So far, there seems to be absolutely zero learning curve. Playing with the stylus feels totally natural. Then again, so did playing with buttons. It would seem thus far that Eiji Aonuma and crew have succeeded at making a Zelda that feels like Zelda but uses the stylus exclusively. That's a really interesting experiment, but will it translate into a more accessible Zelda game that more people will play?
Alright, it just arrived here. I'm gonna be playing this non-stop until probably tonight, so I'll be back then with impressions. Now I really have to beat it fast so nobody spoils the end inadvertently.
Alright, it just arrived here. I'm gonna be playing this non-stop until probably tonight, so I'll be back then with impressions. Now I really have to beat it fast so nobody spoils the end inadvertently.
Ok, you could, after you played it enough, make some analog-comparisons...you know "is as awsome as the spirit temple of oot" or "whoah and you though the spinner was a great new item", and such, you know, without actually spoilering
my copy is still somewhere between me and japan...
but it doesn't matter since I do have like 4 exams next week. but after that there is the whole summer ahead of me. (I am probably need it anyway should I try to translate everything myself )
But I would really appreciate if a translation guide would be up by the time I start playing. And if possible without spoilers and puzzle solutions. Like...
Spoiler:
... where at the beginning of the game you have to figure out some puzzle to get the sword. I heard you need to write a japanese kanji somewhere to get it. I would like to have the instructions to this puzzle translated and then figure the solution out myself and look the kanji up. Ok, I demand a lot here ... don't take everything to seriousely what I am saying.
in the basement of some lady on that volcano island area. theres a lady trapped behind a door i can't talk to and a sign on the wall that says some japanese stuff and "3". i can't leave the place cause the fairy won't let me, so i gots to solve this!
my copy is still somewhere between me and japan...
but it doesn't matter since I do have like 4 exams next week. but after that there is the whole summer ahead of me. (I am probably need it anyway should I try to translate everything myself )
But I would really appreciate if a translation guide would be up by the time I start playing. And if possible without spoilers and puzzle solutions. Like...
Spoiler:
... where at the beginning of the game you have to figure out some puzzle to get the sword. I heard you need to write a japanese kanji somewhere to get it. I would like to have the instructions to this puzzle translated and then figure the solution out myself and look the kanji up. Ok, I demand a lot here ... don't take everything to seriousely what I am saying.
Beware the spoilers at the end, although the guy says it is "spoiler-free". Sorry, I'm not checking it out because I don't want to know and back to playing.
But I would really appreciate if a translation guide would be up by the time I start playing. And if possible without spoilers and puzzle solutions. Like...
Spoiler:
... where at the beginning of the game you have to figure out some puzzle to get the sword. I heard you need to write a japanese kanji somewhere to get it. I would like to have the instructions to this puzzle translated and then figure the solution out myself and look the kanji up. Ok, I demand a lot here ... don't take everything to seriousely what I am saying.
I'm not sure if that's asking that much - looks like you just want a walkthrough not a solutions guide. For what it's worth though, that puzzle does NOT need a kanji. It needs a number.
Wow...much of the Zelda community is furious about the ROM issue, heh. I've taken a break for the past 30 mins, and I was online and have spoken to quite a few people and they feel they want to complain to Nintendo. Apparently they believe people who are into the ROMs have no respect for anything and will just want to get throught the game and show everything immediately, whereas fans or journalists would reveal it in a more controlled manner.
Personally I say when a game is out, everything is fair game but when I do coverage I do my best to respect other fans, but this stuff is hitting now and technically the game's official release was June 23rd (today there). It's a little extreme.
I also do not get the fascination with rushing through the game immediately if you do not have to. You wait years for a Zelda game, and you beat it in a day? Um, no. For me, recently, I have to beat it to do coverage, but I play the game over and over after to enjoy it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in a rush at all.
But I do believe Nintendo needs to respond to this - perhaps release huge titles with markets outside of Japn...in other markets first. This happened with The Minish Cap, too. I think Nintendo just needs to release the portable ones in North America or Europe first.
But then again, I have a sneaking suspicion Nintendo is going to try voice-chat in the English version for multiplayer...I do not see an advantage to witholding this game until this Holiday Season...especially with potentially 3 major Wii titles. That's overkill.
Wow...much of the Zelda community is furious about the ROM issue, heh. I've taken a break for the past 30 mins, and I was online and have spoken to quite a few people and they feel they want to complain to Nintendo. Apparently they believe people who are into the ROMs have no respect for anything and will just want to get throught the game and show everything immediately, whereas fans or journalists would reveal it in a more controlled manner.
Personally I say when a game is out, everything is fair game but when I do coverage I do my best to respect other fans, but this stuff is hitting now and technically the game's official release was June 23rd (today there). It's a little extreme.
I also do not get the fascination with rushing through the game immediately if you do not have to. You wait years for a Zelda game, and you beat it in a day? Um, no. For me, recently, I have to beat it to do coverage, but I play the game over and over after to enjoy it. Otherwise, I wouldn't be in a rush at all.
But I do believe Nintendo needs to respond to this - perhaps release huge titles with markets outside of Japn...in other markets first. This happened with The Minish Cap, too. I think Nintendo just needs to release the portable ones in North America or Europe first.
But then again, I have a sneaking suspicion Nintendo is going to try voice-chat in the English version for multiplayer...I do not see an advantage to witholding this game until this Holiday Season...especially with potentially 3 major Wii titles. That's overkill.
It's not hard to avoid spoilers. Zelda spoilers don't have the same magnitude of something like Harry Potter, with dicks who post spoilers outside of Harry Potter forums. If you want to see spoilers, you can, but it's just as easily to decide not to.
As to rushing through games, I always do it. It's not like I'm never going to play it again.
Phantom Hourglass went from 0 connections (not unique) on the WFC-service on tuesday to 1,399 connections wednesday. Pretty good, when the official release isn't before saturday.
In comparison Itadaki Street got released yesterday, and I'm having the number of connections for that real soon, but for now it went from 493 connections tuesday to 2,603 connections wednesday
The guy who was helping everyone locked his threads becuase some GameFAQs admin came and cracked skulls about the discussion of the ROM. There were 10+ threads asking for the ROM.
Everyene is stuck at the writing on the door part...which is pretty funny...it's more an issue of "I'm not used to this gameplay type" than "it's a hard puzzle and I don't speak Japanese". It's a stylus controlled game...hint hint...
I'll stop for an hour in a bit and scan the packaging and manual...that's allowed here, right?
Please tell me we're not turning this thread into a discussion of how Gamefaqs butt-pirates can't overcome language barriers and miscellaneous ROM acquisition issues?
It plays during the introduction when it shows Link and Tetra fighting Ganondorf in the recap of The Wind Waker.
Notes on first five minutes (the intro):
- Title screen very cool, The Wind Waker-eque music.
- Could see a "whirlwind" in the background during the title sequence.
- Fairy music returns for the menu. Is this going to ever change?
- Only two save slots
- Auto-fills in your name slot with your DS handle, so it filled mine in with "TSA".
- Can write in English or Japanese for your name.
- Three confirmation screens after...I didn't know what they said, so I click the "top" option for each.
- Start off with three hearts.
- More options...wait, does it ask if I am lefty or righty? No wait, it's asking for single player or multiplayer. That would have been cool.
- Introduction is all Paper Zelda.
- Intro music is from The Wind Waker - it's the Pirate Ship theme.
- Then it changes to Outset Island music.
- It's recapping The Wind Waker.
- Changes to Princess Zelda's theme.
- Changes to Ganondorf's Theme
- Ganondorf is mysteriously vieled in "shadow". You can make out his robe, but his face is clearly not detailed like Link or Tetra's.
- Then it's the classic Zelda theme. Cool renditon of a piece of official artwork from The Wind Waker.
- Finishes with TWW ending music.
- Cuts to Neko holding the "paintings".
- HAHA, Link wakes up just like in The Wind Waker.
- Tetra wakes me up all pissed.
- Her voice is not the same as in The Wind Waker.
- Link is onboard the ship with the entire pirate crew from The Wind Waker. This is the most "sequel-ish" a Zelda title has ever felt, in my opinion - it picks up RIGHT where The Wind Waker left off pretty much.
- Fog sets in, gets all dark.
- IT'S THE FLYING DUTCHMAN!
- OH ****, DAVY DONES IS COMING FOR LINK'S SOUL! 100 years before the mast! (ok, it wasn't Davy Jones)
- Enemy ship is bad ass.
- Music is really awesome.
- Tetra jumps aboard, no fear.
- But then...a scream...
- Link jumps onto boat (main Zelda theme plays)
- Link falls into the water. I guess Tetra wasn't there to catch him that time.
- Princess Zelda's theme plays as Tetra falls down a hole into a light.
- Six dark shadow ball things with smoke clouds swirl into the light.
- OH ****, IT'S ****ING NAVI. WAYNE BRADY GONNA HAFTA CHOKE A *****? ****INIG STOP ****ING SAYING HEY BEFORE I ***ING STICK SOME "HEY" UP YOUR ***.
- GOD, PLEASE...SHUT THE **** UP WITH HEY. OMG NINTENDO, DIE.
- BTW, Link has washed ashore some island.
- Voice of Link sounds like The Wind Waker guy.
- Tap the text for other Japanese...pretty cool, but I can't use it.
- Finally I can move.
- Town music is a hybrid of Twilight Princess' Castle Town and the two clowns from Twilight Princess' theme. It also has a hint of Link's AWakening "Mabe's Village".
Those were from my notes of the introduction. I'll put together some more "well-thought out" impressions of the gameplay now. I just wanted to give a taste of what the first 5 minutes were...was pretty orgasmic, much better than Twilight Princess (though TP's title and music were superior). Also, anything beyond this point story-wise or major gameplay wise, I'll mark with spoilers.
Phantom Hourglass is like Mario 64. This is classic Nintendo: they are showing other developers how it is done. Mario 64 wasn't the first 3D platformer, but it was the first one that Just Worked and became the template for others to follow. Phantom Hourglass isn't the first stylus-driven action adventure, but it is the game that will be copied endlessly from here on out. It is like a textbook of how to use a touch screen for a third-person action game.
Phantom Hourglass is like Mario 64. This is classic Nintendo: they are showing other developers how it is done. Mario 64 wasn't the first 3D platformer, but it was the first one that Just Worked and became the template for others to follow. Phantom Hourglass isn't the first stylus-driven action adventure, but it is the game that will be copied endlessly from here on out. It is like a textbook of how to use a touch screen for a third-person action game.
Yup. In my opinion, this isn't just a watershed moment for DS game design, but it's also the kick in the ass the Zelda series has needed. Playing this has given me a lot of hope for the actual Wii version of Zelda. All the stuff you do with the map, taking notes, this is where it's at.
How much input did Aonuma have in this game? It seems so different than the console Zeldas. It has a lot of non-game inspired moments which makes me think this was headed by one of the younger guys.
TP was really a big disappointment for me. The main reason was because it was more of the same. This game is so much more creative and fresh.
Honestly, I wouldn't blame Aonuma, Miyamoto, or any of the guys in the Zelda team for that. They only did what they thought was the right thing: they responded to the increasing outcry for a game much more like Ocarina of Time, seeing as though Majora's and Wind Waker were much different. They basically set out to top Ocarina of Time in its own department (which in my opinion they ****ing nailed it).
From what I remember reading, Aonuma balanced TP and PH for a while until TP was done, then went straight into being the director (or partial director) for PH. So I'd say he has as much influence as any other game.
The man gets almost no creditwith the ideas he had in Majora's in terms of gameplay and atmosphere and the ideas he had for style in Wind Waker, he made Zelda even more interesting than it was. TP was more along the liens of "okay, this is what people want, let's make the best ****ing normal Zelda game we can make." And they did.
Beginning Village:
- Controls are: push the Y button or left on the D-pad to toggle some scroll on the bottom. Press Start to open the save menu, press select to open the "quest status" menu, press the d-pad down to move the map to your touch screen. Once the map is down, press any D-pad direction again to move it back up top. When the map is on the touch screen, simply tap the "pen" icon to write on your map. Tap the "erase" icon to wipe stuff off. Click the arrow to return back to the game screen.
- Oh noes, Link can't swim (yet). Fall into the water, and Link respawns back on land, and loses half a heart.
- Tis true, roll 4 times, and Link gets dizzy for a second. It seems I can roll right easily. I just hold the stylus on the right edge, and make "circles".
- No matter what I did, I can't roll "left".
- Pick up barrels, rocks by tapping on them when nearby. You can touch where to throw them. Most precise throwing in Zelda ever.
- I tried to go to a cave, and Navi got mad and told me to go back (I know I keep calling her Navi, but I mean, it sounds like her).
- Went into a hutt.
- Music for the old man is...different. Not typical Zelda music, not from a previous game. I want his octorok staff.
- I am liking the fairy "effect" noise, though. It sounds like the golden bugs from Twilight Princess.
- Oh noes, an earthquake.
- I tried to go to a cave by some temple on the map, no sword means no slashing bushes, and a few blocked my path.
- Near-death sound is not as annoying. Nintendo has learned.
- Heh, I could throw rocks into the water, but not the Cucco.
- YES!!! I jumped into the water with it, and we both died.
- The Game Over screen is pretty lengthy. Link's just lying dead for awhile. Cool game over music.
- Start back at last spot you "zoned", full health (well, I only had 3 hearts, will test out later with more).
- House music is cool. The house with the old man had a really over-head view. In this other house, it's more over-the-shoulder (but the camera is pretty far behind Link).
- While you get dizzy if you roll 4 times, just take a 1 second break in between...10 minutes into the game, I can roll around everywhere. Nice try, Nintendo.
- Found a lady at a waterfall with the path broken.
- Made my way into a cave. Music is really cool and creepy.
- I got my first rupee! Rupees count is not always on screen.
- Sign is blank, said something about a 7, so I wrote a 7.
- Doors opens.
- I got my sword from a chest! Swordplay time!
- This is about the 15th time I've been "stopped" and tried to move with the D-pad. It takes some time to get it into through your head you need to only use the stylus.
- Sword controls: Swipe left-right or vice versa for horizontal slice, make a motion "towards" you to do a vertical slice, do a motion "away" from you to do a "thrust stab". To do a jump attack, stand still away from an object/enemy, and tap it.
- Exit cave and old man decides it is time to "train".
- First round is "tap the object" to do a stab. Second round is to do horizontal slashes. Third round is "spin attacks".
- Quick Spinng - sorta possible. Like rolling, you need to "pause" a bit to avoid the 4 count. Also, you have to make the circles in a certain radius. If you make too small of circles, your spin attack doesn't initiate. However, if you "trace the edges of the screen" fast enough, Link will do a spin attack.
- Can slash grass. Fun.
- No combos. Boo.
- Raging Cucco returns! Hit the Cucco too many times, it turns red and the Cucco army is on you!
- Traversing "tight corners" and combat when enemies are close (when you don't want to use the spin attack) is a bit frustrating.
- Make my way back to that cave I couldn't reach earlier.
- Inside, get a chest, open a locked door by tapping on it when you get the key.
- There's a block you tap, then you can tap and hold and arrow to push or pull. You can see spots on the floor where it will move.
- Nice small bug. I managed to slash the chest while tapping it and it opened instantly and I got my rupees.
- Pulling wrong switches means Ropes (snake enemies) drop down and attack.
- New item get sound out-of-chest.
- Wow, just like in A Link to the Past, the rat enemies return, and one has a key! Only this time, you have to be a bit more clever to get it. I really liked this beginning "puzzle".
- Note on combat: Random swinging isn't good. Try tapping the enemies. Most effective way to do battle.
- Made it to town. Found a shop with the shield. There's also some "tear drop" like item, which has the goddess symbol on it. Bombs and a red potion are also there. And a feather.
- Mailbox is back, acts just like it did in The Wind Waker.
- Wow, used a Cucco to jump the water and reach a far ledge. Got some necklace!
- Bought the shield.
- Shield mechanics: Have it out with sword, stand still. Enemies will bounce off.
- The enemies from Link's Awakening return! The ones that sit on trees and attack as you pass by.
- Finally reached some temple.
- Some Stalfos who talk to me.
- Enter into room where...Lineback is!
- This plot is too much like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl so far...
- You have to stay out of the "poison" gas by reaching safe zones to help free him.
- Reached a chest and...NOTHING! Pretty funny reaction.
- Hit a switch to free him!
- Well, it's not poison gas, but it is, I guess, the "curse" they spoke of in the temple.
- Lineback definitely has "personality", heh.
- Go back in with the key you got.
- Make way through the dungeon, solve a simple puzzle.
- Get a sea chart!
- Ok, he had you go get the chart while he (Lineback) ran off. Captain Jack Sparrow much?
- Jumping off ledges is easy, just run off them.
- Weird, the map showed up as I chased Lineback to his ship and the old man was there, too.
- Had to "scratch" an island to reveal that "goddess pear" shape over it.
- Finally you can go to sea.
- Sailing mechanics: Draw a path on the sea and click GO, or cancel and redraw. At first, only two speeds. Slow, and stop. No cannon fire yet.
- You can change the camera angle with the stylus, and you can make the ship "jump" by tapping an arrow on the bottom of the screen.
- Why are there...frogs...jumping in and out of the sea.
- Finally saved and quit. When I returned, there was a cutscene again. Cool - they remind you of what is going on in the game.
Ok, I think that's enough notes for now. I have them up till about 5 hours into the game, but I'm not posting all of that today, heh. Ok, so impressions...sorry for the delay, those are next.
