About time, right? Every time I’ve sat down to write this one, I end up giving a whole game its own treatment instead. And, y’know, Zelda happened. Then Persona… but we’ll talk about that one soon enough.
Tag: Zelda
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Let’s Talk About Breath of the Wild’s Problems
This should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen me in the last month or read my latest post on the game, but the new Zelda is real good, ya’ll. I thought, instead of singing its praises all year long, I could take a minute to talk about the issues I have with the game after spending upwards of 80 or 90 hours with it. Yes, it’s up there with the most fun I’ve ever had with a video game, but it’s far from perfect. If Nintendo follows up Breath of the Wild with something similar, here’s how it could be improved.
I. The Reward System
One of the biggest issues with Breath of the Wild is its almost nonexistent rewards outside of the shrine loop. Since BotW loads you up with almost all of the permanent upgrades you’re going to get right from the beginning, there’s very little in the way of meaningful progress you make outside of gaining more hearts and stamina. That kinda sucks. The actual *play* of Breath of the Wild is so incredible, it’s easy to let this slide for a very long time. But when you’re dawning on your final hours and wrapping up shrines and sidequests I kept thinking, what exactly have I gotten from this?
The unique sidequests and mini games are fun, and I think Nintendo saw the act of doing them as the real reward, but after getting *another* stash of nearly useless rupees I found myself curious if this shallowness felt as obvious to anyone as as it did to me. Whenever you find a chest in a shrine or dungeon, what’s the best that can happen? You’re forced to drop a lame sword from your inventory to pick up a slightly less lame sword. The *one* occasion where they ditch this is when you get the Zora’s armor. That thing rocks and I couldn’t believe they would give you such a cool ability just as an equippable item. And then they never do it again.
Wouldn’t it have been better if there was a larger variety of equipment to find, or maybe even some kind of equivalent to Heart Pieces, or a larger arrow or rupee bag…or just… something? In trimming the fat from older Zelda games, I think Nintendo cut a little too close to the bone.
II. The Dungeons
-SPOILERS- If you haven’t finished the Divine Beasts you may want to skip past the next two sections . -SPOILERS-
So what’s up with these guys? If you’ve frequented as many Zelda forum posts as I have in the last month, you’ve probably heard the same complaint over and over: The Dungeons Suck, and are the worst thing Breath of the Wild did to the series.
I disagree.
I think I’m in the minority that believes the Divine Beast dungeons are (for the most part) very well crafted and are some of my favorite content in the game. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. I do miss the themed levels from the rest of the series, like the Shadow Temple in Ocarina of Time or the Snowpeak Ruins Mansion in Twilight Princess. The closest we get to that is the Salamander Beast, which culminates in you flying into a volcano to explore a giant lizard. That’s pretty awesome.
The Divine Beasts themselves were all exciting to explore, if a little on the short side. Instead of feeling like an expansive “dungeon” of Zelda’s past, they mostly feel like a larger, more involved version of one of BotW’s many Shrines. Each one has a gimmick, with the Elephant’s water spewing trunk being the most unique, but the Camel and Salamander’s level shifting rotations are super cool, too. The bird is the weakest of the bunch from start to finish. Its gimmick is to… slightly shift to the left or right. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely bland in comparison. Do I wish that Zelda dungeons of old were still scattered about? Absolutely. Would I wholeheartedly trade them and lose my unique, weird animal challenges? Probably not.
Would I kill a person to get a spooky shadow temple filled with ReDeads and Poes? Just give me a name and I’ll take care of the rest.
III. Boss Variety
Soooo… like what happened here? The first Blight you fight is fine. It’s not mindblowing, but it gets the job done as your first boss. Then you fight the second one and you realize that this is all the game has to offer. Get ready, because this is when I continue talking about Ocarina of Time’s Shadow Temple. It’s maybe my favorite level in gaming, okay?
This is the mini-boss of one dungeon in Ocarina of Time. Nothing in Breath of the Wild compares visually with how unique and weird Dead Hand is.
Then you ride a spooky ghost ship to the actual boss of the Shadow Temple.
What happened, Nintendo? You remember you use to make incredibly weird stuff, right? Each of the four bosses of the Divine Beast dungeons in Breath of the Wild are almost visually identical. *But* one of them stands out above the rest and helps me forgive them as a concept, if only for a moment.
The boss of the Camel dungeon is Thunderblight Ganon, a flying dude who shoots lightning and teleports quickly around the arena, forcing you to learn how to dodge and parry or be stricken down in moments. Once you master this section, he flies high above the stage, and you instinctively shoot arrows at him to no avail. He rains electrified pillars down at you and you’re forced to sprint around the room and avoid them as you come up with a new strategy. It took me a solid couple of minutes before I even considered grabbing these pillars with my magnet to send them flying back at him to win the fight. It’s one of the most frantic fights in the game that actually ends with a well-crafted puzzle, and I wish I could say that for literally any of the other main bosses in Breath of the Wild.
There are, surprisingly, some other really unique boss fights in Breath of the Wild. They just don’t come at the end of a dungeon. During the Gerudo quest to find away inside the Camel Beast, you sneak through a hidden camp full of thieves and end up fighting their incompetent leader in another of the game’s best fights. You do the typical stabba stabba stabba, but there’s also an element of using your other abilities to take him down. He’s also just a fun character that I wish ended up with more screen time.
Then there’s the giant dragon resting on top of a snowy mountain. You fight it by jumping off the peak and slow-mo shooting weak spots off of it until you bring it down. That blew my damn mind. Same goes for the Skeletal Hinox and the Desert Gobble Gobble Boy (that’s his name don’t look it up that’s just his name ok). These fights are optional in a Zelda game with the lamest collection of main bosses in the series. That’s weird, right?
All of this isn’t to throw unnecessary shade at Breath of the Wild. I’d be hard pressed to say it isn’t tied for my favorite Zelda game of all time. But at times it just doesn’t feel like a Zelda game, which I guess is what makes it such an oddity when compared to the rest of the series. It feels like a bunch of geniuses borrowed Zelda elements and slapped them into an unrelated open world masterpiece. And that’s okay!
Nothing is perfect, but getting pretty close still makes for one of the best games of all time.
(Nintendo, please make a weirder, darker side story using this engine a-la Majora’s Mask and I’ll never say anything bad about you ever again ok bye bye)
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Titan Souls is Dark Souls + Zelda + Shadow of the Colossus
Yes, you read that title right, and yes, it’s really cool.Titan Souls is the overall winner from the most recent Ludum Dare competition, and I think it’s absolutely deserving of all the attention it’s been getting. This bite sized epic takes the best of some of the most well regarded series, and elegantly weaves them together to make something special. It takes the idea of a “boss battle game” from Shadow of the Colossus, the difficulty and feeling of victory from Dark Souls, and the puzzle design and 2D feel of a Zelda game, and I would eat this up if there were any more of it. (more…)
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Game of the Year 2013: #01 – The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
Since 2003’s The Wind Waker, no Zelda game has given me the sense of freedom I want from the series. Twilight Princess is bogged down with boring fetch quests (literally, because you’re a dog), Skyward Sword has the worst travel system and the most boring filler of any of them, and the DS games just aren’t up to par with even the other handheld games. They’ve all had great parts, I enjoyed a lot of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword, despite having to force my way through the terribleness. But, what if, Nintendo made a new Zelda game without any of the garbage that comes with them? (more…) -
It’s almost August…what’s left?
With less than half of the 2013 left, we’re rapidly approaching an onslaught of Fall game releases, alongside the launch of two new consoles. There’s going to be a lot of games coming out soon. For the sake of jogging your memory and mine, let’s take a look at what we can expect in coming seasons.
Pikmin 3 – August 04
WiiU
I’ve been a fan of this series since I tore open the Purple Lunchbox™ and dropped Pikmin in as my first game. Variety is a key factor in determining my enjoyment in a game, and both titles always had plenty to see. Tons of enemies, several levels to explore, puzzles to solve – Pikmin is always a treat. My expectations are high for this third entry, and let’s hope Nintendo finally gives us a reason to plug in our Wii Us.
Dragon’s Crown – August 06
Vita
Despite the controversy with Dragon’s Crown, it still appears that Vanillaware is bringing their A game with this beat ’em up with an eye-catching art style.
Tales of Xillia – August 06
PS3
While I’ve never been a fan of the Tales series, Xillia looks to be another hit for those looking for another fantastical adventure.
Mario & Luigi Dream: Team – August 11
3DS
My favorite Mario RPG is still Legend of the Seven Stars. I’ve enjoyed the Mario & Luigi games since, but they’ve never hit that sweet spot that even the Paper Mario series did. I still look forward to the fourth entry, and while I don’t expect it to win over any new fans, I’m sure serious devotees will enjoy this one as well.
Payday 2 – August 13
360/PS3/PC
I enjoyed the brief time I spent with the original Payday, and Payday 2 looks to be an appeal to an even wider audience, especially as it’s launching on consoles this time.
DuckTales: Remastered – August 13
PS3/PC/WiiU
The NES classic is being brought back to life by the talents at Wayforward.
Saints Row 4 – August 20
360/PS3/PC
Please be good. Please be good. Please be good. I enjoyed the juvenile, off-kilter humor of Saints Row 3, but I didn’t enjoy the majority of the gameplay, which consisted of shootshootshootcovershoot. PLEASE BE GOOD. I WANT TO LOVE YOU. This time you take on the role of the president of the United States, who also happens to have superpowers. Please don’t screw this one up.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist – August 20
360/PS3/PC/WiiU
Splinter Cell: Conviction was something I aggressively wanted to enjoy, but never quite clicked with. After finishing the game, I wished I enjoyed the gameplay as much as previous Splinter Cell games, but the amount of shooty action brought the experience down for me. From what I’ve seen, Blacklist looks like even more action than before…so we’ll see.
Divekick – August 20
PS3/Vita/PC
A fighting game with two buttons. That’s it. You can dive into the air and come flying back down with a kick. It’s the fighting game to relearn fighting games with, and it looks like just the perfect refresher for anyone even remotely interested in the genre. Even if you aren’t into fighting games, Divekick hopes you get you started with it’s ease of entry. It has plenty of extra strategy for those looking to go deeper, as each character has specific quirks to master. It looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Killer is Dead – August 27
360/PS3
Grasshopper and Suda 51 never fail to turn some ridiculous ideas into something tremendously entertaining. No More Heroes, Shadows of the Damned, and Lollipop Chainsaw were all extreme exercises in stylistic lunacy, and I can’t imagine this story of cyborgs, executioners, and assassins being any different.
Rayman Legends – September 03
360/PS3/PC/WiiU/Vita
This beautiful looking game could be incredible. I really enjoyed Rayman Origins, but I never quite felt anything more than “this is a pretty good game.” Rayman Legends looks like it could be taking the leaps beyond good, and straight into something special.
Outlast – September 04
PC
The long awaited horror game from Red Barrels sounds terrifying from everything I’ve heard, and looks to be the best way to destroy any hope of sleep until the next Amnesia hits the market.
The Wonderful 101 – September 15
Wii U
Platinum Games makes some incredible stuff. Bayonetta is my favorite action game of all time, and Vanquish is one of the most solid third-person shooters of the generation. With The Wonderful 101, they really seem to be spreading their wings into brand new territory. As a Wii U exclusive, I really hope it turns out to be another slam dunk from an incredibly talented team.
Grand Theft Auto V – September 17
360/PS3
Where should I begin? I’ve never been the biggest proponent of most Rockstar games, and seem to be one of the few voices to consistently call their projects “just okay, at best.” Red Dead Redemption and Bully are both fine games, but I’ve never thought they were as incredible as many do. I actively disliked playing Grand Theft Auto 4, to the point that I stopped a third of the way through and didn’t pick it up again. I really want to be won over this time, so here’s hoping.
Beyond: Two Souls – October 8
PS3
Heavy Rain was one of the most interesting gambles of a game that I’ve ever played, and I enjoyed it immensely. It was thrilling, weird, sometimes kind of broken, and I loved it. Whatever happens with Beyond, I hope it can improve upon what made Heavy Rain so special.
Pokemon X and Y – October 12
3DS
The new generation of Pokemon is showing enough innovation to actually get me excited for a new Pokemon game. It’s got a completely revamped way to move around the world, all of the Pokemon are actually animated in battle, and plenty of brand new content and Pokemon. This could be the first Pokeventure in a long time to really change up a familiar formula in a great way.
Batman: Arkham Origins – October 25
360/PS3/PC
The first of the popular Batman series not being handled by Rocksteady, Origins is (who guessed it?) takes place five years before the story of Arkham Asylum. After losing a bit of interest after Arkham City, I’m much more excited to see what Rocksteady is working on next.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – October 29
360/PS3/PC/WiiU/XBO/PS4
After losing me about three games ago, the annualized stabby franchise is heading into the world of pirates. Will the new setting be the one that brings back many of the fans who fell off around AC3?
Battlefield 4 – October 29
360/PS3/PC/XBO/PS4
-Shooty shoot. Bangbangbang. Kaboom.- “Look at that guy who just crashed a helicopter and jumped out and landed in another helicopter and exploded and and and…”
Call of Duty: Ghosts – November 5
360/PS3/PC/WiiU/XBO/PS4
Call of Duty is a fun ride every year. The campaign’s solid, the multiplayer is snappy and enjoyable, and whatever other modes they throw in are usually worth your time. It’s Call of Duty. You probably either know if you like it or not by now. (I still think it’s kinda rad.)
Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I Don’t Know! – November 12
360/PS3/WiiU/3DS
A Diablo style Adventure Time game developed by Wayforward? Sign me up!
Watch Dogs – November 19
360/PS3/PC/XBO/PS4
Watch Dogs was our first glimpse into the next generation, and is going to be one of the first games that will get to show off what next generation consoles are capable of.
Tearaway – November 22
Vita
Media Molecule’s back again, with what is shaping up to be a delightful reason to break out the Vita one more time before the year closes down.
Plants vs. Zombies 2: It’s About Time – Late Summer 2013
iOS
A sequel to one of the most addicting games to come to every single device you own, Plants vs Zombies 2 is launching as a free-to-play game on iOS devices sometime later this Summer.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD – October 2013
WiiU
Remastering one of the most beautiful games of all time seems like a pretty good way to sell a few Wii Us.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds – November 2013
3DS
A sequel to one of the most revered games ever, is there any way it could ever stand up to it’s predecessor? Probably not, but I’m still sure looking forward to whatever Nintendo’s got cooked up for the beloved franchise.
Shovel Knight – Winter 2013
WiiU/3DS/PC
If Shovel Knight isn’t my most anticipated game for the rest of the year, it’s very, very close. A wonderfully imagined throwback to Mega Man and other classics, I can’t imagine a game more tailored specifically towards my interests.
Super Mario 3D World – December 2013
WiiU
This is the first instance of a cooperative 3D Mario game, and is a follow up to the best original game on the 3DS. Platformers continue to be my favorite genre, and I’m pretty sure this one’s going allow Mario to keep the crown.
Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs – Late 2013
PC
This trailer pretty much sums up why I’ll be playing this one with the lights on.Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2
360/PS3/PC
While the first game was an imperfect mix of God of War and Shadow of the Colossus, it wasn’t a bad game by any stretch. It was a game that held tons of promise, but was held back by one too many bad decisions. If the sequel can capitalize on that potential, we’ll be looking at something amazing.
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number – Late 2013
PC
The sequel to one of the best games of last year is shaping up to be another adrenaline fueled, murderous trek through insanity.
Killzone: Shadow Fall – Late 2013
PS4
Probably one of the first things you’ll do on your hot new PS4. If you’re into shooting things, that is.
Super Time Force – Late 2013
360
Capybara games (Swords and Sworcery, Below) continues to show off their talent with a clever bullet-hell platformer.
Knack – Late 2013
PS4
Every new console needs a weird, colorful platformer, right?
Image Sources – gametrailers.com forbes.com dealspwn.com edge-online.com gameinformer.com wiiudaily.com cinemablend.com mynintendonews.com digitaltrends.com chip.de geeksofdoom.com gematsu.com pcgamer.com shopto.net justpushstart.com multiplayerblog.mtv.com neogaf.com eggplante.com indiestatik.com
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