Magic Meter

[LozzyKate]

I would hate for the magic meter to come back. I hated it the biggest among possible. I hated running around for little jars just to refill something that would disappear just as fast. A big NO to the magic meter.

 

[CZG]

I would hate for the magic meter to come back. I hated it the biggest among possible. I hated running around for little jars just to refill something that would disappear just as fast. A big NO to the magic meter.

So, you don't like magic? Or do you just think refilling it should be changed in some way?
Other things like arrows and bombs run out too....? Refill by waithing is not much of a better solution if you'd ask me.
I thought opening the Shadow Temple in OoT with Din's Fire was sweet. It was kinda lousy as a real weapons, but I thought it looked cool. I think we need a magic meter for more similar effects.

I think magic runs out like it should, if you want more you could carry a (green/blue?) potion. This makes magic more balanced with the life/heartmeter too! By carrying magic potions instead of red potions or fairies, you have no (almost) unlimited life. Six fairies in MM? Better fill one up with magic and make me use it, no?

Just like my wallet, my quiver and my bomb bag, my magic meter is pretty much always completely full. A few times in the game, you happen to use it for a bit. At least you have cool opportinities for new effects. I liked magic, especially in AoL, as well as things like Bombos, Quake and Din's Fire.
Of course, an item with magic powers sealed inside is nice and magic is not always needed. It really depends on the items. It would be nasty if the gaunlets needed magic to push blocks around or something. But I thought it was a fair trade for the Lens of Truth or the Goron Rolling to used magic.

Just give us a magic jar in a place where we need magic, similar like they've been doing from the beginning of the series and we'll be fine. If you'd like to use it more, bring your own magic or cut some more bushes. Magic refills, among other things aren't really THAT rare... Wherever there is a puzzle, there is a bunch of refills... magic, arrows, bombs... and rupees.

Keep in mind that the games not made for running around each screen in AoL with the Shield spell or blasting through a whole dungeon with Nayru's Love activated. These are spells to use a difficult / special occasions. But, feel free to use magic when your meter is completely filled. I mean why not? You can have some temporary benefits or use a cool-looking attack and find a refill jar around the next corner...

If you are afraid to run out of things, as we know you are not meant to leave a dungeon to get some new gear...
They should return this to the series:
Tenth enemy had the Bomb.
The sixth Bot has a Magic Jar...

 

[DekuLink]

Also i never want to see Farore's Wind again!

I lol'd.

I really think that it's necessary for Nintendo to get magic back into the Zelda series. I mean, come on. It's Zelda. Magic is one of the many things people think of when they hear about Zelda.

If they don't, I don't think I'll be too disappointed. I'll be disappointed about the single fact that there's no magic. But I won't be disappointed in the game as a whole.

 

[Austin]

I'm playing through TP now and the one thing that's hidering my total enjoyment of the game is the lack of magic. Going beyond praticality, having magic just made me feel powerful. As for the Zelda games becoming more realistic, unless the phase out the Triforce (an absolutely ridiculous possiblity) there will always be some type of magical element around in Zelda. Why shouldn't Link take advantage of that?

 

[Zelda_Queen]

I am working on Wind Waker. I <3 MY MAGIC METER!!! I think it would be sweet if this newer one had one too. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[Dustin681]

Well, I found a screenshot on a Wiki/Wikia for Zelda for a Magic Meter that was supposed to be in Twilight Princess, as well as hearing on said wiki/wikia that a green Chu was supposed to be in Twilight Princess, but was removed for unknown reasons.

 

[Tom]

I not only like the idea of bringing the Magic Meter back, but I also believe that the whole magical atmosphere brings really good things to the game, such as unique characters (like magicians or witches), places and challenges. I love solving puzzles with magic items...this also increases the game's difficulty level, doesn't it?

 

[Immortal_One]

I fee like Magic is an incredibly important part of the game. LoZ 2 was what gave the game an RPG-like feel, and I missed that in TP. I really don't see the point in not putting a magic meter in TP, except for maybe it being replaced by the hidden moves. Then again, they could have mixed the two to at least include the magic meter.

 

[PhantomGanon]

All right, I posted this in another thread, but I think people should read this so I'll say it again:

Regarding the magic Meter:
I can see why people want it back. I do. Many items that we know and love used it. Din's Fire, Fire/Ice/Light Arrows, Magic Rods, etc. And I agree, magic should play a role in Link's arsenal. However, I do NOT think there should be a magic meter or magic spells in Zelda Wii. Here are the reasons:

1. It imposes a superficial limit on the usability of certain things. Simply put, if you could use Din's Fire or Quake any time you wanted, it would be ridiculous. Some people would give up using the sword entirely. The magic meter kinda solves that, but they could just concentrate on making magical items that aren't overpowered.
2. The majority of magic in Zelda games has had extremely limited usefulness. Besides Din's Fire, Lens of Truth, and the Fire Arrows, how often did any of us use any other magic-using item? For me at least, and I say this having beaten 11 Zelda games (I don't own a DS or Wii but I've played a good portion of TP), I can say not very much.
3. Consistency issues. What I mean is this: Take a look at any Zelda game with a magic meter, for example OoT. The Magic Meter was used for Fire/Ice/Light Arrows, Spin Attack, DF/FW/NL, and the Lens of Truth (I may be forgetting some). However, "magical" items that didn't use the magic meter included the Master Sword, Red/Blue Tunics, Bracelet/Gauntlets, Hover Boots, Ocarina of Time, Potions, and anything else I might be forgetting. The imposition of magical limits on some "magical" items, but not all, seems arbitrary.
4. Along those same lines, there are some things which don't have to or shouldn't use magic in the first place. For example, Fire Arrows. Why can't Link just light his arrows on fire using non-magical means? Also, the lantern. I never understood why it used magic in ALttP, and I liked that they solved the problem in MC (Lantern Oil meter is a definite no for me). Also, there's the case of items like the Lens of Truth. Link shouldn't need a magical item AND his own magic to get its effects, in my opinion.
5. Magic spells are less fun. There, I said it. Would any of us rather see a Link with a varied arsenal of magical spells and no sword, no bow, and no shield? It wouldn't be any fun. Some of you might've liked running into the middle of a room and using Din's Fire to kill all enemies every chance you got, but I preferred something that actually used skill, and I only used it when I really didn't want to fight, like against redeads or gibdos.
6. Link is not a wizard. Yes, he can use magic. He's a Hylian, and being able to use magic is part of that. However, does the champion of courage chosen by the gods, whose iconic items are a sword and shield and bow and arrow, seem like the kind of guy who would prefer to stand back at a distance and use unfair magical spells against his enemies? That sounds more like what Ganondorf, Vaati, Agahnim, Veran, and other bad guys do. Magical spells set Link on a level playing field with his biggest and baddest enemies, rather than maintaining the David vs. Goliath feel that is so important to the games.

That said, I do think magic has a very important place in Zelda games. I am not advocating a realistic Zelda title. In order to show Link getting more powerful throughout the game, the items he gets should get more powerful, and the more powerful ones are probably going to involve some sort of magical effect. Therefore, I think that Zelda Wii should include items that use magic but without the magic meter or spells. Fire Arrows and Light Arrows are a must. Maybe Ice. Also, I like the idea of bringing back the Fierce Deity Mask. Oh, and no more Tingle. Ever.

TL;DR Yes to magical effects, no to Magic Meter and Spells

 

[TriforceHunter]

The last time we saw it was in Wind Waker. PLEASE!PLEASE!! BRING IT BACK!!! BRING IT BACK!!! BRING IT BACK PLEASE!!!1!

 

[Random Person]

One thing that just hit me after reading all these responses. Everyone seems to be relating mostly to OoT. But MM is hardly mentioned.
In MM, the magic meter was both essential and fun to use. If you started to run out of magic, you would try to find some more because you needed it for masks, tranformative powers, and arrows. The game even went so far as to sell milk that made your magic last one entire three day cycle.

Like I said, I don't care whether they bring it back or move further into technical stuff. It was fun in the past but not having it did not make TP any less fun. But for everone who says it was unnecessary or not fun, remember MM and then see if you change your opinion.

 

[Legend]

Yes it is essential for magic to be included in a Zelda title. Zelda does not happen in a real world, it is fantasy and should be treated as such.

 

[Austin]

1. It imposes a superficial limit on the usability of certain things. Simply put, if you could use Din's Fire or Quake any time you wanted, it would be ridiculous. Some people would give up using the sword entirely. The magic meter kinda solves that, but they could just concentrate on making magical items that aren't overpowered.

I don't really understand why that would be necessary. You said it yourself, players are prevented from overusing such powerful spells by the magic meter, so what's the issue? Sometimes it's fun to feel a little powerful.

2. The majority of magic in Zelda games has had extremely limited usefulness. Besides Din's Fire, Lens of Truth, and the Fire Arrows, how often did any of us use any other magic-using item? For me at least, and I say this having beaten 11 Zelda games (I don't own a DS or Wii but I've played a good portion of TP), I can say not very much.

I disagree with this as well. Even though the spells aren't necessary, they have extremely useful properties. Nayru's Love made you invulnerable and I've used Farore's Wind on several occasions. It's true that you can't use either spell very much, but having to plan out your use of an item doesn't make it "useless". Also, even if they didn't have any use, what's the harm in putting them in? Based on the replies on this thread some people obviously enjoy them, and they don't hurt those who don't take advantage of them.

3. Consistency issues. What I mean is this: Take a look at any Zelda game with a magic meter, for example OoT. The Magic Meter was used for Fire/Ice/Light Arrows, Spin Attack, DF/FW/NL, and the Lens of Truth (I may be forgetting some). However, "magical" items that didn't use the magic meter included the Master Sword, Red/Blue Tunics, Bracelet/Gauntlets, Hover Boots, Ocarina of Time, Potions, and anything else I might be forgetting. The imposition of magical limits on some "magical" items, but not all, seems arbitrary.

Not arbitrary at all, actually. The reasoning behind why some items have limits and others don't is because the developers intend for you to use certains less then others. For example, items like the Master Sword and Ocarina of Time were intended to be used very often, and the game reflects this. However, you aren't meant to overuse Light Arrows or Nayru's Love as often. That's why the latter items have the magic meter to limit them.

4. Along those same lines, there are some things which don't have to or shouldn't use magic in the first place. For example, Fire Arrows. Why can't Link just light his arrows on fire using non-magical means? Also, the lantern. I never understood why it used magic in ALttP, and I liked that they solved the problem in MC (Lantern Oil meter is a definite no for me). Also, there's the case of items like the Lens of Truth. Link shouldn't need a magical item AND his own magic to get its effects, in my opinion.

Even if fire arrows weren't lit by magical means, they'd most likely be lit by something, which would just create another bar to worry about. Nothing would change. As for the Lens of Truth, you aren't meant to have this item activated all the time. That's why there's a limit.

5. Magic spells are less fun. There, I said it. Would any of us rather see a Link with a varied arsenal of magical spells and no sword, no bow, and no shield? It wouldn't be any fun. Some of you might've liked running into the middle of a room and using Din's Fire to kill all enemies every chance you got, but I preferred something that actually used skill, and I only used it when I really didn't want to fight, like against redeads or gibdos.

Okay, huge illogical leap here. Putting magic in a Zelda game does not mean Link loses his sword and the rest of his items. This is made obvious by the fact that every Zelda game, with the exception of LoZ and TP, has had magic and items coexist. And, as mentioned before, using Din's fire doesn't mean the player has a lack of skill. It requires planning, lest you use up all your magic power within a few minutes. Also, no offense, but you've also more or less said "I prefer to use skill when fighting enemies, except when fighting enemies that require skill"

6. Link is not a wizard. Yes, he can use magic. He's a Hylian, and being able to use magic is part of that. However, does the champion of courage chosen by the gods, whose iconic items are a sword and shield and bow and arrow, seem like the kind of guy who would prefer to stand back at a distance and use unfair magical spells against his enemies? That sounds more like what Ganondorf, Vaati, Agahnim, Veran, and other bad guys do. Magical spells set Link on a level playing field with his biggest and baddest enemies, rather than maintaining the David vs. Goliath feel that is so important to the games.

Again, you seem to be comparing the use of magic with a lack of skill. I disagree. First of all, when's the last time you walked into a final boss fight and felt like you could kill it within seconds using magic? Other than the light arrows, I can't remember using magic during a boss battle. Also, the developers wouldn't put a spell in the game if it were unfair. What could be percieved as unfair is the Fierce Deity mask, which you've mentioned as a positive idea elsewhere in your post.

Your two main arguments seem to be that magic is unfair and is unneccessary. However, the magic meter prevents the player from abusing the system, and even if there magic meter were unnecesary, there's no need to avoid putting it in a game. If you don't want to use it, don't use it.

 

[February Eve]

To tell the truth, I never even missed the magic meter in Twilight Princess. But if it did come back, I'd love it if it were a side quest. For example, something similar to the Ancient Sky Book, where Link received a magic spell book but it was missing pages, and throughout the quest he found the different spells. People who don't like the magic meter wouldn't have to get it, and people who love it would have a side quest that had an awesome reward. It could even be "optional but highly recommended", in that it would be much harder to complete the game without it.

(For what it's worth I would totally complete that side quest, especially if it were "highly recommended". I love side quests and I usually take the easy way out. *g*)

 

[Zeruda]

I want my spells back. I want my magic items back. WTF ARE MY MEDALLIONS?! (Bombos, Ether, Quake // Din's Fire, Nayru's Love, Farore's Wind). I want my sword to shoot beams when I have full hearts. I love magic items, and the lack of them as of late is killing me. This is Zelda.... I understand that changes are needed, but taking away key elements of the series only warps it into something it isn't.

TP tried to make up for the lack of magic with more moves, but even those moves didn't make up for the loss. Why couldn't we just have the awesome moves AND magic, like in TWW? Heck, even TWW didn't use that much magic, and that bothered me, too. I'm afraid that soon we'll be in a magicless, fairyless Zelda world, and that won't feel very Zelda at all.

Gimme back my magic bar. :<