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44 of 47 found the following review helpful:
 Great gameplay, timeless characters, a little rough around the edges, terrific value! May 21, 2011
By Jordan813
Zelda is one of the greatest franchises in gaming and for good reason. Over the past 20 plus years some of the best adventure games around have been based on one boy (Link) trying to find and save his princess (Zelda). The Zelda games have always be known for the expansive world set in Hyrule and its long adventuring and Twilight Princess is no different. Twilight Princess may be the biggest Zelda game to date and the world is rendered in generally beautiful environments. Some of the textures can be rough but overall, even though its been out for 4.5 years now it's still a beautiful product.
Zelda, and Nintendo games in ganeral have always been about gameplay and Twilight Princess gives a great offering in this department as well. The puzzles and dungeons are excellent and the stunning boss fights will leave you breathless. There are some control flaws as you can tell motion control wasn't quite figured out yet at the time. To swing Link's sword, which is a very common action, you "waggle" the Wii remote. It's not as precise or immersing as a motion plus game like Red Steel 2 or the upcoming Skyward Sword but it gets the job done and you won't become exhausted or anything like that.
Also, some new gameplay mechanics are thrown in there. I don't want to give out any spoilers but I'll just say Link has some transformations that mix up the gameplay.
Lastly, this re-release at $20 is an excellent value. To beat the game is well over 20 hours your first time through so you're defintley getting your money's worth. Twilight Princess was a launch title on Wii and originally a Gamecube game (though it came out for Wii first) and it shows in some parts. Some Wii games look better and utlize the controller better, but this is still one of the best games on Wii and considering the console is in a bit of a drought and we're still waiting on Skyward Sword this should be a no-brainer if you've never played the game.
Edit - Of course I know Skyward Sword is out now. Pick that game up if you haven't already but if you've played through that and want more Zelda on Wii, be sure to get this one!
22 of 27 found the following review helpful:
An excellent deal May 26, 2011
By gb0923
"gb0923"
If you are inquiring as to whether this game is good, it is phenomenal. It is a long game, and it is a beautiful game. This new $20 Nintendo Selects deal is the best video game deal I have seen in regards to this game being one of the games available for $20.
11 of 14 found the following review helpful:
A reason to become a Zelda fan Oct 03, 2011
By Tamerlan Navi
I've just finished playing the game and being still under euphoria, decided to write this review to share my thoughts and feelings.
The first thing I liked about this game is that the game is VERY long. It took me almost 60 hours or 2 months to finally beat the game.
The second is graphics. Knowing a bit modest graphics capability of Wii, the game is very beautiful and - the most important - mature-looking. Comparing this game's graphics to the ones of the previous Zelda titles (which I saw only on screenshots, to be honest..), this game looks almost like a movie rather than like cartoon.
The third thing is the plot. After a slow beginning, which is kinda training section, the actual game begins and after each mission newer and newer details and even shocking secrets being revealed.
The fourth is the gameplay. You can do literally everything in this game. You wouldn't just walk around and kill enemies. Not in this game =) Literally every next step you'll think what to do next. And of course the huge free-roaming game world full of interesting stuff like collectible items, puzzles, secrets and side quests.
For my shame, I never played any Zelda game before. But after this game I am sure I will. This game was the real reason for me to become a Zelda fan.
I strictly recomment this game for everyone who likes adventure genre. You will not be disappointed.
Beleive me.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
The most refined and expansive "classical" 3D Zelda experience to date Jan 23, 2012
By Relytia
With the benefit of retrospection, it's easy to assume that this game may very well be the last of a pure type of Zelda breed. Skyward Sword has come and gone, and has seemingly ushered in a new era of design ideas for future Zelda releases. That said, for those who believe that Ocarina of Time is the greatest game of all time, this is a game for you. For just as Ocarina of Time introduced an amazing template for a "classical" 3D Zelda experience, Twilight Princess took that template design and sharpened it to an unimaginable gleam. This is an incredible game, even today still, and now that it is a "Nintendo Select," there's no better time to get into it.
The story in Twilight Princess really hearkens back to a classic Nintendo theme of duality. Much like the dual-timelines of Ocarina of Time, or the Light/Dark World of A Link to the Past, there are two dimensions at play here. You see, Link is a 17-year-old young man living in the peaceful, forested Ordon providence near Hyrule, in a small village. Here he lives a peaceful life with his fellow villagers, making a living on the famous goat ranch of Ordon village. Meanwhile, the light soaked kingdom of Hyrule has been invaded by beings from another dimension called the Twilight realm, their king a creepy villain named Zant. Zant's plan is to combine his world of Shadow with Hyrule, creating a dark, twisted reality. One day, Link's life is interrupted by this chaos, and once again, a young man clad in green will take up the call of destiny and stave back the sinister darkness that has fallen over Hyrule. He will also meet a shadow imp named Midna, who seems to be untrustworthy at first, but will come to be an awesome companion throughout the quest.
It is immediately discernable while playing this game that this is a darker Zelda game than has ever come before it, with perhaps Majora's Mask being the exception. Indeed, this is a gritty story, full of dark moments and even some more violent parts, for a Zelda game. As with any Zelda title, you can count on the characters being likable, compelling, and charming. The writing of all characters, minor and major, is very well done, as is their design. Midna is worth mention alone. My all-time favorite companion character in a Zelda game (We even named our puppy after her :D), not only is she helpful, but her back-story is deep and her character is so well conceived and executed, she's an absolute delight to have along on the journey. She's a real stand-out in the entire franchise and that's saying a lot! What helps make the experience so compelling is also the cinematic nature of the game. Thought not quite as dynamically cinematic as Skyward Sword, Twilight Princess still boasts some really interesting cinematics and story events. A great game in regards to story and presentation.
The art/sound design in this game is very well done. After their grand cel shading adventure in The Wind Waker, Nintendo took Twilight Princess to the extreme polar opposite, opting for a "hyper realistic" approach for the visuals. Granted, this is a Gamecube game, albeit a gorgeous one, ported over to Wii, so don't expect HD console graphics, but even having just beat this game for the fourth time last week, the graphics in this game are still beautiful to behold. Link looks awesome, and to see many familiar elements of the series realized in this unique, realistic fashion is awesome. The Twilight Realm is worth mentioning here. This bloom lit world is filled with really beautiful particle effects and coloring, and is a real joy to behold. Imagine the way a sunset bathes everything in a warm, piercing light that makes everything look radiant, and that's what the Twilight Realm looks like here. Very cool. The music is very well done too, as you probably already expected. Koji Kondo once again delivered. The music here ranges from haunting, creepy, atmospheric, lovely, majestic, powerful, and everything in between.
The gameplay is where this game takes Ocarina's template, and expands upon it to new heights. Seriously, imagine Ocarina of Time, and then grow its scope and size several times. You'll be going on an epic quest across a ginormous Hyrule, exploring its massive field, it's various regions, its several provinces, villages, and towns, as well as discovering its clever temples and dungeons. There's a big emphasis here on horseback riding and combat. Some story events require it. The world here is really big, it would take forever to try and run across it all on foot. This huge space is utilized very well, hiding a ton of collectibles and secrets that true fans of the exploratory aspect of the Zelda series will love. The traditional Zelda gameplay is true perfection of the adventure game genre. The controls are fantastic, the puzzles and combat are incredibly satisfying, and, as you'd expect, the temples and their special items are a real highlight. It all comes together in a way that really pays homage to Ocarina of Time, every step of the way, even while expanding the scope to previously unseen levels. Other aspects of the traditional play has been expanded on as well. Link has many new moves that really makes Link feel like a true warrior swordsman. Despite the fact swings are pre-rendered and merely activate with a waggle of the wii-mote, fighting in the game feels quite satisfying.
Like I said earlier, there is a dual nature to the adventure here. You see, when Link encounters the Twilight Realm in Hyrule, because of his blessing by the goddesses as a true hero, he transforms into a fierce wolf instead of a mere wandering, lost spiritual flame like everyone else. This changes the nature of the gameplay quite a bit, where you will use his sharpened senses to track scents, his teeth instead of his sword, he can in almost any spot, etc. It's enough of a change from Link's traditional gameplay to really make it stand out. This, combined with the shadow realm's aesthetics and musical queues make its own mark on the franchise. Later on in the game, you have the option to switch between normal Link and his wolf form at will, and the game design takes full advantage of this, adding yet another interesting dimension to traversing the temples.
The Legend of Zelda is a spectacular series in video games, perhaps the greatest there is. Even with the benefit of 25 years of retrospection, Twilight Princess is a very unique game that stands out. If considered in context of Zelda's history as a whole, it is perhaps the most comprehensive, encyclopedic "classical" experience you could expect from the series, while also feeling like one of the most unique. Those may seem like mutually exclusive statements, but somehow Twilight Princess pulls them both off quite effortlessly. Skyward Sword has finally released, and greatly reinvigorated the series with massively ground-breaking changes. If it heralds a new age for the Zelda series like many believe, then Twilight Princess is the ultimate "classical" Zelda experience, and may well be for quite a while. If so, it is an excellent title that will no doubt continue to satisfy any gamer's desire for even more years to come. Now that it is a Nintendo Select title, there's no better time like the present. Buy it, adventure through the massive kingdom of Hyrule, and once again take up the mantle of chosen Hero and save the world of light.
8 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Trapped in Twilight May 26, 2011
By DC_Fan_52
"-Weasel!"
Either you just bought a new Wii, or you've been waiting for Twilight Princess to come down in price, so now that it's only $20 it's time to pick up Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
If you've never heard of Legend of Zelda, then all you need to know is that it's one of the best video game series in all of the industry. It's known for it's astounding gameplay (that's a fancy way of saying how fun it is) and instantly recognizable esthetics (style).
For Twilight Princess, they chose a darker/ more realistic style (compared to other titles in the series, which are famous for their color). You play as Link, a young man trying to save his home country from a great darkness that has spread over the land. Along the way, you'll explore dungeons and gain the ability to transform into a wolf. As well as gaining new weapons like a boomerang, bow & arrow, bombs, and all sorts of other things.
This game can only be played with the Wiimote & Nunchuck controls (which come with the Wii). The Wiimote controls Link's sword, but you'll also use it to point-and-shoot with your bow & arrow or boomerang. What makes Twilight Princess distinct is how very BIG it is. The land of Hyrule (where Link lives) is huge, so huge you'll have to ride around one horseback to travel around. Plus, it's home to the most interesting dungeons in the series, and the biggest "bosses" Zelda has ever known.
Now, my only complain is that using the Wiimote to control Link's sword never felt it was precise enough compared to the old way (using a button). But, that's not enough to break the game. This was one of the first games on the Wii, so they hadn't perfected the technology yet. Plus, the Wiimote does make pointing & shooting a lot easier. And TP is just so great. There's an expansive dessert, wonderfully detailed bridges, a beautiful waterfall, and much, much more.
So, pick it up as soon as you can. Keep in mind, it's rated "T for Teen." And if you like it, be sure to check out the next game in the series: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
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