By Luke Kirby
It’s been almost three years since Nintendo fans were teased with a tech-demo of The Legend of Zelda on Wii U. We were shown a Twilight Princess graphical-style, in glorious HD. It showed an immense battle between Ghoma and Link ensue within a vast and ancient hall. Nintendo went on to highlight some of the capabilities the 'new' gamepad had to offer in at E3 such as changing the time of day to demonstrate new lighting effects, as well as switching camera angles. But there hasn’t been much information at all since. However Eiji Anouma promised he would say more about the new Zelda Wii U title to IGN at E3 in 2014, and my body is ready.
It’s been almost three years since Nintendo fans were teased with a tech-demo of The Legend of Zelda on Wii U. We were shown a Twilight Princess graphical-style, in glorious HD. It showed an immense battle between Ghoma and Link ensue within a vast and ancient hall. Nintendo went on to highlight some of the capabilities the 'new' gamepad had to offer in at E3 such as changing the time of day to demonstrate new lighting effects, as well as switching camera angles. But there hasn’t been much information at all since. However Eiji Anouma promised he would say more about the new Zelda Wii U title to IGN at E3 in 2014, and my body is ready.
I’ve been thinking about the new Zelda title a lot. It seems like an era ago that Skyward Sword was released and, whilst I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game, it lacked certain things we all love about the series. So my mind has been flooded with what I’m hoping to expect for the new Zelda title on the Wii U. Immediately I think of the only Zelda title actually out on the Wii U. This being the absolutely gorgeous HD remake that is The Wind Waker.
Now while of course the art styles between the two games are completely different I feel it’s important that my experience of The Wind Waker was 'smooth sailing.' Seriously though, it ran smoothly with no issues with regards to frame-rate, so I’m hoping for yet another flawless game in this aspect. One aspect I wanted to shed light on is the way the gamepad will be used in the new title, and how it was used in The Wind Waker. Whilst the tech demo highlighted some features of the gamepad, again I feel The Wind Waker really got it right and utilized the gamepad to its promised potential. Whether they can improve on the way the gamepad can be used remains to be seen but I’m certain it will be used to compliment gameplay as much as possible. Or at least I hope so.
Now while of course the art styles between the two games are completely different I feel it’s important that my experience of The Wind Waker was 'smooth sailing.' Seriously though, it ran smoothly with no issues with regards to frame-rate, so I’m hoping for yet another flawless game in this aspect. One aspect I wanted to shed light on is the way the gamepad will be used in the new title, and how it was used in The Wind Waker. Whilst the tech demo highlighted some features of the gamepad, again I feel The Wind Waker really got it right and utilized the gamepad to its promised potential. Whether they can improve on the way the gamepad can be used remains to be seen but I’m certain it will be used to compliment gameplay as much as possible. Or at least I hope so.
As I was saying earlier about how some of things Skyward Sword lacked with regards to what I loved about Ocarina of Time. This was the fact that the exploration was completely gone. I did enjoy the game but there was a startling lack of exploratory gameplay, and maybe finding a fulfilling, meaningful item as a reward. As a curious gamer I like to make sure I’ve seen everything in detail, uncover anything there is to be uncovered as it were. I’m hoping this idea will make a come back in the new Zelda title, and if the more exciting rumours are to be believed then this next installment will likely be the largest game in the franchise so far. One source claimed that one of the dungeons being tested for the new game was a giant forest roughly the size of Hyrule field from Ocarina of Time. I really hope is true. I can only imagine what secrets and goodies would be waiting to be discovered out there amidst the trees, rewarding players for their thoroughness and observational skills (which most games don't tend to do nowadays). Whether these secrets are item upgrades, heart containers or even side-quest related, they will all be welcomed back to the franchise with open arms by the majority of its fans.
As for the gameplay I am torn between the classic Zelda formula (i.e. you go dungeons in a set order, get an item and said-item is used mostly for that one dungeon) and another, perhaps intriguing style. Since playing A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS, (never played the first one. Don’t kill me, noble people of the internet) I found that I rather enjoyed having the choice of collecting all items and going to any dungeon I wanted to in no particularly set order. This did mean though that I didn’t collect certain upgrades until much later in the game, but I still enjoyed that I could complete dungeons as my own convenience. I enjoy the classic formula and it may be more suited to such a game of the rumoured size, possibly so that players aren’t overwhelmed by the scope. Everyone should be used to it now however, in a post-Skyrim world.
As for the possible online content, I’m not really expecting much. I want it to be a conventional single-player title. I can’t see the purpose of it. All I do know is that I want a new Zelda title and, like with every other loyal Nintendo fan out there, I want it soon.
As for the gameplay I am torn between the classic Zelda formula (i.e. you go dungeons in a set order, get an item and said-item is used mostly for that one dungeon) and another, perhaps intriguing style. Since playing A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS, (never played the first one. Don’t kill me, noble people of the internet) I found that I rather enjoyed having the choice of collecting all items and going to any dungeon I wanted to in no particularly set order. This did mean though that I didn’t collect certain upgrades until much later in the game, but I still enjoyed that I could complete dungeons as my own convenience. I enjoy the classic formula and it may be more suited to such a game of the rumoured size, possibly so that players aren’t overwhelmed by the scope. Everyone should be used to it now however, in a post-Skyrim world.
As for the possible online content, I’m not really expecting much. I want it to be a conventional single-player title. I can’t see the purpose of it. All I do know is that I want a new Zelda title and, like with every other loyal Nintendo fan out there, I want it soon.
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