One of the best games for the Gamecube is also one of the best games in one of the best series of all time.
Graphics: I've found that the games that try to look realistic tend to have graphics that don't hold up well over time. This is not one of those games. I love the cel shading of this game. It really gives it alot of personality. The art design is also very good. The enemies look light hearted, but can be intimidating when they need to be. Everything animates very smoothly and the frame rate is very consistent. 9.5/ 10
Sound: This game has some of the best music ever. Even the opening theme is good enough to just sit and listen to. And there's a great variety of it, too. The Windfall Isle music is lightheated and happy- go- lucky, while the Forsaken Fortress is dark and foreboding. The sound effects are all great as well. There is really no bad sound in the game. 10/ 10
Story: It starts out with Link (or whatever you name him) waking up on his home island of the appropriatley titled Outset Island. His sister, Ariel, tells him (or rather you) that it's his birthday and she gives him her Teloscope. Then, his grandmother gives him the legendary green clothes of the Hero of Time. (The plot actually ties in really well with the story of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask.) Then, a giant bird flies over the Island and drops a girl into the forest. After gaining a sword, Link investigates and, long story short, his sister gets mistooken for the girl who was dropped, and gets kidnapped. Link sets out with the pirates (of whom the girl is the leader) who just arrived on a quest to save his sister. I really liked the exposition and thinks the whole sister thing really puts an emotional touch on an otherwise basic Zelda story. (Yes, it eventually turns into a save the world thing.) 8/ 10
Gameplay: The main course of all Zeldas. There aren't as many dungeons in this game (There's 6, I beleive.) But, there is a massive overworld to explore, with over 40 different locations to explore. Yes, there are extended periods of sailing between islands on the Great Sea, but, instead of an annoyance, I think that it just helps build anticipation for the excellently designed destinations.
The dungeons aren't particularly challenging; as a matter of fact, they're rather easy. But, they are still fun as well are the bosses. Each dungeon holds a unique challenge and 2 of them are tag team dungeons, which makes for some interesting puzzles.
The real reason to play this game, to me, is for the overworld. Each island holds a secret or 2, and the main ones have alot of charm to them. The outside of dungeon parts are some of the best in the game, in my opinion. The overworld has many sidequests for you to complete and has many secrets to discover. As a matter of fact, I think this Zelda game has the most sidequests to do in any game in the series.
There is a part of the game that is annoying. You are forced to scour the sea looking for the 8 peices of the Triforce. It's not that bad, in my opnion, because it gives you an excuse to explore the ocean.
This is easily in the top 5 Gamecube games of all time for me, rivaled by Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe, Super Mario Sunshine and Twilight Princess. 9/ 10
Final Thoughts: Wind Waker is an amazing game that has an abundance of content. If you're looking for a great adventure game or a great game in general, you really can't go wrong with Wind Waker. Thanks for reading and keep on sailing!