The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess review

This review comes rather late, but I simply had to do it, for it’s a game that’s arguably, the best launch title, and game, ever in gaming history. Which game is it? The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess of course.

As a huge Zelda fan, some may consider my review to be biased, but make no mistake, it’s the total opposite! As an “expert� I can tell what’s old, what’s new, what works, and what doesn’t, at least from my humble, honest opinion.

If you know the Zelda franchise, you’ll definitely know that it’s all about change, no Zelda game is quite like the other, yet they have the same formula, the same feel which all Zelda games have. Twilight Princess is no exception.

Graphics

This game is without a doubt a Gamecube game where the graphics are concerned, however, even with little resources to work with, what the developers have pulled here is nothing short of epic.

Beautiful visuals, from sceneries to characters, vividly animated with outstanding detail, nothing is too big or too small, from the gigantic bosses to an insignificant frog, there’s detail everywhere. Unfortunately, there are a few ugly textures, mainly in buildings. Although graphically beautiful, the expectations for the Wii version were a little higher, so this is one part where the score falls a bit.

Gameplay

The story and game itself play perfectly; it progresses like a typical Zelda game, but this time around with a twist. I won’t get too much into details, to avoid spoilers, but for being someone who has played every Zelda ever made, I’ll simply quote Reggie on this:

“(Twilight Princess) – is by far the best Zelda game we’ve ever made, and it’s also the most beautiful game, Nintendo has ever made.� -Reggie Fils-Aime

Amen Reggie, amen!

It’s a fun, outstanding game, from start to finish: a highly recommended gaming experience.

Sound

The sound effects, voices and music are excellent as well, worthy of a Zelda game. However, my only complaint is that a few songs sound a bit too MIDI-sh, too flat, if you will. A little of more effort in those songs and it would’ve been perfect.

Controls

It’s kind of hard to believe that the Wii controls came so late in the game’s development, when they actually feel pretty good and natural. The controls are intuitive and easy!

It is unfortunate that there’s no free camera control, unlike the Gamecube version. I think they could have been added rather easily. For example, simply tapping the C would bring first person view, as it already is in the game, but pressing and holding C, and moving the analog stick or Wii pointer would move the camera (Up = zoom in, down = zoom out, left or right to rotate accordingly). Pressing the Z would revert the camera to normal.

But enough of my producer-wannabe skills, we move on.

Replay Value

I’m currently on my 4th run, for some reason this game just doesn’t get old for me. You’ll probably spend 30 to 40 hours on the main quest, and many more collecting items, fishing, and mini games. I think this Zelda feels really fresh, but it could have been better.

Overall

A wondrous, beautiful gaming experience, I highly recommend this title, probably the first and only must have game for the Wii besides WiiSports.



Around The Net:


  • DeepCover

    i think this might be the “NEW” best game i have ever played on any system

  • DeepCover

    i think this might be the “NEW” best game i have ever played on any system

  • http://wiinintendo.net/ hey_suburbia

    I agree, this is definitely the best game I’ve played in 3 years or so.

    I thought the whole game felt and played wonderfully. It’s everything and more I wanted in the newest Zelda game.

    Now I can’t wait for Zelda: Phantom Hourglass!!

  • http://wiinintendo.net hey_suburbia

    I agree, this is definitely the best game I’ve played in 3 years or so.

    I thought the whole game felt and played wonderfully. It’s everything and more I wanted in the newest Zelda game.

    Now I can’t wait for Zelda: Phantom Hourglass!!

  • Lewis

    zelda is one of the first games i have EVER played, i got the first on my 5th birthday, everytime they make a new one i get flashbacks of those days, humming the theme in elementary school, watching my momma teach me moves, no really, she used to show me the ropes on this one! im 23 now, jan 15 was my b day. so playing this actually made me emotional, not in a gay way, but as a reminder of the good ol’ days. cant wait to show momma how much has changed. a Teen rating. BEST ZELDA GAME EVER! but this makes me kinda sad, i men, how can they make the next one better this one?

  • Lewis

    zelda is one of the first games i have EVER played, i got the first on my 5th birthday, everytime they make a new one i get flashbacks of those days, humming the theme in elementary school, watching my momma teach me moves, no really, she used to show me the ropes on this one! im 23 now, jan 15 was my b day. so playing this actually made me emotional, not in a gay way, but as a reminder of the good ol’ days. cant wait to show momma how much has changed. a Teen rating. BEST ZELDA GAME EVER! but this makes me kinda sad, i men, how can they make the next one better this one?

  • Lewis

    zelda is one of the first games i have EVER played, i got the first on my 5th birthday, everytime they make a new one i get flashbacks of those days, humming the theme in elementary school, watching my momma teach me moves, no really, she used to show me the ropes on this one! im 23 now, jan 15 was my b day. so playing this actually made me emotional, not in a gay way, but as a reminder of the good ol’ days. cant wait to show momma how much has changed. a Teen rating. BEST ZELDA GAME EVER! but this makes me kinda sad, i men, how can they make the next one better this one?

  • http://donrichy.com/ DonRichy

    I liked the game, but it was esasy… the history was boring.
    I didnt like the final battle… it was boring…

    The gameplay is great. And the graphics are ok.

    I hope a new “real” zelda

  • http://donrichy.com DonRichy

    I liked the game, but it was esasy… the history was boring.
    I didnt like the final battle… it was boring…

    The gameplay is great. And the graphics are ok.

    I hope a new “real” zelda

  • http://merri.net/ Merri

    In the review this was said: “As a huge Zelda fan, some may consider my review to be biased, but make no mistake, it’s the total opposite! As an “expertâ€? I can tell what’s old, what’s new, what works, and what doesn’t, at least from my humble, honest opinion.”

    I missed these viewpoints in the review, really. It just seems rushed and didn’t have much depth in it and so I only see this as a biased review. The review doesn’t get into it, it just passes by a few different areas and that’s it.

  • http://merri.net/ Merri

    In the review this was said: “As a huge Zelda fan, some may consider my review to be biased, but make no mistake, it’s the total opposite! As an “expertâ€? I can tell what’s old, what’s new, what works, and what doesn’t, at least from my humble, honest opinion.”

    I missed these viewpoints in the review, really. It just seems rushed and didn’t have much depth in it and so I only see this as a biased review. The review doesn’t get into it, it just passes by a few different areas and that’s it.

  • http://merri.net Merri

    In the review this was said: “As a huge Zelda fan, some may consider my review to be biased, but make no mistake, it’s the total opposite! As an “expertâ€? I can tell what’s old, what’s new, what works, and what doesn’t, at least from my humble, honest opinion.”

    I missed these viewpoints in the review, really. It just seems rushed and didn’t have much depth in it and so I only see this as a biased review. The review doesn’t get into it, it just passes by a few different areas and that’s it.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    wait a minute, did you all not notice the storyline? if you make an opinion about zelda then only compare it to older zelda’s, it has the deepest most enjoyable story yet. We all know it could b better, bbut then wouldnt we b the ones rushing nintendo. Trust me when i say this game is supposed to b this way it is a 20 yr franchise for a reason and each title has been better than the last in an overall since. But if they made it the very best it could b then we would have another megaman franchise, and look at poor sonic, all of his games could b the best but they lost originality after sonic adventure. but all of his handheld titles especially sonic rush have been great. so stop crying over minor details and let nintendo take its time like they always do so our fav titles wont end up bubsy or contra.

  • Lewis

    well maybe not bubsy, it always sucked. how bout double dragon or crash bandicot instead

  • Lewis

    well maybe not bubsy, it always sucked. how bout double dragon or crash bandicot instead

  • Lewis

    what would you all consider a “real” new zelda game? i hope it’s not that japanese game for that faggot tingle. gay game character ever.

  • Lewis

    what would you all consider a “real” new zelda game? i hope it’s not that japanese game for that faggot tingle. gay game character ever.

  • Lewis

    what would you all consider a “real” new zelda game? i hope it’s not that japanese game for that faggot tingle. gay game character ever.

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • Olivia

    Omg!!! I couldn’t get the Wii,so I couldn’t get the game Zelda:Twilight Princess,but I’ve been playing Zelda since I was 4-5,Im 15 now,I am so in -love- with the Zelda games!!

    I got teary watching the spoiler to the end of the game!! Zelda 4Ever. xoxo

  • http://johnhood.blogspot.com/ John Hood

    A truly seminal gaming experience and one that evokes fond memories of playing A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time!

  • http://johnhood.blogspot.com/ John Hood

    A truly seminal gaming experience and one that evokes fond memories of playing A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time!

  • http://johnhood.blogspot.com/ John Hood

    A truly seminal gaming experience and one that evokes fond memories of playing A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time!

  • charels

    i personally thought the game was too easy i didn’t die once from a bad guy, there was not much side quests like in other Zelda’s, and the music element was replaced by stupid howling. i thought the bad guys were cool and all but they were just to easy to fight all though the beginning was pretty fun it wore off at the end. To me this games was a big disappointment compared to Majoras Mask and Ocarina of Time Twilight Princess doesn’t come close

  • charels

    i personally thought the game was too easy i didn’t die once from a bad guy, there was not much side quests like in other Zelda’s, and the music element was replaced by stupid howling. i thought the bad guys were cool and all but they were just to easy to fight all though the beginning was pretty fun it wore off at the end. To me this games was a big disappointment compared to Majoras Mask and Ocarina of Time Twilight Princess doesn’t come close