• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Zelda: A Link Between Worlds |OT| All in all you're just another Link in the wall

So I just finished this game today, looked at the activity log and it said I played it for 30 hours and I kinda believe that cos I wasted time searching for shit and just fucking around and I still didn't find everything. Also died 4 times. I found all the maimai's but I'm only missing four heart pieces. Though I think those are found in the various mini games.

The actual game is pretty damn fantastic. Yeah I understand people saying the game is easy but I had no problem with that. The combat is fun, exploring the world and looking for maimais is also really rewarding. I do wonder what lessons Nintendo has taken from this while making the Wii U Zelda. Magic meter needs to return and the lack of wallets.

The story was also pretty fun. The first reveal towards the end was pretty damn obvious and I saw that coming but I guess I wasn't paying attention because I didn't see the second one coming. This game was the reason I bought my 3DS a couple months ago and it was totally worth it. The game's great.
 
Really disliked A Link to the Past (In fact, Ocarina is the only Zelda game I actually enjoyed) but couldn't stop playing this game. I have finished the seven dungeons in Lorule to this point. I still have some side stuff to do that I know about (like heart pieces and the critters) and probably more that I haven't found yet. I really, really like this game. It made me change my GOTY list. Really fun, really creative dungeon design, and great music.
 
Finished my first run of the game, about 70 maimais, 17 hearts and missing the last piece of ore to fully upgrade the sword.

According to the 3ds timer app, took just over 11 hours. A bit short, but the gc/wii console zeldas could learn to have much less bloating like this one did.
The dungeons were all really easy, and seemed to get easier the further in you got as link got more powerful. Not sure if the pros of getting to choose dungeon order outweighed the cons of no steady difficulty increase.
 
These ones?

ABLW-HP-07b.png


You can't as far as I know. No idea why they put them there. Maybe for the sake of variety which barely adds any but they ended up confusing people moreso.

Yes, this is exactly what I was talking about! Thanks for the clarification. It was really starting to drive me crazy.
 

Ultratech

Member
And finally finished!

I'll have to go back and check my time later, but I picked it up over the weekend and beat it earlier, so not too bad.

Kinda went into it blind, but goddamn is this game good!

Ended up finding almost everything by myself, and only had to look up where a few things were
the 5th Bottle, which I had an idea where it was, but was totally off, 2-3 Pieces of Heart, and a Maiamai in the damn Witch's House
.

Found an absolutely absurd amount of Rupees though. My endgame total was 18867.

Bosses weren't too bad, except for a few near the end that were just more annoying than anything.

Still gotta do that Treacherous Tower though, so that'll be interesting.
 
any advice for the Treacherous Tower?

I just got to lorule so fairly early on, but i can make it to the 50th level fairly consistently but usually with only 1 bottle left and keep losing
 
Anybody want to let me know where the Dark Palace is? Do I need to be in Lorule to get there or in Hyrule?

The dark palace is cross in the middle of the far right of the map. You have to start out in Hyrule to get there using a crack in the area, as the section of Lorule is cutoff from the rest by the crevasses.
 
I started this game the other day and I'm just so into it right now. I haven't felt this way about a game in YEARS. This game is incredible. The pacing, the sound design (especially that music!), the writing, just everything is about flawless. I'm less than two hours in but I'm about ready to call it my favorite Zelda.
 
I started this game the other day and I'm just so into it right now. I haven't felt this way about a game in YEARS. This game is incredible. The pacing, the sound design (especially that music!), the writing, just everything is about flawless. I'm less than two hours in but I'm about ready to call it my favorite Zelda.

man just wait. the dungeons are all really cool, and the music...it keeps on giving
 
Finished it up today, cleared out everything there was to do and reeeeeeeeeeeally enjoyed it.

Like, seriously, even by Zelda standards.

The dungeons were smart and fun, I actually enjoyed doing them, they really clicked for me as apposed to frustrated at getting stuck etc which can happen some times. The 'rent' item thing was perfectly acceptable IMO, seemed weird when I first heard about it but it worked fine with the older 'do what you want' world again.

I just loved having an overhead classic-style Zelda game again, made me so happy, the fact that the game was 'nostelgicly new' and just so damn good as well as classic-style makes it one of my most fav Zelda games of all time. :)
 

txag2005

Banned
So yeah, I've never really played a Zelda game, at least not to completion. I played a good chunk of Twilight Princess when the Wii launched, got bored, and never went back to it.

So I guess my question is, how friendly is this game for a essentially a Zelda newbie? I know a lot of Zelda games have a reputation for being pretty difficult (I always hear horror stories about the Water Temple in OOT etc..). I don't mind a challenge, but I also don't want to drop $40 on a game that is going to frustrate me to no end or drive me to a walkthrough just to complete it.

So I guess I'm asking you guys to sell me on this game. I really want to get into Zelda at some point in my life and it seems like this is a good place to start.
 

Anteo

Member
So yeah, I've never really played a Zelda game, at least not to completion. I played a good chunk of Twilight Princess when the Wii launched, got bored, and never went back to it.

So I guess my question is, how friendly is this game for a essentially a Zelda newbie? I know a lot of Zelda games have a reputation for being pretty difficult (I always hear horror stories about the Water Temple in OOT etc..). I don't mind a challenge, but I also don't want to drop $40 on a game that is going to frustrate me to no end or drive me to a walkthrough just to complete it.

So I guess I'm asking you guys to sell me on this game. I really want to get into Zelda at some point in my life and it seems like this is a good place to start.

Yeah, Im not sure if this is a good game for a newcomer. It lacks of handholding, something long time fans have been asking for but I'm not sure if its good for new players seeing my sister struggle with this game. You may get stuck and not get to the second dungeon (heck, I got stuck and some gaffers did too). Also there is a item that gives you hints about stuff in the game, but you need to find it first.
 

txag2005

Banned
Yeah, Im not sure if this is a good game for a newcomer. It lacks of handholding, something long time fans have been asking for but I'm not sure if its good for new players seeing my sister struggle with this game. You may get stuck and not get to the second dungeon (heck, I got stuck and some gaffers did too). Also there is a item that gives you hints about stuff in the game, but you need to find it first.

Any recommendations for a better Zelda game to jump into then?
 
So yeah, I've never really played a Zelda game, at least not to completion. I played a good chunk of Twilight Princess when the Wii launched, got bored, and never went back to it.

So I guess my question is, how friendly is this game for a essentially a Zelda newbie? I know a lot of Zelda games have a reputation for being pretty difficult (I always hear horror stories about the Water Temple in OOT etc..). I don't mind a challenge, but I also don't want to drop $40 on a game that is going to frustrate me to no end or drive me to a walkthrough just to complete it.

So I guess I'm asking you guys to sell me on this game. I really want to get into Zelda at some point in my life and it seems like this is a good place to start.

I think it is a very good place to start. The fast pace, compact world design, and open structure mean that you have easy access to the core features of the modern Zelda series: exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat. Many long-time Zelda fans get bored during stretches of Twilight Princess, but if you get bored during ALBW, chances are that the Zelda series is not for you. Plus it's one of the easiest games in the series. And while ALBW may not go in for the hand-holding of recent games, it is also a simpler game mechanically (you'll pick it up quickly), and it does have a hint system if you find yourself stumped by puzzles.

Any recommendations for a better Zelda game to jump into then?

This is the other part of the case for ALBW as a gateway Zelda: it's not clear which game would be better. LttP, OoT, and (maybe) MM are better games, but they're more difficult than ALBW. If the concern is that you might get stumped and have to resort to walkthroughs, ALBW is the safer option. LoZ and AoL are both harder than modern Zelda games and pretty different from a design standpoint, so they don't make sense for your purposes. LA is comparable to LttP, but it brings some minor inconveniences (constant item switching, annoying messages) to the table and is also more challenging than ALBW. Wind Waker is super easy, but a lot of people get turned off by the sailing and a mid to late-game fetch quest. If you only played Twilight Princess and Wind Waker, I am afraid you would get the impression that sparse overworlds are a series staple and decide it's not for you. Minish Cap is mediocre. It's not worth rehashing my objections to the DS games and Skyward Sword here, but suffice it to say that I see no reason to recommend starting with some of the weakest games in the series. Finally, the Oracle games are definitely a threat to frustrate a series newcomer. Just go with ALBW. It's great.
 
Finished it today, wow that ending!. I'll have to go back and 100% it. I think it was the right length for a handheld Zelda, a very smooth game, I enjoyed it a lot.
 
So yeah, I've never really played a Zelda game, at least not to completion. I played a good chunk of Twilight Princess when the Wii launched, got bored, and never went back to it.

So I guess my question is, how friendly is this game for a essentially a Zelda newbie? I know a lot of Zelda games have a reputation for being pretty difficult (I always hear horror stories about the Water Temple in OOT etc..). I don't mind a challenge, but I also don't want to drop $40 on a game that is going to frustrate me to no end or drive me to a walkthrough just to complete it.

So I guess I'm asking you guys to sell me on this game. I really want to get into Zelda at some point in my life and it seems like this is a good place to start.

I think this is the best place to start for zelda. doesn't matter it doesn't have handholding, the fact is it does not need it. the game is all gameplay no bullshit. its not hard on a combat level. the puzzles can be tricky but that is the fun of zelda. they aren't overly complicated in this one. i'd say its the best one to start with.
and if you enjoy it then you should pick up OoT 3d for 3ds. Then you get the best of both styles of zelda
 

Anteo

Member
Any recommendations for a better Zelda game to jump into then?

Well OoT 3d has Navi that will always hint where to go ("what's that in the top of the death mountain?" "Do you feel that cold wind that comes from Zora's Domain?") plus they added some video hints for puzzles and stuff. On the other hand, this game is not a bad start but I still think is too opend ended
 
K

kittens

Unconfirmed Member
It feels so good to see so much praise for a new Zelda game. I don't think Zelda fans have had so many good things to say about a new entry since Ocarina of Time.
 

Rhapsody

Banned
So yeah, I've never really played a Zelda game, at least not to completion. I played a good chunk of Twilight Princess when the Wii launched, got bored, and never went back to it.

So I guess my question is, how friendly is this game for a essentially a Zelda newbie? I know a lot of Zelda games have a reputation for being pretty difficult (I always hear horror stories about the Water Temple in OOT etc..). I don't mind a challenge, but I also don't want to drop $40 on a game that is going to frustrate me to no end or drive me to a walkthrough just to complete it.

So I guess I'm asking you guys to sell me on this game. I really want to get into Zelda at some point in my life and it seems like this is a good place to start.

OoT honestly isn't that bad of a place to start. Sure there's the infamous Water Temple, but it's mostly hard because of two well hidden keys.
For a top down Zelda, ALBW's is perfectly fine. ABLW might give problems on how to reach certain dungeons, but the dungeons themselves aren't too difficult.

There's also Link's Awakening which is really fun. A bit more difficult iirc, but the price point is good if you just want something on 3DS.

But for the first two, I'd say OoT has harder dungeons than ALBWs (imo), so this game is probably better.
 
K

kittens

Unconfirmed Member
The older 2D Zeldas are really hard for me to go back to now. The movement speed is so slow compared to ALBW.
 

Wurst

Member
Finished it just now. It's my favourite Zelda in ages. It is such a joy to play. I will most definitely replay this a lot.

The game feels tight. There is no padding. Just straight up adventure. Even though the dungeons were easy they were a joy to play through. So many great ideas.

Also: I got my video game-reluctant girlfriend to fall in love with Zelda. She wanted to try and got instantly hooked. It's kind of funny to see that this game is absolutely hard for a newbie.
It's a joy to watch her play. She also announced that we have to play another Zelda after she finished. Thanks, Nintendo.

My grudge with this series has been lifted. I would love to have Majora next year and a similar Link's Awakening type game afterwards. Can't wait.

Edit: Oh yeah, and I haven't even found the
Pegasus Boots
 

ampere

Member
Spoilers for the first dungeon I did in Lorule. Just rescued
sage who had the sand rod. Pretty cool dungeon, decent escort segment. I got some metal that can upgrade the master sword, surprised me as I didn't expect to get any further weapon upgrades.
 

watershed

Banned
I wish this game would get some kind of big expansion dlc. I'd love to have more reasons to keep playing this game.

That, or a sequel that does even more to shake up the Zelda formula with an all new world and dungeons to explore. But that's not going to happen so I will keep wishing for dlc.
 

inky

Member
I just entered the Castle after completing the world dungeons. I have found
90 maiamais
so I'll probably go back out and finish that first. Might as well look for other stuff like heart pieces, although there can't be many left.

I don't remember having this much fun with a Zelda game in ages. The 3D ones always end up too bloated, and invariably I always get stuck or bored, abandon them, and when I decide to come back I have no idea what is going on anymore or have any motivation to do it. This though, this has been a fantastic experience up to this point. The music, the visuals, the world, everything is top notch. Some of the puzzles are clever, and while the game is not hard, I feel some parts felt dangerous enough for me to apply some caution.

I didn't care much for the renting aspect in the end. Sure, it lets you tackle objectives in the order you like (which, with my constant roaming, felt random instead of "free"). But it doesn't even make any difference. As soon as I was able to rent everything, I did, and I never lost the items. I just kept going back to buy them just for the upgrades, but I never felt it made a significant difference one way or the other. Inconsequential at best, a minor inconvenience at worst. Gotta have a money sink, I guess.

All in all, I can't wait to play more yet I don't want it to end. It has been a great experience and an awesome first game to play on my first new handheld in about a decade.
 

guek

Banned
The Dark Palace was also a bitchin dungeon, just finished it. There's still a chest though with no entrances and seemingly nothing above it that I can't get into. Any tips?
 

Jucksalbe

Banned
The Dark Palace was also a bitchin dungeon, just finished it. There's still a chest though with no entrances and seemingly nothing above it that I can't get into. Any tips?

The one with the moving pillar in the room above? If so,
there's a door under the platform, but you have to bomb it first. So you have to put a bomb on the pillar just at the right time, so it explodes when the platform is at the bottom (or strike the bomb at the right time).
 

Anteo

Member
The Dark Palace was also a bitchin dungeon, just finished it. There's still a chest though with no entrances and seemingly nothing above it that I can't get into. Any tips?

If there is a face on the wall, it can turn around with a switch. You use this a few times in the dungeon, but probably didnt connect that to get this particular chest
 

Alo81

Low Poly Gynecologist
I just finished this right now.

What a god damned stellar game.

It felt like there was no fluff and everything was in there for a reason.

The Ice Dungeon is still my favorite, I really loved it.

~18 hours to complete, I got all the Maimais, all the items
plus upgraded them
except one bottle from
the rupee fairy
and 18 hearts.

Wow I wish there was more to it.
 
So I've had this since launch... hoping to fire it up this week. LttP is my favorite Zelda of all time. I hope they did it justice. I haven't been able to finish the last two zeldas. They were just... fucking BORING. Too much handholding bullshit.
 

Ultratech

Member
If there is a face on the wall, it can turn around with a switch. You use this a few times in the dungeon, but probably didnt connect that to get this particular chest

Yeah, THAT chest had me stumped for a bit until I remembered the thing about the faces on the walls (which was two rooms before that with the rotating walls).

That's a pretty tricky one to get unless you're paying attention.
 

Jarnet87

Member
When collecting the maimai's are you supposed to hold them until you have all of the items bought or does it matter? I don't want to miss upgrades.
 
When collecting the maimai's are you supposed to hold them until you have all of the items bought or does it matter? I don't want to miss upgrades.

doesn't matter

So I've had this since launch... hoping to fire it up this week. LttP is my favorite Zelda of all time. I hope they did it justice. I haven't been able to finish the last two zeldas. They were just... fucking BORING. Too much handholding bullshit.

this is the quickest zelda ever made, and there is no handholding. enjoy
 
The thing that's so cool about this game so far is that it completely avoids the problem of wandering around trying to find the next thing you're supposed to do. I can just pick a direction to walk in and know that I'll eventually bump into something cool or useful.
 
K

kittens

Unconfirmed Member
Yeah, THAT chest had me stumped for a bit until I remembered the thing about the faces on the walls (which was two rooms before that with the rotating walls).

That's a pretty tricky one to get unless you're paying attention.
I noticed the face and remembered what it did in the earlier room, but
never thought to try the switch on the opposite side of the room, and just figured the symbol had some other meaning for that room.

It and the pegasus boots were the only things I had to look up online to figure out.
 
Man, I'm missing just the one Street Pass medal for using Ravio's bracelet, but I never get a battle on a stage I can achieve that.

Really annoying.
 
When you first meet Zelda,
if your name is Link, does she recognize the name? I remember that she asks you your name and said that it wasn't familiar to her.
 

Anteo

Member
When you first meet Zelda,
if your name is Link, does she recognize the name? I remember that she asks you your name and said that it wasn't familiar to her.

Why would she reconize your name? anyways my file is named link but I dont think she said anything diferent.
 

guek

Banned
Thanks for the tips, guys!

Just finished the last lorule dungeon and man, this game sure did live up to the hype. It's been a great ride. Three things that really stuck out to me are

- The
blue tunic
really does ruin the challenge of the game. The game does suffer for it and they shouldn't have included it, or at least made it unequipable.

- This is the only zelda game I've played where the lantern isn't a throwaway item. Yeah it's used sparingly in other zeldas but this is the best I've seen it ever used. Finding torches to light in dark dungeons and setting mummies ablaze makes it more useful than even a few of the items you buy outright.

- There isn't a dungeon I didn't enjoy. The only boss I didn't really like was the
hand in the skull palace
. While not all the bosses were challenging, almost all of them were interesting and fun to beat.
 

Sagitario

Member
- This is the only zelda game I've played where the lantern isn't a throwaway item. Yeah it's used sparingly in other zeldas but this is the best I've seen it ever used. Finding torches to light in dark dungeons and setting mummies ablaze makes it more useful than even a few of the items you buy outright.
Until you get the Fire Rod.
IIRC, TP lantern usage was OK too.



- There isn't a dungeon I didn't enjoy. The only boss I didn't really like was the
hand in the skull palace
. While not all the bosses were challenging, almost all of them were interesting and fun to beat.
The only one I didn't enjoy much was Skull Woods (and Tower of Hera was way too short): I hated the hand, didn't enjoy the mechanic of having to wait for it and then being in a hurry.
 
Top Bottom