(Replay) This week I went from someone who pretended to not like Wind Waker to someone who can't even pretend to not like Wind Waker.
The dungeons suck, let's get it out of the way. There's only one that requires even a little bit of navigational skills. However, regarding the gameplay, I found myself enjoying the Great Sea a lot more this time. It's not great but it's ok. It's fine. I don't have a problem with it.
The Triforce quest is still pretty indefensible but I know that's fixed a bit in the HD version.
As for the story, wowee I don't remember it being this good. I can't decide if I like it more than OoT's or not, but there are some high-ass peaks in this game because of some great dialogue and a fantastic thematic buildup and its connections to the Hero of Time's lore are wonderful. The final boss and ending made me ascend. The game also just has wonderful vibes/atmosphere in general.
The soundtrack also just might be my favorite so far in these replays. Not quite as many memorable songs as OoT, but still lots of amazing originals and the usage of leitmotifs from the game itself and the whole series is 10/10.
Glad I replayed this game.
The dungeons suck, let's get it out of the way. There's only one that requires even a little bit of navigational skills. However, regarding the gameplay, I found myself enjoying the Great Sea a lot more this time. It's not great but it's ok. It's fine. I don't have a problem with it.
The Triforce quest is still pretty indefensible but I know that's fixed a bit in the HD version.
As for the story, wowee I don't remember it being this good. I can't decide if I like it more than OoT's or not, but there are some high-ass peaks in this game because of some great dialogue and a fantastic thematic buildup and its connections to the Hero of Time's lore are wonderful. The final boss and ending made me ascend. The game also just has wonderful vibes/atmosphere in general.
The soundtrack also just might be my favorite so far in these replays. Not quite as many memorable songs as OoT, but still lots of amazing originals and the usage of leitmotifs from the game itself and the whole series is 10/10.
Glad I replayed this game.
8 Comments
@redbackloggd they might not own a wii u, plus the bloom in that version is kinda ridiculous
@NOWITSREYNTIME17 true, but I feel the QOL benefits outweigh that
Ehhh disagree but for some it might
Yeah, no Wii U. Triforce quest changes and fast sail sound great though.
I'm going to post a mini thought thing here regarding the story. While Majora's Mask is a bit of a detour into a contemplative look into the Hero of Time, Wind Waker continues the actual plot and lore from Ocarina proper. Thus, WW is the first time we actually see the drastic effects of Hyrule's eternal curse, being caught in constant pattern of tragedy due to endless conflict brought about by the light and dark within humanity and the natural cycles of civilization. Destruction and rebirth. In Wind Waker, the previous cycle of prosperity only lingers. Long traditions are nearly forgotten, the races are largely changed, culture is lost, only one guy in the world knows how to use a sword proper. Ganondorf arises, a remnant of the previous civilization and tries desperately to bring it back. But time moves forward, there's no stopping this natural current. On a grand scale it's a tale putting emphasis on this tragic reality of cycles of history and civilization. The Hero of Time only fought for an era of peace, evil will always arise again, such is the curse of Hyrule (reflective of our world as well ) but on a personal level it's about dealing with drastic change. Ganondorf being a microcosm of all of these ideas, not only do we finally shut the door on the previous cycle of history at the end of the game but we lay Ganondorf to rest, unable to deal with a painful change that finally made him realize what he valued in the first place.
@CrazyKlownMan Thank you for the write-up, I agree wholeheartedly. I assume you've noticed all of this before but something that really blew me away this time was the leitmotif usage. Outset and Windfall having leitmotifs from classic town themes mixed in with new compositoins, as if the old world is still hiding in there somewhere; invoking a sense of nostalgia in the player, a longing for the past, just like the characters in the game. When you're in Hyrule Castle for the first time the game waits to play the ALttP leitmotif until you've pulled the sword, and furthermore it waits again to play the powerful second half of the ALttP song until the king's scene in the ending. And everyone knows how Aryll's theme leaves the Outset theme after she gets kidnapped.
Zelda may have the best leitmotif usage in gaming when it comes to the story.
Zelda may have the best leitmotif usage in gaming when it comes to the story.
@herooftim yeah that's one of the works best aspects, honestly it's the best in the series in that regard and top 5 easily in gaming probably. Just like what I mentioned in my mini write up regarding the profound theming, the music itself touches on past compositions while creating new ones, cohesive with the idea of cycles of civilization and the world WW is in. The only times it plays the themes of the old games straight forward is when it is appropriate (Ganondorf for cursed see, as you mention in Hyrule Castle aLttP). Just a wonderful work of art Wind Waker and it blows my mind Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess are a solid step above lol I love Zelda. Hope all is well btw king
RedBackLoggd
3 months ago