ZD Top 5 — Zelda-esque Games

Even though currently “retro-style” games are a big deal, developers have been taking notes from their colleagues’ play books for about as long as games have been around. After all, Doki Doki Panic on the Famicom was close enough to Mario to be called Super Mario Bros 2 in the west. This week on ZD Top, we had our staff look through their game catalogue for their favorite Zelda-inspired games.

Jon Lett – View Profile

5. The Binding of Isaac
4. Darksiders
3. Tomb Raider (2013)
2. Okami
1. Ori and the Blind Forest

Okami comes mighty flippin’ close to taking this list’s top spot for me, but after playing last years indie hit, Ori and the Blind Forest, I just could not leave it hanging in second place. I am fully aware that the side-scrolling layout of the game does not emulate Zelda very much, beyond that of Zelda II, but the explorative style, collection of upgrades/items, and use of puzzle-filled dungeons is extremely Zelda-esque. This game was some of the most fun I had playing games last year, and I often very much reminded me of Zelda, particularly with the puzzles. Some of the puzzles I think Zelda could actually learn from, with much more focus on action- and movement-based puzzle, using things like self-shifted gravity and riding the wind. All around, it was a great game that one can tell took at least some inspiration from Zelda titles.

Alexis Anderson – View Profile

5. Golden Axe Warrior
4. StarTropics
3. Neutopia II
2. Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
1. Okami

I’ll be honest I have not played a single one of these games, so I’m basing my list off of my first impressions of the games after watching short gameplay trailers for each. Okami is a fairly popular game, and everything from its artstyle, to its roots in Japanese folklore, to its familiar wolf mechanics make it look like a game I would love to play. I remember reading up on Oceanhorn awhile back, and it’s developer seemed to respect the Zelda franchise which I liked. Its visuals were also very similar to Zelda, so that was another upside for me. And ok I just love the premise of StarTropics, because it’s some American kid named Mike saving the day with a yo-yo (its story reminds me of Earthbound, but it has Adventure of Link gameplay, so it would definitely be my cup of tea)!

Brandon Schmitz – View Profile

5. Darksiders 2
4. Tomb Raider (2013)
3. Kameo: Elements of Power
2. Dark Souls II
1. Star Fox Adventures

Talk about an unpopular opinion! Although it’s by no means a proper Star Fox game, Adventures is among Nintendo’s most underrated titles. I actually revisited the game for the first time in maybe ten years yesterday, and I was kind of blown away by how well it holds up. The overall presentation was not only ahead of its time back in 2002, but it’s also not too shabby by today’s standards. Coupled with some solid puzzle design and inventive boss fights, the game holds its own against at least a handful of Zelda games. Meanwhile, Dark Souls II — heck, the Souls series in general — feels like a modern take on the original NES classic. Kameo took the Ocarina of Time formula and melded it with a more expansive version of Majora’s Mask’s transformation mechanic to create a magical experience in its own right.

Kira Koneko – View Profile

5. Golden Axe Warrior
4. From the Abyss
3. Y’s
2. Darksiders
1. Okami

Initially I want to say that there is no game that could really ever come close to being like Zelda, but when I think about it logically not only are there many more than just fives games that are not only Zelda-esque but have been completely inspired by it too. In all honesty even if the game doesn’t even really feel similar to a Zelda title most of what we know today was greatly impacted by the franchise in one way or another. Although all the titles I mention have a real Zelda like feel, my number one choice popped into my head the second I read the title for this week’s Top! Every part of this game I love from what Alexis mentioned about the game having a rich basis in Japanese folklore, to the players instant connection to the characters, to the amazing story and world you dive into as you play through the game, Okami is a title that much like Zelda has a very special place in my heart!