It doesn't get much better than this for a launch title!
It is safe to say that The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is possibly one of the most anticipated games ever. After the huge success of Ocarina of Time, Zelda fans have been eagerly awaiting a game to topple the greatness that is Ocarina of Time. It is also interesting to note this is the first ever Zelda title to be released for a console launch. Does it rise to the challenge? Read on to find out!
Graphics 10/10:
Before I begin this section let me get one thing out of the way first. Unlike some reviewers who will remain nameless, I will not compare the graphics of Twilight Princess to games on other systems such as the Xbox360 or the PS3 as I believe it is unfair to do so. A comparison like that would be more suited for a console review rather than just one game, so I will score this section in terms of what the Wii is capable of.
There is one word to describe the graphics in this game; stunning. After the long wait for a game where Link finally takes the role of an adult again, players of new and old will not be disappointed. Every inch of Link is Wii graphics perfection and the attention to detail is fantastic. Not only can you see the stitches in Link's tunic, but also the etched symbols on his gauntlets and the roughness of his boots; he looks like a true hero. Supporting characters also look great as well and you can quickly see that everyone has a unique style. If you have played previous Zelda games you will also quickly see the noticeable difference in Epona, Link's trusty steed. She is looking a lot more detailed than the plain brown colour you will remember seeing on her in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Now you can see all the different gradients and textures used to make Epona look like a true horse!
The next thing to tackle is the scenery and environments. Each area you travel to throughout the game looks distinctly different and the beautiful graphics really draw you into the game. Everything from the trees of Faron Woods and the houses in Kakariko Village to the waterfalls in Zora's Domain and Castle turrets of Hyrule all look magnificent, you won't be disappointed! Finally we have enemy design. All enemies carry their own unique demeanor and you can easily distinguish one enemy from another. Bosses have been done particularly well and the graphics will make the fights feel even more epic!
Gameplay 10/10:
Twilight Princess doesn't stray from and dosen't mess around with the Zelda formula for Gameplay and that is definetly a good thing! Twilight Princess keeps with the usual Hack and Slash (with items from time to time) Action Adventure gameplay style that Zelda is famous for. However this great design has now been added onto by the capabilities of the Wii remote! Now you can flick your remote to get Link to spring into action and hack away! Combined with various secret sword techniques that Link will master on his adventure an you have a winning combination! You also have the typical set out for items where you can have three items out at one time on the D-Pad, and by using the item subscreen, can switch between which items you want readily available. The only change to this is instead of having the sword swing attached to a button you now have an extra item! Whatever item you have assigned to the B button is the one you can use, this makes things much easier and is a nice improvement! Horseback riding has always played a role in Zelda games in the past, but it is taken to an all new level in the latest Zelda installment! No longer do you just ride Epona around, but now horseback combat is at your disposal! Now you can fling your sword around, fire your arrows, throw your boomerang and more all while on horseback! This adds a new element to the gameplay to the game is an excellent addition! There is a large variety of items in the game, some will be familiar to seasoned Zelda adventurers, but also plenty of new ones that will excited even the most experienced of Zelda players!
Twilight Princess features 8 dungeons in total which will keep your adventure going for quite some time indeed. It ends up being just the right length for the game and you won't feel like it was too long or short by the time you finish! The wide variety in dungeons you will visit and the items you collect also keep the interest going as well as the various side quests that pop up as the game progresses. You have the usual hunting side quests such as hunting golden bugs and collecting poe ghost souls, but in addition you now have various mini-games and rewards, fishing and hidden skill collecting among others!
You also have the unique power in this game to transform into a blue-eyed wolf! To begin with you will not have control over this power, but as the game progresses your power will increase! Being able to play as a wolf adds a new level of depth to the game allowing you to access various places that would be otherwise impossible. It also showcases the differences in strengths between man and beast and adds sme unique fights into the game. Your companion for the game, Midna, is also a welcome addition and provides a more interesting and thoughtful character than your usual flittering Zelda fairy would allow.
The story, although somewhat darker than other Zelda games, runs very smoothly and you'll find yourself engrossed in it the whole way through! I won't ruin any of it for you now, but it is a truly epic story with great characters, suspense, mystery and many twists and turns to keep it interesting!
Sound 10/10:
The sound in Twilight Princess is brilliant! Featuring remixes of some well loved old tunes as well as some catchy new ones, the music will never leave you bored! Background music suits each environment, character ad enemy perfectly and nothing ever sounds out of place! Sound effects are equally fantastic and they really get you into the mood of the game! It is also nice to see there is no voice acting in the game, contrary to what some believe, as it keeps the classic Zelda feel and lets your imagination run wild! I have also heard complaints about the quality of sound coming from the speaker in the remote, but personally I think it works very well! It adds some fun to the game by being able to hear the sound of the bow string in your hand as you draw the bow and the chink of your sword as you draw and strike! If that still doesn't sound appealing to you, you could always turn the speaker off...
Value 10/10:
The main quest of the game will take you roughly 32-42 hours to beat due to the large amount of dungeons, as previously mentioned. The main quest alone will satisfy the average gamer, but are you looking for more? Fear not! If you add all the side quests and extras this game has to offer then you're looking at another 10-20 hours on top of that! A huge amount longer than your average action adventure game! Replay Value is there as well, as soon as you beat the game you'll have a desire to go back and do it again or finish anything you had previously left unfinished!
Overall 10/10:
Twilight Princess truly a truly awesome game and is a great way to begin a new era with the Nintendo Wii. Whether you are a new player or a seasoned Zelda adventurer this game will not leave you dissapointed. With amazing graphics and sound, awesome gameplay and a huge amount of value, what more could you ask for!?