This game is truely, truely fun!! Prepare to play the first game to feel like a real DS game.
Story wise, just like you've heard, It's a direct sequel to the Wind Waker. So you'll see a few returning faces. Don't worry though if you've never played WW. The story doesn't force you to have any prior knowledge of the aforementioned game.
Neither does the game play. Like I hinted at in the opening paragraph, the game play is like no other Zelda game....or any other action adventure game to be honest.. It's like an RPG "The Sims" just far less complicated. Like traditional "The Sims", you don't have direct control over Link at all. Where ever you hold the stylus on the screen, that's where Link walks. The farther away, the faster. Closer to Link and he walks slower. It's almost analog and is really responsive. You wont believe it. With no direct control over link, you'll be playing so well, you'll be shocked that you haven't always been playing games like this. The whole game can be played one handed literally but when things get hectic or for smarter game play, you have the option of clicking on the L or R buttons to instantly equip your chosen subweapon. As long as you are holding a shoulder button, the subweapon will be available for use. Let it go and you're back to your sword. There are other menu/map shortcuts too.
Graphics, they are a double edge sword. At certain points you forget it's a DS game. The graphics are some of the best (if not the best) of the entire DS library.......but when the camera zooms in, you wonder where the N64 anti "Jaggy" technology went. Also of note before I end, fighting anything in this game is so fun but the boss fight are F'ing amazing and you never want them to end. This game puts every DS capability to use. Even capabilities you never thought of (you'll know what I mean when you get there lol).
Stop thinking about it. Get this game