The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess was one of the most anticipated games of 2007 as fans were amazed by the new graphics of ‘realistic’ Link, a welcome breather from the cell-shaded previous title, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. This new video game was certainly not rushed, taking Japanese company Nintendo four years to get the sprawling world operational. Was the wait and hype worth it?
This is a great title in terms of the story and you do not have to be a diehard Zelda fan to understand it either. Set after The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the game is darker than the previous Zelda releases from Japan. As you delve deeper into the game you come to realise that this is not sugarcoated for children at all and the levels of danger and panic are maintained throughout the game. There are a few landmarks that you’ll recognise, such as Kakariko Village, Death Mountain and Lake Hylia, now with a different look and place in the plot.
Twilight Princess, despite being darker than its predecessors, starts with Link’s humble beginnings as a farm boy, carrying out tasks like herding goats and catching fish. However, panic ensues as goblins swarm the village, kidnapping children and generally making life difficult. As Link rushes after them, he finds out that a dark world has engulfed most of Hyrule, besieging it with demonic shadow creatures. However, it is not all bad as it gives scope for Link to transform into a great wolf with new senses and abilities. With the help of a powerful sprite named Midna, they team up to find the Twilight King who is behind all this.
The elements that players loved from Ocarina of Time have been revived in majestic glory: one example has to be Hyrule Field, as the great playground for horse riding is back for your amusement. You cannot help but feel your stomach drop a few levels in awe when watching the title screen. You are introduced to the sweeping camera view of Hyrule Field, complete with Link and Epona careering around its perimeter, only to see Link enter the Twilight Realm to find him transformed into a wolf howling the end of the clip, swimming in darkness. This dual personality is a refreshing touch to what otherwise could have just been a big rehash of the Ocarina of Time. Midna also beats Navi, Link’s fairy companion from the original N64 title, on all accounts by having a fleshed out, witty character rather than an obnoxious tour guide who exclaims ‘Hey! Listen!’ as though it is on speed dial.
Control-wise, it works like a charm. It does not have the free-ranging camera like its Gamecube version, but it compensates with the realistic feeling of handling the Wii remote to tear up the turf on your horse, defend chariots and generally play the hero. As for the soundtrack of the game, it helps enhance the gameplay of Twilight Princess through its use of very appropriate themes, such as the rousing anthem of Hyrule Field and the sultry exotic tones of Gerudo Valley.
Like all Zelda titles, Twilight Princess does not disappoint in creating an effective overworld of different places to explore, although for fans who have played earlier games in the franchise, some areas can feel painfully familiar, such as Gerudo Valley and the temple at Lake Hylia. However, new elements are also added to the plot, such as the back-story of the Zora prince in finding the entrance to the water temple.
There are also a few minigames in Twilight Princess, including chicken-flying and orb-collecting, but these do not seem to have as much of an edge over the shooting galleries or the bomb-bowling games from the Ocarina of Time. However, there is a subquest in the second half that is great for the avid sharpshooter!
All in all, it is a great title to own but has a familiarity about it that some players might be dead set against. Nintendo’s Zelda franchise as a whole usually has a structure set in stone and this is no exception. It is an effective amalgamation of what makes the series what it is and manages to convert it into a combination of past greats. You might have to be prepared for a little predictability, but do not let that put you off. It is a visually rich and exciting world that you will have a lot of fun playing in.
