Topic: First Twilight Princess Review

[GoldenPhoenix]

I found a much better review thanks to Gonintendo, definately more informative (and yet again with no big spoilers).

here yah go

Even with his minor nitpicks the game sounds absolutely stunning (he actually has passion incorporated into the review!).  I especially can't wait to experience the story, especially after reading this quote.

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Still, the amount of twists and surprises keep it fresh, and the story is not clichéd and has some of the best pay offs in gaming history.

I really shouldn't have read this review, I am getting all giddy.

[The Omen]

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Oh yeah Link to the Past is the best Zelda of all time, so take that Hostile!

That's true.

[Bill Aurion]

I think all this comparing about which is better than which is kind of silly...The Zelda series has been constantly expanding, adding new things to the mix every time...The Legend of Zelda created a huge world to explore, Adventures of Link brought forth an Action/RPG system, A Link to the Past brought forth more interaction between the player and the environment, Link's Awakening brought forth the handheld experience, sidequests, and a more emotional story, Ocarina of Time brought forth Zelda to the 3D realm and the introduction of Epona, Majora's Mask introduced the importance of time and further advanced the interaction and story between NPCs, Wind Waker brought forth the boat and a more interactive environment than ever before, etc, etc...

I personally find Link's Awakening to be higher on my Fav Games list than A Link to the Past...But that isn't because of the technical or content-oriented superiority of the game, but because I thoroughly enjoy what separates Link's Awakening from other games in the Zelda series (and in other games period)...Each of these games is amazing and unique in their own right, and to try and say "Such and such is the best, hands-down" destroys the aura of what makes the Zelda series so special...  

[Ceric]

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Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
...(almost everything you did outside of the dungeon led you right to the next dungeon)...

You know ironically though that sounds almost exactly like my experience with OoT.  I can see where the parallels can be drawn between LttP and TP.  With the whole Twilight world and everything.  Personally I'm waiting for a true remake of the original.  Wooden sword and all.  I hate this you have the master sword for doing squat stuff.  It's the Master Sword.  Suppose to be the strongest sword in that universe.  It comes of weak.  I liked that sword progression among other things.  (Actually I liked all the item progression in the original.  (Blue->Red Candle, Blue->Red Ring, Regular->Silver Arrow, Wand->Wand w/ Spellbook, Key->Master Key)  Thinking back the original is still a tighter package in my mind.

[Hostile Creation]

Ah, well, I suppose it's how you approached the game, then.  In Ocarina of Time, I'd wander for hours before going to the next dungeon.  I'd explore what I could do with my new item, I'd fart around at Lon Lon Ranch, I'd search for golden skulltulas, I'd talk to every NPC in the game and do every new sidequest.  It's probably just a difference in how we personally play the games.
Really, A Link to the Past and Link's Awakening had equal influence on Ocarina of Time, the way I see it.  I just feel that Link's Awakening introduced more that was new, and gave more depth to the series, whereas A Link to the Past improved upon the formula significantly.
It's hard to judge, and it's only opinion anyway.  But I agree with Bill.  There's no arguing over which is the best Zelda, because then you defeat the purpose.  I just didn't like the way he stated his favorite in the review, right at the start.

(I really like the look of that other review, though.  I skimmed through it, and while one or two things bothered me (him dismissing previous Zelda stories), it seemed much more passionate and genuine.  I can't wait to read through it properly, I know it'll get me ultra-hyped.)

[Ian Sane]

I think it's good that the reviewer stated his favourite is A Link to the Past.  That way you can tell what he likes in Zelda and you can get a better feel if you see the series the same way he does.  If you're not a big fan of LttP then you know to check other reviews.  If you love LttP then you already know that Twilight Princess is for you.

I love LttP and OoT but they're not my favourites because I don't really care for the pacing at the end.  It seems once you get to the new "world" in those games it starts just being dungeons one after another.  Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask have a more balanced pace.  After every dungeon you usually have a few extra things to do before the next one.  You get a break of sorts.  I enjoy dungeons but find them to be very demanding.  They're intense.  I usually play games in sessions of a couple of hours and I virtually never play two dungeons in one sitting.  I like to have some time to fart around and do something a little more relaxing in between the dungeons.

[JonLeung]

I didn't read that particular review (or much of this thread) but I've read others and the consensus so far is that the controls aren't as bad as some people feared.  And for most, it seems like the controls are actually fitting.

And since Ian recently posted, I was curious if this has yet convinced Ian to pick the Wii version over the GCN version.  I think it was him who was adamant on getting the GCN version because of the controls.

And I'd like to point out that this past year, I'd forgotten that a Zelda game was coming out.  No, I knew that The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess was going to be available for the Wii (and GCN) and had it pre-ordered, but what I mean is that I'd forgotten that there's a game in one of the best game franchises ever (and my personal favorite franchise) coming out, which Nintendo is boasting is better than any other, even OoT.  All the bitching about tacked-on controls and left-handed/right-handedness and mirrored worlds and the availability of GCN version, all that pointless bickering on these and other boards made me forget that I'll be playing a Zelda game soon.  I was on the side of "I don't care" on the mirrored worlds issue and I was confident enough in the controls yet I never really thought much about actually playing the game.

If that makes sense.

[Ian Sane]

"And since Ian recently posted, I was curious if this has yet convinced Ian to pick the Wii version over the GCN version. I think it was him who was adamant on getting the GCN version because of the controls."

Why pay over $250 for a new console for a game I can get on a console I already own?  Zelda is the only Wii launch game I'm really interested in so I might as well wait for a price cut.  It's good to hear the game controls well but unless the Cube version controls really poorly that isn't worth a new console purchase.  Besides I haven't pre-ordered so I'm pretty sh!t out of luck of getting a Wii now anyway.

It is really good though to hear that a game designed initially for a more traditional control scheme has been converted to motion control seemlessly.  This gives me much more optimism about what can be done with the Wii controller.  I was really afraid that forced remote usage was going to completely bork potential classic Nintendo games for no reason.  I still need to try it out for myself if Nintendo ever puts a demo in a store in my area.

[mantidor]

Talking about the mirrored issue, has any review talked about handedness in the games? its a big concern of mine with the whole console in general, but most reviewers seem to forget about it.

 

[KnowsNothing]

because no one cares

[couchmonkey]

Miyamoto, a lefty himself, has said that it's hard for him to play left-handed.  I'm sure he had the opportunity to play left-handed without the mirror mode as well.  And Miyamoto doesn't strike me as someone who would just say that...he strikes me as someone who would tell the developers to fix it if it was a problem.

[JonLeung]

See, that's exactly what I mean.  All this discussion about things that shouldn't matter is what made me forget that The Legend Of Zelda: Twilight Princess is A GAME...it has sounded like the name of a series of controversies that divide Zelda fans and I'd forgotten there's fun to be had there.

I honestly don't see why "I'm going right, but I should be going left!" is an issue.  Handedness may slightly be more but not to me.

Actually, forget it.  I'm not participating in that discussion ever again.  I'm going to have fun when the game comes out and not fret about it.

[mantidor]

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Originally posted by: couchmonkey
Miyamoto, a lefty himself, has said that it's hard for him to play left-handed.  I'm sure he had the opportunity to play left-handed without the mirror mode as well.  And Miyamoto doesn't strike me as someone who would just say that...he strikes me as someone who would tell the developers to fix it if it was a problem.

he strikes me as ambidextrous, and as a business man who would prefer to cater to the majority obviously, which means I don't take into consideration what he has said about handedness in games, if he thinks a lefty would be ok he's insane, or just not an exclusive lefty. Theres absolutely no way I will be able to point with my right hand no matter the game, and theres no need for hands-on experience in that regard, because Ive been using laser pointers all my life, as well as lightguns. If you think its such a not big deal, switch hands and tell me how confortable would that be.

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: mantidor

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Originally posted by: couchmonkey
Miyamoto, a lefty himself, has said that it's hard for him to play left-handed.  I'm sure he had the opportunity to play left-handed without the mirror mode as well.  And Miyamoto doesn't strike me as someone who would just say that...he strikes me as someone who would tell the developers to fix it if it was a problem.

he strikes me as ambidextrous, and as a business man who would prefer to cater to the majority obviously, which means I don't take into consideration what he has said about handedness in games, if he thinks a lefty would be ok he's insane, or just not an exclusive lefty. Theres absolutely no way I will be able to point with my right hand no matter the game, and theres no need for hands-on experience in that regard, because Ive been using laser pointers all my life, as well as lightguns. If you think its such a not big deal, switch hands and tell me how confortable would that be.

Mantidor, I know I read on other hands on impressions that lefties did try the game and had little to no problem controlling it. Wish I could find the link though, perhaps it was on IGN or something? Maybe someone else here can direct you.

[Hostile Creation]

"I love LttP and OoT but they're not my favourites because I don't really care for the pacing at the end. It seems once you get to the new "world" in those games it starts just being dungeons one after another. Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask have a more balanced pace. After every dungeon you usually have a few extra things to do before the next one. You get a break of sorts. I enjoy dungeons but find them to be very demanding. They're intense. I usually play games in sessions of a couple of hours and I virtually never play two dungeons in one sitting. I like to have some time to fart around and do something a little more relaxing in between the dungeons."

Exactly.  Exactly.  Actually, every time I replayed Ocarina of Time I stopped at the Water Temple because it became too dungeon-centric at that point.  The pacing and side-quests were much more relaxed and gradual in the first half of the game.

I can see how it's good that he states his favorite Zelda for reference, but he compares it to Twilight Princess, saying that he prefers A Link to the Past.  That could be excluded, or at least saved for the end.  That's going to influence a person's mindset when they read it.  I prefer to start on a blank slate with a game, and see how it compares when I'm done.  Not the other way around.


EDIT:

Regarding the other review:

I really liked this, and now I'm really hyped.  A few things about it bothered me (mostly his condescension toward Minish Cap and Wind Waker, calling their dungeons meagre and their side quests "fairly decent".  That annoyed me.  I liked the dungeons in both games, and they have some of the best side quests in the series.  So that unnecessary criticism ticked me off), but I can pass that off to how SHEERLY UNCOMPARABLY AWESOME Twilight Princess will be, so I'll let it go.
His review of the graphics is fair, but I get a nasty taste in my mouth when people say that crap like Oblivion looks better than Twilight Princess.  Is it more technically capable?  Yeah, but the art direction is sh!t.  It's like comparing chicken scrawl to Van Gogh or Monet.  It's disgusting.

Anyway, pretty good review.  Really, I'm just naturally opposed to reviews in general: I hate movie reviews, game reviews, everything.  I like to discover things for myself, and I don't trust reviewers at all.  Trust me, they seldom ever know what they're talking about.  I view the profession as fundamentally flawed, and therefore pay no regard to it.

[mantidor]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution


Mantidor, I know I read on other hands on impressions that lefties did try the game and had little to no problem controlling it. Wish I could find the link though, perhaps it was on IGN or something? Maybe someone else here can direct you.

little to no problem? thats simpy impossible, period. I know it would be ackward for sure, my real question is how much and how long will the adapting time be, I've already decided to try the stick with the right hand, which doesn't seem an uphill challenge but its also not something easy, Ive barely used it in Pikmin, so I don't know. The other option, of grabbing the controller the normal way is just not going to work for me. Also windyman never answered me if the mirroring was needless at the end, because with all these recent impressions and reviews it sure seems like it, I hope some review adress that.

[zakkiel]

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little to no problem? thats simpy impossible, period.

Why?

[Viewtiful mario]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
I found a much better review thanks to Gonintendo, definately more informative (and yet again with no big spoilers).

here yah go

Even with his minor nitpicks the game sounds absolutely stunning (he actually has passion incorporated into the review!).  I especially can't wait to experience the story, especially after reading this quote.

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Still, the amount of twists and surprises keep it fresh, and the story is not clichéd and has some of the best pay offs in gaming history.

I really shouldn't have read this review, I am getting all giddy.

That revew really pisses me off for some reason.  Nearly every revew I read on it that doasn't give it a perfect score is so nitpicky that it's reduculus!  The only bad thing he says about it is that the camra is imperfect at times (name a game that isn't), the graphics arn't up to PS3 or 360 standerds (we get it, the Wii isn't a PS3!!! why penilize it for something that doasn't effect the gameplay?)  and something about the music isn't "all live-recorded, orchestrated music" you're penilizing it for that?

So yah, this guy is so nitpicky it hurts.  I don't see how he cold give anything a perfect score, it seems like he's one of thoes people that you just can't fully please.

[Ian Sane]

Regarding graphics can we all agree that since this is pretty much a Cube game that at the very least it should look as good as Resident Evil 4?  What I'm hearing is that it isn't that good and ideally it should be the best looking Cube game there is considering how much later after RE4 it is being released.

I was unimpressed with Super Mario Sunshine largely for one reason:  SSBM looked better.  So did Rogue Leader.  Super Mario Sunshine didn't look as good as Cube launch games.  It should have.  There really is no excuse.  With Twilight Princess it should be the same thing.  Does it look like something that pushes the Gamecube hardware to the limit?

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Kick him off the interweb and burn down his website.

BEWARE OF FAKE ZELDA FANS

[xanrastafari]

I really, really don't care if it looks better than RE4.  Nor did I care that Mario Sunshine looked worse than SSBM.

[Luigi Dude]

I really dont see a reason to get that angry with the guy since did anyone else even read this part.

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The visuals are great, but aren't the best. To be blunt, if the game was strictly for GCN or for Wii, and was only developed solely for one or the other, I could see this being a perfect title. It's damn close, but it is not perfect, but it is the best Zelda title ever.

He says it's the greatest Zelda game ever made, shouldn't that make everyone happy.  If his reason for not giving it a perfect score was because of graphics then who cares, the guys a graphics whore then, but for the rest of us that dont care about the graphics this means the game is a perfect 10/10.

[Viewtiful mario]

well,  gamerankings doas'nt mark down fan revews.  One of the main reason I want TP to score high is so it can rise above Oot, which has been dominating it's #1 spot.

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Regarding graphics can we all agree that since this is pretty much a Cube game that at the very least it should look as good as Resident Evil 4? What I'm hearing is that it isn't that good and ideally it should be the best looking Cube game there is considering how much later after RE4 it is being released.

I was unimpressed with Super Mario Sunshine largely for one reason: SSBM looked better. So did Rogue Leader. Super Mario Sunshine didn't look as good as Cube launch games. It should have. There really is no excuse. With Twilight Princess it should be the same thing. Does it look like something that pushes the Gamecube hardware to the limit?

I'm 100% shure that TP pushes the gamecube just as much as RE4 did.  It's just that Zelda takes place mostly in wide open places while RE4's enviroments take place in relitivly small areas letting them put more pixles or whatever into smaller areas.  Therefore Zelda has it's Graphics spread across wider areas while RE4 's power lies in smaller areas letting it use more power on perticular objects.

I hope I made myself clear because I'm not so shure.

And about Super Mario Sunshine and SSBM, they both have different art styles.  While SSBM replicates the stiching in mario's overalls, SMS goes for a cartoony and(dare I say it) kiddie look.  I'm sorry if you can't make out all the hairs in mario's mustach.

[Luigi Dude]

The problem is it's pretty much impossible for any game to rise above Ocarina of Time on Gamerankings since back in Ocarina of Times day it was so revolutionary and there was no other game to compare it to, it easily got perfect scores across the board.  With Twilight Princess, everyones seen this type of game before and so there's something to compare it to which allows reviewers to be alot more harsh with this game then they were to Ocarina of Time.

It's the same reason why Majora's Mask got lower scores then Ocarina of Time.  Even though Majora's Mask was a much better game, since everyone had already played Ocarina of Time they had something to compare it to and so critics were alot more harsh on Majora's Mask.

[Nile Boogie]

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Originally posted by: Luigi Dude

It's the same reason why Majora's Mask got lower scores then Ocarina of Time.  Even though Majora's Mask was a much better game...

Let not us speak blasphemy so close to the coming... although I do see your point.