Modern Zelda Games

I

Instant_Classic

Member
Should look like this...

Twilight Princess is the natural progression of the style Orcarina of Time was aiming for on the N64.

hq720.jpg


maxresdefault.jpg


image


THIS is the style WE want Zelda games to return to, with modern graphics utilized obviously.

NOT THIS...

Low effort style found in BoTW and ToTk because Nintendo didn't want to invest the resources required in, HD development.

The-Legend-of-Zelda-Breath-of-the-Wild-Link-and-Zelda-Sheikah-Slate.jpg


Imagine a modern Zelda game looking like this...

Nintendo tech demo from almost 15-years years ago, this is where modern Zelda games need to return to and build on.

zelda-wii-u-tech-demo-2.gif


Agreed?

078e031e5e2998606811f75a90150845.gif
 
Last edited:
Zelda should have a varied artstyle which influences the overall tone and atmosphere of the games. People who hate on BotW's artstyle have shit taste and aren't fully human but at the same time the series needs something new after four games in 9 years using this aesthetics. The next game needs something new, preferably darker with less focus on blue and green as primary colors.
 
I just like when they mix it up. I loved the BotW/TotK style, but I would definitely be interested in something new.
 
I'd hardly say BOTW/TOTK are low effort.

But agreed, I'd like to see a return to TP/OoT/MM aesthetic at some point, with a more traditional structure. I've revisited a lot of the Zelda's in the last year, and while I think BOTW/TOTK go toe-to-toe with OoT/MM/TP, they're very different experiences and there's not much currently filling the void that the latter left.
 
Funny I was just thinking about Twilight Princess yesterday. It's still my favorite next to LttP if we're talking pre Breath of the Wild. I too loved the darker tone and more "grounded" character design.

I have the Wii version, but goddammit man bring that HD remaster over to the Switch.

Probably my favorite cutscene out of the entire franchise

 
As long as it feels like a Zelda game, then I'm on board.

I do hope that we get an entirely new story and era in the next one, though. I fully trust that they'll make another banger game.
 
Chuck Berry said:
Funny I was just thinking about Twilight Princess yesterday. It's still my favorite next to LttP if we're talking pre Breath of the Wild. I too loved the darker tone and more "grounded" character design.

I have the Wii version, but goddammit man bring that HD remaster over to the Switch.

Probably my favorite cutscene out of the entire franchise

Click to expand...

It's the closest to a souls or Elden Ring looking Zelda game, so far.
 
Amen!

Especially the WII U Tech demo.

Twilight Princess is good too but the colors are a little too dark with orange/brown for me.

For the WII U tech demo is perfect and is the closest thing to how I see a Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask in much newer graphics.

And of course bringing the art style of Majora's Mask and Ocarina of Time from their artbook/guidebook would also be perfect.
 
BotW and TotK were nice, but it's definitely time for something different.


I will be completely disinterested if the next big Zelda game is just another game in the vein of those two.
 
I generally like the BOTW style, though I would absolutely love to see them use the WiiU tech demo art style for whatever the next game is. And hopefully ditch the huge open world. Not forever, just... y'know, for a more focused change of pace.
 
Personally I like how they keep changing up the art style each gen. It's part of what has kept the franchise feeling fresh for nearly 40 years.

For their Switch 2 game I don't have any particular preference, I'd be fine with them going with a darker style like OoT or Twilight Princess, but I'd also love a return to something more cartoony like Wind Waker....or just something completely new. I just hope it's not a third sequel to BOTW.
 
Last edited:
I don't think BOTW's art style has anything to do with effort. But it obviously has a different feel than Twilight Princess and its a good think that it's not as dark.
 
Woopah said:
I don't think BOTW's art style has anything to do with effort. But it obviously has a different feel than Twilight Princess and its a good think that it's not as dark.
Click to expand...
You sure?

"Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says that HD requires twice the manpower, and that Nintendo might have underestimated the work."
 
Instant_Classic said:
You sure?

"Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto says that HD requires twice the manpower, and that Nintendo might have underestimated the work."
Click to expand...
Yes?

Nintendo also didn't use the Twilight Princess art style for Skyward Sword, and that game wasn't HD. That Miyamoto quote isn't about BOTW specifically.
 
Aldric said:
Zelda should have a varied artstyle which influences the overall tone and atmosphere of the games. People who hate on BotW's artstyle have shit taste and aren't fully human but at the same time the series needs something new after four games in 9 years using this aesthetics. The next game needs something new, preferably darker with less focus on blue and green as primary colors.
Click to expand...

I couldn't have said it better. I love how varied the art style and characters look for each game. It is how the series stays fresh each generation. Art style and new gameplay ideas is what keeps people coming back. You may not like one, but the next one you might.
 
Instant_Classic said:
The Miyamoto quote doesn't directly corelate with BOTW but highlights the struggles of HD development, Nintendo faces.

As do all.
Click to expand...
HD development does indeed have challenges. But that doesn't mean that every HD game which uses a non-realistic art style is "low effort". The decision around what art style to use for a game goes way beyond just "how much effort is this".
 
Woopah said:
HD development does indeed have challenges. But that doesn't mean that every HD game which uses a non-realistic art style is "low effort". The decision around what art style to use for a game goes way beyond just "how much effort is this".
Click to expand...
Zelda games being large in scale and varied, led Nintendo to choose the cel shaded look.

Not that there is anything wrong with it, but they knew a realistic direction would require MUCH more work.

Look at how they've treated 3D Pokemon games example.
 
Last edited:
I prefer that Nintendo is always trying something new with their IP's, both in Visual Art Styles and Gameplay, that's why Nintendo lP's are still relevant after 30 Years and not forgotten like other Publishers IP's after 30 Days.
 
Strange how a single Zelda GameCube demo broke the minds of an entire generation of tendies.

There is no "right" or "correct" way to make these games look and nothing Nintendo "should" do. If anything the OOT/TP style is the aberration as Wind Waker, Skyward Sword, BOTW, TOTK, TLBW, Echoes of Wisdom, and the DS games all were more cartoony and like the SNES/GB games.
 
I basically played all the Zelda since rhe Nes... absolute garbage thread.
Zelda didn't start with oot and botw is low effort? Please...
 
I'd rather take Nintendo's modern artstyle over the realism the rest of the industry chases that causes graphic artifacts and blatant imperfections everywhere.

Modern AAA games on PS5/XSX require so many graphical tricks to achieve realism that it butchers the image.
 
Instant_Classic said:
Zelda games being large in scale and varied, let Nintendo to choose the cel shaded look.

Not that there is anything wrong with it, but they knew a realistic direction would require MUCH more work.

Look at they've treated 3D Pokemon games example.
Click to expand...
Here's a couple of quotes of Anouma talking about the Skyward Sword art style:

Because of the way we have put the game together you have to focus on how the enemy is carrying their weapon, and there are a couple of different ways you can go about that. One, you can be super-realistic, and the other, not so realistic," said Aonuma. "We thought that because we want to highlight the swordfighting combat, we have to exaggerate the features. We thought that the art style we chose was best-suited to do that. You have to match the art style to how the game plays, and we thought this worked best. We matched the artwork so that we can highlight the over-exaggeration in the gameplay.
Click to expand...

In the past we did use toon shading, specifically in The Wind Waker. But in that game, the main character was a very young Link -- so the art style was a really good match for displaying him. Just a good match for that character in that game. Now, Link's a bit older and we just didn't think that that particular art style was what we were looking for. You know Link grew up, so maybe the art style grew up a little bit. That might be one way to put it.
Click to expand...

There are multiple factors that affect art syle. It's not as simple as"realistic takes effort, non-realistic is low effort".
 
TP is the most overrated Zelda game and is the worst 3D entry. Graphically, it looks odd. The people look like aliens. BotW and TotK look beutiful. The great dragons carving through the sky on the horizon, incredible.

Just look at the mutant cuccos in TP and then come back to me and talk.
 
Twilight Princess is the best 3D Zelda art, but just an okay game. Skyward Sword was a HUGE step down. BotW is better than that, but I'm still not a big fan.

Windwaker's art is timeless, but I don't want the entire series to look like that.
 
Banjo64 said:
TP is the most overrated Zelda game and is the worst 3D entry. Graphically, it looks odd. The people look like aliens. BotW and TotK look beutiful. The great dragons carving through the sky on the horizon, incredible.

Just look at the mutant cuccos in TP and then come back to me and talk.
Click to expand...
Yes, which is why it's critically acclaimed along the likes of other AAA Zelda games with a 96 Metacritic...
 
Last edited:
I also prefer the more naturalistic Zelda look VS the more cartoony.

Best art direction goes to the original Majora's Mask. Love the "dark carnival" style. 3DS one messed up some designs.
 
Last edited:
Instant_Classic said:
Yes, which is why it's critically acclaimed along the likes of other AAA Zelda games with a 96 Metacritic...
Click to expand...
Doesn't contest anything in my post. It's overrated.

And it's actually a 95 on MC, which (unbelievably) makes it the second worst reviewed 3D Zelda game with only Skyward Sword getting a lower score, 93.
 
I'll die on the hill that modern Zelda should use a TP or Team Ico kind of artstyle. Not really sure what to call it.

Even a blend of TP and OoT/MM. It can be charming but also Dark Fantasy at the same time.
 
Not too bothered about the visuals but the lack of proper dungeons and the massive downgrade in music are disappointing. Two of the best things about zelda stripped out from the new games. No koji kondo is like elder scrolls without Jeremy soule. The soul is missing.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Modern Vintage Gaming: How 2001 redefined video games
16
426
JimmyRustler replied
Modern Games Vs. Old Games, A.K.A how games have regressed
2 3
104
2K
DreamcastSkies replied
Modern Vintage Gamer: How ZSNES pioneered modern Emulation
Analysis Retro Trailer 
42
1K
kevboard replied
Zelda Games Should Look Realistic
2 3 4 5
233
4K
daxgame replied
Best Optimized Modern Games
23
2K
Laptop1991 replied
Top Bottom