Phantom Hourglass is the sequel to the hit-and-miss Gamecube title “Windwaker”. If you didn’t get around to playing Windwaker because you hated Gamecube or were disgusted at Link’s child-like characteristics, there is a catch up story at the beginning to bring you to the present. However, if you thought the graphics for Windwaker were lame, get over it and quit being a sissy because this entry is worth it. Dust off your DS and put away your Pokemon and gazillion “take-care-of-a-pet-‘cause-my-mom-won’t-buy-me-one” games... it is about time for a fun, well-made adventure game. During Windwaker, Link meets a ferocious spunky girl pirate named Tetra. He goes off on an adventure with her to many lands. They discover an ancient sea temple paying homage to the forgotten and mythical land of Hyrule. Inside, Tetra is transformed to her real identity: Princess Zelda. Zelda is immediately snatched by (who other) Ganon, and Link must save her. After the sweetest blow to the head ever depicted in a Zelda game, Link and Princess Zelda safely escape from Ganon and resume their swash-buckling adventures.
Now, in Phantom Hourglass, Tetra (Zelda) is again looking for trouble, and is abducted by the famed Ghost ship. Link, man that he is, makes the brash decision to try to board the ship as it sails away, sadly failing and ending up on an unfamiliar island. There he meets a fairy, Ciela, who agrees to help him find the Princess while unlocking the mysteries of her own past. One would expect that a game with such a history as Zelda would be innovative and push the Nintendo DS to the limit in terms of form and function. Never have the exclusive features of a system been utilized as frequently and as effectively than in Phantom Hourglass. Every control except for the short-cuts uses the touch screen. Link walks, rolls, picks up objects, swings his sword, uses weapons, and speaks with people using the stylus to point or draw a path for him. The dual-screen is used to display a map on top and control Link on the bottom. Notes can be made on maps by switching to the map screen and writing. Ever wanted to remember where a particular item was but just couldn’t drag yourself to get a piece of paper and pen? Now use the provided map as your chicken-scratch pad!
Don’t get the misconception that this Zelda is easier than any other because it uses the touch-screen and you can write notes, really, it is as mentally challenging as any other. Sure, the tried and true Zelda formulas still exist (find a fissure, use a bomb; hit the orb, open the door), but new ones are left to be figured out, and the dungeons are certainly different. Some types of Phantom Hourglass dungeons are similar to those of a Final Fantasy: progress through to get to the other side of the mountain, etc. But Phantom Hourglass has a new idea: make time spent in the dungeon harmful to Link, except for safe-zones. Also, add baddies that are impossible to escape from once they’ve seen you (and 100% of the time kill you), adding some stealth the formula. Zelda dungeons have become a new kind of tag. As for the over-sea travel – there is plenty to be had. Now though, you will not spend endless minutes crossing the ocean in search for deserted islands. You will simply draw a line on the map indicating where you would like to go. From there, pay attention! There are rocks that Link’s boat can crash on, and you need to jump over them! Also, like Windwaker, you can look around the boat as it is traveling, just in case you see something interesting to pick up or somewhere else to go.
Like I mentioned earlier, Zelda pushes the DS to the limit. I am not insinuating that the graphics of Phantom Hourglass are anywhere near the height of Windwaker or Twilight Princess, but they are at least as good as the N64. This game looks great to play, even if a few parts are pixilated. Just turn the game on and you will be surprised. The soundtrack is exactly what you’d expect: bombastic in some parts and nonchalantly accompanying the game play in others. Players will hear the traditional Zelda melodies such as the over world theme, Zelda’s Lullaby, and Ganon’s theme. The music is not to the level of Twilight either, but much more to be expected than on a DS, and definitely better than the midi tracks of Ocarina. And as always, we have a great story and challenging puzzles to work with. Acquisition of new items, discovery of new lands, and unfolding surprising plot twists are all in store for players. This is a welcome addition to the Legend of Zelda series, and holds as much promise and satisfaction as any other previous entry.
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