Although the series may have taken a new direction with Wind Waker, it is still as good as ever!

User Rating: 9.6 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Limited Edition) GC
By cps | Review Date:
When Gamecube first showed itself at E3, we saw for the very first time, Zelda in 128bit. It showed Non-other than Link in a gritty brawl with his old enemy from Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf. Instantly gamers were hooked to the few screenshots on show and of any news on the title. Not much was heard until, some time after; Wind Waker was announced. My first reaction to the screenshots I saw on my way home from shopping one day, while reading a Nintendo Magazine was 'WHAT THE f***!' I felt cheated, the series had gone to the depths of hell, and all hope of Zelda on Gamecube was lost; as, what I saw, was the image of a Disney looking Link, fighting a collection of giant pigs...oh, how Naive I was! It took me some time to re-establish my loyalty to Nintendo, and feel quite satisfied with their ideas, and once reading up on the reasons why this change had occured, and how it was for the better, I found a new understanding a appreciation for the game. And so I purchased it, the very day it came out, got home instantly, plugged my Gamecube in, placed the disk neatly inside, power button on...then...Well, lets just say that I didn't do much else for about three days. The obvious upgrades from the N64 addtions, is the presentation, and graphics...Wind Waker is the first in the series to utilize Cel-shading in complete form. And although at first, I may have had my doubts, I found that the quality of the picture was quite amazing, the style and design were unmatchable, and the humour of what I was seeing was worthy to the series's name. I urge to everyone that although the exterior of this game may seem to be cute and cuddly, in fact the graphics lead you into many dark and quite impressive adult scenes of apocolyptic evil and mystery. From the beginning it should also be taken into account, how close to home we get with our new Link; literally! We meet, for the first time, his little sister and grandmother, whom have their own personalities and traits; compared to the personality of a plank of wood, that Link has whoned, to which we have all come to understand and love. I even have my suspicions that his grandmother may in fact have some mysteries of her own, how does she know about his importance in the world and of the triforce legend of Link, the hero of (in ocarina of time - hero of time...in Wind Waker...well you can find out for yourself). If I can't persuade you any more, than I suggest you rent it, and if the charms of the nutty brothers of the island, the frantic expressions of your enemies and the overall uniqueness of this game don't make you fall under it's spell, than, may I say...you are some evil demon that must be damned to purgatory! The sound is impressive, with remixes of the original Zelda themes and the new ocean and island soundtracks which my own mother described as "Sounding just like a movie!" Which I think sums it up quite nicely. The Gameplay is as good as Ocarina of Time, but has been tweaked for the gamer's reactions, and has also been smoothed out a lot more. The action is amazing and the puzzle solving is accesible with no annoyances such as a mad camera etc... (all in all, very nice!). The story is very immersive, even more so than Majora's mask, and can match Ocarina of Time easily. The feeling of travelling across the Great Ocean brings up thoughts, such as 'magical' and when the game draws close to an end, you feel a great deal of fulfilment and as though you have actually made a difference; which in games, is rare. By the end, I had goosebumps, and the last sequence was very well done. To those who criticise the ending, and what has been described as the easiest last boss ever! I must say that the three bosses just before this sequence were not, and so for replay value, save before you go through the large red doors! This game IS an amazing achievement, and I think we was all foolish for doubting that it ever was going to be, I am sad I finished it, as it is something that while you play, you wish it would never end...as it has now reached player's choice, the price is well worth the content...go buy it now!

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