Skyward Sword is the Next Wind Waker
Not too long ago, last week to be precise, I wrote an article discussing why Nintendo should make the upcoming Legend of Zelda title be like The Wind Waker. The article received mixed feelings from many, some who agreed and some who was vehemently opposed to the idea. The most obvious objection was that of the graphics.
The Wind Waker has always been a controversial Legend of Zelda title due to Nintendo’s cartoony cel-shading decision. The game after all looked like he popped right out of the Disney channel with Link’s big eyes and vibrant surroundings. With this in mind fans were skeptical of the idea and those people, who could not appreciate that style of graphics, wished that the next Zelda title would have nothing to do with cel-shading.
This brings us to our next point. Why was that article written in the first place? Was it to help launch Version 3 of LegendZelda.net? Or was there something else going on? In actuality, we were dropped some information that Nintendo was about to do something big at E3 that would be unexpected. We received a hint that the next Legend of Zelda game would not be as mature or realistic as many were led to believe after last year’s E3 official art release. However, we here at The Hidden Triforce do not like to jump on board the rumor train and without official confirmation we did not want to make an update claiming to know something that nobody else did.
So we waited patiently until Tuesday at 12 P.M. EST to see whether or not the leak we were provided was true. The night beforehand Hyrule.net made the lone update in the Zelda community posting that a brief clip was shown displaying Link in his current colorful glory. At that time it time it began to appear as if maybe there was some truth behind the information we were provided.
Now what is my point with all of this? Our last article argued how Nintendo would be wise to make the next Zelda game, what we now know as Skyward Sword, like The Wind Waker. I argued that this would be a good decision because Nintendo always produces their best games when they shock and surprise us. Nintendo makes their best games when they go out on a limb and gives us something new. And that is exactly what the Skyward Sword E3 presentation did.
Ever since this image was released at last year’s E3, fans automatically assumed that the next Legend of Zelda game would be using a graphical style comparable to that of Twilight Princess. After all, the image depicts an older, more mature Link and a very similar graphical style.
And though I was a huge fan of Twilight Princess and its realistic graphics, something felt out of place. The Legend of Zelda series is not supposed to be super realistic. The games are about the struggles that take place in the magical kingdom of Hyrule. Everything about the game is supposed to be rooted in fantasy, and I found that Twilight Princess just didn’t convey that feeling.
Of course, the decision to scrap the realistic graphics in favor of cel-shading has upset many of the fans, but it is honestly the best decision that Nintendo has made for the series in years. Remember, they do everything best when they are innovative and surprise the hell out of us.
Remember the Space World Demo? We were all expecting this.
But instead we got this.
And though not all fans will agree with this, The Wind Waker’s graphics were a much better choice than those presented at Space World. The Wind Waker ended up being, by far, the most visually expressive game in the entire Legend of Zelda franchise. For the first time ever, Link was able to effectively display more complex facial expressions and emotions. The Wind Waker immersed gamers in one of the most wide-open overworlds ever allowing for additional hours of exploration. The Wind Waker did every that was mentioned in the last article.
Now, lets move forward to more recent events. As already stated, most of us were expecting a Link that was comparable to that of Twilight Princess.
What we expected…but more detailed.
What We Got Instead
Instead of the overly realistic graphics, unfitting for the Zelda series, we got this beautiful substitute. In fact, many people are calling this new graphical style a combination of The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. The world is more rich and vibrant than ever before. Though the game looks cel-shaded, it isn’t as cartoon-like as before, which allows for way more creativity. Nintendo has already gone on the record and stated that if they would have used the graphics of Twilight Princess, then the game would be finished. It is, in fact, their decision to use this new form of graphics that has delayed Skyward Sword into next year. Nintendo is making sure that Zelda Skyward Sword will be one unique experience unlike the past games.
Ever since the Nintendo press conference, various interviews and round tables have revealed more, though still limited, information on the game, all of which shows that Nintendo is getting creative with the series. It has only been two days since Skyward Sword was revealed, but we have already seen many things that show us that Nintendo is going in a brand new direction with the series and that we are in for one hell of a ride.
“Though Zelda Skyward Sword is, of course, not going to be anywhere close to the same game as The Wind Waker, in terms of development and innovation, it is. Nintendo has once again pulled one over us and the end result will most likely be nothing short of epic. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is bound to be one of the best Zelda adventures yet.
Posted in Featured Articles, Legend of Zelda Articles
Loading ...
June 17th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Awesome article. Thanks for keeping on top of this new game. Zelda has been my favorite since I was a kid with my first NES! Best Zelda site online ever!
June 18th, 2010 at 2:01 am
why do people attribute wind waker’s visual style to its greatness? its not that i dont like toon link, its just that twilight princess could of been just as great as wind waker if it were not for the watered down gameplay. wind waker was better than twilight princess not because of its graphics, but because of the amount of exploration and things to do.
skyward sword has an awesome graphical style(although the environments could use more detail, especially the trees), but the gameplay could be just as terrible as twilight princess’s. there is absolutly no indication that the concept of exploration is back in this iteration of the franchise in full force as it was a decade ago.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Nintendo is alway looking for new, innovating and dynamic stuff, and of course in the seek of the whole family audience.
So I guess this is being less “mature” and when I say mature I take the reference of Majora’s mask which was a sort of dark-mythical game, a bit difficult for the children to grasp, I guess that’s why we haven’t seen another zelda like that one. Twilight princess did look dusky and mature but so far Majoras was more ominous.
Back to this new game Skyward Sword, I believe they want to show us a new face of the zelda series, I know this isn’t going to be as mature as some of us were expecting, but I got to say I am now perplexed because I was not expecting this, and of course I am amazed because this is something distinct, a new Link is showing and I am sure this is going to be a more emotional character, I can tell for what I have seen. This whole new concept seems to be quite overwhelming I just expect more exploration, an amusing gameplay and surely a deep plot.
June 18th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I guess when you actually use your brain and not act like an arrogant moron like certain people I know, you can make valid predictions (while not falsely claiming it to be fact before confirmation). That is why it is ok to write articles making statements based on ideas, while it is not ok to get fake news and make up fake rumors like certain webmasters do. Maybe if we put it in another language it automatically becomes true…
June 20th, 2010 at 12:47 am
…I was almost excited for this game to come out. Then I saw the graphics and I died inside. I’ll still play the game, but I’m sorely disappointed with Nintendo’s choice.
June 20th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I personally like this new style, it reminds me of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. I personally hope this game will have different difficulty levels, as I’m tired of easy Nintendo games (Metroid’s Hypermode was a step in the right direction, but not far enough). Hopefully there will be smarter enemies, instead of the usual (just having to hit them more). I’m really excited about the new swordplay. It would be neat if you could rotate your sword (blunt edge for a stunning blow then sharp edge for the kill).
June 20th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I agree to a certain extend with what is being said in the article, but every once in a while Nintendo should also fulfill the expectations their fans have. The reactions at E3 04 when TP was shown for the very first time have proven this and the experience I had with the final game did too.
Unlike other comments in here I do not think it was watered down and in fact think that was the problem Windwaker had, especially when it came to the “find the fragments of the triforce” part or the final fight with Ganon.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
I think twilight princess was defo watered down. The E3 04 trailer showed us an amazing game with features that never made it into the game. It was all epic scenes with things that all of us wanted. But i think after they did that trailer they redid the entire game and added that whole wolf bit.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
i whish zelda games were still like the old type looking through dungions finding keys like links awakning
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Guys guys, for one, all of you squealing about the graphics should just stop playing Zelda. There has only been ONE dark graphiced zelda. And keep in mind, the game is not FINISHED. the graphics may very well change. Link might become taller, or maybe the trees more detailed.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:50 am
i like windwaker and oot for not only the interesting characters and exploration, but its magic, the way link could manipulate the magic, working to get the double magic meter, all the magic using items, it just gave a more fantasy impression, in twilight princess, link had no magic, which means not many extensive side quests for it, i truly loved the side quests, also, the gerudos, dekus, gorons, and zoras should have a bigger part in this upcoming game in my opinion
July 15th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Back to this new game Skyward Sword, I believe they want to show us a new face of the zelda series, I know this isn’t going to be as mature as some of us were expecting, but I got to say I am now perplexed because I was not expecting this, and of course I am amazed because this is something distinct, a new Link is showing and I am sure this is going to be a more emotional character, I can tell for what I have seen. This whole new concept seems to be quite overwhelming I just expect more exploration, an amusing gameplay and surely a deep plot.
+1