It's a Steam Train - Get Over it!
Posted on June 26, 2009 8:54 PM by Dathen Boccabella
Category: Articles
When the first trailer for Spirit Tracks
was released earlier this year at GDC, the one thing that stood out to
people and stuck in their memory was undeniably the train, which played
such a predominant role in the trailer, the game's title, and of
course, the game itself. People responded quite strongly. 'A train in Zelda? What is the world coming to?' People really need to realize that the train of Spirit Tracks isn't anything to warrant such a response. It fits into the overall picture just fine.
Spirit Tracks, at the moment, has a timeline placement of 100 years after Phantom Hourglass. Phantom Hourglass, you know, the game that has the S.S. Linebeck. A steamboat. Hence the S.S. prefix. And what do we see in Spirit Tracks?
A steam train. Surely the progression of 100 years from steamboats to
steam trains really isn't something that amazing. Actually, research
tells me that on earth, steamboats and steam trains were pretty side by
side in their invention and progression throughout the 18th Century.
Why didn't Phantom Hourglass get the same reception for having
a steamboat? Probably because it's not really steam technology in boats
and trains that you have the problem with.
We could ponder why there were steamboats without steam trains in Zelda,
but that's pretty easily answered by the fact there were only minuscule
islands founded, which take about a minute to go for a jog around. Once
a larger land was founded, the progression and application of steam
technology to trains was a logical progression. After all, Hyrule and
the world, spans millenia across the timeline. To those of you who
place games after The Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks timeline arc, I ask you, how do you explain the recession in steam technology, without pinning anything on the developers?
Really,
there's nothing to get worked up about here. The train fits in with
Zeldaran Era Technology without a fuss. Be glad it didn't have a subway
like Valley of the Flood proposed, which would've compromised
the series, because this steam train compromises nothing. In an
interview with Reggie Fils-Aime on Spirit Tracks, MTV Multiplayer asked, "If you can have trains in the "Zelda" universe, can you have planes in the "Zelda" universe?"
Sheer ignorance I say. Mr. Fils-Aime simply forked any responsibility
for an answer to that onto Aonuma. But, seriously. Learn that this
train fits in. It isn't a massive leap in technology that compromises
and changes everything. It's okay young ones; Link will not travel by
an Airbus A380 in Zelda Wii.
For something so small,
it's warranted such a negative response. All of you who frown and
cringe at the mention of the train need to simply get over it. There's
nothing wrong with it. Realize that it is not the usage of a steam
train that will make or break a Zelda game. Maybe, worth more concern about Spirit Tracks,
is the continuing evidence of Nintendo's turn towards targeting
hardcore casual gamers. For those who are really hardcore, at being
casual gamers. I think a lot of you are putting all of your anger and
blame about this casual turn on the train, even though it need not be
so. It's a steam train - get over it!
Permalink | 16 Comments
16 Comments
Miguel | June 27, 2009 3:24 AM
hmm... I don't get'cha! -.-
could you explain better xD hehehe
sorry, it's all about a train? hmmm...
anyway... I don't understand...
what had of bad?
I like the game, i can't wait to play..!
Great rant Girl...! see ya!
HyLorian | June 27, 2009 6:17 AM
Indeed, the train fits wonderfully into the Zelda universe. Those who think the technological advancement is too great, please look back at OoT and MM. Those games had everything from jukeboxes, electrical light and post offices to plans of powder-fueled rockets launching up to the moon.
However, the things I AM concerned about is the fact that the train horribly limits the amount of freedom and exploration in the game. With the boats in TWW and PH, it served to bring us from island to island in an environment that had almost nothing in it anyway. Not only are the tracks more limiting, but without the possibility to freely walk around this massive field, the overworld will soon become more boring than any Hyrule Field before it.
By_Farore | June 27, 2009 10:36 AM
I couldn't agree more: steam trains aren't a crazy idea. Unusual, but hey; they scream for change, they should accept what they get.
Besides... Link's Awakening had telephones, Majora's Mask had... aliens... o.o;
I also agree with HyLorian: how will that affect exploration?
I can't wait to see for myself.
*Wants summer to be over already*
Mike | June 27, 2009 1:55 PM
Before the Spirit Tracks trailer came out, I had a vision of the next Wii Zelda game featuring a Hyrule that involved a little more into the Western-style landscape we saw hints of in Twilight Princess, and that included a steam train.
In my vision, some Bulblins hijacked the train, which initially served as something of a moving dungeon with a time limit.
First, Link and Epona had to catch the train via a lasso or grappling hook type item — perfect for Wii Motion Plus. Once inside, Link made his way through and stopped the train from crashing into Hyrule Castle, or flying off a cliff or some other terrible thing.
From there, my idea evolved into a sort of ghost train Link could summon as a warping mechanism to several “stations” in Hyrule.
My point is that Hyrule should be allowed to evolve in technology. There are tons of eras long before the modern age from which Nintendo can pull inspiration. Trains seem like a perfect fit to add something new to a 22-year-old old franchise.
Train hater | June 27, 2009 3:04 PM
Personally, I think the train is going to stick out like a sore thumb. Majora's Masks' areas were modern but they don't contrast, and Link's Awaking was a dream. I also think The S.S. Linebeck jumped the shark.
vip77 | June 27, 2009 4:26 PM
Excellent point, I mentioned this exact same thing a few days ago on another post ranting about the steam train.
All in all, I do hope they keep trains and what-not out of the main series, but for a DS game the train doesn't bother me in the least. It's actually less annoying than having 4 links (4 swords adventures), or the tedium of having to constantly change direction in WW.
Lex | June 27, 2009 4:53 PM
Medieval era - 5th-16th century
LA: Telephone - 1876
TWW: Mechanized floating head - NOT YET INVENTED
TP: Electric-powered crane - 20th century
PH: Steam boat - 1776
ST: Steam train - 1804
Train hater | June 27, 2009 6:34 PM
Okay fine, while a train isn't enough to pout, it IS enough to rise a few eyebrows.
Mega Man: Robot Master-200X
MelonPiranha | June 27, 2009 9:19 PM
the technology will be no different than Linebeck's boat. I really hope you stay on the train for too long, or I'll be very ticked... and very dead! I think the game will be good, seeing the trailers bosses, they look like giant mutated bugs so far! It'll be a good game.
MelonPiranha | June 27, 2009 9:20 PM
I meant DON'T stay on the train too long, sorry.
Triforce Deity | June 27, 2009 9:33 PM
I agree with HyLorian: steam train's fine. But how will it affect exploration? It has gotten gradually worse: TWW's Great Sea meant utter freedom. PH's not so much: way smaller, and every time you wanted to change the route, you had to stop and redraw it (it did reduce the tediousness of having to change wind direction, though). Now, we will have a permanent set of train tracks everywhere. Always the same tracks, that lead to the same places. I can't say I dig the idea...
Mike | June 28, 2009 5:52 AM
Somehow I thought the tracks would NOT be permanent, and we would draw them with the stylus, hence the title SPIRIT Tracks.
I could be completely wrong, but that’s the impression I got by barely paying attention.
Quirk | July 2, 2009 8:26 PM
I think Mike is right. They're magical tracks, and I'm pretty sure you'll draw them. So it will be exactly like PH, just on land.
Quirk | July 2, 2009 8:28 PM
Err, I take it back. Just looked up some info and, no, I don't think you draw the tracks...
hylianhero444 | July 7, 2009 12:32 AM
THIS ARTICLE IS AWESOME,I KNOW,PEOPLE,GET OVER IT,ITS A TRAIN it fits perfectly on the series,im sure they will come up with more modern things like a robot boss or something,and technology has always be on zelda,like GREAT BAY TEMPLE or GOHDAN or the electric traps on windwaker
Triforce of the Gods | June 26, 2009 11:46 PM
Wonderful rant, Mel. You are right, these people need to stop getting their panties in a bunch every time one little change happens.