Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker -- Game Review Written by Nicholas Mezza
System- Gamecube
Genre- Action, Adventure
Play Modes / Features- Single Player Adventure
Rating- Teen

When the Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker was announced to the public, the unconventional cell-shaded graphics created a stir in the gaming world. Many Nintendo games had been becoming more and more childish, but this was the last straw for many gamers. Sure a couple of games with kiddy graphics are OK, but can you 'deface' a classic and get away with it?

Well, the answer is a definite YES. This is perhaps one of the best games of the year. I still think that the graphics could have looked a little more realistic, but this is offset by the exceptional gameplay that Nintendo's flagship titles are known for.

Other than a new engaging adventure, the game has several new features for the series. There are several side quests where you can collect pictures of characters in the game, treasure maps, etc. Another interesting feature is the optional two-player mode, where another person, using a Gameboy Advance, can point out places on a map and support the player with items and bombs.

While the graphics are cell-shaded and things look a little childish, I cannot leave out the fact that they are actually very good. It is true that things have little texture, but the detail in the world is just great. The animations of creatures and the environment surpass anything else that I have seen. Everything moves fluidly, no jumpy or twitching polygons here. The environments in the game are impressive, and with believable weather effects and a day and night system, they come alive. If any game can look great with cell-shaded graphics, this is it.

There isn't much to complain about with the sounds in the game, as they all sound very good. The sounds haven't changed much since the older Zelda games on the Nintendo 64. This is where my one complaint comes in. It would be nice to have voices in the game. The substitute for actual voices is a grunt or show of emotion when you start talking to someone. Other than the lack of voices, the rest of the sounds shine. Music and ambience fades in and out very well, and is always very fitting to the environment, more so than most other games.

The intelligence of creatures in the game isn't extraordinary, but is adequate and fitting to the characters. Creatures that are simple blobs have very simple behavior, while soldiers guard and parry attacks. Other than a few small (and rare) issues with objects falling through the floor, the programming of the game is flawless.

Controls are easy to use, but are not customizable. The layout of the controls is logical and has no annoying quirks, however, so there is no reason for changing them. Moving about and fighting are very well executed. A lock-on feature is present and makes fighting fun and not frustrating. Everything is explained in game and there are minigames to test your proficiency of skills with certain items, such as your sword.

My only beef with this game is its lack of a difficulty control. I found the game somewhat easy, and therefore, advanced gamers may not find this game a challenge. Still, the game is fun and has many interesting things to do.

The primary quest in Zelda isn't very long, but you can perform as many or as few of the side quests and puzzles as you wish. These only make the game easier to complete, with rewards of money or heart (life) points. The puzzles and exploration in the main quest have just the right mix of complexity, and therefore, some will be obvious, while some will take a little bit of thinking. Some puzzles require the use of multiple items (i.e.: put on the iron boots to compress a spring, take them off and use your giant leaf to soar away when the spring springs you upwards). The story is also an improvement over the previous games. Rather than just "that evil wizard took the princess; rescue her" the story tells a much deeper tale. As for replayability, the game can be played through a second time, where you can collect everything that you forgot the first time around.

An engaging adventure, fluid animation, and just plain fun gaming make this game a must have for anyone with a Gamecube. And for you people who think the game has become to 'kiddy looking', stop whining and PLAY the game. You may be surprised.