Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass ... (9 out of 10)
September 9 , 2007 ... Review by Mike
This game is very much unlike any Zelda games of the past. Although it picks up right where Wind Waker left off, the only thing that those two games have in common is their art-style.
Speaking of visuals, the DS incarnation pulls off a childish, wide-eyed Link much better than the Gamecube did. Being cutting edge at the time, people were expecting something that would push the Gamecube to its limits, but fans were surprised to find cel-shaded visuals instead. The DS game doesn’t exactly use cel-shaded graphics, but it pulls off a very similar and pleasing visual effect. For some reason, it just seems to be much more acceptable on the DS than on the Gamecube.
Comparisons with its predecessor aside, The Phantom Hourglass really shines though in the game-play department. No other game utilizes the DS’s unique functions to the same as this newest Zelda incarnation. Using the touch-pen and only a few other buttons, after a relatively shallow learning curve, you’re out the door and swinging the boomerang like a champ. Once you get used to not seeing part of the screen because your touch-pen is in the way, the game is a breeze.
1That last comment can be taken one of two ways. One of the first things you’ll notice about this game is that
it’s nearly impossible to die. There are a few times when the difficulty is really ramped up, but for the most part you’ll simply blaze though enemies as though they weren’t even there. There’s one sole exception to this however, the new levels in which you use the phantom hourglass. The armored enemies in these parts of the game aren’t easily beaten, and for a while seem as though they’ll never die. These parts are very Metal Gear Solid-esque, as Link has to walk around akin to his Smash Bros. rival Solid Snake, and avoid being detected and struck down, lest he lose precious time. Starting off with as little as ten minutes to complete a dungeon, you may think that you’ve not nearly enough time complete it in time. However, thankfully this game has bite-sized dungeons that this reviewer actually prefers simply due to the fact that it’s not as easy to get stuck in places and wander around for hours on end trying to find the smallest clue. In cases such as these, there’s a fortune teller who gives you hints if need be.
This game is phenomenal. Nintendo has really struck a great balance of presentation and flow for this game. The game may seem too easy for those who may remember countless hours of getting manhandled in A Link to the Past or The Ocarina of Time. And even though there are no heart-containers to collect, there is not a doubt in this reviewer’s mind that you won’t have the time of your life playing this masterpiece.
Buy this game on day one, and you’ll soon realize that you’re holding what could not only be portable game of the year, but GAME of the year as well.
LOZ: Phantom Hourglass At A Glance |
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9 |
The Goods |
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The Flaws |
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Amazing |
The Verdict |
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