This is another of my favorite games for the NES and another of my favorite video games of all time. It's once again another of those interesting secondary entries, some may 'be be put off that this game has a different format than the first. But once again as I said before you must understand this sequel was made at a time before sequel had any rules. It's understandable they wanted to change things up because they didn't want to repeat themselves.
Sometimes the fundamental problem with most video game franchises is that the games can sometimes blend where it's the same game just in a different dress. But the big problem with this is it just gives the franchises an excuse not to evolve. Personally, I felt they made the right choice this sequel not just help take the next step in the Zelda franchise but also for action RPGs in general.
Plotline is simple as usual where Zelda is put in a deep sleep and the key to awakening her and saving the land Hyrule is by finding all the Triforce pieces. Yeah, the plotline isn't really unique from the original but it's really in the execution of this game that makes it unique. I like that you have a bit more of a story from the dialog in the game, or at least what resembles one, it's not a very deep story but at least it helped it was the first step in giving the mythos of the game some depth. Also despite not a deep story because like with a lot of these yesteryear action RPG's we're really here for the action and adventure, as the story by it's nature is really just a motive device.
The graphical presentation is very good, I really like that the graphics in this sequel are a little more enhanced from the first game and they make good use of it. From the title sequence which looks even better than before, from that sword on the stone just like Excalibur from the King Artur legend down to the music which just sings epic adventure.
I really like the gameplay which I think is very solid. I really liked the platform action format they were taking which reminded me of the arcade game "Rastan". Ok, it's not exactly like that that game but close as you have your sword that you use to thrust. I like that you can jump and thrust downward which is cool much like how Scrooge uses his cane like a pogo stick in the "Ducktales 1 and 2" (both reviews for another time). That's a very helpful feature for enemies that get too close and others that you must hit in a certain way.
As usual it's a magically charged, I really love the sound it makes which is just music to my ears. The magic enhances the attack power of your sword. But as usual if you lose a part of your life or even one heart your sword is depowered. It's still useful but not as powerful as before which is why you would want to keep your life bar full or refill it anyway you can.
Character animation is solid and looks a little sharper than before from link who looks older let alone taller which fits. Down to the enemies where there is a solid variety from the usual creepy creatures like snakes, bats, oversized spiders, blob, to monsters like mutant rat soldiers, skeleton warriors, etc. I even like the bosses that are memorable, and each have a uniqueness and it's a solid fight against them though simple once you find the sweet spots, from an anamorphic horse knight armed with a mace, a fully armored evil knight on an armored horse, a really big Viking who has spiked armor with club to boot, etc.
But also, really love the environmental animation in the platform action segments which are detailed well, each of them are always different and well designed. But I really like the overworld map you walk through which I thought was cool, it really gives you the feel of a vast landscape worth exploring, with so many places to venture.
And of course, the game has the RPG elements, from going to villages to get some information, shops to purchase items needed, the level grinding as enemies that appear occasionally as you are walking the overworld and when you tap one of them or they tap you, your thrust into a danger scenario and have no choice but to fight though. Though that can also work to your benefit as it can add experience points to your meters. In the game there are the usual meters you would see health, attack, and magic; throughout the adventure if you rack up enough experience points and even play though each of the temples you go through the meter would be displayed and you must decide which meter you want to take up a notch. This gives the game an element of strategy as which meter your choice could be crucial to your progress on the next area and temple.
And of course there is the music, I really love that this time there are even more tracks than before. Each of them are memorable from the title theme which is an honorable mention in favorite themes in my book as it's a more calmer tone that sings out epic adventure. Down to the ongoing music as you are walking through the lands and even the temples that both sing action adventure.
"Zelda 2" second swing makes the cut.
Rating: 4 stars.
Sometimes the fundamental problem with most video game franchises is that the games can sometimes blend where it's the same game just in a different dress. But the big problem with this is it just gives the franchises an excuse not to evolve. Personally, I felt they made the right choice this sequel not just help take the next step in the Zelda franchise but also for action RPGs in general.
Plotline is simple as usual where Zelda is put in a deep sleep and the key to awakening her and saving the land Hyrule is by finding all the Triforce pieces. Yeah, the plotline isn't really unique from the original but it's really in the execution of this game that makes it unique. I like that you have a bit more of a story from the dialog in the game, or at least what resembles one, it's not a very deep story but at least it helped it was the first step in giving the mythos of the game some depth. Also despite not a deep story because like with a lot of these yesteryear action RPG's we're really here for the action and adventure, as the story by it's nature is really just a motive device.
The graphical presentation is very good, I really like that the graphics in this sequel are a little more enhanced from the first game and they make good use of it. From the title sequence which looks even better than before, from that sword on the stone just like Excalibur from the King Artur legend down to the music which just sings epic adventure.
I really like the gameplay which I think is very solid. I really liked the platform action format they were taking which reminded me of the arcade game "Rastan". Ok, it's not exactly like that that game but close as you have your sword that you use to thrust. I like that you can jump and thrust downward which is cool much like how Scrooge uses his cane like a pogo stick in the "Ducktales 1 and 2" (both reviews for another time). That's a very helpful feature for enemies that get too close and others that you must hit in a certain way.
As usual it's a magically charged, I really love the sound it makes which is just music to my ears. The magic enhances the attack power of your sword. But as usual if you lose a part of your life or even one heart your sword is depowered. It's still useful but not as powerful as before which is why you would want to keep your life bar full or refill it anyway you can.
Character animation is solid and looks a little sharper than before from link who looks older let alone taller which fits. Down to the enemies where there is a solid variety from the usual creepy creatures like snakes, bats, oversized spiders, blob, to monsters like mutant rat soldiers, skeleton warriors, etc. I even like the bosses that are memorable, and each have a uniqueness and it's a solid fight against them though simple once you find the sweet spots, from an anamorphic horse knight armed with a mace, a fully armored evil knight on an armored horse, a really big Viking who has spiked armor with club to boot, etc.
But also, really love the environmental animation in the platform action segments which are detailed well, each of them are always different and well designed. But I really like the overworld map you walk through which I thought was cool, it really gives you the feel of a vast landscape worth exploring, with so many places to venture.
And of course, the game has the RPG elements, from going to villages to get some information, shops to purchase items needed, the level grinding as enemies that appear occasionally as you are walking the overworld and when you tap one of them or they tap you, your thrust into a danger scenario and have no choice but to fight though. Though that can also work to your benefit as it can add experience points to your meters. In the game there are the usual meters you would see health, attack, and magic; throughout the adventure if you rack up enough experience points and even play though each of the temples you go through the meter would be displayed and you must decide which meter you want to take up a notch. This gives the game an element of strategy as which meter your choice could be crucial to your progress on the next area and temple.
And of course there is the music, I really love that this time there are even more tracks than before. Each of them are memorable from the title theme which is an honorable mention in favorite themes in my book as it's a more calmer tone that sings out epic adventure. Down to the ongoing music as you are walking through the lands and even the temples that both sing action adventure.
"Zelda 2" second swing makes the cut.
Rating: 4 stars.