The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo Wii)
User Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): November 19, 2006
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Genres: Action-Adventure
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Review Approach:
Something you probably should have noticed by now is that my overall score is not an average at all. Rather it is the score I think should be kept in mind when thinking of getting the game. So while a game may have mediocre traits, I may think that it is completely worth it to buy the game. Just something to keep in mind : )
The hero of light has never been so close to darkness...
Image Courtesy of Gaioonline.net
As if the Hero of Time wasn't raking in enough cash already for the Gamecube, Nintendo decided to release the best-seller as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii, boasting the heavy integration of the Wiimote into the port. After dumping over 30 hours into this masterpiece, I'm ready to give my afterthoughts on Link's 13th adventure.
He's back...with a vengeance. Coming to a theater near you! Courtesy of shad0w8.deviantart.com
- Story
Pfft! We can take him on! Courtesy of Zeldawiki.org
- Gameplay
He'll buy it at a high price, strangerrrr.
One of the gripes that stuck with me long after I completed game was that the dungeons do not feel as varied as in the previous installments. Tools such as the Gale Boomerang felt like they belonged in the dungeon they were in, but the Iron Boots felt one dungeon too early. The Goron Mines were not as memorable as the Dodongo Caverns in The Ocarina of Time or the Earth Temple in the Wind Waker. The enemies, although they were appropriate for the dungeon, didn't offer any challenge, save for the ingenious mini-boss design. It was as if Nintendo had focused their efforts on providing an engaging storyline with varied dungeons, but the dungeons became so distant to the core concept behind them. By the end of the game, it felt a lot shorter than Ocarina of Time, even though the amount of dungeons were arguably the same, because the game has the player running between areas multiple times and fills out the world map by the 2nd dungeon. Twilight Princess portrays a very bland world, appropriate for the drab conditions of Hyrule, and the music and sound were brilliant accompaniments to the tense horseback battles against King Bulbin and Lord Bulbo. That brings me to the graphics -- On the Gamecube, the game looks noticeably better than it's Wii counterpart when using Emulators to exploit the higher resolution textures. The entire game was also flipped for the Wii due to Link's left-handedness not congruent with the norm of right-handed players. Although using the Wiimote and Nunchuk feel innovative at first, they became tiring later on and shortened playtime due to cramping hands and exhausting my right arm. Besides these, much of Twilight Princess feels like a breath of fresh air on the Wii.The Bigger Picture
Verdict
What I Liked ...
- - Motion controls feel innovative; Great responsiveness in controls
- - Depicts a dark world using dark scenery and graphics look beautiful
- - Varied bosses with intuitive design
- - Many new tools for players; Refreshing for veterans
What I Didn't Like ...
- - Lackluster dungeon variety early on
- - Enemies feel too easy
- - Most tools useless after current dungeon
8
Gameplay
The Wii-motion controls were certainly used to a fine degree in this port. Each swing by Link's hand makes the Wiimote feel like the Master Sword itself.
9
Presentation
Although the dungeons do feel somewhat similar, they all look incredible, and the tense battle soundtracks, while not as melodic as previous installments, adds a new level to the atmosphere of the whole game.
8
Lasting Appeal
This new adventure still retains the epic length of the previous games, however after the end of the game there is no replayability other than...well...replaying the entire game. There are an abundance of sidequests as with other titles, but I couldn't help shake the feeling that could have been more to this game. It feels alot more expansive compared to Wind Waker, much like OOT, which certainly makes it a fine fit for those who enjoy replaying a game after a few months of being away from it.
9
out of 10
