Not Ocarina of Time, its a bigger longer more expansive adventure than ever before, but somehow comes off dry in the end
I had to play the entire game before posting my review, at first when I read GS review, I completely disagreed with it, but after beating the game, I can definitely see every point they made. I think they may just be dry off the ending like me, but from the third dungeon on, the game elevates itself above every Zelda game out there.
GAME PLAY
The Wiimote is a scary device. It works extremely well for 90% of the time, the other 10%. When it isn't working, its not because of it, its because of you. But its still frustrating to miss a motion just by a tiny bit and it cost you a heart... or even your life. Anyway, randomly flailing the Wiimote around can work, but when you actually use it how its meant to be, you get a much better experience all around. From what I've done in the game, the game plays beautifully, better than Wind Waker by a teeny bit. Though, the loss of camera control may seem like a huge loss, but in the end, I didn't realize it until I was 20 hours in. The best part of the game is learning special techniques, you'll learn stuff you've seen in Smash Brothers, Wind Waker, etc. Like knocking someones block off? Learn the helm smash from Wind Waker. Want to have an instant kill? Learn the finish move (much like Super Smash Brothers down A while in air) and make it quick.
There is so much more than sword fighting though. Every item in the game is useful, and required. This is a bit of a spoiler, but Dual Hookshots... DUAL HOOKSHOTS. Need I say any more about how awesome the items are?
Then there is talking to people. We all know you can become a wolf by now. So what happens when you run through Hyrule Town as a wolf? Something that I've always wanted to happen thats what.
The game just isn't fresh though. Wind Waker had something this didn't despite all I've said. I can't put my finger on it, but I loved Wind Waker but I just like this game. Maybe its that the game play hasn't aged well. All I know is that I hope to see what happens next. The game is sharp, but it definitely has aged. But, to the games credit, there is so much to do, the game still manages a 9 despite all I've said.
There are only 1 or 2 stumper puzzles in the entire game, and they aren't that bad really. Just make sure you remember that the Gale Boomerang can un-light lanterns.
Bosses are far to easy. They look larger than life and horrible, but then when it comes to fighting them, they are just another puzzle. Not in a bad way, but next time I want to die during a boss battle. ( I did die on the final boss, but that doesn't count. You'll know what I mean when you get there). The game looks difficult, but it just way to easy in the end.
GRAPHICS
Disappointments all around... well, most of the way. Animation in the game is amazing at times, a huge step over Wind Waker and other Zelda games. The game, for all intents and purposes is a port of GC game with little graphical touch ups. I hope this isn't all the Wii can do, if so, I worry about the Wii's future. Animation is great, lighting is good, textures are okay. Some are downright ugly, I would name some, but there are so many it would be wrong just to same one or two.
One thing TP excels at is the Twilight Realm. It looks like you'd expect. Dark and gloomy, filled with creatures out of this world. But, the game still never elevates itself above Gamecube graphics. Wind Waker looked much better in retrospective for its time, so I can't really be at awe with the few scenes of beauty in this game, when so much is average.
SOUND
Ah, they missed a golden opportunity. They could have had Hyrule Castles original theme thrown in (Okay, maybe they did, but I didn't like it in its crippled state) and fit the castle perfectly. Much of the music is a disappointment, but you have to admit that there are a few tracks that are just damn good. Remember OoT's second boss? Well, the music accompanying it was carried over, and it fit the boss in this game much better than it fit the old boss.
Music tends to change with whats going on. Thats a good thing in most cases, but its a bit disorienting when your just traveling along, and you hear the battle music start when the enemy is still on the other side of the wall.
Overall, the sound effects themselves are great. The Wii speaker may be low quality, and I wouldn't miss the sounds that it played, actually I'd prefer that they'd play out of the TV.
VALUE
31 hours minimum run first time through. That is extremely long for an adventure game. It has 100s of hours of stuff to do in it, so you can squeeze a lot more out of it. Its basically a limitless adventure in comparison to Wind Waker, only being topped in Dungeon numbers by Lttp. Yeah, Nintendo lied, Lttp had more dungeons than TP. But overall length goes to TP. Its the longest game I've played in 5 or so years, not counting RPGs. (despite hating RPGs, I do play them every so often.) If you buy the game, you will get some bang for your buck.
TILT
This is my chance to spoil the story, and I will. I rate tilt based on the story, so if you don't want any spoilers than do not read this section.
The story was lackluster in the beginning. Wind Waker I was easily able to get into, and I was feeling like Link in no time. But in this one, it took me 3 dungeons to get into the game. Not that the first ones lacked story. Its that the story was just not that great. After the third dungeon, its a rollercoaster ride that is just plain fun to watch, and get into. Finding your controller in hand feeling like any cinematic scene may turn into a brawl. And many times, it does!
SPOILER WARNING
Finally, Zelda earns her way into Super Smash Brothers. I found it confusing that a character that has never fought would be in SSB. Sure, she was Sheik for a while, but that doesn't really count. Not only does she fight in this one, but damn it you fight her. Thats worth major points as a huge twist. And the fight was as good as you'd imagine.
OVERALL
TP almost feels like a missed opportunity in the end. ALMOST. The middle part of the game is as great as any other game out there, but the beginning and end drag it down. Not to mention it has the worst ending this side of WW. Hopefully, Nintendo will learn to flesh out its endings so that we aren't left hanging. Sure, I can use my imagination to figure out what will happen. But, its just illogical how they've set it up. OoT was the last good ending to a Zelda, and that is why it had a 10, it was perfect beginning to end. TP on the other hand, is not perfect, but damn is it fun. Welcome back Link, we missed you.