Link is back, sailing the high seas, in the follow up to 2003's Wind Waker.
The takes advantage of the DS touch screen controls, so you won't be using buttons. This may seem like weird approach to the game, but in reality its fits perfectly. Everything feels very responsive. From running, slashing your sword, using items, and writing on your map, you'll find that it's very smooth and easy to do.
You'll be sailing across vast seas like in WW, but they've improved this in many ways. First off there is no more tinkering with wind; you'll now be using a steam powered boat. First you plot your directions on the sea map and then you're set to go. From there on out you can you the touch screen to control the camera, and shoot cannons at enemies, along with many other things.
Dungeons do seem very linear compared to other Zelda games. They'll usually take only 15 minutes to get through. Like in most Zelda games you go through the dungeons collecting a item specific to that dungeon, and grabbing the boss key to fight the boss. The bosses are probably the most innovative fights on the DS; each uses specific items which call for different touch controls. The fights start of kind of lame at first. Mostly the first dungeon, but the bosses to come after that are truly magnificent. The thing is in Phantom hourglass, there aren't as many times as in the past Zelda games. You'll get 6 main items in the game (hammer, arrows, bombs, etc.) but there are no fairies, bottles, or magic. This kind of gives an awkward feeling to the game because those things are usually some of the trade marks in Zelda. But this feeling is just a minor sentiment, because the game is truly epic. Another minor thing about dungeons is you'll be forced to go through a timed dungeon numerous amounts of times throughout the game, which can be kind of annoying because the basement floors are guarded by invisible enemies called phantoms.
Phantom Hourglass takes the same cell shading approach as WW and it results in some of the best graphics on the DS. Cinematic cut scenes are abundant and they're all in 3d; the sailing parts are also in full 3d, and when you land on an island or are in a dungeon, you'll have a top down view of the area, but the characters and environment is still in 3D. Some cut scenes use a slideshow like presentation of pictures that looks like they're from a children's book. This presentation is actually pretty cool, but there are only about 3 scenes with those in them.
The sound isn't as memorable as past games in the series, but in standards of DS games this as some of the best orchestration. There are some classic tones from previous Zelda games like when you receive an item, or unlock an area. If you've ever played a Zelda game before you'll no that there is no voice acting in it, so those cinematic cut scenes that I was talking about will be very text heavy.
Phantom Hourglass is a long game, lasting at least 15-20 hours, and if you do everything (all the side quests), then chances are you're time will increase by another 5 hours. Even though it's very long this game is EASY, you may die only once or twice throughout your adventure and most likely it will be in the timed dungeon (temple of the ocean king). The story lacking a little bit and is pretty predictable, but I think Nintendo toned it down a little for the younger audience. Another addition that may make the game last a while longer is the multiplayer.
The game is an excellent addition to the DS library; sure I nitpicked about some minor problems that I found in the game. Every game as flaws, but the overall experience is highly enjoyable and recommendable to anyone who owns a DS.