Iridescence
Emancipated Wind Fish
- Joined
- May 11, 2014
- Location
- United States
We'll stay tuned to see what Zelda for Wii U offers us, but for now, The Wind Waker was the last of the highly innovative Zelda games Nintendo made.
Let's look at Zelda's history.
The west had a hostile reaction toward it because it was different. Instead of having a rational discussion about it's merits and faults, the message sent to Aunoma was "This game has no merit. This is not Zelda!". Before TWW reactions, Zelda games were made as art, to reflect what the artist thought would be the best expression of their creative abilities. After TWW, it became about pleasing the fans and stitching the fanbase together.
Let's look at Zelda's history.
- Zelda NES defined the adventure game, period.
- Adventure of Link wasn't as successful but it tried an entirely new route with RPG/side-scrolling mechanics.
- A Link to the Past dramatically enhanced the original Zelda 1 formula with a narrative, large host of items, time-travelling, numerous new puzzle elements and most of the tropes we know today.
- Link's Awakening totally changed the setting and the story, moving away from the Princess formula into a surreal comedic but philosophical dream world.
- Ocarina of Time revolutionized 3D gaming with horse-riding, z-targeting, verticality added to puzzle-solving and an overall well-realized 3D atmosphere.
- Majora's Mask subverted the formula with a 3 day time limit, masks, a character-driven story and a changing overworld focused on side quests. In addition, it emphasized a new dark haunting atmosphere.
- The Wind Waker introduced the idea that LoZ is in principle a series about exploration. And you can take it anywhere you want (even an ocean) and it could still be Zelda. In addition to that, it's visual art style was way ahead of its time.
The west had a hostile reaction toward it because it was different. Instead of having a rational discussion about it's merits and faults, the message sent to Aunoma was "This game has no merit. This is not Zelda!". Before TWW reactions, Zelda games were made as art, to reflect what the artist thought would be the best expression of their creative abilities. After TWW, it became about pleasing the fans and stitching the fanbase together.
- Twilight Princess copied so many aspects of OOT and lacked innovation.
- Phantom Hourglass copied so many aspects of TWW, it lacked real innovation.
- Spirit Tracks tried new things, within the PH formula (somewhat exempt)
- Skyward Sword tried to be a middle ground between Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, and it ended up lacking the merits of both. The sky overworld was no great sea. TP's length and structure didn't do the game any good.
- A Link Between Worlds was a fantastic game, but it was made to please fans of the original ALTTP.