The New Zelda

Chris Egerton grabs some cocoa pops and sits down for some Saturday Morning cartoon gaming

Ocarina of Time, a hard act to follow. Majora's Mask, failed to outdo its predecessor. Now, on Christmas 2003 I purchased the newest chapter in the already massive series. Zelda: the Wind Waker.

First order of business
The graphics. Everyone is either still out to lunch on the subject, or
already decided that they suck. But I feel that to disregard the game
because of a misconception about graphics is more than a little hasty. The graphics are very cartoony, undeniable, but we all have fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons don't we? And by casting aside the "realism" that everyone else, who I shouldn't have to mention *cough*Sony is desperate to achieve, Nintendo has been able to create the most amazing Zelda game to date. Now sure I haven't played all the Zelda's but I'm still confident it's one of the best. But anywho. The background and characters are likable and bright making for a beautiful gaming experience. The fighting is seamless, and the N-sters have included a parry attack this time round allowing players to dodge some oncoming attacks and strike while the enemy's defenses are down. Pretty snazzy if you ask me. Which no one did.

Onward. The storyline, another change from the usual, but this time from the Zelda norm. Having a continuation from a previous installment. Kinda. The game begins with the retelling of an ancient legend. Which is for the most part, the storyline from OoT. Except that at the end it says that Ganon escaped from the seal placed on him by Link and the Sages, which was kind of hinted at in OoT. But, Link didn't show up and whoop 'im again so the goddess' froze Hyrule and flooded the whole place leaving just a few people on the mountain tops to repopulate the world. Then it introduces your character-a messy haired, left-hander who begins by waking up and doesn't speak for the whole game unless you make him. Some things don't need to change.
Despite a small setback with the ghost ship, I completed it quite quickly having to stop in a dungeon only a few times. I don't really think that it was long enough, having only about four or five dungeons. Quite a contrast to the traditional eight or more. The travel aspect of the game, which takes a more forward role while puzzle solving drops back, offsets this a little.

The fighting. Still too easy Nintendo. There's not that much more to say. As usual the 3D bosses have such obvious weaknesses and a veteran player can see right through their defenses. The fighting with guys your own size if great fun though. You literately are expected to be able with three or four guys giving you their best shot. Parry makes things easy and the fact that a good shot will disarm your opponent. Also, enemies don't work together well and can beat each other back for a shot at you. The physics are great-enemies can fly back, hit walls and steal each other's fallen weapons. Which couldn't have been done with "realistic" graphics. Out of battle physics are pretty cool too. With you being able to kick cups and stuff over and break them.

Final Judgment:
Pros: Zelda!
Continues from OoT.
Physics
Fun and beautiful backdrop

Cons: Too easy

Sound: 7/10
Graphics: 9/10
Lastability: 6.5/10
Story: 10/10
Gameplay: 9.5/10

Score: 92%