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[-Pyromaniac-]

You know what I was thinking. Is it possible for Nintendo to make a Zelda game that actually has some sort of emotional impact, or power. I always wondered this.

I know it's hard, given the style of the game, but when I think of something like Shadow of the Colossus I know it's possible, by that I mean telling a strong story through subtlety. Or are they forbidden to do it because they have to keep the game "light" and accessible. Even though I know there have been some dark things in Zelda games, especially Majoras Mask (and those little things are great). Just an interesting thought.

edit: also avatar changed, deal with it.

 

[Log4Girlz]

You know what I was thinking. Is it possible for Nintendo to make a Zelda game that actually has some sort of emotional impact, or power. I always wondered this.

I know it's hard, given the style of the game, but when I think of something like Shadow of the Colossus I know it's possible, by that I mean telling a strong story through subtlety. Or are they forbidden to do it because they have to keep the game "light" and accessible. Even though I know there have been some dark things in Zelda games, especially Majoras Mask (and those little things are great). Just an interesting thought.

I cried a little at the love story in Skyward Sword...between the ghostly hand and that fat kid

 

[Anth0ny]

Ok show of hands, who wants a Zelda game with a huge, densely packed over-world? I can just imagine going to Hyrule field on Epona, with grass swaying everywhere...seeing a glint in the horizon and galloping in that direction to explore ancient ruins.

*sigh*

I don't know how Hyrule Field would work if the overworld was densely packed... so far, the 3D Hyrule Fields have been synonymous with "barren wastelands".

Spoiler

Of course I have the Dark Souls overworld in mind. Epona just doesn't work.

 

[Log4Girlz]

I don't know how Hyrule Field would work if the overworld was densely packed... so far, the 3D Hyrule Fields have been synonymous with "barren wastelands".

Spoiler

Of course I have the Dark Souls overworld in mind. Epona just doesn't work.

I picture a mix of Skyrim and World of Warcraft. I want a world that just dares you to explore (which, in this case, it should be better thought out than Skyrim, I don't want it to be merely equal).

 

[TheCongressman1]

Ok show of hands, who wants a Zelda game with a huge, densely packed over-world? I can just imagine going to Hyrule field on Epona, with grass swaying everywhere...seeing a glint in the horizon and galloping in that direction to explore ancient ruins.

*sigh*

I will raise my hand. (Bonus hand if it's somewhat open ended.)

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I already said it but the next Zelda's world being like the Dark Souls world would be glorious. They have the assets/tech to do it now. And I think they've hinted that it could be the next step. It'll be interesting...

 

[radioheadrule83]

Link to the Past's epilogue and credits are more moving than most non-Zelda games I've played, and LA was moving too, albeit both achieving such in narratively simplistic ways.. but they were both beautifully executed.

I did get a couple of chills in Twilight Princess (ganon crushing the stone hat on the horse, comrades helping at hyrule castle, Zelda bestowing the silver arrows) - I think they can do it again.

I don't want any melodramatic Hollywoodesque bullshit in Zelda though. Peril, investment in characters, investment in the world, yes... Overwrought badly written drama, no thanks.

 

[Door2Dawn]

Wow back to zelda talk again? I think it's time for me to give this thread a rest for a while.

 

[The_Endgamer]

I bet Nintendo is going to combine the cards NFC capabilities on Wii U with the 3DS AR capabilities so they can cross over and both share the same card love.

It sounds all to easy to be true.
Either that or i am too late in realising this...

The main reason i mention this is Nintendo is giving away Kid Icarus cards at their GDC booth and could easily be a cheap marketing ploy that can cross over on both systems.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Wow back to zelda talk again? I think it's time for me to give this thread a rest for a while.

GDC has broken my spirit.

 

[radioheadrule83]

Ok show of hands, who wants a Zelda game with a huge, densely packed over-world? I can just imagine going to Hyrule field on Epona, with grass swaying everywhere...seeing a glint in the horizon and galloping in that direction to explore ancient ruins.

*sigh*

I want a large, dense but tight overworld. Galloping around fields is nice for a distraction but it doesn't make for an interesting overworld.

There hasn't been a tight Zelda overworld design since the SNES / GB. They've all been vacuous and sometimes even boring, even when they've been pretty.

I will see through any HD swaying grass nonsense if that's all there is. I won't care about how much there is to 'explore' if exploring is boring and unrewarding. There should be things to do fucking EVERYWHERE. In and out of dungeons. Seamless. I don't even want to know when I've entered a dungeon.

 

[AzaK]

I took from his comment that it is going to be able to run the UE5 engine.

Well 4 is not well liked number in Japanese superstition.

Can you dudes believe it? We will finally get a HD Nintendo console.

I refuse, until I have it in my greedy little hands.

 

[Log4Girlz]

I want a large, dense but tight overworld. Galloping around fields is nice for a distraction but it doesn't make for an interesting overworld.

There hasn't been a tight Zelda overworld design since the SNES / GB. They've all been vacuous and sometimes even boring, even when they've been pretty.

I will see through any HD swaying grass nonsense if that's all there is. I won't care about how much there is to 'explore' if exploring is boring and unrewarding. There should be things to do fucking EVERYWHERE. In and out of dungeons. Seamless. I don't even want to know when I've entered a dungeon.

Skyrim had a decent density...but it was all randomly generated crap and I got bored exploring new places. But I loved the actual design of the world...huge, open...can see to the very far distance...just dared me to go explore. Man I would love that in a Zelda game.

I do not want a dungeon in a dungeon, closed claustrophobic game consisting of only new dungeon areas. Ugh, SS's overworld was just insulting.

 

[BY2K]

87 days before E3.

 

[guek]

87 days before E3.

[/cartmanfreeze.jpg]

 

[GameplayWhore]

I bet Nintendo is going to combine the cards NFC capabilities on Wii U with the 3DS AR capabilities so they can cross over and both share the same card love.

It sounds all to easy to be true.
Either that or i am too late in realising this...

The main reason i mention this is Nintendo is giving away Kid Icarus cards at their GDC booth and could easily be a cheap marketing ploy that can cross over on both systems.

Wouldn't they have to embed a comparatively expensive chip into the card? I mean, compared to the cost of just bulk producing and cutting printed cardstock.

 

[TheCongressman1]

Ugh, SS's overworld was just insulting.

And the empty sky was bitter icing to top that off.

They could have done more with it. The tech isn't that limited.

 

[Log4Girlz]

And the empty sky was bitter icing to top that off.

They could have done more with it. The tech isn't that limited.

I'm told Xenoblade is just massive. Well I have that sucker pre-ordered...can't wait to try it out.

 

[Shion]

I’m currently playing Xenoblade and I'm shocked at the size and the amount of content in the overworld. Towns, scattered caves, tons of quests, beautiful environments. Not only the world is HUGE, but it's also seamless. You can travel around the world and visit the cities of the game without any loading moments.

I mean, WTF I didn't know this was possible on the Wii.

In my opinion, Zelda could learn a lot from the overworld design of Xenoblade.

 

[HylianTom]

I'm told Xenoblade is just massive. Well I have that sucker pre-ordered...can't wait to try it out.

Goooooood to know. I'm being very indecisive on which game to get as a swan song for my Wii (aside from Rhythm Heaven Fever, which is just scrumtrulescent).

From everything I'm hearing, Xenoblade is ahead right now. The last console RPG I truly played the hell out of was Tales of Symphonia, and I'd love another game to get lost in..

 

[Caelus]

Massive, of course, at the expense of certain graphical limitations (despite the game still being very gorgeous), which the Wii U shouldn't have a problem with.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Massive, of course, at the expense of certain graphical limitations, which the Wii U shouldn't have a problem with.

I've seen videos and regardless, the damn thing is a miracle on the Wii.

 

[AceBandage]

I’m currently playing Xenoblade and I'm shocked at the size and the amount of content in the overworld. Towns, scattered caves, tons of quests, beautiful environments. Not only the world is HUGE, but it's also seamless. You can travel around the world and visit the cities of the game without any loading moments.

I mean, WTF I didn't know this was possible on the Wii.

In my opinion, Zelda could learn a lot from the overworld design of Xenoblade.

Fun fact: Monolith actually helped on Zelda SS.

And you need to play XB on Dolphin.
It's fucking BEAUTIFUL.

 

[Zoramon089]

You know what I was thinking. Is it possible for Nintendo to make a Zelda game that actually has some sort of emotional impact, or power. I always wondered this.

I know it's hard, given the style of the game, but when I think of something like Shadow of the Colossus I know it's possible, by that I mean telling a strong story through subtlety. Or are they forbidden to do it because they have to keep the game "light" and accessible. Even though I know there have been some dark things in Zelda games, especially Majoras Mask (and those little things are great). Just an interesting thought.

edit: also avatar changed, deal with it.

I don't see how Majora's Mask wasn't as emotionally impacting as SoC...

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I don't see how Majora's Mask wasn't as emotionally impacting as SoC...

I didn't say it was. I'm just saying MM had some darker/subtle touches in the game that added more emotion/weight.

 

[Shion]

Fun fact: Monolith actually helped on Zelda SS.

And you need to play XB on Dolphin.
It's fucking BEAUTIFUL.

I know.
Too bad it doesn't show.

Xenoblade needs an awesome HD port on the Wii U.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

Skyrim had a decent density...but it was all randomly generated crap and I got bored exploring new places. But I loved the actual design of the world...huge, open...can see to the very far distance...just dared me to go explore. Man I would love that in a Zelda game.

I do not want a dungeon in a dungeon, closed claustrophobic game consisting of only new dungeon areas. Ugh, SS's overworld was just insulting.

A Zelda game with a Dark Souls-type overworld, mixed with open ended paths (maybe item based) more akin to MP with heavy environment story/atmosphere, with large fields leading to towns like we see in Skyrim would be great for a true Zelda reboot. Add in Skyrim/XB type deep sidequesting and borrow a lot of Souls' core combat mechanics with some HnS speed. And wrap in up in a MM type mood and ambience/story, but keep actual forced dialogue and "story" to a minimum, no hand holding. Would for me be the perfect Zelda reboot.

 

[HylianTom]

A Zelda game with a Dark Souls-type overworld, mixed with open ended paths (maybe item based) more akin to MP with heavy environment story/atmosphere, with large fields leading to towns like we see in Skyrim would be great for a true Zelda reboot. Add in Skyrim/XB type deep sidequesting and borrow a lot of Souls' core combat mechanics with some HnS speed. And wrap in up in a MM type mood and ambience/story, but keep actual forced dialogue and "story" to a minimum, no hand holding. Would for me be the perfect Zelda reboot.

You've sold me.

I want to get lost when I play a Zelda game. I haven't gotten "don't-know-where-the-hell-I-am" lost in a Zelda game in quite a long time.

 

[Log4Girlz]

You've sold me.

I want to get lost when I play a Zelda game. I haven't gotten "don't-know-where-the-hell-I-am" lost in a Zelda game in quite a long time.

With all the hand holding its impossible to get lost. I expect Fi or whoever to knock on the inside of the UPAD screen and fucking draw you a map of where you needed to go with little arrows and everything.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

You've sold me.

I want to get lost when I play a Zelda game. I haven't gotten "don't-know-where-the-hell-I-am" lost in a Zelda game in quite a long time.

That's such a good feeling. I remember so many times in Dark Souls thinking WHERE THE FUCK HAVE I GONE, and then being blown away by the things in that area. I love that sense of adventure/wonderment.

 

[Log4Girlz]

That's such a good feeling. I remember so many times in Dark Souls thinking WHERE THE FUCK HAVE I GONE, and then being blown away by the things in that area. I love that sense of adventure/wonderment.

I hate that there is no sense of danger in Zelda games :/ Just the fear of getting stumped on a puzzle for a few minutes.

 

[Metroid Hunter]

What if at E3 this year, we get a beauty like this?

Spoiler

I've been watching this on replay for the last few hours.

 

[Shion]

With all the hand holding its impossible to get lost. I expect Fi or whoever to knock on the inside of the UPAD screen and fucking draw you a map of where you needed to go with little arrows and everything.

Nintendo needs to understand that the whole hand-holding thing should be completely optional.

 

[AceBandage]

What if at E3 this year, we get a beauty like this?

Spoiler

I've been watching this on replay for the last few hours.

It'll be much better than that.
No lame body motions and much better games.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I hate that there is no sense of danger in Zelda games :/ Just the fear of getting stumped on a puzzle for a few minutes.

that also kind of sucks. Worst part is it's one of those elements that they can't change a ton because of a fear of losing the accessibility. Guess we just gotta wait and see what they pull off.

 

[HylianTom]

With all the hand holding its impossible to get lost. I expect Fi or whoever to knock on the inside of the UPAD screen and fucking draw you a map of where you needed to go with little arrows and everything.

That's such a good feeling. I remember so many times in Dark Souls thinking WHERE THE FUCK HAVE I GONE, and then being blown away by the things in that area. I love that sense of adventure/wonderment.

It's a fantastic feeling! I know that some players panic, but that's an essential part of exploration. The last time I truly got lost was years ago,in Morrowind.. such a strange landscape.. You hear the predators (Cliff Racers!) around you, feel that little pang of fear to the point where you want to run like a madman, and wherever you end-up, you're glad you made it out alive. Even if it's a creepy family tomb or some little shit town without a temple.

I miss that so much.
(and Pyro.. I like your new avatar. Where's it from?)

 

[Log4Girlz]

I want to be able to make mistakes. Oh cool temple! *one shot killed*

OK don't go back in there.

 

[HylianTom]

I want to be able to make mistakes. Oh cool temple! *one shot killed*

OK don't go back in there.

YES!

I want the game to say.. "this is where we mildly hint that you go to further the story. But - and this is a big 'but'- if you insist-upon going to that one or that one or that one, gooooood luck, heh heh - you'll need it." {*makes throat-slitting gesture*}

Remember when you could go into Dungeon #6 right off the bat in Zelda 1 and complete a good portion of it? Yikes!

 

[TheCongressman1]

that also kind of sucks. Worst part is it's one of those elements that they can't change a ton because of a fear of losing the accessibility. Guess we just gotta wait and see what they pull off.

Difficulty options are extremely accessible. At the beginning of the game, ask them what style of player they are.

If you want to baby people, at least give them the option, Nintendo.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

It's a fantastic feeling! I know that some players panic, but that's an essential part of exploration. The last time I truly got lost was years ago,in Morrowind.. such a strange landscape.. You hear the predators (Cliff Racers!) around you, feel that little pang of fear to the point where you want to run like a madman, and wherever you end-up, you're glad you made it out alive. Even if it's a creepy family tomb or some little shit town without a temple.

I miss that so much.
(and Pyro.. I like your new avatar. Where's it from?)

It's Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII, was tough getting this picture: http://i.imgur.com/p00bJ.png to avatar size without looking weird Thanks.

Difficulty options are extremely accessible. At the beginning of the game, ask them what style of player they are.

If you want to baby people, at least give them the option, Nintendo.

and to add to this, another thing they can do is what they did for mario 3D land, maybe make more challenging post-game content for the more hardcore gamers.

 

[HylianTom]

and to add to this, another thing they can do is what they did for mario 3D land, maybe make more challenging post-game content for the more hardcore gamers.

Yes! When that whole new screen of special levels appeared on my screen, my jaw friggin' dropped. (just got the final coin last night.. finally. Now, onto Icarus!)

 

[Log4Girlz]

I simply want a next-gen Zelda. Having TP or SS in HD is not "next-gen". You can't just gussy up the graphics. And when it comes to adventure/exploration games what usually makes them feel epic and "next-gen"? Scale.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Yes! When that whole new screen of special levels appeared on my screen, my jaw friggin' dropped. (just got the final coin last night.. finally. Now, onto Icarus!)

Yeah I coasted through the regular game, very easy to get the coins. But in the special levels completing them while getting the coins was a lot more challenging. They could do something similar with Zelda maybe. Make a regular game, but then add post-game dungeons and whatnot.

 

[TheCongressman1]

I simply want a next-gen Zelda. Having TP or SS in HD is not "next-gen". You can't just gussy up the graphics. And when it comes to adventure/exploration games what usually makes them feel epic and "next-gen"? Scale.

Exactly. Skyward Sword's core gameplay was fantastic, some gripes aside, but the environments absolutely held it back. It feels almost as old as TP to me simply because of the overworld.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

Yeah I coasted through the regular game, very easy to get the coins. But in the special levels completing them while getting the coins was a lot more challenging. They could do something similar with Zelda maybe. Make a regular game, but then add post-game dungeons and whatnot.

Agreed! Would absolutely love to see what EAD's design masters could come up with if they totally focused on "tricky and difficult expert dungeons" as well as the enemy ecounters and different strategies to take them on. I really do feel like some of EAD's genius, particularly the up-and-coming talent are saddled in many ways by Nintendo's insistence on being explicitly "accessible" almost to the detriment of their rabid fanbase. DKCR sold gangbusters, so I really don't see a fiscal risk in this idea.

 

[snowdog1971]

No problem, but compared to other Wii games I think it looks outstanding. What Wii games would you describe as graphical powerful?

There's quite a few as it goes, and from third parties too, surprisingly:

Red Steel 2
Silent Hill Shattered Memories
Dead Space Extraction

In order of prettyness imo.

As for GDC I think the most important thing we've heard of is the Havok and Autodesk middleware being made available to developers for free. This is bloody HUGE. This has basically made things easier for smaller, independent developers to enter into U and NN development that not only will not have any of the annoying restrictions that Live has that gets on developers' tits but also includes tens of thousands of pounds worth of middleware to play with.

I think some of you are seriously underestimating, or perhaps unaware of, the impact that this is going to have at the retail game level and, most importantly, at the Nintendo Network digital distribution level.

I hate to think how much this cost Nintendo, but I think this unprecedented move is going to be worth every penny! :Oo

 

[Hero of Legend]

There's quite a few as it goes, and from third parties too, surprisingly:

Red Steel 2
Silent Hill Shattered Memories
Dead Space Extraction

In order of prettyness imo.

As for GDC I think the most important thing we've heard of is the Havok and Autodesk middleware being made available to developers for free. This is bloody HUGE. This has basically made things easier for smaller, independent developers to enter into U and NN development that not only will not have any of the annoying restrictions that Live has that gets on developers' tits but also includes tens of thousands of pounds worth of middleware to play with.

I think some of you are seriously underestimating, or perhaps unaware of, the impact that this is going to have at the retail game level and, most importantly, at the Nintendo Network digital distribution level.

I hate to think how much this cost Nintendo, but I think this unprecedented move is going to be worth every penny! :Oo

WOAH, FREE?!

Wow, how much did it cost devs to use those engines normally? Nice barrier removal! :O

 

[HylianTom]

WOAH, FREE?!

Wow, how much did it cost devs to use those engines normally? Nice barrier removal! :O

Yeah.. it definitely takes an excuse away, and gives credence to the argument that Nintendo really is trying to reach-out. This act seems like it's far beyond what we would call a "goodwill gesture" - they're taking a sizeable financial hit by doing it.

Quite a contrast from the days when Nintendo acted like a big asshat toward third parties.

 

[EloquentM]

Oot was difficult at times but I think only because of technical limitations.

 

[Aaron Strife]

What if at E3 this year, we get a beauty like this?

Spoiler

I've been watching this on replay for the last few hours.

Man, that's really nostalgic. It was that period where everyone was legitimately excited for the Wii and it actually had a really solid line-up for the first couple of years.

I also remember how much attention they gave to Red Steel and I thought that was pretty cool at the time. Of course, the game wasn't anything special, but it was different from anything from Nintendo and really kind of the poster child for "This is how you can do 'core' on the Wii". It reminds me of how much they're showcasing RE: Revelaitons for 3DS now, and I hope they do more like that with Wii U. It's true that anyone who buys a Nintendo console is mostly buying it for the first-party stuff, but it's good to have that ecosystem.