Zelda: Spirit Tracks has new items, new partner, and a 'choppier flow'
- June 26, 2009 22:37 PM PST
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Not much has been revealed about The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks as of yet, but recently, one of Kotaku's crew got to test out the game for a bit and reported back positively, if not without some slight concerns for the upcoming title.
Recently, Kotaku's Editor In Chief Brian D. Crecente got to test out Nintendo's upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the DS and had some interesting things to report back regarding new wind induced items, the games mode of transportation (or lack thereof), and a whole new partner in action.
Looks like Link's new train could lead to a rather confined and bumpy road if the demo is any example of the finished product.
Regarding Link's new locomotive:
"Yes, controlling Link on his train is fun. The player can control both the speed of the train and the switches the determine how the tracks will guide the train at intersections. Link's got a cannon he can fire at threatening enemies who ride on boarback up to his train (tap anywhere to fire that cannon, as seen in Phantom Hourglass)."
Although the train integration seems like a fun and refreshing vehicle for Link, Crecente noted that the demo only allowed him to use the train for mission based gameplay, as opposed to an open world mode of conveyance such as Epona in Ocarina of Time, or the talking Kind of Red Lions boat in Wind Waker. While this is probably just a function of the demo and not the final product, Crecente notes:
"I'm the first to cheer Zelda innovating, but there's a hint here of a choppier flow for this next Zelda. I need to see more to be convinced this won't detract from the joy of open exploration found in most Zeldas."
Outside of the new train innovation, Link gets some new gadgets as well, the most notable being "some sort of wind-blown propeller thing." The wind-blown propeller thing will naturally force players to use their own wind blowing skills, blowing into the DS's mic for the new item to work its magic.
"Drawing the Phantom's path into that of an enemy sets the Phantom on the attack. Let him fight Link's battles. The Phantom seemed like a more satisfyingly powerful, and more easily controllable partner, than those allies who showed up in some Wind Waker dungeons."
For Crecente's final thoughts, he noted that it was too early to tell whether the confines of the game are only a product of the demo or an accurate representation of the final game, but all the same, he felt the game had a great control scheme similar to that of Phantom Hourglass and that the new title had all the elements for another fun Hyrulian adventure.
"Those who have become fatigued of the Zelda series are weary of repetition of certain items and types of quests. Those are not elements that could be judged in the E3 Spirit Tracks demo. People who are still delighted by Zelda enjoy discovering new ways for Link to get around his world and new puzzle mechanics in his dungeons. In the E3 demo, both of those showed well."
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is set for release later this fall for the Nintendo DS.
Check out the full article here at Kotaku.
I wasn't crazy about Phantom Hourglass, and the new train aspect doesn't seem as inviting as it could be, but all the same, I love Zelda and will be buying this title regardless. I just hope I won't have to scream into the DS to get discounts on items, it just leads to more public shame and tears on my part.
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- Jun 25 2009 at 03:24:27:PM PST
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the demo is never an example of the finished product. thats why its a DEMO! the bionic commando demo was terrible but the game itself was pretty good. companies put out demos to see how people feel about the game, then they go back and fix them. either way, i loved windwaker and phantom hourglass, and i am totally getting this one.
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You are an idiot. Why don't people think before they speak.. oh wait you just wanna hear yourself talk. Demo's aren't so a publisher can see what people think and then go back and fix it. You're thinking of a beta. A demo is representative of the final product. It is to get you to go out and by the game. demo is short for demonstration. They are demonstrating what the game is going to be like. Hmm amazing how far a little common sense goes.
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I loved the Wind Waker, but The Phantom Hourglass was rubbish. I'm all for new innovation w/ games, but the stylus only control gave my hands cramps. I can't play any stylus only game for more than 10mins. I'll be passing on this Zelda maybe next time.
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Come on Nintendo release games that are worthy of your characters,dont water it down for 5 years olds.
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RealGamersUnited wrote:
Come on Nintendo release games that are worthy of your characters,dont water it down for 5 years olds.Yeah... maybe even release 2 seperate games... Zelda and baby Zelda. We've seen baby Mario, why not baby Zelda :)
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