Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Genre: Third-Person Adventure
Number of Players: 1
Release Date:
US: November 19, 2006


Its finally here. After over two years and two E3s we finally have the new Zelda title in our hand. And now the wait for the review is over; here it is. Random note, I have never given a perfect score. Just came to mind.

Since I want everyone to enjoy this game, there will be no spoilers beyond the second dungeon, and everything will be refured to pronouns and numbers afterwords. The Story, this time around places us as Link, living peacefully in Ordon Village. When he is about the about to head to Hyrule Castle to deliver a specially made sword, the town is ambushed by some monsters. The kids are taken away, Link is knocked out, and dragged into the twilight realm where he becomes a wolf.

The new feature is the Wiimote addition. First, no your arm will not get tired, and, in fact, the combat is actually pretty fun. For the most part, you swing the Wiimote, and Link attacks; Although, you can flail it and attack, but regardless it seems natural. Sword spins are done by shaking the Knunchuk, which is a tad unresponsive at times. Overall, when you first get into it, you'll love it. You can also aim with the Wiimote as well, which will defiantly boost your accuracy; however, if your remote isn't pointed at the screen, as message will tell you to do so, and this can be a bit annoying.

Aiming is much easier using the Wiimote

Along side the Wii controls, you'll have a bunch of new attacks and actions in Links magic pockets. The best is now you can move and attack AT THE SAME TIME. The Wii controls help with this as well as horse back battles, which are very interesting, and do a great job of mixing up game play. You'll also have "Lost Arts", or special sword moves, such as the Ending Blow which impales a foe with your blade. The best part is they get better as the game proceeds.

The other new addition is the wolf. When Link enters the Twilight realm, he becomes a wolf. As a wolf he is much faster then Link, and is really fun to control. Combat for it isn't as good as Link, but it has all of Links moves, with a special tails spin. While his wolfy self cant use weapons like this, so instead the wolf has scenes to let him see things such as spirits and the ability to dig for items.

Another trait of the wolf's is the howl stone, which gives you new moves for completing an Ocarina-esqu sequence

You are also join by the imp, Midna, who acts much like Navi in Ocarina of Time, but better. First, she doesn't say something every five minutes, instead allowing you to ask her when you need a tip by pressing up on the D-Pad. She can also allow Link to warp when he is a wolf, and jump to higher places. She also gives the wolf an attack to hit and defeat multiple enemies at once. In other words you'd like to give her a hug rather then cut her wings off like Navi.

Length also plays a large roll in this title. Most experts will be it in about 40hrs. where most will take more. There are also a load of side quest. Some are typical, others are fun, and others are dull(I'm looking at you fishing). Not only that, but Hyrule is big. Of course, its size rubs off over time, but it will deviantly take some time to go around Hyrule Field, and the horse is required.

Hyrule Feild has become quite massive, so use Epona to travel it

In the dungeon department, the team went over board. Every dungeon has a very unique theme, and no two dungeons are similar. Puzzles also become much more complex, such as gathering monkeys so they can get you cross gaps. Equipments also received the same overhaul. Some are totally new like the Gale Boomerang, and some have new uses, like the Iron Boots, which can stick to magnetic floors. Defeating the bosses is a lot more interesting this time around, and make God of War wish it had these guys. You'll have to use you weapons in totally new and original ways. For instance, on one of them you have to have to Gale Boomerang gab a bomb and then take it over to the bosses head, and they only get better. Too bad most of them are easy.

Link will now have to dive in to deeper dungons, such as the firery Goron Mines

Graphics in the game are its one downfall. You can tell this is a Gamecube game on the Wii, as its graphical quality is of a great Gamecube game. Textual can also be flat at times. Although its not a big dilemma, it would have been nice to get some Wii graphics for a Gamecube port.

Don't expect a word of voice acting. Once again,its not here. Also, there is no orchestrated music. Some may say thats a bad thing, but the music is simply amazing, and helps to bring you into the world, and esentuates the game as a whole. The Wiimote's speak is also used here, and while its not amazing, its nice to get the Zelda chime in my Wiimote

Closing Statements
Sadly, this game is not perfect, but what game is. There is no voice acting and the graphics are weak, but its overshadowed by the awesome soundtrack, wiimote controls, sweet sword skills, wolf game play, better equipment, intriguing boss battles, classic Zelda story, Fourty hours length, and the fact Midna beats Navi by a landslide. If you complain, then theres no hope for you; this is one of the best games in a long while.
Overall 5/5(Did you expect any less)

Overview
Game play-Wii controls + Sweet sword skills + But wolf game play= 5/5
Graphics/Presentation-Nice, but they're no better the a great gamecube game 4/5
Sound/Music-Despite the lack of voice acting the music is simply stunning 5/5
Lasting Appeal-Is fourty plus side quest good enough for you 5/5

Pros
+Sword fighting is fun
+Wolf is faster and controls well
+Fourty hours Long
+Interesting Dungeons
+Better equipment
+Interact boss fights
+Beautiful Music
+Midna beats Navi

Cons
-No Voice acting
-Graphics are Gamecube quality
-Bosses are too easy
-Sword spin in unresponsive at times
-Fishing is boaring, and not that deep

Should I Buy This?
Yes. The only reason you shouldn't is you absolutely loath Zelda games. Ocarina of Time fans will love this and find it holds a candle to the original. Great launch title if you ask me, and a must have for all Wii owners.