Comments on: Has Zelda franchise lost its way since Ocarina?

After playing every game over the past decade, Zelda addict Don Reisinger believes that the franchise has lost its way since The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

[lomain]

ftw

[Rolen_27]

It seems that there has been a lot of talk about the stagnancy of the series lately. I personally feel that the series does need some inspiration, however it shouldn?t deviate too far from its roots. I look at Legend of Zelda games as an epic adventure. To me, the term ?epic? is synonymous with an arsenal of weapons, a mammoth quest, and an ultimate heroic ending. However, if the franchise turns too modern or too dark, it will lose a lot of its luster.

So what works? I like the Hyrules of LttP, OoT, and TP. They all have the same relative zones and landmarks. The sword, boomerang, bow, hookshot, etc classics are necessary. If the game turned modern and used guns/ motorcycles or whatever, I would be supremely disappointed. Similarly, I would be displeased if the next game was a first person shooter. While I like the somewhat standard progression of preliminary dungeons?intermediate boss?main dungeons?main boss (Ganon), someone made a good point earlier saying that the first Zelda was virtually an open world? you could have 3 hearts and the wooden sword and stumble across the 8th temple. This intrigued me.

So what we need is a twist in the story line. I think TP was on the right track, but was too riddled with ?alien-like? creatures and a disconnected storyline? and that annoying wolf aspect. Regardless, it was darker and had potential to be an eye-opening addition to the franchise. What if the next title was a tale of revenge? What if it was set in an evil world (similar to the second half of LttP), and Link was hated by most people. I think the game could then toss in some of the stealth of Assassins Creed along with the epic grandeur of the original Zelda?s. I haven?t really spent anytime on this concept? I just thought of it on the spot. But the point I am trying to drive is that the story line needs some spice? but not an off-the-wall concept. It needs to depart from the familiarty of the previous games while also keeping true to its fundamental roots.

Thoughts?

[kshuffleton]

Of the said games, I've played OoT, Majora's Mask, Windwaker, and both versions of Twilight Princess
I agree with a lot of what you said as well. Majora's Mask doesn't really have a story its more of a small scenario with even smaller scenarios attached feebly. Majora's Mask blew in my opinion. I actually really enjoyed Windwaker, it was WAY too easy though and pretty 11 year old oriented which was probably how old I was at the release date. I played twilight princess on the gamecube and it was EPIC. I loved it for the most part. Like you said about changing in between wolf and hylian was a little meh especially at the beginning, (Damn, I have to go run around with weird controls and find bugs, greaaaaat.....) The graphics were excellent. I replayed it a couple times on the wii when I got one finally and was A. really pissed off at the mirroring shenanigan (link being right handed... etc.) because i was so used to the gamecube version but thats me. ALL OF THE NOISES COMING OUT OF THE WIIMOTE WERE ANNOYING. This new game, is probably the DUMBEST thing I have EVER seen. If they wanna keep making kids games for DS that's fine by me. But please, combine OoT and TP and make an awesome game for the wii MEGA FAST because they are almost NO good games for the Wii.

[BonezyB]

I couldnt agree more with that article . Zelda hasnt been the same since orcaina of time , good job.

[hectormarquez21]

i dont fully agree...i belive that,maaaybe the zelda franchise is not what it used to be, and i also believe that ocarina of time is with out a doubt the best zelda game there is out there...but you have to give the wind waker some credit.

Out of what he wrote on his blog, i am convinced that he did not play the wind waker....he probably saw that the game had cel shaded graphics...but missed the essential part of the game which is the story

If the ocarina of time has a better story than the windwaker.....its only by that much...................

[Fletch02]

While I can sympathize with your feeling about how the Zelda franchise has lost its way, I have to disagree with your argument about the series reliance on gimmickry. I will agree that ever single game after Ocarina of Time has relied on some sort of gimmick in addition to the traditional Zelda gameplay. However you seem to be ignoring the fact that Ocarina itself is based on two central gimmicks.

The first gimmick would be the titular Ocarina of Time itself. Despite what you might think, the game was very much centered around the instrument. You used the ocarina to warp, you used it change the time of day, you used it to call your horse, you could even use it to get a hints from Saria, and these are all optional things you can do with it. There are so many instances in the game where the ocarina is used to overcome an obstacle in the game that I can't even begin to list them all. However, just think about how far you would have got in the Water Temple if you didn't play Zelda's Lullaby.

The second gimmick, which you seem to have forgotten, is the time travel mechanic. The most obvious feature of this gimmick is it means you effectively get to play as two Links, each with unique abilities and items. The less obvious feature is how there are many puzzles that need to be solved by traveling between the past and future, with the Spirit Temple being the most obvious use of this gimmick.

Ultimately my point is that Ocarina of Time is filled with the very gimmickry that you feel is dragging the series down. Ocarina isn't even the first Zelda game to center around a gimmick. That honor would belong to its predecessor, Link to the Past. In fact, since the original Legend of Zelda came out in 1985 there has only been one game in the series that did not use any sort of gimmick. So while you can argue that the gimmicks of Ocarina of Time are better designed and implemented then later installments of the series, the fact is you cannot deny that such gimmickry is a part of the series.

[pentium4forever]

Interesting points, good to hear someone have the balls to question this. I think they have lost their way a little bit. I'm a huge Zelda fan, but let me admit, I haven't been immersed anything quite like with OOT. Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess were great, I'd have to say TP is the best game since OOT. Does it top it? No. TP has a really good and dark story and fantastic gameplay. Let it be said that time travel concept is hard to beat. Aside from what some people say, I think the music in OOT was brilliant. I don't care for handheld games very much, so Phantom Hourglass or the new title being worked on, isn't even a new title as far as I am concerned. One on a console, the Wii, for example, that's something to look forward to. I like what they did with TP, it didn't have the same immersive feel that OOT did, but it gave OOT a run for it's money. I know it wouldn't be a new idea but I think Nintendo should bring back the ocarina in the next Zelda title for the Wii. It doesn't have to be as central of a role as it was in OOT.

[Chimlim]

I disagree about the Wind Waker, I thought Wind Waker was a very well designed game and it was a blast to play. It tried to move the Zelda series in a different direction, which unfortunately didn't sit well with most people because all they did was look at the graphics and not give it a chance.

Also, Ocarina of Time is one of the greatest games ever, don't you think it's pretty hard to match that? Are you saying Nintendo out-did themselves with Ocarina?

[Dr_Mario_PharmD]

I started the the series with "The Legend of Zelda" and played almost every game since. However, I only recently played Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker and Four Swords Adventure. I also do not own a GBA or DS so I have not played many of the Game Boy Zeldas. If you play Ocarina of Time out of series, it seems very overrated. The controls are slow, Z targeting often does not work and aiming is nearly impossible. On the other hand, controls on Wind Waker and infinitely better. I think Wind Waker also has the best camera system of ANY GAME on console or PC. Furthermore, I like Cel Shade link. I think Cel Shade Link is by far the best looking of all Links. I still dislike Wind Waker because of the CONSTANT, BORING SAILING. Everything changed with Twilight Princess though. Twilight Princess has great controls, gameplay and NO SAILING. However, I miss cel shade Link. It is a shame so many children are offended by Cel Shake Link. I think they need to grow up.

In summary, I think the series has only improved since Ocarina of Time and character creativity has dropped since Wind Waker.