User Rating: 10 | The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Limited Edition) GC
Remember in Jerry Maguire when Jerry made his bold against-the-grain move, and was subsequently criticized and ostracized, only to prove everyone wrong when it came time to prove himself? Well, that's exactly what The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has done. Count this triumph of gaming as the second to silence all of it's pre-emptive naysayers (the first being Metroid Prime), because once you see The Wind Waker in action, any reservations you may have had will disappear in a big thump of "I told you so." Let's get this one point out of the way. Many others have said it, and I'll say it here: Wind Waker's cel-shaded graphics are so incredibly robust, so tremendously animated, and so astoundingly immersive that it is quickly apparent that cel-shading was the ONLY way to go. To those who judge the graphics on the basis of screenshots, you're missing out on the beauty of the game, which can only be appreciated in motion. Though the graphics may seem simplistic, they are anything but: the world of the new Link is bustling with activity, animation, and emotive expression, and is teeming with a wide array of special effects that inspire an unparalleled sense of awe. Take, for instance, venturing into the heart of a fiery volcano: the fire casts sparkling highlights and deep shadows on all of the scenery and objects, and the screen shimmers with heat coming in waves. Other areas are rolling with dense fog that is realistically blown out of the way by a gust of wind. Smaller touches, such as character's eyes tracking objects, and the wide variety of facial expressions and animations make this the most graphically impressive game ever made. The only downside is that in darker areas, where there is fog, some dithering and artifacts are noticeable, but this is so minor that it does not mar this game's perfect graphics score. The sound is equally impressive, with a nice mix of tunes and sound effects. It's not as startling as the graphics, but it's very well-done nonetheless. The gameplay, however, has been the meat of the Zelda series, and it does not disappoint. Owing much to the game design of the Ocarina of Time, fans of the N64 games will feel right at home with the Wind Waker. Though the core of the gameplay has been untouched, the astounding graphics really play a significant role in the gameplay, and new techniques in lighting and wind animation play greatly into the gameplay. A new feature is connectivity with a GBA using the game's "Tingle Tuner." The tuner is a wonderful addition, which allows a second player to play along and help out. However, even if you're flying solo, having Tingle opens up new side quests, and makes navigating the seas and finding treasure easier. It's not just a superfluous addition: Tingle makes getting a GBA connector cable worth the $15. All in all, the Wind Waker is one of those amazing experiences, on the order of Metroid Prime. It is a flawless game (I have never given a 10 before), and an instant classic that all GCN owners should add to their collection. And if you don't own a Cube, and Metroid wasn't enough to persuade you to buy one, now you have two reasons why you simply must own a Gamecube. Come next spring, you can expect the Wind Waker to nab game of the year honors from every publication. This Zelda is simply a masterpiece.
