The Gaming Vault » legend of zelda

Evening Topic: Innovation in The Legend of Zelda

Jens Erik Vaaler — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:11:35 +0000

The Legend of Zelda series has been going quite strong for the past 20 years, ever since The Legend of Zelda first debuted on the NES in 1986. Yet for all the enjoyment I’ve gotten over the series, I have to admit one thing: there’s not a lot of innovation. Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto even admitted that the new Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword wouldn’t be a radical departure for the series.

Now, being a fan, obviously I’ve managed to overlook that. The series is called “Legend of Zelda”, after all. Legends are, for better or worse, basically the same tale told over and over again, with the difference between each telling lying in the details. It’s what Joseph Campbell called the monomyth.

When I think about it, the only times the Zelda series has done something different is with the handheld spin-offs. Link’s Awakening, while keeping the same gameplay as A Link to the Past, ditched both Princess Zelda and Hyrule in favor of Koholint Island. Spirit Tracks ditched Ganon, and made Princess Zelda a core part of gameplay. But the console games? Something is threatening Hyrule and a young boy in green takes up a sword to find out an evil sorcerer is behind it all.

- Would you like to see more change and innovation in the Zelda series?

- How would you change and revamp the Zelda series while still staying true to the series’ roots?

- Or has the series hit it’s sweet spot and should keep on rolling?

E3 2010: Legend of Zelda Wii details

Jens Erik Vaaler — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:37:43 +0000

Nintendo kicked off it’s E3 press conference in style this year, cutting straight to the point and bringing out what we all wanted to see: the next Legend of Zelda title, now subtitled “Skyward Sword”. It will feature full 1:1 sword control through the use of the Wii Motion Plus.

Shigeru Miyamoto took the stage during the press conference, showing us a game that looks like a mix between Twilight Princess and Wind Waker. Link is an adolescent, but the game sports cel shaded graphics. And they look absolutely fantastic! The sword combat is similar to the one found on Wii Sports Resort, albeit with a Nunchuck accessory. The Nunchuck moves link with the analogue stick, and raising the Nunchuck raises Link’s shield. Combat looks a little complicated and will probably need some practice.

Traditional Zelda items like bombs, bow and arrows and slingshot were confirmed by the demo, with the addition of two new items: the mechanic beetle, which players can steer with the Wiimote. The traditional hookshoot seems to have been switched out with a new whip, which means you can now turn Link into Indiana Jones at the swing of a Wiimote. Switching items is as easy as holding the B button and navigating the Wiimote through radial menu. Using the bow doesn’t require you to point at the screen, merely moving the Wiimote.

Unfortunately it looked like Nintendo was having some problems with its presentation. The motions of Link’s sword weren’t always 100% synced to Miyamoto’s motions, and Nintendo blamed wireless interference. Miyamoto seemed very upset at this fact. The game will be playable at the show floor, and we’ll most likely bring you a preview once our away team have played it.

Video Games | Zelda: Skyward Sword | E3 2010: Debut Trailer

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Zelda Wii will be “player friendly”

Jens Erik Vaaler — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:18:59 +0000

Nintendo continues its ongoing crusade to turn more people over to gaming with the upcoming Zelda Wii. According to series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the series has grown a little too complex over the years. The newest installment in the franchise will have a more “player friendly” control scheme.

“For us, it is important to the to optimise gameplay and make the controls easier,” says Miyamoto in an interview with GamingMedia, “We do our best to make the controls player friendly, since Zelda has become complicated.”

He also added that the game will be “surprising”, though he was reluctant to reveal in what way:

“For us, two things are important: to meet expectations and to surprise people. How we do it this time, I will not reveal. Normally, we create the video sequences, and these sequences are expanded. But this time we started with the game structure. And then with the video sequences. So this time it was reversed. Therefore, we have had little so far from the game to show. But will publish a lot close to the game’s completion.”

While I understand the philosophy here, I wouldn’t exactly call Twilight Princess a “complicated title”, but I guess that comes with being a gamer. I’m still hyped up for the upcoming E3 reveal, though.

Wii Vitality Sensor possible in new Zelda game

Jens Erik Vaaler — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:28:36 +0000

If there’s one thing most of us quickly forgot after E3 2009 it was the Wii Vitality Sensor. You know, that little dongle you put your finger into and it registers your pulse and other body signatures. In short many of us were a bit underwhelmed by the announcement and since then no one has heard anything about it.

That is until now: Shigeru Miyamoto recently received the Bafta Fellowship award and before his acceptance speech he had a little chat with games™ in which the Vitality Sensor was brought up:

“Whenever we are going to use any new device it is possible to expand the appeal to those who are new to the videogaming world.
“At the same time, however, it is also fun to think of ways in which we might apply that new technology to exisiting forms of gameplay – just like the way we are working on the new Legend Of Zelda together with Wii Motion Plus.”

The statement that interests me, however, is this next one:

“So maybe you might like to ask me to incorporate the Vitality Sensor into Zelda so that as you become more scared, the enemies become even tougher.”

As a way to increase immersion this probably wouldn’t be a bad thing if they manage to integrate it well. However, not everyone feel the same amount of fear and dread whilst playing a Legend of Zelda game. Unless it includes ReDeads.

Zelda Wii is MotionPlus exclusive

Jens Erik Vaaler — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:44:11 +0000

Details on the upcoming Legend of Zelda Wii title are still scarce, but we’re slowly and steadily getting more and more information.

In a recent interview with Famitsu Magazine, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma said that the game would be Wii Motion Plus exclusive.

“After actually making it compatible,” said Aonuma, “it just feels so natural. Link’s sword and the controller that you’re holding become one.”

Aonuma also mentioned that he hoped to be able to show off the game in a playable state at E3, and that the Zelda team is hard at work on finishing the game, but no spesific release date was given.

“We’ll work hard in order to get you playing it as soon as possible. We’ve progressed in development since last year,” said Aonuma. “At present, the core areas have come into clear view.”

Iwata: Zelda by end of 2010

Jens Erik Vaaler — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:25:34 +0000

In an interview with Japanese newspaper the Asahi Shimbun, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed Nintendo’s goals for this year, which includes Zelda Wii and quite possibly a new DS.

New versions of the Nintendo DS has been released since the original launch in 2004, but a completely new handheld has not been released. According to Iwata, an eventual successor Will have “highly detailed graphics, and it will be necessary to have a sensor with the ability to read the movements of people playing.” Iwata refused to discuss when said successor will hit the market, considering the DS’ sales record in the US during 2009.

Iwata also revealed, or let it slip, the specifics weren’t mentioned, that the newest Legend of Zelda will go on sale before the end of the year. Producer Eiji Aonuma has previously said he would like to show the game at E3 this year.

Since the reveal at last year’s E3 very few details about the game have surfaced, except for the odd mention of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral, so the months leading up to E3 will certainly be interesting.

Aonuma hints at flight in next Zelda Wii title

Jens Erik Vaaler — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:16:03 +0000

In an interview with The Guardian Eiji Aonuma, the famed director behind the Legend of Zelda franchise hints that Link might get to fly in the next Zelda instalment.

He doesn’t want to spoilt the “pleasant surprise” he’s got cooking, but he was willing to reveal this little tidbit:

“I have an eight-year-old son myself at home, and quite recently he started playing The Phantom Hourglass for DS, because when the software first hit the market he was too young. When he started playing with the boat, I told him: ‘In the next Zelda, you are going to be able to ride on the train.’ He answered: ‘OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky … ‘”

To which Aonuma answered: “I just don’t know. If many people make many speculations … some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything.”

Hit the link for the full interview where Aonuma, among other things, apologises for the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time.

Aonuma: Wii will give Zelda fans a “fresh surprise”

Jens Erik Vaaler — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:40:10 +0000

Nintendo has slowly been giving out minor hints as to what the new Legend of Zelda game for the Wii is going to be like. Miyamoto has stated he wants to use the Wii MotionPlus peripheral in the game, and for more than simply combat.

Now Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma has jumped on the bandwagon and says the Wii’s first true Zelda game will be something fresh and unique; a complete overhaul that will break away from the established Zelda formula.

“It is something we used to talk about with Mr Miyamoto, and he and I agree that if we are following the same structure again and again, we might not be able to give long time Zelda fans a fresh surprise.

“So we have been trying something new in terms of the structure of the Wii version of the new Zelda game this time. I am really hopeful that people will be surprised with the changes we have implemented for this Wii version.”

Nintendo has planned for the game to be officially unveiled at next year’s E3, but we’ll bring you more news and information as it becomes available.

Miyamoto reveals more details about Zelda Wii

Jens Erik Vaaler — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:14:49 +0000

During Nintendo’s latest financial briefing Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto revealed during a Q&A portion that the next Zelda will not only have “gorgeuous graphics”, but that the team is doing their best to be as creative and possible.

“On developing the recent Zelda for DS, I found out that one of Zelda’s core appeals is its uniqueness,” he said. “Of course we are preparing gorgeous graphics for the sake of users’ anticipation for a grand role-playing adventure [on Wii].

“But what I believe is very important is the realistic, actual feeling players have experienced themselves; the feeling to have really been on an adventure, to have explored the unknown terrains, to have solved the puzzle through trial and errors, to have themselves grown through various experiences!

“In that sense, a personal sense of creativity is becoming important among us. We have assembled one of the most creative team for the recent Zelda for DS, and we want to be as creative as possible for upcoming Wii Zelda.”

To me that sounds pretty sweet. I can’t wait to see what the guys at Nintendo come up with for the new Zelda.

E3 2009: Legend of Zelda concept art

Jens Erik Vaaler — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:33:28 +0000

This little piece of concept art surfaced during Miyamoto’s round table conference at E3. It’s basically concept art for the new Legend of Zelda game currently in development for the Nintendo Wii.

As you can see, Link is holding his shield in his right hand, but is strangely missing a sword. And who’s that figure standing in front of him?

The Gaming Vault » legend of zelda

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