MTV's Totilo finds that while the new control scheme of the game is largely great, other parts of Phantom Hourglass are too stripped-down or simplified; for example, finding bombable walls, once an exercise in tapping walls or just bombing everything, now you are often led right to the spot via a pattern on the floor. In addition, what hasn't been messed with, he thinks, may need to be. As a longtime Zelda fan, Totilo thinks that the series may be getting stale.
Croal, on the other hand, is a Zelda neophyte, starting with the DS game, as Nintendo imagines many others to be doing. He loves the controls-- so much so, in fact, that he all but states that the fun of controlling Link is the only thing keeping him hanging on. He finds that there's too much wandering and backtracking in Phantom Hourglass, and probably in Zelda in general, and not enough forward motion.
It doesn't sound like either journalist will be donning a Link suit to review the game. Did the same issues weigh on your decision to buy or pass on the game, or was it as easy as "new Zelda, must buy"?
[Image part of a wallpaper found here, via GameSetWatch]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-30-2007 @ 10:26AM
onepointfivevolt said...
Phantom Hourglass is good. I just want to start off by saying that. It suffers, however, from a need to add touchscreen controls and attract the casual market. It was easy. Really easy. The bombable walls issue is quite true, too. I wasn't left wandering around looking for secrets in typical fashion. They were all just pointed out to me. Punching me in the face saying HELLO I AM A SECRET. It was a fun game, though, don't get me wrong. I skipped a bunch of the minigames and collecting ship parts... I just didn't care.
So, I understand why they did what they did, I just think it pales in comparison to the last handheld game. Minish Cap probably won't be topped for some time.
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10-30-2007 @ 10:40AM
Charlie said...
That dude has never played a Zelda game?!? His oppinion was worthless to me. I have Phantom Hourglass and thought it was worth every penny. Why am I hearing so much difficulty people are having with rolling Link? Is drawing tiny cirlcles too complex for your marble sized brain?
My only complaint was lack of difficulty. Just like the New Super Mario Bros. There was a good game that could have been great if it had eny sort of real difficulty. More weapons would be nice (automatic crossbow and fire rod), a larger world with more emphasis on land exploration rather than sea (lets see a horse maybee some air vehicles), a deeper multiplayer maybee a co-op mode, the ability to swim was also missed.
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10-30-2007 @ 10:45AM
L said...
Wait a second...Croal is a games journalist and he's NEVER palyed a Zelda game? Wow. I disagree with him on the backtracking thing, except for the Ocean King dungeon, I found there wasn't much backtracking anywhere else. I also disagree with Croal about the game needing "forward motion". What does he think this is, God of War? Zelda is supposed to be about going all over the place and exploring. I more agree with Totilo that Zelda might need to step up and take things in a future direction and not keep relying on the same mechanics over and over again. I love Zelda, it's my favorite franchise, but they've innovated so much, I think everyone pretty much EXPECTS them to innovate again. Is that really a fair burden to place on the shoulders of one franchise's though?
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10-30-2007 @ 10:46AM
Xian B. said...
I haven't bought Phantom Hourglass yet. I will some day, but I know there's no risk of the stock running out, so I'm taking my time.
Despite all the pre-release hype, I knew this Zelda would not be designed for the longtime fans. (Don't get me wrong: I knew it would be good, being a Nintendo product, but not for old schoolers.) And when I finally saw it in Walmart, tagged with one of those "Touch Generations" labels, I knew my instincts had been right.
I guess if you go into it thinking, "Zelda Lite for the DS Lite," then you'll be fine.
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10-30-2007 @ 12:47PM
Blast Processing Megadrive said...
My feelings on Phantom Hourglass:
1) Touch controls are great. It works very well.
2) It has been a bit simplified, yes. Such as there being no Heart Pieces to find (just complete Heart Containers; like the original). But, I don't think everything in the game was 100% obvious, as 1.5v states. I ended up using GameFAQs to find a couple of Treasure Maps and Spirit Gems.
3) To appeal to the casual market? The hell? I don't see the casual market picking up Zelda over Brain Age. That's just silly.
4) I also disagree with 1.5v on Minish Cap. While it was a fun game (Capcom/Flagship makes good stuff), it was just WAY too short. Phantom Hourglass surpasses it. Still, nothing can stand up to A Link to the Past...
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10-30-2007 @ 12:54PM
LeChuck said...
Mine didn't have a Touch Generations logo, maybe Wal-Mart just decided to put them on there.
NES and GameBoy were the only Nintendo consoles I had before DS so I missed out on most of Zelda. I played but never finished the original and finished Link's Awakening. Liked them but didn't consider myself a huge fan. I bought Phantom Hourglass a couple weeks ago, haven't finished it yet but it's about all I've done with my free time. I am loving this game, possibly more than any game I've played before. It really feels like an adventure more than most games that claim that category. This and other reviews I've read have said it's a great game but so-so compared to other Zelda games which just makes me extremely excited to play the rest of the series. And I think that's exactly what Nintendo intended.
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10-30-2007 @ 8:52PM
Gerwurztraminer said...
I always tend to be a console behind when I get around to playing Zelda games. So, I'll probably end up getting Phantom Hourglass on the next yet-to-be-thought-of backwards compatible handheld.
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10-31-2007 @ 4:26AM
xnez said...
I just got a DS off craigslist and it came with Zelda.
I have to say it is pretty amazing. Sure it is easier then most zelda games, but it is still a really great game. I am having a blast.
I recommend everyone pick it up, the game is fun and i really enjoy the wifi battle game.
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10-31-2007 @ 2:46PM
eryk said...
I thikn part of it's ease is that you aren't struggling with the DPad to move diagonally and what-not. It's not the hardest Zelda game I've played, but it's definitely one of the most fun. Some parts are pretty challenging, and I know I've died a few times. One of the strongest things is that I can bust it open and play for 15 minutes and make progress. That's really important on a hand held game! I play on the subway a lot of days and I would hardly have made any progress if it were paced like a 3d zelda game. I only have a few hours a day to do anything besides work, and it's nice to get a zelda fix that doesn't take 2-3 hours to feel satisfying.
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