Author Topic: REVIEWS: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Read 45262 times)

UncleBob · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:33:34 AM »

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Originally posted by: LuigiHann
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Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
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Originally posted by: Bill Aurion

Your hand must be huge, and this is coming from a guy who has really big hands...|

I'm sorry but hand size has nothing to do with it, you are still putting your hand in front of a small screen with a stylus. Games like SM64DS avoided this by having you control with the bottom screen and have the action on the top, it hurts your interaction with the game. Then again if you are blinded by Zelda Barebones Hourglass you wouldn't be able to see these flaws.

The controls in Phantom Hourglass are much better than the controls in SM64DS.

If your hand is blocking the view, get a longer stylus. That's what I did for EBA.

Exactly. EBA was *way* more dependent on seeing the entire touch screen at once and I never heard anyone complain about hands blocking the field of view.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:41:36 AM »

Never played EBA, though I know it was a rhythm game and not an adventure game.

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #27 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:43:29 AM »

"Metroid Prime Hunters is also very different but in a way where it utterly lacks what I like about Metroid in the first place. It's not a hardfast rule where change is always good or always bad."

Well you definitely don't have to worry about that...Phantom Hourglass feels like nothing but a Zelda game...

Mashiro · « **Reply #28 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:49:03 AM »

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Exactly. EBA was *way* more dependent on seeing the entire touch screen at once and I never heard anyone complain about hands blocking the field of view.

There were a FEW instances on the harder levels where my hand blocked some of the upcoming circles to touch but nothing that made me go bonkers =) <3 EBA

Oh and GP, I HIGHLY recommend you get EBA. It's still the only DS game that makes me feel DS warranted a purchase.

stedaman · « **Reply #29 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:56:26 AM »

Pretty bad review imo, I disagree with alot of it.

Pretty strange to me, you felt the controls were hard, but gave a 9 and other aspects like sound and gameplay recieve 6 and 6.5.

Yes the game does have appeal to some lesser Zelda fans who havent really played the game much. But It also appeals to the Hardcore gamers who have played every Zelda ever.

Its a really good game, and deserves at least a 9 overall.

Halbred · « **Reply #30 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:56:43 AM »

The Majora's Mask comparison is more than justified. The first ten minutes of the game basically lay out the fact that Phantom Hourglass starts off basically where Wind Waker ends. The look is the same, you're still boating around from island to island. The core gameplay is the same. But it's a MUCH different game overall. You all know that Link's Awakening is a sequel to Link to the Past, right? The gameplay differences are nary any different. It's still top-down, you still get one item on the B button, there are still fetch quests, and there are still 8 dungeons.

Even Wind Waker is a sequel to Ocarina of Time, which is references CONSTANTLY throughout the story. And, in fact, the gameplay is exactly the same. It's a little easier, and the focus is different, but the connections are omnipresent, and the gameplay is basically the same.

Phantom is a sequel to the Wind Waker, but the Wind Waker's influences are only aethetic. This really disappointed me. I'M SORRY. The story failed to sweep me up like it did in Wind Waker (and Ocarina, and Link to the Past, and even Twilight Princess), the gameplay, like GP says, is hampered by the fact that your stylus is blocking part of the screen, and must I say it again? The Temple of the Ocean King sucks!

Look, when you compare this to the GREAT Zelda games of the past--Ocarina, Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, Wind Waker, and for some of you, Twilight Princess, Phantom just does not compare.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #31 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:57:50 AM »

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Originally posted by: Mashiro
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Exactly. EBA was *way* more dependent on seeing the entire touch screen at once and I never heard anyone complain about hands blocking the field of view.

There were a FEW instances on the harder levels where my hand blocked some of the upcoming circles to touch but nothing that made me go bonkers =) <3 EBA

Oh and GP, I HIGHLY recommend you get EBA. It's still the only DS game that makes me feel DS warranted a purchase.

I did consider it at one time, but well, you know me I buy a TON of games and well it got lost in the crazy buying spree.

sycomonkey · « **Reply #32 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:01:32 AM »

I personally consider Twilight Princess to be the best Zelda since Ocarina of Time. This is not to say I didn't like Wind Waker, I did, but WW was both somewhat too easy, and consisted of too much fetch quests. I am definantly in the latter group you defined as being all about the dungeons. I love them.

So while I am somewhat worried about this connecting temple being a MGS rippoff (i freaking loathe stealth in Zelda games), I think I might get more out of the title than someone who is in it primarily for completionist's motives.

However, this is all moot since I hardly have time to play the games I do have, and I only have enough money to buy Guitar Hero 3 this month anyway.

I will probably get this later.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #33 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:05:52 AM »

Well TP and Wind Waker are my favorite 3D Zelda's. One thing I will say about PH, at least it is better than Majora's Mask

Jonnyboy117 · « **Reply #34 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:20:46 AM »

I think some of you are looking over the fact that Zach actually likes the controls in PH. He doesn't like the new style of gameplay. We'll almost certainly have one or two more reviews of this game coming soon; maybe they'll like the game more, maybe they won't. I think Zach's complaints about the game are backed up pretty well with examples and explanations.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #35 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:41:14 AM »

"One thing I will say about PH, at least it is better than Majora's Mask"

Ouch. I would consider Majora's Mask to be the last classic Zelda game. Not that the Zelda games since then haven't been great but that's the last one I would consider truly exceptional. The last one that if I had to send Earth games to Mars and had limited room it would be on the ship. It's a total "love it or hate it" kind of game though. It's the anti-PH. MM is the most inaccessible and hardcore Zelda with the possible exception of the NES games, but those are inaccessible more for hardware limitations of the time than intentional design. While you might hand the first Zelda to a new gamer to start them out with the series you would never get them started on MM.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #36 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:43:10 AM »

Majora's Mask is the last classic Zelda game. Anything after that is more than young enough to be considered contemporary.

NinGurl69 *huggles · « **Reply #37 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:55:44 AM »

In short, they're non-games.

LuigiHann · « **Reply #38 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:10:06 AM »

How do people feel that this game compares to Kirby's Canvas Curse? I think that they both face similar issues (drastic departure from traditional control schemes, while trying to remain true to an established franchise)... I think that Kirby did it well, and this new Zelda does even better... so for those of you who dislike PH, did you also dislike KCC? Is PH "worse"?

Also, I'm only a couple of dungeons in, but I don't understand the Temple of the Ocean King hate. It's a text of your map-making and puzzle-solving skills, really. It's not like you have the countdown going the whole time, either, so it just forces you to plan ahead. It's different, but it's not bad different.

Maverick · « **Reply #39 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:21:57 AM »

Yeah, I don't really understand the Ocean King hate either. It seems people are just having more issues with the actual IDEA of a timed dungeon, rather than with the execution.

stevey · « **Reply #40 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:56:46 AM »

Burn him! Phantom Hourglass is the best Zelda game since LA!

/zelda fanboy

I disagree about to lastability, the online mode can be played over and over without it ever getting old. You should at least give it an 8.5

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #41 on:** October 05, 2007, 12:05:50 PM »

I don't like this review it felt like there is a lot of whining and a lot of inaccuracies and like how other readers said SPOILERS and spoilers are a big no no in reviews. I think this is a fantastic game with a few issues but this game does not deserve to be lower a 9.0 or a 8.5 . This game pushes the DS to crazy levels and its one of the most impressive games ever made on the DS, the only game that could probably challenge this game will probably be Ninja Gaiden since like Zelda its a touch screen only affair and both look graphically impressive on hardware where 3D rendering is obviously not its forte.

Can anyone hear tell me what other DS game pushed the hardware technically and control implementation wise? Also in a age even in the "next generation" where we are supposed to experience new and impressive things, and yet all we see are sequels, boring generic shooters, the color brown except in HIGH DEFINITION. I personally applaud Nintendo in taking one of their core franchises and taking a risk with it and ultimately succeeding in making it a wonderful experience thats very polished and implementing clever.

I'm sorry but I think this reviewer has dropped the bar and I think NWR's quality in reviews are greatly depreciating which is a shame since I usually think that this site has strong reviews that justifies why the game earned the score but I don't see the justification in this review.

LuigiHann · « **Reply #42 on:** October 05, 2007, 12:41:10 PM »

You know what's funny? I think 7.5 is a fair rating for the game, if it's actually on a scale of one to ten... but on the six to ten scale most modern reviewers use, it seems pretty low.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #43 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:00:14 PM »

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How do people feel that this game compares to Kirby's Canvas Curse? I think that they both face similar issues (drastic departure from traditional control schemes, while trying to remain true to an established franchise)... I think that Kirby did it well, and this new Zelda does even better... so for those of you who dislike PH, did you also dislike KCC? Is PH "worse"?

Kirby Canvas Curse wasn't even really a Kirby game, it was Kirby slapped onto a gimmick control scheme. I don't think many people actually consider Canvas Curse to be part of the main Kirby series, kind of like Paper Mario isn't considered part of the main Mario series. Phatom Hourglass on the other hand IS supposed to be part of the main Zelda series.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #44 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:03:14 PM »

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Originally posted by: Lord_die_seis
I don't like this review it felt like there is a lot of whining and a lot of inaccuracies and like how other readers said SPOILERS and spoilers are a big no no in reviews. I think this is a fantastic game with a few issues but this game does not deserve to be lower a 9.0 or a 8.5 . This game pushes the DS to crazy levels and its one of the most impressive games ever made on the DS, the only game that could probably challenge this game will probably be Ninja Gaiden since like Zelda its a touch screen only affair and both look graphically impressive on hardware where 3D rendering is obviously not its forte.

Can anyone hear tell me what other DS game pushed the hardware technically and control implementation wise? Also in a age even in the "next generation" where we are supposed to experience new and impressive things, and yet all we see are sequels, boring generic shooters, the color brown except in HIGH DEFINITION. I personally applaud Nintendo in taking one of their core franchises and taking a risk with it and ultimately succeeding in making it a wonderful experience thats very polished and implementing clever.

I'm sorry but I think this reviewer has dropped the bar and I think NWR's quality in reviews are greatly depreciating which is a shame since I usually think that this site has strong reviews that justifies why the game earned the score but I don't see the justification in this review.

I thought he justified his score fine. Heck you don't do a very good justifying it, your main focus is on the visuals. Wooptie do, that is only part of the game. I have had many disagreements with NWR's reviews but I didn't feel they were low quality.

Maverick · « **Reply #45 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:04:14 PM »

You're not suggesting that PH is Zelda slapped over a gimmicky interface are you?

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #46 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:11:24 PM »

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Originally posted by: Maverick
You're not suggesting that PH is Zelda slapped over a gimmicky interface are you?

No I was referring to Kirby Canvas Curse (which I felt was the Kirby license slapped onto a "gimmick" way of playing and how it really isn't part of the main Kirby series) and how it isn't a good comparison to PH.

optimisticlimbo · « **Reply #47 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:18:30 PM »

I didn't feel the review actually looked at the game, rather looked at what it wasn't compared to it's predecessor. I agree with Lord_die_seis that this review doesn't live up to the standard that NWR reviews usually hold. I think a 7.5 is low, but I would rather see a re-review of the game that focuses more on the game and either removes or warns of spoilers, rather than to inflate the score beyond how Zach feels about it.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #48 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:24:18 PM »

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Originally posted by: optimisticlimbo
I didn't feel the review actually looked at the game, rather looked at what it wasn't compared to it's predecessor. I agree with Lord_die_seis that this review doesn't live up to the standard that NWR reviews usually hold. I think a 7.5 is low, but I would rather see a re-review of the game that focuses more on the game and either removes or warns of spoilers, rather than to inflate the score beyond how Zach feels about it.

Perhaps the game shouldn't have advertised itself as the sequel to Wind Waker, in the same setting. When a game does that it deserves scrutiny compared to its predecessor. What has made the Zelda series so unique is that each game was virtually stand alone in some way. yeah you "sequels" but they took place in a different setting or in a new time. PH tries to be Wind Waker 2 for DS, so yes the comparisons are justified. Now if it followed tradition and took place in a completely different setting, almost a stand alone tale, then I could say how comparing it to Wind Waker would be weak. As it stands now it plays like a dumbed down hand held version of Wind Waker.

optimisticlimbo · « **Reply #49 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:33:24 PM »

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Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
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Originally posted by: optimisticlimbo
I didn't feel the review actually looked at the game, rather looked at what it wasn't compared to it's predecessor. I agree with Lord_die_seis that this review doesn't live up to the standard that NWR reviews usually hold. I think a 7.5 is low, but I would rather see a re-review of the game that focuses more on the game and either removes or warns of spoilers, rather than to inflate the score beyond how Zach feels about it.

Perhaps the game shouldn't have advertised itself as the sequel to Wind Waker, in the same setting. When a game does that it deserves scrutiny compared to its predecessor. What has made the Zelda series so unique is that each game was virtually stand alone in some way. yeah you "sequels" but they took place in a different setting or in a new time. PH tries to be Wind Waker 2 for DS, so yes the comparisons are justified. Now if it followed tradition and took place in a completely different setting, almost a stand alone tale, then I could say how comparing it to Wind Waker would be weak. As it stands now it plays like a dumbed down hand held version of Wind Waker.

I see what you're saying. I still don't feel like the game itself was given a fair chance. There's too much, why isn't it like Wind Waker. The only response I have to it being a different setting is that they did 'set sail for far away lands.' So it's sort of a different setting.

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Author Topic: REVIEWS: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Read 45262 times)