A highly polished an very fun DS game. Yeah.
PHANTOM HOURGLASS
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is like dark chocolate. I was tentative about getting it, but as soon as I did I was happy; I didn't want it to end.
Good:
-Some of the best graphics on the DS
-Mind blowing puzzles
-Great controls; use of touch screen, mic, dual screens
-Fantastic music
-Funny dialogue
-Amazing boss battles
-Plenty more to do than just play the story
-Functional multiplayer
Bad:
-A bit too easy
-Some pixilation makes it look bad
-It ends
Phantom Hourglass's graphics are just plain awesome. They are perfect for the DS. The only limitation is the size of the screen. Smoke particles will look squarish, and object in the distance, too. Bosses look great, as well as various people and enemies. The style of the world also had a kiddy feel, like legs that were too small, and colorful sprites. Cut scenes were great. Everything in the world was real, but it had an almost humorous air to it.
Graphics: 9/10
In every Zelda game there is great music, and Phantom Hourglass definitely honors that. From the pirate/sailing tune for…sailing, to the 3rd to last boss battle, its there. Whether funny, intense, or relaxed mood is trying to be conveyed, the music usually takes the lead. Sound effects, like the springing of a board, are present. They add little blips of humor, too. Somehow the DS' tiny little speakers transmit all of this emotion.
Sound: 10/10
The combination of the puzzles and controls is what amazes me. I am still in awe of some of the puzzles. THEY ARE INGENIOUS. One you have to make a rope between two points, and use it as a giant slingshot. Another, you have to launch a rock several stories, just to break another rock. The controls take about 20 minutes to pick up, and the single player sets is up perfectly. The map thing, now that is cool. So much of the game would be going back to that one sign if the map system weren't present. It is so cool. The DS' extra features also get used. From blowing out candles with the microphone, to drawing symbols with the touch screen. You could play this with one hand, as long as you have something to set it on.
The story is too easy, though. I don't mid breezing through the game, but only one boss battle required multiple tries. If someone wanted to, this game could be beaten in under three days. I must have beaten the first half over Christmas break. The single player is awesome. I don't know how someone could not like it.
Single player/story/gameplay: 9.5/10
Most Zelda games take a while to beat. Phantom Hourglass is shorter than most Zelda games, but makes up for it. There are so many extra things to collect, quests to complete, and people to battle. If you were to get everything in the game, twenty hours may be covered. The addition of multiplayer does add some. Not only is there single card, but there is also Wi-Fi. While the multiplayer isn't going to change the world, it does add some fun if you have connections.
Value: 8.5/10
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a great game. Not only is it intuitive, it is highly polished. Things are put in that would make the game boring otherwise, like funny dialogue, and sound effects. It is not the best Zelda game, but a phantasic DS game, and a darn good game anyway.
Overall: 9.0/10