The Legend of Zelda

[Meian]

It wasn't until Wind Waker that I realized what Link was suppose to represent. A boy whose courage that would have him be triumphant against adversity, no matter how impossible or frightening. When you see how small Link is to much of the vast world/sea and many of the villians (especially Ganondorf, who was towering in this game), it showed how important the notion of that "courage" is.

This version of Link was also the one that seemed to bet the most "human", giving the most expressions that I can remember from other games: smiling, curiousity, surprise, fear (loved this when seeing Ganon), defiance, that look when he is moving pressed against the wall on a thin path, etc. This let me relate more toward this version of Link, making him more legitimate what he was suppose to represent (I probably did not word this right). The stoic-looking Link for the most part in other games seemed more of a shell, like a mmo character instead of one that had feelings of its own.

The above didn't even mention the graphics, which were on their own very whimsical and enjoyable. It was a big risk that many have hated but also many have loved, particularly later on. I am sure most of the ones who hated it wanted that realistically looking one from that trailer long ago where adult link was fighting ganondorf in sword combat. But I felt this style was more original and gave it a more Zelda feel for its difference from any other heroic game that can exist out there.

Besides, this was the most bad ass Ganondorf there was. Facing him after Ganon is more epic to me particularly this one who was more representive of being a "thief" as he was suppose to be, agile swift yet strong in his case. TW had a good representation of Ganondorf (for an old man) but I enjoyed this one best.

Regardless if you hate Wind Waker or not, I can faithfully believe this was the best representation of what Link and the concept of "courage" was suppose to be.

[Neoscrilla]

It wasn't until Wind Waker that I realized what Link was suppose to represent. A boy whose courage that would have him be triumphant against adversity, no matter how impossible or frightening. When you see how small Link is to much of the vast world/sea and many of the villians (especially Ganondorf, who was towering in this game), it showed how important the notion of that "courage" is.

This version of Link was also the one that seemed to bet the most "human", giving the most expressions that I can remember from other games: smiling, curiousity, surprise, fear (loved this when seeing Ganon), defiance, that look when he is moving pressed against the wall on a thin path, etc. This let me relate more toward this version of Link, making him more legitimate what he was suppose to represent (I probably did not word this right). The stoic-looking Link for the most part in other games seemed more of a shell, like a mmo character instead of one that had feelings of its own.

The above didn't even mention the graphics, which were on their own very whimsical and enjoyable. It was a big risk that many have hated but also many have loved, particularly later on. I am sure most of the ones who hated it wanted that realistically looking one from that trailer long ago where adult link was fighting ganondorf in sword combat. But I felt this style was more original and gave it a more Zelda feel for its difference from any other heroic game that can exist out there.

Besides, this was the most bad ass Ganondorf there was. Facing him after Ganon is more epic to me particularly this one who was more representive of being a "thief" as he was suppose to be, agile swift yet strong in his case. TW had a good representation of Ganondorf (for an old man) but I enjoyed this one best.

Regardless if you hate Wind Waker or not, I can faithfully believe this was the best representation of what Link and the concept of "courage" was suppose to be.

You are correct in your view of Link's original representation being apparent in Wind Waker. Miyamoto even said himself he was trying to recreate the depiction of Link from the original instruction book of the first Zelda game for NES. The way link is in WW is what Miyamoto originally had in mind.

[arus2001]

One thing that's bothered me about some of the recent Zelda games is that while Link and Zelda look like genuinely attractive people, the rest of Hyrule tends to look like a bunch of inbreds with huge lips, giant noses, weird teeth, or whatever kind of cartoonish deformity you can think of. I guess it's just me pushing 30 now, but part of me wants to see more of a dark and gritty incarnation that takes the kid's gloves off and shows us some real evil along with the struggles of people willing to fight alongside Link. I realize that's probably asking for too much since Nintendo would never dare risk veering away from the kiddie crowd and brainwashed parents who will buy anything that looks cute, but I guess I can dream.

[TacoTaru]

Forgive me as it's been a long time since I went through Twilight Princess (and I went 100% on my first run as well and thus never played it again), but I thought it had more of that real look as well, and less of what you dislike?

[arus2001]

It was better in some respects, but still had its share of "freaks" to display.

[miokomioko]

I have also been aware of them gradually going with this extreme charicature-style character design... but it hasn't bothered me too much because of how consistent it has been and how well it plays off the art style as a whole. Actually, a few of the Skyward Sword NPCs in the latest trailer made me lol.

[Qeomash]

You are correct in your view of Link's original representation being apparent in Wind Waker. Miyamoto even said himself he was trying to recreate the depiction of Link from the original instruction book of the first Zelda game for NES. The way link is in WW is what Miyamoto originally had in mind.

I just remember reading about how right after the original trailer for WW was shown at Spaceworld, nobody clapped or cheered. It was just stunned silence and Miyamoto reportedly asked, "Why aren't they clapping?"



But, yeah, it was definitely returning to an older art style. Dash into a wall in Link to the Past and tell me that's not the bug eyed surprised look from WW.

[Olo401]

Unfortunately I've only played the first three games all the way through. Yeah, I know.. Never played Ocarina, Awakening, etc.; tried playing Majora's Mask a couple times and thought it sucked balls.

Of those three that I've finished I like Link to The Past the best, but I find myself constantly replaying Adventure of Link just for how challenging it is. It also reminds me a lot of other RPGs of that era (FF1 & 2, the Dragon Warrior series) and in some ways outpaces them.

I will say this tho - I picked up an emulator ROM of Wind Waker at the suggestion of a friend, and I've gotta say I absolutely love it. What a beautiful & well-crafted game!

[Neoscrilla]

I will say this tho - I picked up an emulator ROM of Wind Waker at the suggestion of a friend, and I've gotta say I absolutely love it. What a beautiful & well-crafted game!

Yeah, you will be hard pressed to find many people who didnt think that WW was put together in excellent fashion after they have played it. Most hate comes from the people who couldnt get over the art style.

[miokomioko]

Wind Waker, as a whole, was fucking gorgeous.

[Kipling]

I just remember reading about how right after the original trailer for WW was shown at Spaceworld, nobody clapped or cheered. It was just stunned silence and Miyamoto reportedly asked, "Why aren't they clapping?"



But, yeah, it was definitely returning to an older art style. Dash into a wall in Link to the Past and tell me that's not the bug eyed surprised look from WW.

I remember that trailer. I downloaded it from IGN (lol) back when I was a kid and was so excited by it. Also, I am pretty sure there was applause. I think the video had them applauding in it for a few seconds after the initial surprise/shock wore off. Some dislike the art style, but it seems from this thread there are more than I thought who enjoy it.

I have to agree with what Meian said about WW. That was the first game where I really felt like Link was more personal and human than any other incarnation before. Sure you'd seen kid Link before and he was more animated in his N64 versions than in previous games, but the art style of Wind Waker really helped bring him to life. There were certain moments in the game that absolutely made me connect with the character: Him continuing to run off the cliff because he was chasing Aryll when she first gets kidnapped; Link's face when he talks to his Grandma and she is upset; Link listening to Tetra tell him he should just go back to Outset; When Link first faces Ganon at the Forbidden Fortress and instead of running away he pulls out his sword and stands his ground -- etc.

MM was my favorite, and OoT/TP were great too but I feel like they didn't capture that side of Link WW did. I am hoping Skyward Sword will revisit this.

[Odin'sLaw]

besides a play on words for the titles why is Link called Link?

edit: been messing around with twilight princess my god i forgot how terrible movement and aiming is ><

[Qeomash]

edit: been messing around with twilight princess my god i forgot how terrible movement and aiming is ><

I am sooooo glad there was an option to turn off motion controls for arrow targeting in TP. Not looking forward to the (probably) lack of that option in Skyward Sword.

[Omniyoji]

Miyamoto named him Link cause he intended for Link to be the link between you and his world. All Links start out as a normal boy and develop further into a hero. What deep down inside every little boy wants to be. I also heard he wanted to name him after a relative of his but decided on Link instead and b/c of that name change he offered the ability to name Link.

[Meian]

I have to give some credit to the DS games, in particular, my favorite supporting character, Linebeck. This guy had the most development out of any other supporting character I can remember in Zelda games, how he the anti-hero of Link overtime comes to apperciate him and even help out near the end. And let's not forget the end:

Spoiler: show

That last battle. I may be wrong but seeing Linebeck possesed as a host to create that final boss made me think this guy had a lot of untapped potential to be a real hero like Link. Even the music from his regular theme to the final boss theme seem to say that to me:

I honestly would not be upset if they did another game with more on Linebeck if not his very own game of some sort.

You are correct in your view of Link's original representation being apparent in Wind Waker. Miyamoto even said himself he was trying to recreate the depiction of Link from the original instruction book of the first Zelda game for NES. The way link is in WW is what Miyamoto originally had in mind.

Glad I wasn't crazy then XD Good to know others feel the same way even if it wasn't their favorite game

MM was my favorite, and OoT/TP were great too but I feel like they didn't capture that side of Link WW did. I am hoping Skyward Sword will revisit this.

He looks expressive in Skyward Sword too but so far doesn't look to be the same level as WW Link. Either way, it can only be better than any of the other Links (thank goodness he isn't as pretty boy here as in TP)


If I remember right, there was some hopes to remake LTTP if they chose to do such a thing for another Zelda game. I'd be a giddy school girl if they did it in WW graphics <3

[miokomioko]

It was all in the eyebrows.

http://www.ponychan.net/chan/dis/src/131338090061.gif

[Pikarya]

Wind Waker sailing was the biggest weight on the game. Even with warps.

Also the pointless fetch quest endgame could of easily been removed or placed in a different manner.

The best Zelda game, unchallenged.

Spoiler: show

http://www.zeldacapital.com/Games/pr...ofevil_box.jpg

[hey]

Not

Spoiler: show

http://www.thetanooki.com/wp-content...5/zeldabox.jpg

?

[arus2001]

...was that CD game like one of those things kids who peddled magazines and shit in school could get? I vaguely recall seeing a Mega Man game in things at one point, but it was like a stupid number of sales/points.

[Odin'sLaw]

its free for 3ds....only reason to buy one at the moment :/