Link's Crossbow Training

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Preview

By Zachary Miller, Staff Writer

September 22, 2007

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It may be the closest we get to a Zelda FPS.

The Wii Zapper, a new accessory which will function essentially as a light gun, is going to be packed in with a new game from Nintendo EAD. Link's Crossbow Training will introduce gamers to the Zapper so that we'll all be ready for Ghost Squad and Umbrella Chronicles later this year.

Far from being a simple Duck Hunt clone, Crossbow Training looks to be a deeper title that may be a worthy game in its own right. There are three basic game styles; in "Target Shooting", you have a stationary view and are scored on your speed and accuracy at hitting the bullseye. "Defender" gives you the freedom to look around while defending things (like a supply wagon or yourself), and it seems that some of these levels will move through environments in an "on rails" fashion. "Ranger" allows Link to move through an environment with the joystick, while you aim wherever you want and shoot enemies as you see fit.

The game's 27 individual missions can all be played by your lonesome or in a multiplayer fashion, with a single Zapper being passed among up to four players. The goal of every mission is to earn a high score within a set time limit. Some stages will offer a free look similar to that of Metroid Prime 3 -- pointing the Zapper off-screen will result in Link turning his head. Nintendo has made it clear that Link's Crossbow Training will serve to familiarize gamers with the movement concepts that will appear in future Zapper titles like Medal of Honor Heroes 2, Ghost Squad, and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles.

The Zapper, and by association Link's Crossbow Training, will require not only a Wii Remote but also a Nunchuk. It's worth noting that you should be able to play this game and any other without the Zapper, if that is your preference, but at least for now, you will only be able to buy this game with the Zapper bundle. Link's Crossbow Training and its pack-in cargo is set to release in North America on November 19th and will be rated T for fantasy violence.

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