For starters, they mentioned either that Spirit Tracks or Twilight Princess took four years to develop. It's not clear which game is being discussed due to their shoddy writing. In either case, they would be wrong. Twilight Princess took 3 years if you count the extra year for the Wii port, otherwise that took 2. Spirit Tracks also only took 2, and that's assuming they started work on it right after Phantom Hourglass, which doesn't seem likely since it uses the same engine. Either way, the author gets right into it by stating that Zelda is in decline. So the question is... is he right?
I have spent a big portion of my life playing the Zelda series. Some would say I play it to the point of obsession, and to that I simply give a quick smirk and say, "You are correct sir." It has been one of my passions for 10 or so years, and no it isn't because of Ocarina of Time. My favorite title, in fact, is the much maligned The Adventure of Link. Surprising, no? What may come as an even bigger shock is that my next favorite is Majora's Mask. Alright, so maybe that wasn't too much of a stretch. I surely must have Ocarina of Time at #3 then, right? Wrong. Next is Link's Awakening, then Spirit Tracks, then... a toss up between The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Where does Ocarina of Time fit on my list? Somewhere around #10 or so.
Confused yet? Ocarina of Time is a great game and a nice milestone for the gaming industry. It also signified, to this point, the end of innovation in the console Zelda titles. Not to say the game was bad, mostly to me it was, but some claim it to be a 3D A Link to the Past. I am not here though to argue the merits of this game verse that, we are looking at what may be the downfall of the franchise. The reason I went through my personal list here is because it all seems to start and stop with Ocarina of Time.
Let's look at the complaints about Zelda that have been uttered since Ocarina of Time. Majora's Mask's 3 Day system makes the game inaccessible and "too hard." Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages were not made by Nintendo, the boss fights are too difficult, and the combined ending was too convoluted to expect anyone to experience it. Four Swords and by extension The Minish Cap is too easy. Twilight Princess is too much like Ocarina of Time. Phantom Hourglass is too cartoony, stylus controls blow, and the game is again... too easy. Finally, we get to Spirit Tracks: Game is too boring, cutscenes are too long, and the train travel is stupid as it turns Zelda into an on rails shooter. All of this is said because Ocarina of Time told everyone that, "this is what Zelda is supposed to be."
Before Ocarina of Time, we saw Nintendo constantly innovating the series by trying new things. From The Adventure of Link's RPG like system, Link's Awakening epic story, and then the perfect mix of everything in A Link to the Past. Each game felt new, it felt fresh, and each signified a change in the series. Think about it like the Metroid series of today: They went from 2D platforming to 3D First Person, and now they are going to try a hybrid that uses both. They are innovating the Metroid series but no longer seem to do this with Zelda.
They tried a new concept in Spirit Tracks: The on rail shooter. People so far have hated the concept... although, they used the same concept when fighting Cragma and people loved it. Of course, this should tell Nintendo two things: on rail shooting as a permanent game mechanic is bad, and on rail shooting as a small portion of the game, such as a boss fight or a puzzle, is good. In either case, we can all admit that in terms of innovation, Spirit Tracks falls flat on its face. But, so does Twilight Princess and really every game since Ocarina of Time. Therein seems to lie the issue with the series: instead of being the innovative game series we all think Zelda is, it's becoming like the Call of Duty series or even Final Fantasy. Same game, same basic story, same gameplay, just slap Zelda on the title and it sells millions.
When talking about Zelda possibly being in decline we do have to do a little work. When it comes to pure sales figures, Zelda has basically never been better. The Legend of Zelda, The Adventure of Link, and A Link to the Past combined sales estimates to roughly 15.5 million copies sold. Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and the Oracle series sold 14.92 million copies or so. Twilight Princess, Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks, and Link's Crossbow Training sold, so far, roughly 18.09 million copies. Zelda is doing better than ever. Twilight Princess has sold in excess of 7 million copies, making it the 2nd best selling game in franchise history next to Ocarina of Time. In short, sales wise, Zelda has peaked yet again.
The decline must be that the games are far worse in quality right? Review scores say otherwise, as the series consistently scores 90/100 or above on almost every release. So, what's wrong with Zelda then? What needs to be fixed? The issue that appears to be the problem is... us. We need to change. Zelda Wii is promising some big innovations and changing up the formula, great. That's "what we want," even though we have been given "what we wanted" before, only to complain about it. We essentially want Zelda to be a grown up game, we want Zelda to, in essence, stop being Zelda.
We need to take a step back and realize what Zelda is. It's an adventure title with a silent protagonist and a story aimed at teenagers to mid 20's folk with gameplay that is accessible to 10 year olds. But, that isn't to say there is no challenge involved. From the Triforce quest in The Wind Waker, to the final puzzles in the Spirit Tower of Spirit Tracks, the games do have their challenges. The issue is that people like me that grew up with A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, etc have grown stale of this method. We have outgrown Zelda. Does that mean we don't get giddy like school girls when we see a trailer for a new Zelda game? Of course not. Does this mean we don't "enjoy" Zelda anymore? No, it just means it may not be the pinnacle of our game experience as it once was.
This doesn't mean Zelda can't ever, as they say, "do it again." It can, the question is if Nintendo is even interested in doing that. It's hard to innovate a series that guarantees millions of sales just by existing. It puts expectations on a game, often times unreal expectations (Twilight Princess hype, anyone?). So is Zelda really declining? Hardly. Zelda is what it always has been and that is the problem for us more veteran gamers. It's not that Zelda has declined or changed, it's that we have changed and are upset since the series didn't change when we did. Zelda Wii will go a long way in telling us what direction Nintendo plans to take the series. While they still want to introduce new gamers, they seem to realize there are a lot of current and former Zelda players that are just waiting for that next big thing, the next Ocarina of Time impact on the gaming industry. But as it stands, most feel that Nintendo wants to make Zelda accessible for kids rather than provide that innovating and epic experience we want.
Zelda is a fantastic franchise and one of the greatest, if not the greatest gaming experiences in the business. It's in the top 10 in overall sales in the history of games. People still love the series, we still love it, and new fans seem to be showing up daily. Zelda is better than it has ever been, we have just lost our appreciation for it. Maybe to those that feel it's declining need to take a break. Stop watching the Zelda News like a hawk, and stop debating about this game or that. Go enjoy your other experiences in gaming and life... and when Zelda Wii hits, take it at face value and don't base it on what others are saying. Run away and see if the new Zelda brings you back home again. If not? Zelda simply isn't for you anymore. You will be missed, but in the end everyone will be happy.
Notes:
- Initial Kartel News post spotted at Zelda Dungeon
- Are you stuck in Spirit Tracks? Why not give our Spirit Tracks Walkthrough a try!
- Gaming sales figures were based on VGChartz and VGsales Wiki
- Game reviews are based on MetaCritic
- The thoughts and opinions in this piece are of the author and do not represent the ideology of the Zelda Informer staff as a whole.
- You can discuss Zelda and other things in our Community Forums
Categories: Articles
I'll just make it short and clear. Nintendo isn't capable anymore, at least not currently, to make a Zelda game that stands out compared to others of the genre. My point is that I, sincerely, just sigh when I compare Twilight Princess to Uncharted 2. I know they are quite distant from each other, but fact is that they are from the same genre, regardless of the scenario. It is arguably unfair to compare these two, I agree, but I consider them equivalents. But if they're not, fine, let's take Zelda Wii. Judging Nintendo will stick to the same old formula, which they most likely will, like always, we'll have the same EXTREMELY LIMITED Zelda formula trying to compete to Uncharted 2 (note that I take Uncharted 2 as a reference, but consider it representing all other successful titles of the genre from other consoles). Ocarina of Time was successful for the simple reason that they nailed gameplay systems never experienced before. But, throughout releases, I have to say almost nothing was done in change. It all stayed almost the exact same. The formula is intact, the whole system barely had any tweaks at all. Leaving graphics and storyline aside, as an overview the Zelda games are all the same. And most importantly, the reason why Zelda is decaying is not because the formula got old, but because it got outdated. Nintendo has to expand gameplay systems, create new situations, or Zelda Wii will just be a huge disappointment compared to what is already out there.
Twilight Princess was the best Zelda game ever.
Spirit Tracks was the worst
I've felt the series has been on a decline for awhile now, and it generally has to do with Nintendo trying to make the series appeal to "everyone" instead of the core base. It is absolutely impossible to please "everyone," and by doing so, they've managed to water down and even in some cases (TP) leave out core features the series is famous and popular for.
On the subject of Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, I will say ST is the better game, but the general direction both games are headed do not make me happy at all. The stylus focused controls and constant dependence from Nintendo on hardware gimmicks just makes both games feel more like a tech demo/experiment than anything. I did enjoy ST, but I was frustrated as shit with the controls about 40% of the time. They're just too tacky and not as conventional as the standard d pad and buttons.
For awhile I've questioned if Zelda is even relevant to me anymore at this point, and I'm honestly on the fence about it. I can see the strong points of the franchise in fragments, but at the same time I just feel like everything has been taking more steps back and in between than actually moving forward. The last time I truly believed Zelda was making progress evolving into it's own natural beast was Majora's Mask.
Bob is a n00b, tell your friends
Though I certainly don't agree with your chosen favourites, the real message of this article is well and truly spot on. Great read.
I personally consider 'Ocarina of Time' tied in first place with 'Majora's Mask', but I do agree that us Zelda fans have been judging the Zelda franchise since then too much by OoT. We initially thought MM was inferior to OoT, because it wasn't OoT; we initially thought 'The Wind Waker' was appalling for it's graphical style (which wasn't OoT's) but came to like it a little bit more when we finally played it. And finally, we thought 'Twilight Princess' was going to be the best Zelda EVAR!! because it looked so much like OoT: we thought we were going to get that same wonderful experience we had when we first played it.
Only... It didn't happen - eventhough the truth is, TP was EXACTLY what we asked for! Truth be told, in some aspects, I'd say TP is even better than OoT and is the worthy sequel that we've all been praying for since all the time it came out!
Then what's the problem? Why can't Nintendo satisfy us anymore?
Well, as the article put it, the truth is this: WE are the problem. The Zelda fans THEMSELVES are the problem. It's true that each game, from Majora's Mask to Spirit Tracks, has it's own sets of virtues and vices, credits and flaws, but all these games are not satisfying us anymore because they CAN'T satisfy us like the Zelda games we played the first time around. It just wears off! Time changes and we change along with it!
"The flow of time is always cruel... It's speed seems different to each person but none can change it. One thing that doesn't change is a memory from younger days."
Remember that quote from Sheik when we ran into her at the Sacred Forest Meadow, for the first time? How oddly ironic do those words seem now.
"Time passes... People move... Like a river's flow, it never ends."
Just as everything changes, so do we. We long for that feeling we had the first time we played Zelda, whether it was OoT, 'A Link to the Past' or something else. Back then, we had no frame of reference; we didn't judge a Zelda game, because we had never played one before! All we know is that those games felt AWESOME to us back then - but is it really the game that was purely the source of awesome? Or was it our perception of it?
I highly agree with what the article concludes on. I would almost say that we should stop being Zelda fans - stop being this obsessive over it. Instead of endlessly debating over the games and how the next one could/should be improved, we should simply have faith in Nintendo. And once the trailer for the next Zelda comes along, stop comparing it to the other games and decide purely whether you want to play it for what it is. I was initially one of the most skeptical of people when 'The Wind Waker' was announced: I HATED the new art direction. But I gave it a try anyway and was forced to swallow my words. It may not have been 'Ocarina of Time', but it was still The Wind Waker. And it was a good game. Since then, I stopped worrying too much about it.
That's why I'll just wait and see what Zelda Wii's gonna be like and give it a try. And if it ever truly sucks? Simple.
I won't buy the next one.
this next one seems like a game for the sake of swordplay and its the second main console one with this darkier westernier approach. I don't care if they make a fresh one for another 10 years. After you've played just about every one that's been released whatever they do is going to feel stale. I personally liked more than Twilight princess. I mean TP is great, but it's story is just well... Ocarina of Time just takes the cake for plot and gameplay marriage. I wish they would remake OoT maybe for DS, but not with Twilight Princess's graphical style. TP is more gritty. Just please update OoT's textures and stuff but don't add a layer of dust and dirt.
and yeah Spirit Tracks wasn't as fun as Phantom Hourglass. Definitely in a little slump. Think they should just give it a quick, several year break after 'The : Spirit Sword'.
A break longer than their usual break. Like until the middle of the next consoles span.
I believe that the Zelda series needs to get the same makeover other M gets and I am talking about cinematics, voice acting and a COHERENT story (ahem OOT) Of course Nintendo are experimenting with the Metroid franchise, a series much more suited for these changes and I am sure they will consider the Zelda series following suit if Other M sells well.
What we can say for sure is that Zelda Wii will be a cross between TP and Sports Resort (with a strong possibility of the island flyover game to exist too) and if the above does not make you excited, then you need to play FFXIII or Fallout 3 because you have clearly grown out of the Zelda series.
I personally want to see more difficult puzzles and more character development like Majora's Mask (since TP was too dry for me) but Miyamoto wants to make Zelda games for the target audience he always made them and that is kids and teens. He fails to realize that every now and then he needs to find a way to cater to the adult Zelda demographic, that is Zelda fans who are still around after all these years and I am ONLY talking about challenge not blood and tits (like bioware does)
I agree with everything that Nathan basically said.
Spirit Tracks so far is my favorite Zelda game, even if it has it's issues. I love the challenge in the game, in the puzzles and the bosses. Spirit Tracks is the first Zelda game I took CONSIDERABLE amount of damage from bosses since Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask (and I first played both of those games about ten years ago!) Even then I was stumped maybe several times in the game, mostly in the Ocean Temple (lol water temples) and a few parts in the Tower of Spirits. Not to mention most of the important characters were actually WELL thought out. Byrne was an anti-hero (I think). Anjean always thought to put herself at risk to protect, like how she fought Byrne and even thought of fighting Malladus himself. Cole was sinister and very dramatic and evil, but loyal to Malladus, and Malladus was a being that only for complete destruction. Overall Spirit Tracks really brought me back to playing Zelda a lot and was a LOT better than Phantom Hourglass could ever be.
I still think OoT is the best Zelda game, but it's probably because I played it when I was only 7. It's the emotions and memories I associate with the game that makes it so special and I think that's why I keep comparing it to all the new games. I just can't help it... I know I most likely won't ever get the same kind of feeling from playing any other game, but I still secretly hope that Miyamoto will blow my mind again someday.
I secound that, Yusei. It's absolutely one of my favourite Zelda games, and I found it challenging and rewarding pretty much all around.
I'd say a serious issue that often goes unnoticed is the series' failure to capture any sort of atmosphere after Majora's Mask. Zelda needs a compelling setting and presentation again, and it needs to grab players in the first five minutes. Making everything "medieval" is not the answer.
Now this is the kind of article that makes me come back to Zelda Informer!
I agree with pretty much everything here. I don't think Zelda is in "decline", if anything I'd use the word "stuck", as we seem to be stuck in Ocarina of Time's play mechanics and visual style.
Now, I'm one of those fans who love OoT. I don't have a definite #1 (well, maybe Majora's Mask) but Ocarina is definitely way up there. But I agree that this obession with OoT has damaged the franchise... think back to the first GameCube trailer. It seemed Ocarina of Time all grown up, right?
And then when Nintendo decided to innovate and created Wind Waker, everyone was like FFFUUUUUUUUUUU!!! over it. So they did Twilight Princess next... grown up stuff, should be okay, amirite?
Nope. We complain again. It's too easy. Most people never stopped to think maybe we just got smarter.
I loved Spirit Tracks. It proves that even with the same old formula, a little innovation can go a long way.
I also agree with F3 above me, atmosphere can also help. Both OoT and MM were "magic" right from the start - with faries, imps and spells. Wind Waker was legendary, and don't tell me you didn't catch your breath when you first walk into Hyrule castle and see the statue of the Hero of Time. Hell, even Spirit Tracks establishes its quirkiness as soon as we see Link falling asleep during Nico's story.
Sadly, all I remember from Twlight Princess's beginning is... bloom lightning. I hope they manage to pin a better mood for the next installment.
I certainly disagree with much of what you said. But most of all:
Spirit Tracks, a rail shooter? Wtf? Just how did you make THAT analogy? How on earth is ST like a RS?
I can understand the train part being a slither of somewhat remotely related to a rail shooter, but seriously. You can't be serious in classifying it as a rail shooter.
srsly
Dude, wtf?
Yes, the point is: Zelda need an innovation, sure!
It's right, and it was the main point of Twilight Princess criticism.
But you face the problem in a very wrong way.
"
They tried a new concept in Spirit Tracks: The on rail shooter."
" instead of being the innovative game series we all think Zelda is, it's becoming like the Call of Duty series or even Final Fantasy. Same game, same basic story, same gameplay, just slap Zelda on the title and it sells millions."
It's only YOUR opinion, don't try to sell this as a mistical true.
So, the point is:
YES, Zelda need an innovation
NO, your point is, in my opinion, totally wrong.
And sorry for my bad english
Funny thing about opinion articles is...they have opinions in them. Alert the press.
While Nate's order of favorite games is obviously flawed (just kidding natey poo
@Onilink.
Ok, his point is totally wrong. Would you mind explaining why?
Thanks
You guys need to put up that "this is my/our opinion" disclaimer more often, because alot of people don't seem to realize whenever its not there.
I personally think the main thing with Zelda is a lack of innovation, and I will always believe that. The internet likes to complain about games like Twilight Princess and Phantom Hourglass and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but those games still sold wildly for their particular franchises, and receivered alot of praise outside of the chambers of the fans who rip out the games' guts, looking out for flaws, or listening to other people complain and leeching off the internets mouth. The one you hear most is "its getting stale", so I really believe Zelda Wii will be a hit, but inspite of this, it probably won't sell as much as the total sales of Twilight Princess.
With Twilight Princess, alot stemed from the lack of innovation, and with Phantom Hourglass, alot stemed with the touch screen controls and the fact that it felt like a completely different kind of Zelda, but as a game, apart from the word "Zelda" it was still brilliant.
Just my two cents.
*received
Realm, the disclaimer is present. Check the notes.
Oh, it's on the bottom.
Maybe you should put it on the top. The point is to ease people before you piss them off, not after.
Not really worried about it. I know your point, but anyone who gets "pissed off" doesn't get it. I've said it before and I'll say it again: EVERY article is opinion. Anywhere. The only ones that are not are the news related ones, and you'll be surprised just how much of that news article is fluff.
So, people who don't get that it's an opinion are not the sort of people we are looking to attract to this site. ;)
zelda never was good
The real problem with this franchise is that it is a fucking franchise! When a game is whored out to people who want to make money off the brand, parts of it's soul gets sold in the process.
these games are the only zelda games worth playing:
Zelda 1
Zelda 2 (adventures of link)
Link's awakening
Link to the past
Ocarina of time
That's it. That's all, it ends there.
The rest are just bullshit that's been copied and fucked around like a 2 buck whore. Link's ass wasn't made to be fucked, good sires...
Finally! Someone said that the problem is the fans XDDDD. I've been thinking that for ages.
That was a nice article, I really liked that last paragraph.
No way dude, Zelda will never die. I heard a new one is being released for Wii this year. Cant wait, I will put my Ps3 aside and buy a Wii to find out!
Jess
www.total-anonymity.us.tc
Zelda 2 1st place
OOT 10th spot
Stop trying to be different just to rile up attention to your blog
GO back and replay those games
better yet if you are old enough ( as I am) to remember when those games came out. I enjoyed Zelda 2, but didn't enjoy it and kinda disliked the Link series, until the SNES version restored my love for the series. No go back to your memories of when Ocarina of time Came out. Do you remember that feeling when you learned how to use the mirror shield to take down to moving enemies in the air, or riding a horse while aiming and shooting at enemies at the same time.. Yeah that's when I realized how polished this game was.
That game didn't 10/10 from several game site because of politics/hype/fanboys.. It was a damn good game.
It's not us, it's the games. All the cel-shaded ones (besides The Wind Waker) suck. All Nintendo is doing these days is making the games based on ways to travel really than rather making it fun. They make it too easy too.
Plus their innovation sucks. I played Phantom Hourglass and I don't like the idea of yelling into a microphone to get something to happen, or closing the DS and opening it for some thing (a map in one of the levels) to be copied over to mine. I just want to play a good game with a great plot, good gameplay, developed characters, and emotion that makes you feel for it all.
That's what they took out of Zelda lately. It's not in TP (although I enjoyed it a lot), or any of the cel-shaded games (TWW had a great plot so it's excluded).
Nintendo needs to stop making games for the casual gamers and make games for us. They said they hadn't forgotten the hardcore gamers and they were right; They haven't. They just don't give two shits about us.
Personally I'm tired of the "dungeon 1, get boomerang; go to dungeon 2, get bomb.." formula.
I'm tired of the errand-boy vibe that too many zelda games (and many popular games)... I really did enjoy the horse-back battle vs. the boar-riding baddies in TP as I have never really experienced that in a game.
I think Hyrule and it's denizens are really interesting and I would love to explore the land in an almost sandbox style. I could really see Hyrule in a Pandora-like immersive experience.
There are tons of way to creatively make challenges without the simple 'go to A, get B, deliver to C' or at least switch up errand boy missions with training, chase, fight, exploration, etc.
Maybe have Link start with all of the weapons earned in the previous game? There would be others of course, but it would be cool to see puzzles that require all of your supplies like right off the bat.
I have to agree as well about TP being one of the best.
On the one hand, the game was a little stale since we had seen so many of the same story elements and mechanics in previous Zelda games.
On the other, my primary complaint of every Zelda game I had played before TP was that the world was small. I knew there was a reason for that from a technical perspective, but I remember thinking when I was little, "how does everyone not know everyone else in this place?" and "where are all these guards coming from? The don't have houses or anything" TP took the same story and elements and elevated them to the level that I always hoped for when I was little.
@Shenaniganz
Unlike what seems like the rest of the world, I didn't find OoT to be "that great" of a game. It wasn't "that new" to me. I had played other 3D games thanks to the often overlooked PC gaming market during that time that was always ahead of the console market. I didn't say that OoT was a bad game, it wasn't. At the time of me playing it, it was indeed in my top 5 Zelda games. AoL was better, to me, because of how HARD the game was. OoT never provided me a real challenge. The next game in the series that provided some challenge? MM.
MM, to me, is what OoT should of been. Of course if that was the case the mainstream gamers would of ran away, but whatever. The 3 Day system, the better designed dungeons and bosses, the unique story and lots of character interaction: To me thats what Zelda "should be", but of course it only happened in one game. MM and AoL get flip flopped a lot when I am doing the listing which is tough for me. OoT has dropped because, well, facts are facts.
TWW, TP, MM - the 3 3D games since OoT are all, in fact, better than OoT. The only reason people don't think that is because of memories and nostalgia. Never mind that all 3 games did what OoT did, but did it better.
I also didn't START on OoT. When I was playing it, it really reminded me of A Link to the Past, which like everyone else I thought was fantastic. Link's Awakening was another great one. OoT, to me, just isn't better than those. All the complaints people have had about TWW (outside of Cellshading) and TP are present in OoT... only worse. THe reason it doesn't get criticized was "well for it's time thats the best they could do"... was it? How do we know?
My point really isn't that OoT is overrated. It deserves praise for what it did for the industry, that doesn't mean every zelda fan on the planet has it in their top 5. Sorry, to me there are MUCH better Zelda experiences out there. like I said, OoT to many is what "zelda is suppose to be", and I disagree, since that is what zelda has been since and everyone keeps bitching about it, yet says they want it. Very, very, ironic.
@Nate
I agree with you about nostalgia and memories being a big part of it. But don't you think saying it's like that for everyone is a bit of a generalization?
What about all the people who played TP or WW first and liked it so much that they decided to play all the old Zelda games and thought OoT was the best? They don't fit that category.
I'm just saying you should be careful about stereotyping.
@Nathanial Rumphol-Janc
"TWW, TP, MM - the 3 3D games since OoT are all, in fact, better than OoT. The only reason people don't think that is because of memories and nostalgia. Never mind that all 3 games did what OoT did, but did it better."
It isn't just nostalgia. Personally I hadn't really played OOT until about a month ago, after having played most of the other Zelda games (starting with ALTP on SNES in the early 90's), and I definitely think it's one of the best in the series.
Back in the "days of the N64" I pretty much ignored it completely, as I had played Mario64 and various PS1 games (3D ones), and had decided I didn't really like 3D games in general due to their clunky controls (the god awful N64 controllers may have had something to do with that) and quirky camera angles. Having now finally played the N64 Zelda games, I'd have to say that if any series of games ever benefitted from a transition to 3D, then Zelda is it.
I guess I'd have to say that IMO ALTP is the best of the 2D Zeldas, and OOT is the best of the 3D Zeldas.
MM is definitely great though, and has far more atmosphere than most other Zelda games. I'd say it's very close to OOT, and in some ways better, but somewhat different than most Zelda games.
In fact, the only Zelda game I really didn't particularly like at all is Zelda 2.
@Article
To be honest, I don't really see that the Zelda games need any more innovation than they have gotten.
While many elements have remained the same, pretty much every Zelda game each have their own unique elements.
I love all Zelda games, If you feel that they are not living to your expectations.. Don't play anymore simple as that. If you feel you can honestly do better, by all means tell them and prove to everyone you can make a game that can sell millions if not sit down and shut up. Game making is an art and takes time. Maybe the Zelda game your playing isn't right for your age, well then don't play it, wait for a Zelda game that is made towards your age. Instead of Bashing this great series, maybe you should show your loyalty and hope for them to produce a new game with a great story and good action.
@people upset on my generalizing
I've been in the Zelda community for going on 11 years, and while not 'everyone' fits into every generalization, the fact is that MOST do. I am not speaking about everyone, I am speaking about the majority.
Its a great article. But i just don't seem to understand why nintendo wants to aim zelda towards a 10 year old audience. They already have games like mario and pokemon to do that. But because times are changing fast, Zelda Wii will probably be the last videogame I will play for a long time. I certainly hope it is not aimed for the 10 year old.
Why are people mad at Zelda being accessible to kids? I remember playing aLttP when I was... I think 9. I didn't know what was going on, but I figured out that I had to fight the knights. Someone else mentioned that instead of Zelda (mostly puzzlss) getting easier, we're getting smarter. Just like the article says: WE'RE changing.
And my first Zelda was WW. I love that game, and put 254 hours into it. I played Four Sword Adventure, TP, and aLttP (on the GBA). Then I played OoT about a year ago, and MM a while later. I like OoT. I can appreciate what it did for 3D gaming, and it is an excellent experience. Now some of the big plot twists were already spoiled for me (ie Zelda is Sheik). They didn't have the same impact as they would have had if I didn't know, but it wouldn't have made me put it in first place.
My favorite is by far WW. Not just because it was my first Zelda, but for the big world (I proudly mapped all 49 islands), the story, the deep-rooted motivations, the graphical style-which I liked right from the start- and the characters. After playing other Zelda games, I can firmly say that WW is my favorite. I also really like MM, which is tied with aLttP for 2nd. MM had atmosphere, character development, constant tension with the Moon closing in on you ever so slowly. It just felt great.
OoT is good, but I will say (*braces for impact*) TP was better. Did people all of a sudden forget that they were asking...no, begging...still not right... Freaking DEMANDING that another Zelda be made like OoT? It was the high mark in many people's eyes, and sits atop its throne as the greatest Zelda game ever. I read an article a while back on how fans can ruin a franchise. Not fans so much as rabbid, whining fans that critique every game to the point of pure absurdity. They ask for one thing, and when they get it, they bit** and whine about it, then demand something else. The main point in the article was that we don't know what we want. We think we do, but in the end, the developers are they guys (and girls!) who make the games. Maybe we just need to chill out and take each iteration of the Zelda franchise one game at a time. And not base it off of your first Zelda game, or what you percieve as "proper Zelda". Please.
"Not fans so much as rabbid, whining fans that critique every game to the point of pure absurdity. They ask for one thing, and when they get it, they bit** and whine about it, then demand something else. The main point in the article was that we don't know what we want. We think we do, but in the end, the developers are they guys (and girls!) who make the games. Maybe we just need to chill out and take each iteration of the Zelda franchise one game at a time. And not base it off of your first Zelda game, or what you percieve as "proper Zelda". Please."
All of that is great and I agree completely. Wonderful comment Tim.
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Ok, I have only completed five Zelda games: Minish Cap, Phantom Hourglass, Twilight Princess, Wind Waker and Spirit Tracks, and I loved them. So I decided after discovering the wonders of Bulbapedia to see if there is something similar to that for Zelda. And thats what lead me hear; amongst others (Zelda Wiki, Universe, etc.).
And then I discovered that Zelda fans are the BIGGEST wingers EVER!
You all complain about how much you hate, say, Phantom Hourglass. Yet magazines and websites such as NGamer, ONM, GamesMaster, IGN and Gamespot adore it so much.
The "fans" all say how much they wish there was D-Pad and button control of Link instead of stylus control. However I along with the rest of the world's sensible population think that this would be an absolute tradgedy.
They say the game was easy, but to a ten year-old boy like I was it was hard as nails.
While I do agree that there are points to be critiqued about this game e.g. music and The Temple of the Ocean King (my friend who also has this told me he has a phobia of this place). It is still a wonderful, fantastic game.
So why can't the people of Zelda Informer understand this? That is for the aforesaid to solve. But, in the meantime, I along with the "New" Generation of Zelda Fans would really love for all you "Old" Generation ninnies to Shut The Hell Up!!!
Awesome article! :D
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Nate, this article is spot on! I think, and always have thought, that the biggest problem facing Zelda fans is that they try to compare every game to Ocarina of Time, the game that is the obvious fan favorite for obvious reasons (even though I entirely agree with you and your reasoning behind having OOT at #10, it's pretty low for me too in the scope of things), or previous Zelda successes.
Fans truly have to judge the game not in comparison to previous Zelda successes, but in terms of its presentation and what it brings to the table in terms of Zelda innovation. True, the train aspect of Spirit Tracks may have been boring, but its the mere fact that they were experimenting with a new, albeit strange, aspect of gaming never seen before in a Zelda title that makes the game a success in its own right. And even so, Spirit Tracks makes up fully for the train with its clever dungeons.
I feel my ZI piece to be submitted soon will be able to support this notion of a "declining Zelda", which I feel is a product of an increasingly cynical Zelda fanbase. Fans should just be grateful for what they are given, instead of harking on the little intricacies that are hardly cataclysmic in the grand scope of things. Must gamers relearn how to enjoy Zelda games? After all, that's what they are made for!
All in all, great article, Nate.