ZC: The Wind Waker

Loading up my original Gamecube copy of the Wind Waker I was surprised to see my first save was from way back in 2003. It seems incredible that this is a game I first played 13 years ago, but it still seems like a recent game to me. I remember it so clearly and fondly, yet I was basically a seasoned Zelda veteran by the time I first played this game.

Starting a new save I am greeted with a great opening sequence which gives some background to the legend of Zelda and Link. Once this is over a young girl is crying out 'Big Brother' and Link is found in his usual state...asleep! Watching the cel shading it seems incredible to think how controversial this was at the time. I cannot imagine this game in anything but cel shading. Pre-HD this still stands up as having good graphics. The scenery is colourful and detailed.

Pretty quickly the game jumps into familiar Zelda territory as you are given your green robes and you set about outset Island and learn the controls. Having got about half way through A Link to the Past over the last few days it's taking a little getting used to the controls. One of the few things about this game I dislike is the 'c' stick being in reverse. I find going forwards to be quite difficult and it lets the game down somewhat. However the pure joy of the setting and the colour more than make up for it. Whilst it may not have the instant action of A Link to the Past it does have a warm start and the loving family element is classic Zelda. It feels warm and you really care about the characters.

Saving Tetra is again enjoyable and the light teasing she provides fits in well with the light-hearted warm elements of the Zelda games. Playing the initial stages it reminds me more of Skyward Sword than any of the other games, there's a warmth that is somewhat lacking in some of the other games which I think are an essential part of the Zelda universe. It works so well because, like in Skyward Sword, it makes you care. When you see your sister taken away by the bird it hurts. She has given you her most prized possession for the day and followed you up the mountain and is taken away. You care. It's something the Zelda universe can do brilliantly and it adds a great personal element to the wide-ranging narrative of the legend.

You leap off the mountain to try to save your sister from the bird, but to no avail, and you suspend from the top of the mountain, held by Tetra's hand, but you know you need to save her. This one's personal. And you get to sail with pirates. Yep Zelda with pirates. And some people don't like this game!

ZC A Link to the Past: The Dungeon in the Castle

'Help me... Please help me. I am prisoner in the dungeon of the castle.

My name is Zelda'

As far as opening lines to Zelda games go, this is probably my favourite. Zelda is met with a terrible fate and it is up to...your uncle to help save her. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for us and the Hero of Time your uncle is utterly useless at saving princesses from castle dungeons and barely makes it into the entrance before failing. He tells you off, gives you his sword, and presumably dies. We are left wondering why he bothered in the first place, and when I think of my uncle I view this to be the most accurate occurrence ever in any video game I've ever played. The worst thing about your Uncle is he doesn't actually say what he's doing, he casually departs the house one day saying 'Link, I'm going out for a while' as if he's popping out for milk!

Anyway, he dies, he gives you his sword and that's it. The action has started. You are in a dungeon, full of guards who want to kill you and it is your job to try to save the Princess, hurrah! I mentioned in my first blog of my concurrent playthrough of Skyward Sword that it was probably my favourite beginning to a Zelda game. A Link to the Past is tied for second alongside Ocarina of Time purely for this reason. No faffing about, enough of a storyline through the cutscene before the game starts to give you context, a suicidal uncle, and it is up to you to save the Princess and save Hyrule from the evil wizard. Excellent.

A Link to the Past is the first Zelda game I ever played, and probably the one I've played the most. Because of this a lot of it has proven to be very familiar and hasn't been too taxing to remember what to do, where to go and how to do it. I found Zelda, I took Zelda to the sanctuary and...is that? The Master Sword! This is it! No, this can't be it, too bad. Yep, did it all. Found the old man, and started the Eastern Palace, where I am now.

What strikes me, replaying this, is the richness of the music. I've chosen two tracks to represent this, firstly the familiar overworld theme, a classic Zelda song (and my ringtone). The second is the Eastern Palace theme. It's creepy, it's unsettling and it helps create a division between the dungeons and the overworld. In the next blog on LTTP I'll put in a more detailed report on the Eastern Palace, but for now, sit back, relax and listen to the joy of LTTP's music.

ZC Skyward Sword: The Beginning

Of all the Zelda games I don't think there is one which has such a full and enjoyable opening sequence as Skyward Sword. Being introduced to Zelda early on there is genuine warmth between the characters and their friendship feels real. Zelda is a childhood friend of Link's, and is not a Princess. This equal social status allows them to have this bond and the first inklings of romantic feelings between Link and Zelda.

Starting the new game I was instantly struck by the lush impressionist art style of the landscape. It works fantastically and holds up against HD graphics of current and contemporary rivals. The grainy views of the distance make sense with this unique graphical style. It also creates an impression of it being distant yet warm. It made me feel like the game was taking place long in the past, which in the Timeline it is.  My first introduction to Skyward Sword's Zelda was fantastic, she teased Link for his laziness and it created a lasting impression of friendship. Later in the game, when Zelda got lost, I felt genuine sadness and wanted to save her. This isn't Mario trying to save a distant and un-relatable Princess Toadstool, this is your friend who is in danger and you are the only one who can save her.

Exploring Skyloft, the island in the sky, was a joy to behold as well. The characters feel real and rich. Skyloft is probably the single most in depth town in the Zelda universe. There is so much to explore and so many new and familiar characters. The greatest, naturally, is Groose. He is the jock who loves Zelda and is jealous of your bond with her. He also has the slickest pompadour in Skyloft.

There's a lot about Skyward Sword I'm not a huge fan of, but the opening part of the game I think is fantastic and is probably the best of any in the series. It takes the best elements from other two I like the most, A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. Ocarina had the storyline and the chance to explore Kokiri Forest. A Link to the Past was straight into the action. With Skyward Sword there is an element of both. Which brings me to the final, and most enjoyable aspect of my playtime on this save so far: My Loftwing. The giant birds that Skyloft's residents fly through the sky. The motion controls may be often criticised, but they worked perfectly for me. Flying on the loftwing is great fun and the race against Groose and the rest was fantastic. It's the closest I'll ever get to being a Seeker on a Quiditch pitch.

All in all, so far, brilliant. I remember why I loved this game so much when I first played it. I have just arrived at the Sealed Grounds and my next post will likely detail the first temple, but I will finish this with the theme from the true star of Skyloft: