Phantom Hourglass worth it in Retrospect? (And suggestions on other DS games)

[ranger19]

Since I've come to college and had only my DS for all videogame needs, I've realized that it's really allowing me to appreciate the large library that the handheld has come to inherit. Recently I was looking back over my games and wanted to get a new one, and my thoughts turned to the most recent Zelda DS game.

Do you recommend this game? I actually haven't played Wind Waker, so I'm a little afraid that I would be missing out on some story somehow (as much story as a Zelda game gets, at least). Also, I haven't played Minish Cap, so I'm unsure whether I should just go for that, instead.

And if neither of these games should be worth my time.. any other suggestions for DS games? I feel like I've played all the 'must-haves': I'm a huge fan of the Phoenix Wright series, Elite Beat Agents, The World Ends With You; I've played both Advance Wars games, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Meteos, Metroid Prime Hunters, Lost Magic, New Super Mario Bros, Sonic Rush.. and I'm sure more that I can't remember offhand. Oh, and is Sonic Rush Adventure worth it, now that it comes to mind?

Thanks!

 

[ZeroMachine]

I would say, for the sake of getting to know the characters, to play Wind Waker first. Plus, it's one of the best Zelda games (my favorite, actually). But if you don't want to/can't do that, DEFINITELY go for Minish Cap instead. It's much, much better than Phantom Hourglass.

 

[Baby Tea]

I played and beat the Phantom Hourglass, but I kind of had to force myself through it. Check any review and you'll see that the one thing people ***** about is that you have to go through the same freaking temple a ton of times in order to beat the game. Same levels, same temple, same solutions to the same puzzles, etc.

Very very annoying.

You eventually get equipment to get through the early levels of the temple quicker, but they don't come fast enough.

It's a fun enough game, but I wasn't 'wow'ed or anything while playing. It's pretty simple, easy to beat, and fairly long (Depending how much you play your DS) but that 'long' part is because of that darn temple.

 

[darktheif28]

i bought it the first day it came out and I loved it I thought that it was a very awesome ds game

 

[Ace of Spades]

He's right, the Minish Cap is better but as for the other part...

Plus, it's one of the best Zelda games

I heartily disagree. There was far too much bland and uninteresting sailing for it to be the best in my eyes. I liked Twilight Princess better.

 

[Axolotl]

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrrow is one game I highly recommend for the DS.

 

[ZeroMachine]

He's right, the Minish Cap is better but as for the other part...

Plus, it's one of the best Zelda games

I heartily disagree. There was far too much bland and uninteresting sailing for it to be the best in my eyes. I liked Twilight Princess better.

Yeah, I've gotten that a lot, and I wholly understand... I personally loved the sailing part, but I guess it's because I've always loved the ocean =P

 

[ranger19]

I would say, for the sake of getting to know the characters, to play Wind Waker first. Plus, it's one of the best Zelda games (my favorite, actually). But if you don't want to/can't do that, DEFINITELY go for Minish Cap instead. It's much, much better than Phantom Hourglass.

That's good to know. For some reason at the time I was appalled by the idea of cell-shading, most likely because I really wanted games to get photorealistic. (I don't know what I was thinking! I claim that I was ignorant in my youth. ) But now I'm much more curious about a potentially great game that I missed out on, and was hoping PH would fill that gap. But I've always been intrigued by Minish Cap, so maybe I'll look into that.

I played and beat the Phantom Hourglass, but I kind of had to force myself through it. Check any review and you'll see that the one thing people ***** about is that you have to go through the same freaking temple a ton of times in order to beat the game. Same levels, same temple, same solutions to the same puzzles, etc.

Very very annoying.

You eventually get equipment to get through the early levels of the temple quicker, but they don't come fast enough.

It's a fun enough game, but I wasn't 'wow'ed or anything while playing. It's pretty simple, easy to beat, and fairly long (Depending how much you play your DS) but that 'long' part is because of that darn temple.

I did hear about that, and one of the things I hate most in games is having to repeat myself, so that's exactly why I was wary about it and wanted to get more advice before making a commitment. That's a shame, too.

He's right, the Minish Cap is better but as for the other part...

Yay for what seems like agreement about Minish Cap. I'll definitely have to look for a used version of the game on the cheap to pick up next week.

 

[Fightbulb]

I honestly forgot I had this game until I read this post. I tried to get through it a few times, but I couldn't do it. The entire game so far has been unclear on where you have to go and what you have to do, and the combat isn't very good either. Well that's just my opinion, because I also hate any game that forces you to use the touch screen.

 

[Pigeon_Grenade]

Minish Cap looks more interesting the Phantom hourglass, and you should look at ZPs take on it, should be on page 3

 

[searanox]

It's a very, very mixed sort of game. On the one hand, the controls work brilliantly, the world is fairly large (though suffers from the same "split-up" feeling The Wind Waker's has), there's a lot of side-quests and mini-games, as well as little things to collect. On the other hand, it's a very traditional dungeon slog similar to what you get in A Link to the Past, except the dungeons themselves aren't all that memorable, and not in the least bit challenging. Returns to the Temple of the Ocean King in-between almost every dungeon also don't really work, even though you can open up shortcuts through it as you progress. The game definitely has its charm, but it very much feels like a portable, simplified Zelda and is definitely not the full-fledged experience that Link's Awakening and the Oracle games are.

 

[742]

its been said, but castlevania: dawn of sorrow is one of the best games ever.
think SOTN(but not quite as good)+a LOT of polish

 

[Wargamer]

I never quite felt "frustrated" by Phantom Hourglass. Yes, I did follow Yahtzee's lead and draw penises and things on my maps, but I really, really did enjoy the game.

By the end, my outright silliness took over; I had Triforces and Kokiri symbols drawn on everything; I even had one map that had the words "GO PLAY WINDWAKER YOU ****!" scrawled onto it. So I did.

It's good fun. A bit easy, and a bit repetitive at times, but good fun all the same. I didn't go in expecting Camecube quality, and I didn't get it. Not a big shock I think you'll agree.

If you like Zelda games, go buy it. Just don't expect it to beat Ocarina of Time or anything, and enjoy it for its merits.

 

[SecretTacoNinja]

I thought it was the worst Zelda I've ever played, it hardly feels like Zelda at all, the graphics are bad, the puzzles are annoying. The only good things I can say are: the controls are brilliant, it can be fun sometimes.

It's worth a look but you'll probably get sick of it quickly.
Minish Cap is miles better.

 

[djeeten]

I thought phantom hourglass was ok but only in short bursts. I would recommend it but only if you can get it on the cheap. I am still hoping they make a new zelda game for the DS that isn't '3d'.

 

[djeeten]

Oh and if you haven't played Yoshi's Island DS yet you should definately check it out (best platformer on that system IMO).