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> Results: Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, The
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The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System spawned an entire genre of console games when it was released in 1987. No game before it combined massive, contiguous overworld exploration with action gameplay, and few games or series have equaled its majesty since. With the Nintendo 64 iteration, subtitled The Ocarina of Time, Nintendo's EAD development studio brought the game into the third dimension, creating one of the most revered games of all-time on any platform. With The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, the developers have not strayed far from the formula that defined action role-playing throughout the series history, but they've turned the overworld into an ocean that makes the normally mundane travel between places of interest a treat.
 The game is visually arresting. There is not enough to be said about its cel-shaded graphics. But it's not just the wonderfully stylized characters and locations that catch the eye; it's also the fluid animation that prevents you from looking at the game as a product of zeroes and ones. Character design is phenomenal with all significant players and even bit characters just filled with expression. This carries over to monster design which reinvents many classic monsters in this new graphic style. ReDeads are positively frightening. This living cartoon world also allows for enormous player interaction. If something looks like you can touch it or interact with it, you probably can and should. All this action and reaction is enhanced by a luxurious musical score that changes as game events unfold. You will find yourself humming any number of tunes from the game including new renditions of classic Zelda themes as well as all-new interludes that precisely fit the game's setting.  You travel from island to island trying to find your kidnapped sister. Leading you, as the reluctant Link, to discover your true self. The game features a number of mini-games in addition to sailing and dungeon sequences that provide action and humor. Most of the main plot takes place on land, a land that you'll learn has a story all its own. The game is far easier than most of Link's previous adventures, both because saving is limitless and because the difficulty is toned down (compared to Link's previous adventures). The low difficulty is especially noticeable if you've recently played The Ocarina of Time because it highlights where the new game's stylish action diverges from the rest of the series. Fortunately, the lowered difficulty is overshadowed by the game's strong, entertaining narrative, which is very much like reading a children's storybook. You're playing the role of a youth who holds the fate of the entire world in his hands, which never gets tiresome. While The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker may not meet the lofty standards set by The Ocarina of Time, it easily cements its place among the top games of this or any console generation, especially when it comes to animation, art, music, story and character design. The game will long be remembered for its cartoon look and nicely sets the stage for the future of the series. It even provides a great reason to play through it again to fill the Nintendo Gallery with virtual sculptures of all the game's significant and not so significant characters and monsters. As he's done before on past Nintendo systems, Link delivers the goods. 
This is the perfect game for introducing your children to video games, especially if you own a Game Boy Advance and a Link Cable. Early in the game you'll acquire the ability to control Tingle via the Game Boy Advance. Tingle can provide Link with helpful items, cues on where to go next and even combat assistance. Parents can use this ability to help children find their way through this seaborne Hyrule. Kids will love the story and the ability to play as Link, a true hero among so many gaming anti-heroes in today's games. Don't be surprised if your children are running around the house shouting and swinging whatever "sword" they can find after playing The Wind Waker (GamerDad's Note: mind the furniture). This is where the easy difficulty is welcome, although it provides plenty of challenge for the younger player. Be prepared to do a lot of reading for younger children as all of the game's snappy dialogue is text only. Even kids under the age of three will enjoy watching the game play out so don't hesitate to pick up the controller and let them experience this robust world first hand with you in control.
This was GamerDad's very first published review. I'm republishing it as our last. Yes folks, we'll still review games but we won't try to compete with moneyed websites. We'll continue to spread our message - blogger style. Please stick around. See you at Gaming With Children! Kid Factor by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, The |
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