My new direction for the "Zelda" series:

[MasterMongoose0]

Yeah, I registered here because I'd like to see others' thoughts on this...

The Legend of Zelda is a timeless series, no doubt. There are 14 (or is it 15?) classic games released across each of Nintendo's systems. Link's adventures through Hyrule and its dungeons have been forever etched in the gaming world.

After playing LoZ: Twilight Princess, I realized that (on the Wii), they should probably try a new approach. The combat is becoming stale. The Wii is not suited to huge Lord of the Rings-esque battles, so why not focus on the intimacy of smaller-scale conflicts on a much deeper level? Create tons of various animations to change the flow of each fight. This could also mix easily with motion controls, to some extent.

Take for instance, the Iron Knuckle:

What if he could knock your sword from your hands after your weapons clash? This would leave Link with three (or more) options:
Use his shield as an offensive tool, like the Spartans
Use his fist(s) with a spiked gauntlet, like the new Prince of Persia
Roll after his sword, risking an attack from behind

Imagine the frantic nature of battle as your tactics would be changing on the fly. The hookshot could combine with the sword to create a pull-stab manuever on weaker foes. My idea is that each fight should be many more variables and options, instead of just "Use sword, if that doesn't work use other items." More of Link's arsenal of gadgets should be combat-ready. I'd love to see him use dual-wielding blades, the classic sword-shield, a shield alone, a sword alone, or his fists. Mix it up a bit. Thoughts?

(Of course, the rest of the core game would remain as it always has: a vast overworld, many dungeons, and a huge list to stuff to find)

 

[I Stomp on Kittens]

I've never been a fan of those games but would'nt that make it more difficult for the young whipper-snappers? Sounds good to me but I have never played a full game of the series before.

 

[Mad Maniac with axe-firing chainsaw]

Possible. But how to make it work. I've actually been thinking a lot about realistic sword-fighting in games. Maybe make it like standard adventure game controls when out of combat (not locked on to enemies) but it goes into sort of a fighting game mode in fights where your movements are much more flexible and combat-oriented. Rather than just swinging blindly, your character actively focusses on and engages the enemy. Games already sort of do this with lock-on, but it still pretty much restricts you to doing the same things that you do while unlocked but with more precision. I mean that when you engage in a fight the entire control scheme flips from adventuring mode to fighting mode. Being able to duel-wield equipment and create combinations on the fly would be good as well. Of course, the difficulty would need to be moderateable otherwise newbies are going to get rolled over by this. I'd say add two systems: a complex system for those of us who can work it, and a simple system that works more like the classic model so newer gamers can adapt.

 

[X Gintoki X]

you don't think some one else might have already thought of that.
the thing is the way Nintendo sees it is this is one of there golden geese they dont want to mess with it to much in fear of losing it altogether.
though good ideas but if you want innovations like that return to table top gaming in the last campaign of dnd i went through i created a hook shot Esq weapon involving a bag of holding, a short spear, a small projection device, a crude engine, and a contracted imp.

 

[Distorted Stu]

The combat is getting stale? Zelda is just stale altogether. Its the reason i hate Nintendo, they milk and milk and milk their franchises.

 

[Obahai]

innovation in the LoZ has its darkside, if anyone ever played Wand of Gamelon. I would almost hope not. It took me longer to find an emulator and working copy of the game, then to rage quit on that game.

 

[Mad Maniac with axe-firing chainsaw]

If anything, this would be the time for Nintendo to bring out a new series with a combat system like this as one of the selling points for it. Don't want to ruin the golden goose? Save it for later roasting and instead bring on a potential new goose with extra stuffing.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Dual wielding might be overdoing it, but the other ideas sound pretty good. And a quick note on Twilight: it wasn't really meant to be a Wii game anyway. It was mostly a quick port that was flipped over horizontally.

The combat is getting stale? Zelda is just stale altogether. Its the reason i hate Nintendo, they milk and milk and milk their franchises.

Of course there would be the troll who only comes to bash games he doesn't like.

 

[Gxas]

This could work, but it would have to be done perfectly or else the game would be ruined.

I like the idea of losing your sword and causing Link (the player) to think on his feet (thumbs?), but it would ultimately just become a "gimmick" for that boss or type of enemy.

Sure, each would have their own special "gimmick", but in the end, it would be the same strat for the same monster, time and time again.

 

[zacobar]

for new Zelda, you would need a setting, new context, new characters and frankly a whole new game.

Hell, that fake trailer for a new Zelda seemed more appealing to me than anything else Nintendo produced. A new Steampunk vision of a dystopian Hyrule that wasn't even Hyrule. So what does R&D1 come up with.... Trains.

 

[Aura Guardian]

Dual wielding isn't a good idea, but I like your other ones.

The combat is getting stale? Zelda is just stale altogether. Its the reason i hate Nintendo, they milk and milk and milk their franchises.

And it begins.

 

[DrDeath3191]

Zelda isn't really about the combat. It's about solving enviornmental puzzles using tools and your surroundings to your advantage. Focusing too much on the combat removes what makes Zelda what it is.

 

[MasterMongoose0]

Zelda isn't really about the combat. It's about solving enviornmental puzzles using tools and your surroundings to your advantage. Focusing too much on the combat removes what makes Zelda what it is.

The focus wouldn't be entirely on combat. It would still be the same shell around it- just a new direction for fighting.