This is but one of the Legends...

This review is a tad short, however I wrote some impressions for this game a couple of weeks back, so you might want to check them out before reading this review.

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (LoZ: WW) has set a new standard by which all subsequent Zelda games will be judged. In many respects, WW is a direct sequel to the N64 Zelda games. Despite the somewhat controversial change in the art style, WW plays very much like its predecessors. The changes that have been added have done nothing but streamline the gameplay experience.

The plot of WW is very much like that of other Zelda games, that is you play a young boy dressed in green named Link who is out to save the world from the clutches of an evil man known as Ganon/Ganondorf. I don't really want to go into too many specifics, because the plot of WW is very easily spoiled. Suffice to say, those who were wondering what became of Link and Zelda at the end of Ocarina of Time will find out all they ever wanted to know by the end of WW.

Graphically, WW is one of the prettiest games I have played on the GCN yet. The beauty of this game is not the same type of photo-realistic glory of such games as Rouge Leader, however. Rather, WW encompasses the player in a wonderfully illustrated and vibrantly colorized world that looks like it was torn from the reel of a Disney movie. Characters have fully animated facial expressions, meaning that each one is endowed with an enormous amount of personality. The enemies that Link faces are likewise very expressive and well animated. The look of shock on your opponent's face when you knock the weapon out of its hands is priceless! WW is filled with many little touches such as these, and they combine to make a truly stunning visual experience.

The music of WW is very well done, although I didn't find the tunes as memorable as OoT's. As I mentioned in my impressions, there is some musical overlap with OoT, although for the most part the score is a new one. The quality of the instruments used in the WW is naturally a marked improvement over the earlier games. As with all Zelda games, a musical instrument wielded by Link plays a critical role. In WW, you wield a conductor's baton named, oddly enough, the Wind Waker. I guess a baton isn't an instrument per se, but is never the less used like one to conduct songs and influence game play.

Speaking of which, WW is the finest single player gameplay on the GameCube. The game takes place on a giant ocean that you must navigate in a speaking, sentient boat (Miyamoto must have a thing for possessed dinghies). In order to sail to particular places, you must use the Wind Waker to change the direction of the wind. All the customary Zelda items, such as the bombs, bow, hook shot, boomerang, etc. make an appearance, and all are important in one way or another. The side quests, of which I have only completed a few. are both numerous and challenging. Even with my focusing on the main quest, this game still took me around 25-30 hours to play. I have read that many seem to think this game is too easy, but to be honest, I was stuck in several places for a day or two. In that way, this game gave me more trouble than many others that I have played, such as Eternal Darkness or Resident Evil. Using a GBA and a link cable, a second player can aid the first. However, I have only briefly made use of this so-called "Tingle Tuner," so I can't really comment on it other than to say that it actually seemed to be quite helpful in some situations.

Overall, I would have to say that WW is the finest GameCube game I have yet played. I have no problem recommending this game to anyone. If you are put off by the art style of the game, I would seriously encourage you to put those preconceptions aside and play the game. You won't regret it!

By Andy Rucker