Graphics... 10 out of 10 The most controversial thing about this game was the cel-shaded "cartoon" graphics. When they were revealed, fans revolted. Gaming magazines scrutinized it. People started petitions to stop the game's release. We thought it was going to be silly beyond belief. But actually playing the games, the graphics are incredible to behold. The cartoonish look serves as a perfect contrast to the deep, mature storyline (more on that later), and the animation is very smooth and surprisingly detailed. The art direction is also stunning, and has a much more classical fantasy feel than the other games. It was much easier to get "sucked into" the world of this entry than it was with previous games. The visuals were perfect.
Music... 10 out of 10 From covers of classic "Zelda" tunes, to the original pieces of score done for this game, the music was a great blend of nostalgia and sweeping, epic adventure. It complimented the story and visuals perfectly, and really added a lot of depth to the experience. The sound effects were also nice, and the limited "voice acting" added another layer to the dialog sequences.
Controls... 10 out of 10 "Wind Waker" takes what was already a near-perfect control scheme introduced in "Ocarina of Time", and pushes it that one step further. "Wind Waker" delivers one of the most ideal, easy-to-master, yet surprisingly complex control schemes of recent memory. The Gamecube controller was a good design (I'd say it's one of the most "pleasing to hold and use" controllers in gaming history, and was much better on your hands than the X-Box's enormous "melting cinder-block"), and this implemented its layout to perfection.
Story/Plot... 10 out of 10 This entry delivered where "Ocarina of Time" fell short- delivering a truly complex, detailed, fleshed-out story that rivals those of film and television. This is where the game really, truly stands out. The story begins simply, and is a classic "Rescue the damsel in distress" tale early on, but as it progresses, layer after layer is added, and many themes are explored. Who'd have through a game that resembles a Saturday-Morning-Cartoon would have a complex tale about denial, acceptance and loss, and would be able to bring a tear to your eye? This game does just that.
Brief Synopsis... Link, our hero, is a young man living on Outset Island on the vast sea of Hyrule. He lives with his grandmother and sister. On his birthday, while preparing for a coming-of-age ceremony, his young sister is scooped up by an enormous bird, being pursued by a pirate ship. Link is forced to team up with the pirate leader, Tetra, to find his sister, but during his journey, a greater tale will unfold, and Link will find his destiny.
Bottom Line: My personal favorite of the 3D Zelda games, "The Wind Waker" is a masterpiece. Play it!
Music... 10 out of 10 From covers of classic "Zelda" tunes, to the original pieces of score done for this game, the music was a great blend of nostalgia and sweeping, epic adventure. It complimented the story and visuals perfectly, and really added a lot of depth to the experience. The sound effects were also nice, and the limited "voice acting" added another layer to the dialog sequences.
Controls... 10 out of 10 "Wind Waker" takes what was already a near-perfect control scheme introduced in "Ocarina of Time", and pushes it that one step further. "Wind Waker" delivers one of the most ideal, easy-to-master, yet surprisingly complex control schemes of recent memory. The Gamecube controller was a good design (I'd say it's one of the most "pleasing to hold and use" controllers in gaming history, and was much better on your hands than the X-Box's enormous "melting cinder-block"), and this implemented its layout to perfection.
Story/Plot... 10 out of 10 This entry delivered where "Ocarina of Time" fell short- delivering a truly complex, detailed, fleshed-out story that rivals those of film and television. This is where the game really, truly stands out. The story begins simply, and is a classic "Rescue the damsel in distress" tale early on, but as it progresses, layer after layer is added, and many themes are explored. Who'd have through a game that resembles a Saturday-Morning-Cartoon would have a complex tale about denial, acceptance and loss, and would be able to bring a tear to your eye? This game does just that.
Brief Synopsis... Link, our hero, is a young man living on Outset Island on the vast sea of Hyrule. He lives with his grandmother and sister. On his birthday, while preparing for a coming-of-age ceremony, his young sister is scooped up by an enormous bird, being pursued by a pirate ship. Link is forced to team up with the pirate leader, Tetra, to find his sister, but during his journey, a greater tale will unfold, and Link will find his destiny.
Bottom Line: My personal favorite of the 3D Zelda games, "The Wind Waker" is a masterpiece. Play it!