Immersive, vibrant, and fun-everything a fantastic game needs.
User Rating: 10 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Limited Edition) GC
When I picked this up back in 2003, I had no idea what to expect. I mean, the kiddy graphics looked a bit strange compared to the previous outings, the game took place on an ocean, the horse was now a boat, etc. When I started playing it, however, I was pretty much instantly sucked in, and am now not ashamed to say I liked it even more than Ocarina of Time. The vibrant colors, great artwork, awesome gameplay, and even the sailing all created one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. Not even the sailing was a turnoff, for I simply loved the music that played during it (that, and blowing up towers and finding treasure). However, the biggest problem with the game is its difficulty, or lack thereof. That is the only real annoyance in the game, as it could have been less of a cakewalk, particularly in some of the boss battles. rnrnGraphics: Wonderful. The cartoonish vibe in the game helps create a wonderful atmosphere that is more akin to an actual artwork, especially with the swirling clouds of smoke that come when bombs go off. If you had any doubts about the unrealistic look, they can be laid to rest, as the visuals are brilliant.rnrnGameplay: Awesome! Nintendo outdid themselves with this one, and even made something as (usually) dull as sailing a good part of the game! You have your standard Zelda platforming and fighting, but you are now in a world characterized by a series of smallish islands instead of one large landmass connected by fields. While on the boat, you can dredge up buried treasure with the grappling hook, blow stuff up with the cannon, and get to wherever you need to go, finding and kicking a#$ through submarines/towers along the way. In addition, the titular item (the wind waker) proves to be very helpful both on sea and land, making one of the most versatile items in the game.rnrnMusic: Great. Each of the main islands in the game uses great music to create an individual vibe about the different locations, and it works incredibly well. While it is simplistic, it manages to take an apparent weakness and turn it into a strength by making the songs unforgettable despite it.rnrnHowever, if difficulty is something you're craving, you might be left wanting, as the only real difficulty is taking time to find everything in the game. However, it's the only really weak point of this. The final verdict? Worth playing several times over.
