A great experience in cartoon

User Rating: 8.7 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Limited Edition) GC
What the hell were we all so worried about? The Wind Waker's toon-shaded look once seemed like a daring risk, but after actually trying the finished game, it's hard to imagine it any other way. In short, Nintendo achieved its goal, playing Zelda feels like you're controlling a cartoon. Maybe that's why five different people watching me play immediately said almost the exact same thing: "Expletive, the animation is incredible!" Every character and enemy movement, every reaction, and every facial expression is seamless and fluidly animated on a level no other game can touch. Some people will never get over the cartoony style, and it's true, the game does have a certain Disney look to it, but I'm confident even Grand Theft Auto loving holdouts will be won over if they would just see the game firsthand.

I have only two minor complaints with The Wind Waker: First, it's a bit too easy, because I never had to worry about dying at any time through the entire game. Second is the boat Link rides everywhere. Yes, it is a unique and cool method to get around; the way you dredge up treasure, aim your cannon to attack, and use the wind to steer feels unlike anything Zelda, or any other game, has done before. And yes, it makes for some special moments, like when you're stuck in the chop during a thunderstorm, or cutting smooth waters as you watch the sun slowly rise. But my trouble is, you're sailing a lot. Despite a limited warp spell you get later, it can get tiresome. Constantly needing to change the wind direction is a bit of a chore, and combat out at sea isn't nearly as fun as it is on dry land. But these are minor quibbles next to everything that Zelda does so well. It's the kind of game that, even now that I've finished it, I can't wait to go back and thoroughly explore every nook, secret, and side quest (and there are plenty of each). It's one of the most unique and enjoyable games ever play it.