The Legend of Zelda:TheWindWaker
This is a great example of the ultimate platformer. This game is a huge step up from its predecessors. The story begins by Link (or whatever you name your main character), sleeping in a lookout. His sister Aryll tells him its his birthday, and his grandma wants to see him. He gets the trademarked green clothes. Then he goes to get his sister but he sees a woman drop into the forest. Links goes to rescue her, but first gets his sword and training from Orca. He rescues the woman but Links sister gets captured. Link takes off with the pirates to try to rescue to his sister and then...you'll have to play to find out.
The gameplay is great. Any Zelda veteran will instantly recognize the controls. Begginers will have no trouble learning them. The sword controls are simple. B in conjunction with a control stick movement creates simple and effective combos. The enemies sometimes carry weapons around witch Link can pick up and use. Weapons include; Machetes, Torches (both lit and unlit) big swords, shadow swords, maces, and swords.
The main transportation method is by boat. You sail the Great Sea witch is a huge body of water containing 49 islands. The wind plays a big part in the game. It can simply change direction to propel your boat to a direction or let you fly with a Deku Leaf. It can warp you to other places. Fairly early in the game Link harneses the power of the Wind Waker, a rod that the gods used to control the wind. It can change day to night, change the wind direction, warp you around, take control of certain things, and even awaken a sage or two.
The graphics have been changed to a form of cel-shading called watercolor-shading, which you will either love or hate instanly. It does add a nice effect to the game, like it is a big movie and your controlling it. It has a unique and clear sound system. When you strike an enemy, you can hear a sound, and multiple hits make more of a music score.
Graphics:9
Sound:7
Gameplay:10
Replay Value:8
~Damon