Is Zelda going downhill?

[Brainst0rm]

You can't really go downhill on a Zelda game unless the games themselves took a huge dip in quality, like obviously poor writing and gameplay. For the most part, anyone thinking it's gone downhill is just being bias or their personal preferences aren't being met.

Personally I haven't felt like they've been going downhill, but I do take issue with the hand held ones. Just because when I play portable games I'm probably not playing for long and it's harder to keep tabs on what I'm doing in the game. The console games I sit down and play for an hour or two so they're easier to get sucked in to and enjoy. Only a few portable games have managed to capture my attention in that way and that was when I was way younger, didn't drive, had no responsibilities, and had to go stop Felix, Saturos, and Menardi from lighting the elemental lighthouses.

Golden Sun HECK YES. And, I've always found it odd that all the console games had a fairly easy way to remind yourself of what you were doing (Navi, King of Red Lions, Midna), but all the handhelds except Minish Cap lack it.

 

[lwm3398]

Nostalgia can do some crazy things. Ocarina of Time is still one of the best in the series, but it's nostalgia that makes you think it's so much better. It's probably equal to Twilight Princess.

 

[AdamRBi]

You can't really go downhill on a Zelda game unless the games themselves took a huge dip in quality, like obviously poor writing and gameplay. For the most part, anyone thinking it's gone downhill is just being bias or their personal preferences aren't being met.

Personally I haven't felt like they've been going downhill, but I do take issue with the hand held ones. Just because when I play portable games I'm probably not playing for long and it's harder to keep tabs on what I'm doing in the game. The console games I sit down and play for an hour or two so they're easier to get sucked in to and enjoy. Only a few portable games have managed to capture my attention in that way and that was when I was way younger, didn't drive, had no responsibilities, and had to go stop Felix, Saturos, and Menardi from lighting the elemental lighthouses.

Golden Sun HECK YES. And, I've always found it odd that all the console games had a fairly easy way to remind yourself of what you were doing (Navi, King of Red Lions, Midna), but all the handhelds except Minish Cap lack it.

It is odd now that I think of it. Though for the most part they just remind of of the story or mission you're on. I haven't played my Phantom Hourglass in months now and I'm pretty sure I had to save in the middle of a long dungeon puzzle last time I did, so I'm practically guaranteed an awkward return upon my return resulting in at least 10 or so minutes of getting back on the right track.

 

[captainaweshum]

First off Wind Waker destroyed the series for me. DESTROYED. Does anyonne remember that video that was going around on the net back when the GameCube was new and shiny? That one where Link was fighting Ganondorf? That's what I thought Wind Waker was going to be.

Majora's Mask is the high point for the series. The game had a complex atmosphere beyond that of most Nintendo titles. It was dark and brooding, and pretty to look at. It was such a perfect logical next step up from OOT. After that there was a deep dip where Wind Waker assed around, and then a dying spike for the OOT remake that was Twilight Princess. I don't follow the hand held games.

Majora's Mask is dark and deep, and it's my favorite, but Wind Waker is incredible in its own right. Generally people who have a low opinion of Wind Waker haven't played it, so I'll just go ahead and tell you that Wind Waker isn't all cuddles and bunny rabbits. There's destruction and sacrifice, death and one of my all-time favorite game endings.

I've said this before somewhat recently, but I'm often thankful that I escaped this crippling nostalgia that older gamers have which prevents them from enjoying anything new or appreciating change and progression.

Actually I did play Wind Waker quite a bit, I even managed to look pass the graphic design. I totally enjoy change and progression and in fact I think that the core Zelda mechanic needs some bad...but Wind Waker wasn't innovative in the least. It was an attempt to introduce young gamers to the franchise...but weren't we young gamers when we got hooked on OOT?

No Zelda needs more than cartoon graphics and talking boats to be innovative.
It needs a serious overall in plot and gameplay.

Plus the sailing bit was GODAWFUL boring.

 

[Tarquinius Superbus]

The Wolf Link thing was a dumb idea that Sonic's handlers would do.

Come on Nintendo, really?

 

[Brainst0rm]

First off Wind Waker destroyed the series for me. DESTROYED. Does anyonne remember that video that was going around on the net back when the GameCube was new and shiny? That one where Link was fighting Ganondorf? That's what I thought Wind Waker was going to be.

Majora's Mask is the high point for the series. The game had a complex atmosphere beyond that of most Nintendo titles. It was dark and brooding, and pretty to look at. It was such a perfect logical next step up from OOT. After that there was a deep dip where Wind Waker assed around, and then a dying spike for the OOT remake that was Twilight Princess. I don't follow the hand held games.

Majora's Mask is dark and deep, and it's my favorite, but Wind Waker is incredible in its own right. Generally people who have a low opinion of Wind Waker haven't played it, so I'll just go ahead and tell you that Wind Waker isn't all cuddles and bunny rabbits. There's destruction and sacrifice, death and one of my all-time favorite game endings.

I've said this before somewhat recently, but I'm often thankful that I escaped this crippling nostalgia that older gamers have which prevents them from enjoying anything new or appreciating change and progression.

Actually I did play Wind Waker quite a bit, I even managed to look pass the graphic design. I totally enjoy change and progression and in fact I think that the core Zelda mechanic needs some bad...but Wind Waker wasn't innovative in the least. It was an attempt to introduce young gamers to the franchise...but weren't we young gamers when we got hooked on OOT?

No Zelda needs more than cartoon graphics and talking boats to be innovative.
It needs a serious overall in plot and gameplay.

Plus the sailing bit was GODAWFUL boring.

When I was in middle school, Wind Waker was my favorite game ever. I recently tried another play through, and I couldn't play past meeting the Deku Tree. But I still call it one of my favorite Zeldas. It just means that I've grown up - I can still cherish the memories of a game that was perfect for my childhood.

I agree that the current formula has been taken as far as it should be (perhaps farther). I'm looking forward to seeing what the next title brings.

 

[laol1999]

i find that just because of the cartoony exterier of windwaker its considered bad
gameplay wise i actually found it the best
all of the games are good for the time and i think the main problem with the ds games would be controls (but that comes with every zelda game)

 

[blippity]

I lost Zelda after the Gameboy/DS invasion. Too many freaking games to keep up with.

 

[Dexiro]

I don't think it's going downhill at all. Recent Zelda games have been awesome, i'm just not much for the gimmicky DS series.

 

[Outright Villainy]

It's not going downhill, it's just not as fresh as it once was. Still amazing though, easily my favourite video game series. Hopefully the new one will add a lot of innovation, twilight princess felt like a throwback to ocarina, I'd love some Majora's mask style craziness.

 

[Peteron]

I didnt enjoy any of windwaker's sequels, but windwaker is my second favorite zelda game of all time. Twilight princess was good as well. I really just don't like the newer DS versions. OoT, Majoras Mask, Windwaker and even the really old ones, are all classics to me. Nintendo has the power to make a great game, lets just wait and see what happens next.

 

[Valiant The Gamer]

Yes, Please kill this old dog..... It's just so sad to watch it slowly die away.....

 

[Chefodeath]

For me, Zelda was introduced to me in Ocarina of Time and met its thematic conclusion in Windwaker. All games following are just remembering old ground. I wouldn't say declining, but the series is done as far as I'm really considered, all the new games are still good, but they're rehashing something already complete.

 

[Dr. wonderful]

They'll never go downhill. there such great games

I agree, with the general.

 

[DustyDrB]

I enjoyed the hell out of Twilight Princess. Sorry if you were unable to experience it the same way.

 

[TK421]

I think the console games are the same, but the DS games suck mightily.

 

[mrsketchy]

Practically any franchise that has galloped well into the sequels and through several generations tend to drown in their own shittyness. Zelda has been no exception but it's only the fan-fags that keep their prized title from saving itself before it gets too far ahead of itself.

 

[CriticalGriffin]

First off Wind Waker destroyed the series for me. DESTROYED. Does anyonne remember that video that was going around on the net back when the GameCube was new and shiny? That one where Link was fighting Ganondorf? That's what I thought Wind Waker was going to be.

You mean that video featuring a Ocarina of Time remake where the characters look like moldy clayfigures with realistic graphics even bad for Gamecube standards, proving once again how stylized graphics is a much better option because it doesn't age as much as realism?

Yes, I can totally see why we should have that game instead...


... Wait, why this thread is still going?

Yes, Please kill this old dog..... It's just so sad to watch it slowly die away.....

... Bwuh?

 

[captainaweshum]

First off Wind Waker destroyed the series for me. DESTROYED. Does anyonne remember that video that was going around on the net back when the GameCube was new and shiny? That one where Link was fighting Ganondorf? That's what I thought Wind Waker was going to be.

You mean that video featuring a Ocarina of Time remake where the characters look like moldy clayfigures with realistic graphics even bad for Gamecube standards, proving once again how stylized graphics is a much better option because it doesn't age as much as realism?

Yes, I can totally see why we should have that game instead...


... Wait, why this thread is still going?

Yes, Please kill this old dog..... It's just so sad to watch it slowly die away.....

... Bwuh?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA0PaxnRtXc

I think looks great for Gamecube, especially considering that it was promo, if they had made the game they would have probably made it tighter

And on that note, the graphics for OoT and MM have aged immensely, but still the games are fun to play even now.