We don't have to tell you that a lot of people weren't exactly fans of
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker; Nintendo fans who loved it (and even those who didn't) heard the complaints over and over again. That's made a few people a little wary of the upcoming
Phantom Hourglass, and we understand. Really, we do, even if we don't necessarily agree. But from every scrap we've seen from the latest handheld entry in the franchise, it's shaping up to be a real
adventure -- which is the biggest complaint about the series as time goes on. We've seen it. We've done it. We've been been heroic through the ages, and though we love every moment spent in Hyrule, sometimes, we crave something a little different. From the looks of things, we're about to get just that, and more.
Our own
JC Fletcher spent some time with
Phantom Hourglass recently at PAX, and his report is nothing short of
glowing. Everything in the game feels fresh and new, and what's more? It's just plain fun. There are all the elements we need for a Zelda game: familiar enemies and tasks, but the smooth stylus-based controls turn the forests and seas of Hyrule into a whole new world. We've been
waiting for this one for a long time, but the closer we get to
release, the more it seems that it's all been worth it.
We've tucked a video behind the break that offers up a short glimpse of simple navigation that shows off the stylus-based movement, so you can see for yourself. Just watch out for the trees.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-28-2007 @ 12:50PM
hvnlysoldr said...
It's always fun running into trees. I've always loved just bombing everything. Find a dead end? Bomb every single square. Especially true in Metroid games I just spam the Power Bomb in every room.
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8-28-2007 @ 1:56PM
DiahrreaMan said...
So true. Also spam morphball-bomb every inch visible!
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8-28-2007 @ 2:37PM
Pizza Pasta said...
I can't beleive that people would be wary to play this game, it looks fantastic.
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8-28-2007 @ 4:55PM
Kindred said...
"I just like the keys better. Does anyone know if you can just use the keys?"
You like the keys better? How can you possibly know. Even if you've played another game that had stylus controlled movement it doesn't compare to PH's. Now I have played the game firstly, there is NO option to play with d-pad+buttons. The buttons plus a shoulder button are used to access menus and use your current item. If you're right handed you'll use the d-pad and the L Button. You can change your hand.
This Zelda controls brilliantly, and once you play it you'll know that D-pad wasn't an option.
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8-28-2007 @ 5:02PM
DSFanOnTheWeekend said...
Do you have to use the stylus for everything? Don't get me wrong, it's cool, but I personally prefer to use the arrows and X, Y, A,and B buttons. I hope I didn't offend anyone, I just like the keys better. Does anyone know if you can just use the keys?
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8-28-2007 @ 5:05PM
DSFanOnTheWeekend said...
Alright settle down. I said I didn't want to offend anyone, it's just my preference to use the keys. And maybe you're right, maybe I will like the stylus control.
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8-28-2007 @ 8:18PM
Robert said...
Key question: Are the f*@$ing puzzles different? The newest Zelda on Wii/Gamecube was pretty, yes, but I walked my roommate through a few dungeons and some enemies having only ever played OOT and Link's Awakening. If it's just a prettier Link's Awakening with a stylus, why bother?
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8-28-2007 @ 8:26PM
MidnightScott said...
I've played the Japanese version via some other means. It was fun, I can't wait for the US version!
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8-28-2007 @ 8:36PM
Arty said...
that pictures looks like he wants to bend link downa shove that rupee up his..
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8-29-2007 @ 10:04AM
Metoo said...
I've played the Jp version and it controls very well, although sometimes my stylus hand gets tired and I would appreciate a D-pad control setup.
Controlling weapons like the boomerang is so much easier. I haven't gotten up to the bow and arrow yet.
I remember there was a boomerang puzzle in one of the GBC Zelda games where you had to maneuver it through a twisted path of blocks. It took me like 25 times to get it right. How annoying! If only stylus control had been around back then, it would have been so much easier.
PS: Yes, it does look like Link's gonna get manhandled there!
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