One of my favorite Zelda games! A must have for any Zelda Fan.
The biggest thing that sets this game apart from any of the previous Zelda games is the graphics. In this game the graphics are cel-shaded which made a lot of fans mad thinking that it made the game "kiddy," but its not. To tell you the truth I really enjoyed the graphics, its some of the best on the Gamecube. Many of the environments outdoors are bright and colorful and the environments in the dungeons can still look dark and creepy. The characters in this game are very detailed as well. In the game you can see Link's face change to express his emotions. You can also see Link look at things in dungeons that can be helpful in solving a puzzle. The graphics are remarkable and do a great job creating an atmosphere that draws in gamers.
The music and sound effects are also great in this game. Lots of the music has been recycled from Ocarina of Time, but in my opinion thats not a bad thing. Some new music also appears in this game to help create the atmosphere of the game which is what video game music should do.
Another big different than previous Zelda games is the setting. This game is not set in Hyrule, instead it takes place on a bunch of islands in a big ocean. This adds some great things in the story such as pirates, many mysterious islands, and even ghost ships. The setting makes it fun to explore the open sea and the many islands there are in this game. However, the sailing can get tedious at times, especially when traveling long distances.
The story in this game is very good. The story connects this game with the events that happen in Ocarina of Time. At first your on an island where you live and a giant bird kidnaps your sister, you than go out to save her and learn about another adventure you must have to save the world from evil.
Although this is a great game there were only a few things I didn't like about it. First of all the game was way too short for a Zelda game. Usually Zelda games are long that can last up to 50 or more hours, but I was able to beat this game in less than 30 but it lasts a lot longer if you do the side quests and get all the items. I think its still a good value since I love going back and replaying this game. Another thing that I didn't like was its difficulty. This game was way too easy for me. The puzzles and the boss fights should have been a little more challenging.
Overall I would have to say that Wind Waker is a great addition to the Zelda series. Although it is a little short and easy; its artistic style, storyline, setting, and fun gameplay make it a great game that is worthy of being a Zelda title. I would recommend this game to anyone who loves any of the Zelda games or just want a great adventure game.