Zelda Dungeon Talks: First Impressions Of Newly Announced Zelda Titles

Today was the day that most of us Zelda fans have been waiting for, Nintendo’s E3 2015 Digital Event. As we had all learned awhile back we were not given any new details about Zelda Wii U except for a comment from Miyamoto in an interview with IGN about what we can expect to see in the future;

 “We’re here to talk about Star Fox but Zelda is still coming to Wii U. My thing with E3 is that we always focus on what’s coming out in the immediate future. We have some really great Zelda footage and, at some point we will be showing that off, but not today.”

So although many of us didn’t get our wish granted Nintendo had a few surprises up its sleeve, like the unexpected announcement of The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes. I was definitely taken aback by the announcement of this title and after seeing the trailer and watching some of the footage on the Treehouse, my excitement has only grown! I love the fact that you can choose to play with friends or by yourself and the ability to collect loot to create different outfits adds an extra layer of fun to the game. The top down view and art style make what would originally seem to be just a recreation of Four Swords feel fresh and unique. To be honest I am still disappointed that we didn’t see any Zelda Wii U, I am happy to see the continued expansion of the Zelda franchise.

In this week’s Zelda Dungeon Talks, various staff members weigh in on their thoughts about both of the newest additions to the Zelda world. Please feel free to share your own thoughts and comments below.

Question: What is your overall impression and reaction to the latest Zelda titles announced in Nintendo’s Digital Event from E3 2015?

Kevin O’Rourke – View Profile

Despite The Legend of Zelda on Wii U not making an appearance at this year’s E3, Tri Force Heroes and Hyrule Warriors Legends were both unexpected releases that look very interesting. Being able to take Hyrule Warriors on the go should be fun, and it looks like the game will put the New 3DS hardware to the test. Triforce Heroes’ totem mechanic and online play reminds me of Four Swords Adventures in terms of working together as a team to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Taking the existing familiarity of A Link Between Worlds and including co-operative puzzle solving is the highlight of the Zelda news we received at E3 this year. To round it all off, we’ve also got the classic Hyrule Castle map in Super Smash Bros. to play. I’m looking forward to playing Tri Force Heroes and Hyrule Warriors Legends when they launch.

Thomas Jacobs – View Profile

Tri Force Heroes was a surprise to me. It harkens back to the days of Four Swords (Adventures) except with three Links this time. The energy bar from A Link Between Worlds is back as well, and there’s a callback to the mask system of Majora’s Mask with the costumes that grant certain abilities. I do wonder to what extent you can play this solo or with just one friend: of course it’ll be the most fun to play this with three people, but you don’t always have two friends with both a 3DS and this game on hand. Online play could be possible as well, but that would require you sitting in the same place all the time which sort of defeats the point of a handheld game. Oh, and at the end of the video blue and green Link are in the wrong spots on the Triforce. Shame on you, developers.

Mark Olson – View Profile

Tri Force Heroes was a pleasant surprise and, of Nintendo’s two big cooperative spins of favorite franchises shown this year, I think that Tri Force Heroes could be the most successful.  The different costumes seem to be a really neat idea, and I’m willing to bet that Nintendo will cook up some devilish puzzles involving the use of various tunics.  On a more superficial note, I’m happy to see a slightly tweaked version of A Link Between Worlds’ art style returning, as it was put to great use the first time around.

Alexis Anderson – View Profile

I am unimaginably happy about the Tri Force Heroes announcement! Four Swords Adventures was my first Zelda game, and I was player two to my brother, so there’s a special place in my heart for multiplayer Zeldas and I’ve been yearning for a new one. I can’t wait to dress Link up in different costumes, especially because they alter how he performs in battle, and I’m glad this game is more focused on puzzles and traditional Zelda elements than previous multiplayer Zeldas. It’s also coming out so soon, I can’t contain my excitement! As for Hyrule Warriors, I don’t love it’s gameplay style, so there’s no need for me to play it again on a smaller screen, though I do adore Tetra and am glad to see her join its cast of characters.

Jon Lett – View Profile

The funny thing is, back when I first got to play Four Swords Adventures, I loved it, and back when I found out that I could get a single-player version of Four Swords FOR FREE on 3DS, I was insanely hyped. But now, I am not sure why, but I am not as hyped for Tri Force Heroes, the newest multiplayer-focused game. At first, I feel as though it was the because of the time that they announced it. We’re all waiting for Zelda Wii U, Nintendo. This is all… different and stuff. No big, though. A bigger point is the whole “fashion” thing. I just feel as though it is a bit… campy. Not that Zelda has never been kind of out-there, but it never felt out of place in the series’ general “ancient atmosphere”, for lack of a better term. Pirates, castles, ancient relics; it all sort of fits together, but fashion? Eh. We’ve only seen a bit of this sort of side-game, but I’ll give it a chance. …Oh yeah. Hyrule Warriors Legends. I’ll throw this out there: HYPE.exe has overloaded.