On May 11th, 2004, Nintendo caused millions of gamers around the globe to explode with cheers, and even tears, of joy… A new Legend of Zelda game had been unveiled for the Nintendo GameCube.
This new Zelda game, unlike The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, isn’t a colorful Cel-Shaded voyage through an oversized and water consumed Hyrule. This new Zelda game is darker, grittier, and the mature Zelda that gamers have been waiting for ever since the infamous Link vs. Ganon swordfight GameCube tech demo that originally debuted at Nintendo’s SpaceWorld 2001 years ago. This new Zelda game will without question be a godsend to all GameCube owners and Nintendo fans alike.
In the tentatively titled The Legend of Zelda, gamers once again take control of 1998’s Adult Link from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and his steed, the extremely loveable Epona. Gone are the King of Red Lions and the Super Deformed kidlike Link. The badass earring wearin’, gauntlet equipped Adult Link is back, and truth is many Zelda fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
Unfortunately, due to the fact that the game had only been shown to the gaming press in video form, not too many gameplay elements can be uncovered. However, this is not to say that what had been shown wasn’t enough to get excited about on its own.
From the video it can be seen that The Legend of Zelda is without question one of the most impressive looking GameCube games in development this side of Resident Evil 4. Plentiful forests exist with rays of light shining through tree branches; a beautiful sunrise depicts a horde of enemies on horseback approaching, and the game’s characters are all high in detail. This Legend of Zelda game definitely features the best Link model ever designed. Forgotten is the no-penis Link from Namco’s Soul Calibur II.
The new gameplay elements added are sure to receive a few cheers. It can be seen that in this upcoming Zelda game, Link can ride Epona and fight enemies on horseback at the same time. Creating intense battle scenes which seem like something pulled straight out of The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers movie. In addition it seems that on foot battles have been intensified as well, featuring a new dynamic camera system, and a lot more enemies attacking Link at once, many of which are even equipped with a bow and fire arrows. This should be a relief to hear, since it hints towards a more difficult Zelda, especially when compared to the easiness of The Wind Waker.
As for the game’s story, as of the moment no details about it exist. However, from the locales featured in the trailer, it seems that this is indeed the Hyrule featured in Ocarina of Time. Whether or not, The Wind Waker’s plot is taken into consideration is unknown at the current time. According to the TWW, the Hero of Time (OoT’s Link) has mysteriously vanished during a time of need, perhaps this game reveals what happened to this hero…
Something which should be shocking to some is the fact that The Legend of Zelda is developed using the same game engine as The Wind Waker. In addition the game isn’t even being directed by Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto or TWW director Eiji Aonuma, but instead by someone else entirely. Who this director may be, is currently unknown. What is known is that The Legend of Zelda is shaping up to be the darkest and most interesting Zelda game to date. The only thing which is truly unfortunate is that bloodthirsty Zelda fanatics will have to wait until further details describing the game’s story and other game elements are revealed.
Blades Will Bleed...
Shields Will Shatter...
But As The Light Fades...
Will The Hero Rise Again?
Or Will Darkness Reign?
