The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Preview
Link continues adventuring on the DS
by Dynamo
previewed on NDS
Controls (cont.)
One pleasing aspect of the game is that it employs the same cel-shaded style found in The Wind Waker. People who complained about the cartoon-y graphics found in Phantom Hourglass’s predecessor won’t have much to gripe about this time around; the game looks gorgeous on the DS. The delightful, yet incredibly simplistic, graphics compensate for the DS’s low-quality textures. While the game play takes part on the bottom screen for the most part, the top screen is utilized during boss battles.
Sailing the Seas
Being a direct sequel to The Wind Waker, players should be prepared for some more hours spent sailing the seas. However this time around the King of the Red Lions doesn’t join you on your journey, instead you make use of an upgradeable steamboat. No longer will players have to change the direction of the wind constantly. In fact, the player doesn’t have any direct control over the direction in Phantom Hourglass. To sail to a destination, you draw a path on a map of the sea which the boat will follow. Things aren’t that simple though; don’t expect to relax as the boat follows its course. While the boat chugs along its merry way, Link will be charged with the duty of vending off enemies.
Minigame
Phantom Hourglass makes use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as well as the local Wi-Fi system. The game is Download Play compatible, so two people can play with a single game card. No, players won’t be able to hook up with other players and play co-op multiplayer like in the Four Swords title. However, they will be able to play the included mini-game which goes by the original name of “Hide and Go Seek”.
In this game, one player takes the role of Link while the other controls three Phantom Guardians. The mini-game plays much like “Capture the Flag”: Link must collect Force Gems and return them to his base while the Guardians are set with the task of catching Link. Power-ups, which both sides can take advantage of, appear momentarily, giving the players bonus conditions such as extra speed with the Pegasus Shoes. This game should interest some players a little; however it probably doesn’t have the appeal to keep players coming back.
Won’t Disappoint
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass certainly isn’t another cast from the mould. The developers have changed the way the entire game is played, which should make this a fresh experience for even the most hardcore of players. The Zelda series have yet to disappoint (other than those truly horrible CD-i games of course) so gamers all over are recommended to pick this title up when it’s released on the 1st of October in North America. Europeans will have to wait a couple more weeks, when Phantom Hourglass hits them on the 19th of October.
