Zelda info blowout! 70 hours?!?!! [Archive]

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GFLPraxis

Nov 3, 2006, 09:45 PM

If playing Zelda again (this time with the new Wii control scheme) at the Nintendo Fusion Tour last night didn't get me hyped enough, this nearly made my head explode.

Nintendo invited 30 different media representatives from all the big guys (IGN, GameSpot, etc) to Nintendo HQ for a huge Zelda marathon (was it 24 hours? think so). So far, Matt at IGN took a break after 10 hours to write up his experience so far.

http://wii.ign.com/articles/744/744044p1.html

Oh. My. Gosh.

Read the entire article please, but here are some relevant quotes.

If Wii Sports is for the non-gamers, Twilight Princess is for the hardcore. After I spent 10 hours with the game, I barely managed to squeak by two temples, with the third so far off that I could scarcely imagine getting there, let alone approach the objective. (For the record, out of 30 or so journalists, nobody came close to the third temple.) I asked how long it took Nintendo's testers to complete the entire game the first time through. The answer is a whopping 70-plus hours. Adding insult to injury, diabolical Nintendo translator and localization manager Bill Trinen told me that he was working on his second play-through of the game. Knowing what to do and where to go, and skipping cut-scenes, Trinen said that he had logged about 27 hours to make it about two thirds of the way through the temples themselves - and that doesn't account for any of the side quests or time sucks like fishing, a single operation that could easily add hours upon hours to Zelda's depth. .

When publishers claim that their games are 50 hours long, seasoned players usually half that number for the truth. But with Twilight Princess, I think we can really look forward to a 50-plus-hour adventure, bare minimum. This quest will keep you busy through the holidays and beyond. So, I'm pondering this revelation a lot as I try to imagine how in the hell I'm going to find the time to beat Zelda and still review 30 other games for the Wii launch. Of course, that's more than a little terrifying, but at the same time I am absolutely thrilled by the prospect of spending some quality time with Link, Epona, and Zelda again. Oh yeah, and Midna, too.

There's no way to know for sure how it'll all turn out yet, as even with 10 hours under my belt I've only scratched the surface. However, if the game keeps up or gets better - as Nintendo's people promise that it does - there is simply no way that the adventure will remembered as anything but a masterful classic and quite possibly the best launch title in the history of the business.

For the leftie Link fans and GameCube purists...
Twilight Princess may have started as a GameCube title, but it finished a Wii one. There remains this faction of gamers that refuses to accept the possibility. You know who you are. You continue to argue that because the controls were originally designed for the GameCube pad there is no hope for the Wii build. You say that your arms will get tired using the Wii remote. You speak of mirrored worlds and right-handed Link. And you know what? It's all crap. If you buy Twilight Princess for GameCube and not Wii, you are a fool. And I state that without meaning to suggest that the GCN iteration is flawed - it isn't. It's an amazing swan song for Nintendo's older system. But neither is it as good as the Wii incarnation. In fact, were it up to me and not Nintendo (and in my dreams, it is), I'd have scrapped the GCN build altogether, forcing everyone to exclusively buy the Wii version. Honestly, Nintendo gave you five good years with GameCube; it doesn't owe you a damned thing.

For those concerned over the new control scheme...
There is every reason to get Zelda on Wii, but if you're still not convinced that the controls work just fine, consider that I was just as skeptical as you are now before I put some serious play time into the game. So were the other 30 or so journalists who played alongside me. And when the gameplay session came to its too-early end, everybody in attendance agreed that the Wii remote and nunchuk combo performed beautifully. Nobody's arms were tired. Nobody felt that the continuity of the game universe had been sacrificed because the landscapes and items had been mirrored. And nobody complained that Link was a right-hander. In fact, we had a couple lefties who said playing with the game on Wii felt very natural.

*drools*

More info from http://gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=7172
Today's 1up Show featured Nate Bihldorff and Bill Trinen from Nintendo of America's game localization department, who revealed some new details on Zelda: Twilight Princess, mostly regarding its length.

Those wondering about the number of dungeons should be happy to hear that TP is full of them. There are nine main dungeons - so, as many as Ocarina of Time - as well as lots of smaller areas that could be considered mini-dungeons. The guys also noted that there's tons of stuff to do in between dungeons, so it's not just this repetitive, "Go to this dungeon; alright, now go to the next dungeon, etc." They're spaced pretty far apart time-wise.

Talking about Hyrule Field, Trinen said that TP's main field, not including all the side areas, is at least five times as big as Ocarina of Time's. He also mentioned that the horse battle area in the E3 2005 demo is actually as large as OoT's whole Hyrule Field.

Trinen went on to say that Nintendo of Japan's testing team's first playthrough of the game clocked in at 70 hours. And, he added, that was without getting 100% of the collectibles and such. The main collectibles in Twilight Princess are golden bugs that can be found all throughout the game. Trinen mentioned that they come in pairs, so if you find, say, a male ladybug in a tree, the female one's gonna be around there somewhere. Trinen also noted that most of the collectible items in Twilight Princess will actually prove useful at some point in the game.

Hello, Zelda. Goodbye, life.

Chone

Nov 3, 2006, 09:56 PM

Ocarina of Time was one my favorite games of all time... and Twilight Princess looks every just bit as awesome and more.

I feel more and more compelled to buy a Wii as the days go by... hmm and at 250$ with a game included... oh my how can I resist... must play Zelda...

SamIchi

Nov 3, 2006, 09:59 PM

I am so saying goodbye to everything else... after I'm done with this semester. I'm goin' to play it nonstop with no distractions. Total immersion :D

*marks calendar Dec 15th*

0s and 1s

Nov 3, 2006, 10:04 PM

Ugh.....I can't wait! 70 hours??? I haven't spent that much time on a game since FF7.

I know that I'm being anal retentive, but is the original theme song (or a rendition of it for that matter) in the game? My childhood memories made it very hard to enjoy the N64 Zeldas because of this omission.

:o

GFLPraxis

Nov 3, 2006, 10:09 PM

I know that I'm being anal retentive, but is the original theme song (or a rendition of it for that matter) in the game? My childhood memories made it very hard to enjoy the N64 Zeldas because of this omission.

While I can't tell you for sure, being that I've only played one dungeon (twice, using different control schemes), I'd be shocked if it wasn't :)

Mac'Mo

Nov 3, 2006, 10:20 PM

I'm excited, im a big fan of nintendo and i hope they do well. But i am slightly skeptical so chances are i'll just play with my frend's wiis (hahaha) just to erase said skepticism.

SamIchi

Nov 3, 2006, 10:45 PM

rockthecasbah

Nov 3, 2006, 10:52 PM

That was such a great article, thanks for the link. I'm really just so excited to play TP already and behold the Wii's awesomeness. Can i make it to launch? :rolleyes:

ieani

Nov 3, 2006, 11:02 PM

Wow...so much does a Wii cost?

GFLPraxis

Nov 3, 2006, 11:03 PM

Wow...so much does a Wii cost?

$249, with a game (Wii Sports), a set of controllers (one Wii remote and one nunchuck add-on), and built-in memory (no memory card required), WiFi, and Bluetooth. The whole setup.

Dagless

Nov 3, 2006, 11:03 PM

Suppose the other big, hidden news that goes along with this is that people are playing TP for 10 hours and their arms aren't falling off.

Regardless, Zelda is going to be incredible. There isn't really much else to say. just a shame I wont be playing mine until Christmas :o

GFLPraxis

Nov 3, 2006, 11:04 PM

Dagless

Nov 3, 2006, 11:05 PM

Why's that?

my iMac sapped up all my money and my student loan hasn't come through yet. My mums getting a Wii for the family after reading all the rave reviews in the paper (read: not blogosphere!). I mean really mate, the Wii was in every paper a few weeks back.

Nermal

Nov 3, 2006, 11:15 PM

It's definitely looking like it'll be a popular game - it's at #2 from a large (biggest?) NZ game retailer (the Wii itself is #1) :D

The PS3, on the other hand, is sitting at #156 :p

barkins

Nov 3, 2006, 11:22 PM

If I wasn't already plenty excited about the Wii, reading that review almost made me pee my pants (no really, I drank too much soda).

I was considering purchasing an Xbox 360 AND a Wii, however my budget has just taken quite a beating by the new MacBook Pro, so I'll have to settle for the Wii and I don't feel like I'm missing out all that much.

Nermal

Nov 3, 2006, 11:27 PM

my budget has just taken quite a beating by the new MacBook Pro

Same here. I don't actually see myself getting a Wii in the near future, although I definitely desire one.

Oblivious

Nov 3, 2006, 11:53 PM

Oh ****.

I'm never going to be able to finish my college applications once this game is out.:o :eek:

Goodbye life.

sikkinixx

Nov 4, 2006, 12:42 AM

Malus

Nov 4, 2006, 12:44 AM

Man...good thing I only have 2 class sessions after I get my wii before Thanksgiving break starts, haha I'll have a good solid week to play it non stop :D

tk421

Nov 4, 2006, 01:26 AM

I know that I'm being anal retentive, but is the original theme song (or a rendition of it for that matter) in the game? My childhood memories made it very hard to enjoy the N64 Zeldas because of this omission.

:o

I'm pretty sure it's been in every Zelda except the ones that I'd rather not speak of... I'm pretty sure it was in OOT.

Actually, it wasn't in OOT, though the Hyrule Field music hints at it occasionally. It was in Majora's Mask and Wind Waker.

The just-released footage of the game's opening title had music reminiscent of the opening title of the original Legend of Zelda. That was a very pleasant surprise to me. I've always enjoyed the Zelda music, and I also hope to hear the main theme in Twilight Princess.

GFLPraxis

Nov 4, 2006, 03:43 AM

Okay, the Twilight King is pretty obviously Ganondorf- he's got a Gerudo symbol on his robe and he takes over Hyrule, who else can he be?

ColdFlame87

Nov 4, 2006, 04:23 AM

*coughwiifanboyscough* :o

That is sweet though. I just beat Link to the Past in 3 sittings (not enough) and Wind Waker was artifically made longer due to the stupid sailing (I curse that damn ship), so 50-70 hours with Link would be hardcore. My #1 Wii game when I get it.

what if they artificially made this game longer as well but instead of a vast ocean to explore and travel its vast fields. haha just a thought i doubt such is the case.

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 04:50 AM

Okay, the Twilight King is pretty obviously Ganondorf- he's got a Gerudo symbol on his robe and he takes over Hyrule, who else can he be?

“I know that everyone’s wondering what's going on with Link’s old nemesis. All I can say now is, we’re preparing more than you could possibly ever, ever, ever, expect...

I don't think it's going to be as black and white as that. Zelda has already been showing holding a rapier-like weapon. Bit of character progression, jollies!

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 08:16 AM

"I seriously cannot see myself playing the Cube version and enjoying it nearly as much. I know that it is the same core game...and I would enjoy the story just as much...but the physical connection of actually feeling like Link is absolutely priceless."

That's what I was after. feeling like Link. only PC games have ever made me forget about time, about where I was due to the mouse control. It really sounds as if this will be the first console game to truly get me.

We're so here now. Twilight Princess is DONE. I think I'm going into town later and putting a deposit down on it, be my first pre-order!

BoyBach

Nov 4, 2006, 08:45 AM

Regardless of the "If you buy Twilight Princess for GameCube and not Wii, you are a fool" comment, I will be dusting down my Gamecube and cancelling my social life when Zelda is released.

tk421

Nov 4, 2006, 10:22 AM

That's what I was after. feeling like Link. only PC games have ever made me forget about time, about where I was due to the mouse control. It really sounds as if this will be the first console game to truly get me.

That's funny. Only console games have ever really sucked me in to that level. When I play a computer game, I'm always aware that I'm on a computer.

I am surprised so many people love the mouse as a game input device. I can see that for games like Sim City, Warcraft, Civilization, etc, with a map. But other than that, I've always thought the keyboard and mouse take me out of the game. I guess I don't really like first-person shooters that much, and that's the other type of game that a mouse seems designed for.

I don't know. Maybe I'm odd, but I have always vastly preferred console games to computer games.

Sky Blue

Nov 4, 2006, 10:24 AM

Actually, it wasn't in OOT, though the Hyrule Field music hints at it occasionally. It was in Majora's Mask and Wind Waker.

The just-released footage of the game's opening title had music reminiscent of the opening title of the original Legend of Zelda. That was a very pleasant surprise to me. I've always enjoyed the Zelda music, and I also hope to hear the main theme in Twilight Princess.

it was only in WW in the opening with the paintings. I think people have mentioned it's not in TP.

Chone

Nov 4, 2006, 10:25 AM

That's funny. Only console games have ever really sucked me in to that level. When I play a computer game, I'm always aware that I'm on a computer.

I am surprised so many people love the mouse as a game input device. I can see that for games like Sim City, Warcraft, Civilization, etc, with a map. But other than that, I've always thought the keyboard and mouse take me out of the game. I guess I don't really like first-person shooters that much, and that's the other type of game that a mouse seems designed for.

I don't know. Maybe I'm odd, but I have always vastly preferred console games to computer games.

I prefer Online, FPS, RTS and Point n Click games (like the sims 2 or old adventure games or rpgs) on a PC and sadly, the most popular games on consoles are online and FPS (and for god's sake they are now trying to introduce RTS) which is why I hate Xbox, I love action, driving, platform, stealth, etc just about any other genre on consoles which the PS2 has in abundance which is why I like it.

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 10:31 AM

That's funny. Only console games have ever really sucked me in to that level. When I play a computer game, I'm always aware that I'm on a computer.

I am surprised so many people love the mouse as a game input device. I can see that for games like Sim City, Warcraft, Civilization, etc, with a map. But other than that, I've always thought the keyboard and mouse take me out of the game. I guess I don't really like first-person shooters that much, and that's the other type of game that a mouse seems designed for.

I don't know. Maybe I'm odd, but I have always vastly preferred console games to computer games.

I just can't play console FPS games anymore. Not since getting a very sexy mouse. It does help knowing where all the keys and buttons are for PC games though. It was always the precise motions and turning in a console FPS that really turned me off. I find you can either have one or the other where an analogue stick stands.

Mav451

Nov 4, 2006, 10:33 AM

I prefer Online, FPS, RTS and Point n Click games (like the sims 2 or old adventure games) on a PC and sadly, the most popular games on consoles are online and FPS (and for god's sake they are not trying to introduce RTS) which is why I hate Xbox, I love action, driving, platform, stealth, etc just about any other genre on consoles which the PS2 has in abundance which is why I like it.

D2 remains the only game that had me playing several hours non-stop. The only one that comes even close would be either Link to the Past or RE4.

twistedlegato

Nov 4, 2006, 10:41 AM

PRAXIS..Do you like the new control?

Because when you found out about swinging the Wiimote you were not to happy...

bobber205

Nov 4, 2006, 10:41 AM

After reading this glorious topic, I'm now thinking about this:

I have a preorder for TP with SamGoody, just in case I could'nt get one at Wal-Mart when the Wii comes out.

But when I'm buying my Wii, and there's a copy of TP just sitting there, should I go ahead and get it? Do you think SamGoody will call me sunday and say "come get TP?"

twistedlegato

Nov 4, 2006, 10:46 AM

Okay, the Twilight King is pretty obviously Ganondorf- he's got a Gerudo symbol on his robe and he takes over Hyrule, who else can he be?

HE CANT BE!!!!

HE IS TOO SHORT!

AND he looks like a lizard!

He is probable a sub boss, and Ganondorf is the final boss!

twistedlegato

Nov 4, 2006, 10:47 AM

tk421

Nov 4, 2006, 11:37 AM

Okay, the Twilight King is pretty obviously Ganondorf- he's got a Gerudo symbol on his robe and he takes over Hyrule, who else can he be?

Remember Agahnim in Link to the Past? This person could be someone like him.

takao

Nov 4, 2006, 11:38 AM

I am surprised so many people love the mouse as a game input device. I can see that for games like Sim City, Warcraft, Civilization, etc, with a map. But other than that, I've always thought the keyboard and mouse take me out of the game. I guess I don't really like first-person shooters that much, and that's the other type of game that a mouse seems designed for.

I don't know. Maybe I'm odd, but I have always vastly preferred console games to computer games.

i guess it have to do with left-right hand / eye coordination ... i know plenty of people who can't seem to get around using their arms for different inputs at the same time.. for a lot of people the same with thumbs seems easier

first person shooters on PCs are like driving bicycles .. once learned you never forget how you do it .. i remember the last LAN we made: after not playing FPS with a mouse for half a year i first was all over the place .. after 3-4 rounds i was getting better.. and my friends started to swear and scream more and more ;)

bobber205

Nov 4, 2006, 11:43 AM

If its there get it!

Then drop your preorder later!

That's what I was thinking. I could stand not having that 5 dollars anyway.

Redneck1089

Nov 4, 2006, 01:02 PM

Regardless of the "If you buy Twilight Princess for GameCube and not Wii, you are a fool" comment, I will be dusting down my Gamecube and cancelling my social life when Zelda is released.

I guess I am a fool too. Not because I don't want to use the Wii remote--I do--but because I don't feel like spending another couple hundred dollars on a Nintendo console only to receive a game like this new Zelda once in half a decade. I'm proud to say this will likely be the last Nintendo game I buy...and what a game it'll be! :D

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 01:19 PM

a little question... does TP feature 1:1 sword fighting with the controller? I remember shigsy saying something about free hand sword fighting, but is it really free hand?

gloss

Nov 4, 2006, 01:29 PM

a little question... does TP feature 1:1 sword fighting with the controller? I remember shigsy saying something about free hand sword fighting, but is it really free hand?

Nah, it's not 1:1. You just sorta wave it to strike.

~Shard~

Nov 4, 2006, 01:34 PM

70 hours? Meh. If you want epic try playing a Final Fantasy. 100+ hours there in some cases. :p ;)

Of course, it's really irrelevant, as I always prefer quality over quantity. :cool:

viccles

Nov 4, 2006, 03:15 PM

Great. And I have a thesis to write next year :rolleyes: Better try and finish the game over summer

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 03:38 PM

I have a frikkin game to make! Sam 1 took me 9 months to make, I have to make Sam 2 better and in 4 months! Oh Zelda. Why?

Bubbasteve

Nov 4, 2006, 03:49 PM

This new information just put the cherry on top for me -- I have been a Zelda fan since LttP but I'm one of the few that didn't care too much for Majora's Mask and the Wind Waker (although good in it's own way) didn't have the same effect that LttP and Ocarina had... just my opinion

Hopefully TP lives up to it's hype (and so far that's some mighty shoes to fill...but I trust Nintendo with this one).

sikkinixx

Nov 4, 2006, 05:27 PM

i would hbe a happy camper if this game actually had...whats that thing again.. oh yeah, a story. Every Zelda game is the same rehashed "Ganon is taking the triforce and making the world evil!" Can't he have like a kid or something that will try to kill you? Can't Link fall in love only to have his love slain before his eyes? Can't there be a war? Plague? Diease? Famine? Drought?! Can't Zelda be pregant with his bastard love child!? MAYBE GANON IS HIS DAD?!?! "Link....I am your father" Where is Jerry Springer when you need him? I know it's a traditionalist thing but...

Dagless

Nov 4, 2006, 05:38 PM

well there is variation in this one.

Gannondorf isn't the Twilight King (size?) and we're told his role its something we weren't expecting this time.
Zelda plays a different role, even having a weapon.

And a story that links together all the previous stories is going to be very, very nice.

wait wait... from the Zelda's I've played-
Links Awakening is about Link trying to get off an island. No Zelda at all.
Ocarina of Time is about Gannondorf taking over. Zelda is kidnapped
Majora's Mask is something different entirely.
Windwaker is about a flooded world to keep Gannondorf away. Does he capture Zelda? I didn't finish it.
Minish Cap is about a talking hat with a king that has been turned to stone.
Oracle games were also something different entirely.
Sure some follow a similar story of Ganon/a power taking over and sometimes Zelda gets captured but each one has a different background, different events or just an entirely different story.

Sky Blue

Nov 4, 2006, 05:51 PM

Ocarina of Time is about Gannondorf taking over. Zelda is kidnapped

Only at the end, she's Sheik for most of it.

Sky Blue

Nov 4, 2006, 05:53 PM

Can't he have like a kid or something that will try to kill you?

And ruin the franchise the way Bowser Jr ruined Mario?

Ah Bowser Jr, the Jar Jar Binks of Nintendo Characters.

bobber205

Nov 4, 2006, 05:56 PM

And ruin the franchise the way Bowser Jr ruined Mario?

Ah Bowser Jr, the Jar Jar Binks of Nintendo Characters.

Lol. So true.

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 01:25 AM

PRAXIS..Do you like the new control?

Because when you found out about swinging the Wiimote you were not to happy...

Yes. Yes I do :)
I think it's VASTLY better for arrow-shooting, though for sword swinging, probably equal to the regular one. But having arrows shot with the B trigger is very nice :)

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 01:25 AM

And ruin the franchise the way Bowser Jr ruined Mario?

Ah Bowser Jr, the Jar Jar Binks of Nintendo Characters.

Bowser Jr? I thought Tingle was the Jar Jar Binks of Nintendo characters.

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 01:29 AM

well there is variation in this one.

Gannondorf isn't the Twilight King (size?) and we're told his role its something we weren't expecting this time.
Zelda plays a different role, even having a weapon.

Ganondorf isn't the Twilight King? What are you smoking?

Let's see...the Twilight King lives in some kind of spirit realm (hmm, Wind Waker ended up with Ganondorf stabbed through the head and turned to stone), and he wears a Gerudo symbol on his freakin' robe. Who else would be wearing a Gerudo symbol?

And a story that links together all the previous stories is going to be very, very nice.

wait wait... from the Zelda's I've played-
Links Awakening is about Link trying to get off an island. No Zelda at all.
Ocarina of Time is about Gannondorf taking over. Zelda is kidnapped
Majora's Mask is something different entirely.
Windwaker is about a flooded world to keep Gannondorf away. Does he capture Zelda? I didn't finish it.
Minish Cap is about a talking hat with a king that has been turned to stone.
Oracle games were also something different entirely.
Sure some follow a similar story of Ganon/a power taking over and sometimes Zelda gets captured but each one has a different background, different events or just an entirely different story.

You didn't finish Wind Waker? What's wrong with you?

Yeah, Ganondorf captures Zelda. In the final battle, she takes your bow and arrows and starts blasting Ganondorf with light arrows while you fight him and you even have to do some teamwork with her for the final blow (line up Ganondorf so she shoots an arrow that hits your mirror shield, bounces off, and hits Ganondorf in the face, so you can jump in and deliver the final blow, running the Master Sword through his skull).

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 05:08 AM

I dunno, I got my doubts that it's Gannondorf. I think it's already been mentioned but I'm guessing it's a Agahnim style mini boss. Gannondorf has always been seen as a super tall, super strong character. this guy isn't.
I suppose the position of this game in the whole Zelda timeline would be important. I'm guessing (if it links the old stories together) that it's going to be at the tail end of it.

Didn't finish Windwaker through the tiresome Triforce collecting bit. I did that originally but my save was wiped, never had the dedication to do it again.

edit:
Though Nintendo confirmed it was after Ocarina but before Wind Waker. though I'd love to know more about where he got his info from.

Chone

Nov 5, 2006, 09:04 AM

I dunno, I got my doubts that it's Gannondorf. I think it's already been mentioned but I'm guessing it's a Agahnim style mini boss. Gannondorf has always been seen as a super tall, super strong character. this guy isn't.
I suppose the position of this game in the whole Zelda timeline would be important. I'm guessing (if it links the old stories together) that it's going to be at the tail end of it.

Didn't finish Windwaker through the tiresome Triforce collecting bit. I did that originally but my save was wiped, never had the dedication to do it again.

edit:
though I'd love to know more about where he got his info from.

But Link is adult throughout the whole game? Right? If so how can it be before Wind Waker?

gloss

Nov 5, 2006, 10:04 AM

But Link is adult throughout the whole game? Right? If so how can it be before Wind Waker?

From what I've read, Wind Waker takes place a few hundred years after Ocarina of Time.

Personally, I'm unsure of the timeline for the games.

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 10:35 AM

DavidLeblond

Nov 5, 2006, 10:36 AM

70 hours, eh? How many of those hours are spent crossing the new "massive" Hyrule Field? Just like how much of the time spent playing Wind Waker was in that friggin' red boat.

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 10:42 AM

70 hours, eh? How many of those hours are spent crossing the new "massive" Hyrule Field? Just like how much of the time spent playing Wind Waker was in that friggin' red boat.

Thing about the ocean was that it was uneventful. Now if there is a huge world with a forest in one part of the field, open plain in another and full of bits inbetween then it's one huge step above Windwaker. The ocean was dull, albeit beautiful. TP won't just have a huge flat expanse of nothing. Not for 4 years of development and the screenshots aren't showing that either.

One thing I could be worried about is loading. Windwaker had next to none. Hope the Wii can match it.

gloss

Nov 5, 2006, 10:44 AM

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 10:55 AM

Shows how much of a Zelda junkie I am.

Due mostly to the fact that I didn't own an N64 or a Cube. A Link to the Past was pretty freaking great, though. ;)

Shock and horror! I'd say a rush through on OoT would be perfect before TP comes out ;) I'm thinking about giving the Master Quest a run through, but I worry that 2 months won't be enough.

coffey7

Nov 5, 2006, 11:03 AM

I hope they fix the camera from the last game.

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 11:05 AM

I hope they fix the camera from the last game.

... You mean the perfect, faultless camera in Windwaker? It never went through walls, Link was always in sight, it was completely customisable... hmm.

ghall

Nov 5, 2006, 11:15 AM

Wow, I haven't preordered a game since Pokémon Yellow, but I have the 'Cube version coming from Amazon in 35 days, 12 hours (won't have a Wii until at least Christmas). I can't wait!

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 01:29 PM

I suppose the position of this game in the whole Zelda timeline would be important. I'm guessing (if it links the old stories together) that it's going to be at the tail end of it.

edit:
though I'd love to know more about where he got his info from.

That quote is totally wrong. Watch GameSpot's interview with the translation producers; this is from two days ago, they specificly say that it occurs several hundred years after Ocarina of Time and people familiar with previous games will see several throwbacks to the old games.

I think it goes OoT -> Wind Waker -> TP. Unless Wind Waker occurs many, many hundreds of years after OoT, more than anyone thought.

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 01:35 PM

Thing about the ocean was that it was uneventful. Now if there is a huge world with a forest in one part of the field, open plain in another and full of bits inbetween then it's one huge step above Windwaker. The ocean was dull, albeit beautiful. TP won't just have a huge flat expanse of nothing. Not for 4 years of development and the screenshots aren't showing that either.

One thing I could be worried about is loading. Windwaker had next to none. Hope the Wii can match it.

Wii can match it. It's basicly GameCube hardware but faster. Uses the same super-fast T1-SRAM as GameCube, but more of it, and I think they added some EDRAM (IIRC) too. It'll probably have a faster disk drive than the GameCube did.

Malus

Nov 5, 2006, 01:49 PM

It would be awesome if TP came with a timeline showing where each game is in respect to time...

bobber205

Nov 5, 2006, 01:55 PM

I thought I read that WW is after TP....

MacRumorUser

Nov 5, 2006, 02:04 PM

Yeah, Ganondorf captures Zelda. In the final battle, she takes your bow and arrows and starts blasting Ganondorf with light arrows while you fight him and you even have to do some teamwork with her for the final blow (line up Ganondorf so she shoots an arrow that hits your mirror shield, bounces off, and hits Ganondorf in the face, so you can jump in and deliver the final blow, running the Master Sword through his skull).

You should have posted spoiler alerts :rolleyes: ;) :p

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 03:21 PM

You should have posted spoiler alerts :rolleyes: ;) :p

Yuh! It's amazing how many people want to talk about the end of Windwaker. A friend of mine gave away the final battle and it's "colour" because he loved it too much. I really should push myself to finishing it :o

it5five

Nov 5, 2006, 03:36 PM

I'm in the same boat as jimmi.

I had spent a good amount of time on Windwaker, but one day I started it up to play some more and found out that my memory card completely wiped itself due to some error.

I've tried to start over again, but I found it hard to play through so much of the game again to finish. I might try again since I won't be picking up Twilight Princess until it comes out on the Gamecube. It all depends how much I play FFIII on DS.

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 03:46 PM

it5five

Nov 5, 2006, 03:56 PM

I'm not sure what caused it. I let my friend borrow my Gamecube for a couple days and when I got it back I got the error telling me the card needed to be wiped clean. At first I thought it may have been because it was some cheap 3rd party card, but maybe he was playing F-Zero. I was pretty angry, since I also played a fair amount of Mario Sunshine on that card.

I think FF3 comes out on the 14th. I'm pretty excited to get a new DS game; the latest game I got was March of the Minis; talk about a short game.

twistedlegato

Nov 5, 2006, 04:51 PM

I dunno, I got my doubts that it's Gannondorf. I think it's already been mentioned but I'm guessing it's a Agahnim style mini boss. Gannondorf has always been seen as a super tall, super strong character. this guy isn't.
I suppose the position of this game in the whole Zelda timeline would be important. I'm guessing (if it links the old stories together) that it's going to be at the tail end of it.

Didn't finish Windwaker through the tiresome Triforce collecting bit. I did that originally but my save was wiped, never had the dedication to do it again.

edit:
though I'd love to know more about where he got his info from.

Ist true!!!!

I promise! i foget when he said that but the story is Between Ocerania and Windwaker!!!

And PRAXIS, im gonna have to disagree, twilight king cant be Ganondorf!

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 05:37 PM

You should have posted spoiler alerts :rolleyes: ;) :p

The statute of limitations on spoiler alerts expire after three years :p

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 05:41 PM

Ist true!!!!

I promise! i foget when he said that but the story is Between Ocerania and Windwaker!!!

There were multiple conflicting reports last year on that, Miyamoto said it was a Wind Waker sequel originally, someone else later said it was between Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker, someone else said something else, etc...

The most recent comment is that it was several hundred years after Ocarina of Time, and this is probably the most accurate as it is actually RECENT, and on video (not in a reporter's words).

And PRAXIS, im gonna have to disagree, twilight king cant be Ganondorf!

And your reasoning? Because the Gerudo symbol makes it pretty clear...

If this is post-Wind Waker, then the Twilight Realm is probably some kind of spirit realm (as Matt from IGN said) and it is Ganondorf's spirit (I would frankly consider this an idiotic plot twist as I hate resurrections in games, but whatever). If this is pre-Wind Waker, then perhaps the Twilight Realm is whatever will eventually engulf Hyrule and freeze it in time? Remember...the Twilight Realm was originally supposed to be black and white in the earlier trailers. Just like Hyrule in Wind Waker.

In fact, the Twilight Realm could be the Sacred Realm (the alternate dimension where Ganondorf was locked away in OoT); perhaps Ganondorf finds a way to expand it into the real world.

GFLPraxis

Nov 5, 2006, 05:44 PM

Most Zelda games are set 100 years apart, it's when a male is born to the Gerudo's and seems to normally be an itteration of Ganondorf, and Link is born whenever there is trouble in Hyrule. The same Link is very rarely in more than 1 game.

http://blogs.ign.com/genci/2006/06/23/22648/

Actually, while it seems every Link is a new one (some exceptions: Link's Awakening used the same Link from A Link To The Past, Majora's Mask used Link from OoT), and every Zelda is a new one, every Ganondorf is the same.

OoT was Ganondorf's origins. In every later Zelda, he's just a monster named Ganon. Every time he is locked away or killed and returns, I don't believe he's ever permanently been killed off (unless Wind Waker is a permanent death, which I don't think so).

So basicly, it's a struggle with Ganondorf always returning to threaten the world and always being beaten up by another descendent of the original Zelda and Link.

takao

Nov 5, 2006, 06:16 PM

man i didn't really know that there were some overlying story arch through all the zeldas

i haven't played them all though ...

that aside i really hope the twilight effects are good .. i just love movies where some sort of twilight is featured (LOTR, Nochnoi Dozor)
i also really liked the sense features from what i've already seen

Chone

Nov 5, 2006, 06:32 PM

I'm playing through Ocarina of Time again to get ready for Twilight Princess... man what a great game this still is. Majora will go next and maybe I'll get around to play WW when I get a Wii.

bobber205

Nov 5, 2006, 06:40 PM

I have to say, the music that plays when Link is in the canoe is awesome. I haven't heard that tune a quite a while.

Dagless

Nov 5, 2006, 06:46 PM

I was happy as hell just to see the canoe bit! I mean... canoe! fast water travelling in a Zelda game hasn't been done since Links Awakening and that did it so well. I wasn't expecting to see that.

jdechko

Nov 6, 2006, 02:20 PM

So basicly, it's a struggle with Ganondorf always returning to threaten the world and always being beaten up by another descendent of the original Zelda and Link.

But the Links and Zeldas aren't necessarily related (ie: descendants). Hopefully, TP will set things in order for us all (though I won't hold my breath).

GFLPraxis

Nov 6, 2006, 02:57 PM

But the Links and Zeldas aren't necessarily related (ie: descendants). Hopefully, TP will set things in order for us all (though I won't hold my breath).

The Zeldas are (the royal family of Hyrule), the Links aren't necessarily.

Chone

Nov 6, 2006, 03:13 PM

The Zeldas are (the royal family of Hyrule), the Links aren't necessarily.

But, if you remember, Ganondorf when he is sealed in the Evil Realm curses Zelda and Link and says that when he escapes he will exterminate their descendants... so maybe every Ganondorf/Ganon is the same one from OoT and every Zelda and Link are direct descendants of the original OoT Zelda and Link, it makes sense.

Dagless

Nov 6, 2006, 03:22 PM

I'm sure one Zelda game I played mentioned something about the Hyrule bloodline, or the Link bloodline or something. Bloodline was mentioned I'm sure.

jdechko

Nov 6, 2006, 03:32 PM

The Zeldas are (the royal family of Hyrule), the Links aren't necessarily.

Oh, I didn't think that Tetra was actually a member of the royal family.

bobber205

Nov 6, 2006, 03:47 PM

In Link To The Past, you're told that you're the bloodline of the knights of Hyrule. ;)

Mav451

Nov 6, 2006, 04:16 PM

I have to say, the music that plays when Link is in the canoe is awesome. I haven't heard that tune a quite a while.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PAmjkJQxWM8
This is actually a better, longer version than what I got during the whole E3 week. It's quite nice :)
*lol upon further review, there isn't even a canoe in this one.

GFLPraxis

Nov 6, 2006, 04:30 PM

Oh, I didn't think that Tetra was actually a member of the royal family.

Did you play through Wind Waker? Her mother passed on half of the Triforce of Wisdom to her, and the King of Hyrule had the other half...because she was the princess of Hyrule by descent.

Oblivious

Nov 6, 2006, 04:59 PM

Okay, i posted this in some other Zelda thread, but it seemed to go unnoticed.

From an ONM Q & A (http://forum.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=35042).

"Q) Who is the bad (if he is the bad guy) guy in the freaky garb with those black monsters in the second new video?
A) Come on, you know I can't answer that. I love how he's in the trailer just to prick-tease everyone"

It doesn't exactly disprove anything about the Twilight King's identity, but it's interesting nonetheless.:)

jdechko

Nov 6, 2006, 05:00 PM

Did you play through Wind Waker? Her mother passed on half of the Triforce of Wisdom to her, and the King of Hyrule had the other half...because she was the princess of Hyrule by descent.

:o

Yeah, I forgot. :o :o Look, it's been a long past couple of weeks for me, what with the wife's pregnancy and the dog and work...

bowens

Nov 7, 2006, 10:30 AM

jdechko

Nov 7, 2006, 10:36 AM

I just found a video of TP on google. It's almost a half hour long. I don't know if it's been posted before but it looks like the first 30 minutes of the game. The quality is not the best but you can get a feel for the game. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6760524994902687555&q=twilight+princess&hl=en

That was the E3 2005 demo of the gamecube version. Though most of it should be right there at the beginning of the game.

http://media.cube.gamespy.com/media/572/572738/vids_1.html

afornander

Nov 8, 2006, 02:40 PM

the order is OOT - TP - WW, after that idk. (i learned this when whaching G4 and they had an interview with some guy from NINTENDO after zelda TP was first anounced at E3)

Every time he is locked away or killed and returns, I don't believe he's ever permanently been killed off (unless Wind Waker is a permanent death, which I don't think so).
he comes back, because WW isnt the end of /\the/\ timeline

if i remember correctly from when i beat OoT a couple of years ago, didnt Link have a mark of the triforce at the end when with Ganondorf in his castle? that would explain the bloodline thing because the Link in TP have a triforce mark on his hand ;)

last, will i be able to name myself the same way i did in Oot, and others? i really loved that, gave me a lot of self pride!
../\
./\/\

takao

Nov 8, 2006, 02:45 PM

last, will i be able to name myself the same way i did in Oot, and others? i really loved that, gave me a lot of self pride!

according to the 1up (or was it ign) preview you can

MacRumorUser

Nov 8, 2006, 02:45 PM

I thought all the Links were different links. Definetly in Wind Waker anyway they point out this new Link is not the same link as in the legend, but is the next chosen one as it were.

jdechko

Nov 8, 2006, 03:06 PM

according to the 1up (or was it ign) preview you can

And Epona, too.

eva01

Nov 8, 2006, 03:08 PM

I thought all the Links were different links. Definetly in Wind Waker anyway they point out this new Link is not the same link as in the legend, but is the next chosen one as it were.

in a couple of the stories they are the same link, but in general, not the same link.

Because Zelda II is the official last zelda in the timeline as of now

takao

Nov 8, 2006, 03:17 PM

And Epona, too.

thinking up a name for a horse .. haha that gonna be ridiculous

i guess i'll call myself "Dude" like a friend did call his character in animal crossing...it pretty much turns any dialog into comedy gold

MacRumorUser

Nov 8, 2006, 03:21 PM

Dagless

Nov 8, 2006, 03:36 PM

before knowing anything about Zelda at all (or even ever hearing the actual name), I called myself Zelda in Links Awakening and heard a nice song :) wasn't later till I realised that was a cheat!

SamIchi

Nov 8, 2006, 03:38 PM

Used to love giving names to my characters when I was about 12-13. Youd give them really stuipd names like tithead and laugh everytime some used your name. "tithead we need you to save us' :D or donkeybonker "please fetch me my horse donkeybonker" etc....

Unfortunetly now-a-day's I use the more common.. Link or Chrono (from ChronoTrigger) :)

I've never done that but i remember when my friend put AIDS as his name in 007 for GC and when you died it said, "you were killed by AIDS" or sumthin' like that. :D I've seen this in Halo2 also, "you were assisinated by Diarrhea" so on and so forth, you get the point.

twistedlegato

Nov 8, 2006, 04:53 PM

I've never done that but i remember when my friend put AIDS as his name in 007 for GC and when you died it said, "you were killed by AIDS" or sumthin' like that. :D I've seen this in Halo2 also, "you were assisinated by Diarrhea" so on and so forth, you get the point.

:D

Dagless

Nov 8, 2006, 05:11 PM

Worms-

Diarrhea held the fort!
Luke turned to the dark side!
AIDS killed most worms!

etcetc. Now Worms. Worms was good.

Chone

Nov 8, 2006, 05:21 PM

Worms-

Diarrhea held the fort!
Luke turned to the dark side!
AIDS killed most worms!

etcetc. Now Worms. Worms was good.

Worms is awesome.

takao

Nov 8, 2006, 05:23 PM

and the first was the best by far ...

MacRumorUser

Nov 8, 2006, 05:38 PM

^ and it will soon be on xbox marketplace (LIVE ARCADE), with worms battles on LIVE.

Dagless

Nov 8, 2006, 06:02 PM

Worms 1 or Armageddon? I didn't like Worms 1 much, I mean the tiny worms were good giving you a wider scope on the level. I just wasn't too keen. The only Worms I've liked have been the PC versions of 2 and Armageddon.

MacRumorUser

Nov 8, 2006, 06:08 PM