent on the Ocean so it actually makes you feel ike your playing a Zelda game. Overall, HUGE IMPROVMENT! But... they did add the Temple of the Ocean King, which was kind of annoying to go back and forth from there, but it's not really a big deal.
8/10
--Music--
It's Zelda? What do you expect? Enough said...
10/10
--Story--
Ignoring the fact that I don't like Wind Waker, I liked how PH's story followed right after. It starts off with Link and Tetra sailing on the ocean (ugh...) looking for the Ghost Ship. When they finally find it, Tetra hops aboard. She then yells a few seconds later and Link jumps in to save her. However, the boat starts to sail away and Link falls into the ocean. He wakes up on a beach with a fairy. She introduces him to her "grandfather" who tells him tales about the ghostship. Later on, Link meets a shipowner named Linebeck and agrees to help Link on his journey to find the Ghost Ship (only to get the treasure in return). I'm not going to go into full detail, but I will say this, the last boss is an enirely new villain.
9/10
--Overall--
Phantom Hourglass is just a lot more fun then Wind Waker. Most people will disagree, but this is my opinion. Any DS owner should definetley BUY the game, because even once your done playing the adventure, you still have the new Online features to try out.
9/10