Zelda : A new look at an old franchise

[super_smash_jesus]

So, I got to thinking today that first off, I would love to get my hands on another Zelda game, but there are none slated for the near future, and secondly, what would I want to be new/different in that game when it does come out.

I know that Zelda has been pretty much a cookie cutter copy of its original since the NES days, but I still enjoy the series more so than any other. But is this "old days" countryside storyline getting tired yet? If you think it is, what would you have them replace the storyline with in terms of date/location/baddies?

I would have to say that a Zelda game that exists in the 20th century, where it is just a young kid from an orphanage saves the world from some evil force. This could be set as realistically as they wanted, but I would still prefer magic and whatnot to reprise its role, along with the master sword (which could be a katana in this version). Link could be found in a city such as New York (as tired as that scene gets - but it makes for a great sandbox like in spiderman 2), which he could travel through on his steed, which could be a motor cycle or something along those lines. I haven't put much thought into it, nor am I very original or creative to come up with anything that sounds really good, but you get the idea I hope.

Well, let me know what you guys would like to see from the series, or even if you would like to keep it the way it is, I just felt the series needed a newer, fresher storyline for the next game.

 

[Drakstern]

It'll never happen, much as I'd like to see something different happen with the Zelda series.

There'd be too much fanboy rage.

So I'll just cling pathetically to Okami.

 

[sirdiealot88]

It wouldn't work, if the same team got together to make a new game and based the gameplay on the Zelda series then it would be good - but you cant go around changing everything about a game and expect to keep the same title. But you could have a similar style game set in a 'Firefly' kinda universe and it would be good

 

[Acaroid]

I would have to say that a Zelda game that exists in the 20th century, where it is just a young kid from an orphanage saves the world from some evil force. This could be set as realistically as they wanted, but I would still prefer magic and whatnot to reprise its role, along with the master sword (which could be a katana in this version). Link could be found in a city such as New York (as tired as that scene gets - but it makes for a great sandbox like in spiderman 2), which he could travel through on his steed, which could be a motor cycle or something along those lines. I haven't put much thought into it, nor am I very original or creative to come up with anything that sounds really good, but you get the idea I hope.

Well, let me know what you guys would like to see from the series, or even if you would like to keep it the way it is, I just felt the series needed a newer, fresher storyline for the next game.

it sounds like a crappy anime honestly....

But i do agree the game needs a new boost or spark....

 

[cianer]

I've often thought that a good way of mixing up Zelda would be if you lost a weapon in every dungeon instead of gaining one. Think about it - you start the game with bow, boomerang, bombs, hookshot etc. and in each dungeon you need to give up a weapon in order to gain hold of a crystal/whatever. An area you can breeze through at the start of the game becomes progressively more difficult and have environmental puzzles you didn't notice the last time.

This would work well in terms of exploration I think, because early on in the game you would just hookshot over a valley for example but as the game opens up you have to go down into the valley on foot because you've lost the hookshot. The baddies etc would be tougher in the places you now have to travel through and as I said environmental puzzles would come more into play.

I doubt they'll go down any road other than the cookie-cutter one because they stick with the same core Zelda team all the time so they won't get fresh ideas from new blood. It must be dull designing and coding hte same games over and over again, regardless how highly polished they are.

 

[HomeAliveIn45]

I've got an idea, how about instead of Hyrule, Link's on an ocean, and he's twelve years old and he's CELL SHADED!!!
Oh wait...

 

[Goenitz]

I've got an idea, how about instead of Hyrule, Link's on an ocean, and he's twelve years old and he's CELL SHADED!!!
Oh wait...

HEY!! I liked Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass

 

[Starnerf]

I've got an idea, how about instead of Hyrule, Link's on an ocean, and he's twelve years old and he's CELL SHADED!!!
Oh wait...

HEY!! I liked Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass

I think his point was that when they mixed up the formula people didn't appreciate it as much.

I liked Wind Waker too.

 

[laikenf]

I think I've said this in other threads but here I go again: Sci-Fi, that's where Zelda should go. Have him abducted by the aliens who abduct cows in LoZ: Majora's Mask; once in another planet you have access to never before seen weapons (lazer guns included), tools and other hi-tech equipment; Instead of epona have him befriend a giant lizard he can ride on to travel the overworld; let him ride high- tech and quirky vehicles (like hover bikes and small hovercrafts); instead of the master sword let him wield something akin to a light sabre. So many possibilities for such a great franchise.

 

[IridRadiant]

What the Legend of Zelda series really needs is a new 'ocarina' type of addition, something novel that would add a different dimension to the game. Instead of music, maybe they could use the Wii fit board, and proper sword-wiimote mapping, to really give the gamers some exercise while they play. I remember playing Twilight Princess swinging the wiimote around like the sword (and testing my stamina for playing the game) until I found out that a simple jiggle was as effective, and more precise with timing, than all-out arm swings with the controls they programmed. That would also free up the attack button to do something else, like looking around while Link's walking or even jumping.

 

[IridRadiant]

Hyrule is not a sci-fi setting!!

 

[ShadeOfRed]

I've got an idea, how about instead of Hyrule, Link's on an ocean, and he's twelve years old and he's CELL SHADED!!!
Oh wait...

Best Zelda game ever, I kid you not.

 

[Maet]

Every Zelda game basically has a new twist on what works well, be it an ocarina, a collection of masks, a steam ship, the ability to be a wolf, etc, etc. The next Zelda game will be the same story with a new twist, just like it always is.

Personally, I'm bored with the Zelda franchise, and they'd have to a massive overhaul to capture my interest again. What I'd really like to see from Nintendo is an exclusive new Action/Adventure IP. That would restore my faith.

 

[HomeAliveIn45]

I've got an idea, how about instead of Hyrule, Link's on an ocean, and he's twelve years old and he's CELL SHADED!!!
Oh wait...

Best Zelda game ever, I kid you not.

I actually agree, I still think about getting all the pictograph figurines in Lenzo's gallery. (I only needed 2 more)

 

[Drakstern]

Personally, I'm bored with the Zelda franchise, and they'd have to a massive overhaul to capture my interest again. What I'd really like to see from Nintendo is an exclusive new Action/Adventure IP. That would restore my faith.

Nintendo seems to be almost ironically anti-innovation when it comes to their IPs. They'd rather shovel out samey new games with their old mascots than bother to create new things.

Getting a new IP from them in the near future is about as likely as finding a beautiful woman waxing your car in a bikini in the middle of winter.