Disappointing for a zelda game.
My first reaction was that it was quite basic, having been used to the more advanced graphics of modern games. However, I wasn't going to let that deter me. After all, Zelda was a very good game despite the simiple graphics.
Exploration in the first five minutes proved to be quite futile. It was hard getting a handle on the terrain and the game environment. It was also quite annoying having to switch from a large overworld screen to an action screen every minute or so as creatures attacked your character. In addition, the leveling up scheme became very tedious and a rather slow process. Entering the various towns, it also became very tiring having to wait for the characters to slowly spew their words onto the screen, one word at a time. Many of them gave competely useless information while others spoke in riddles. Ultimately, I am embarrassed to admit that I had to rely on a walkthrough to help me get through the initial first few levels.
The game play and handling of this game is poor. The design is mediocre and the story is almost non-existant. Were it not a Zelda franchised game, I would have quit almost immediately. As it was, I gave it a chance and probably played for over four hours. By the end however, the game play had become so repetitive that I'm sure the designers were simply rehashing the various levels to prolong the game.
If you are a Zelda fan and you wish to retain good memories of the games, avoid this title.