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!