The Legend of Zelda as a series is something hard to poke at, as some fans don’t like to admit when things might be a bit underwhelming. Now put your pitchforks away, I don’t hate Zelda: I just think Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword were definitely the weakest in the main series. Characters were soulless and the stories felt tired – they just weren’t up to snuff considering the game’s prestigious legacy. But the question is, can Zelda actually work as a triple A title in 2013? I would say yes, if Nintendo were to change things up a bit.
Change is difficult for fans of a long running game series, fans think that change is the reason good things start to suck. Contrary to the belief, it is stagnation that often makes things suck. If imagination and creative thought are put into a change, then it can make something awesome once again. I mean look at King of Fighters, do they still make those games? Maybe, but they haven’t changed at all with the newest generation. It’s just the same game every time, it gets boring and predictable.
I have prepared 5 Simple things that I believe would save Zelda as a series, and make it the imagination titan it used to be. Sadly when I think of imaginative game designers of the last generations that made games for everyone, all that comes to mind is Tim Schafer and Team Ico.
If you disagree with my points, hate me in the comments. If you have some ideas of your own, share them as well in the comments.
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11 Comments
Personally, I don’t agree with your statement that the series is “stale.” It might be on it’s way there, but I still think it has good life in it. In fact, I think that Skyward Sword kind of brought it back. Most people I know think tht game was better than it’s predecessor, Twilight Princess.
That being said, I do agree with some of your points. There is nothing wrong with changing things up a bit. However, change things too much and you do risk the fanbase screaming in terror/anger “THIS IS NOT A ZELDA GAME!!!” Even if the game turned out great, changes on a massive scale will prompt this response, to a lesser degree of course, something long the lines of “Well, it’s a good game, but definitely not a Zelda game.”
One thing I can’t agree with is the New Hero idea. If this had been implemented back in the day, when the game was still in it’s infant stages, it would work fine, but this is not the Final Fantasy series (uh-oh, an RPG comparison), and changing the hero won’t work at this point. What could work though, is perhaps introducing an element where you have to play as a different character briefly (didn’t they do that in on of the cartoon games?), just to shake things up a bit. Or maybe introduce a new recurring character that could perhaps be a lead in to a spin-off series that features that character as the main hero, a lá the Metal Gear (Solid) series.
But overall, yes, the game is slowing down, but in no way do I believe it is dead. A few changes here and there, small to start, would be nice just to shake things up, but nothing as grand in scale as a new hero.
I think you want another Majroa’s mask. Something that is LoZ but not the same story of fire land, forest land, water land and then rescue the princess. I could probably play that but at the same time I’m not tired of the LoZ main storyline as its an old tale that can (and has) been played out in different settings and in a different world over and over and its still enjoyable. I think with LoZ its just not a series I feel the need to try and tell the developers how they should make their game. Its a series I just enjoy.
Yep, I agree stale being 100% right.
Looking at you Rich, how would changing the character hurt? Okay yes, we all have a pre-developed idea of Link. You have a pre-developed idea of a character whose story has changed dramatically from day 1 and who has never voiced a single word in his life. There’s nothing wrong with a new hero. In fact, it would be rather refreshing. Let’s be honest. There’s nothing tying down Link as the main character other than belief and hardcore Zelda fans screaming their lungs out against it. The best that can happen is a refreshing look at a tale we have spun over and over. The worst…we get another generic but still enjoyable tale.
I love the series, specifically Link to the Past and Wind Waker. I love the original, OoT, Majora, and I actually like part two. But Twilight Princess is so boring. Midna is annoying, being a wolf sucks compared to Okami and the whole world feels uninspired. Skyward Sword looks great, but I cannot stand using the Wii remote for that game. I cannot help but wish I was using a normal controller every time I play it, even though I know how ironic that sounds. I personally think it is the most over rated game of this generation. Period. We need innovation without trying to jam motion controls, or dual screens, or voice controls into our games. It seems to take away from the gameplay. Don’t get me wrong, either. I absolutely love my DS. But the games I like are either point and click or RPG’s that don’t even use the stylus. And that is why I love Wind Waker. I loved exploring everything in that game. It felt so new, but so Zelda. I wasn’t sure what to expect. But anyway, great article.
Chainsaw,
It all has to do with that “big” change I was talking about. The one that would send the die hards (which, admittedly, I am) would have the fan base up-in-arms. Yes, it would still sell games, yes it would garner interest, but it would piss off equally as many as it excites. Hence the reason I suggested a new character that could be playable.
Maybe craft a storyline that goes beyond a single game that kills Link at the end and we’re forced to play the new character. Don’t just intro the new hero without Link. Get us to love the new hero, as we’ve grown to love Link and Zelda.
They could make reference to Link as the Hero of Time as they do in all stories. I mean they have told that “3 Fairies” story enough times. Why not, at the beginning, tell the story of the “Hero of Time” which is your reference to Link and then have the new hero. I’m just saying sometimes it’s definitely the biggest changes that bring the most joy. Then this “new hero” can even have the qualities Jake described. Make the gender different, hair color, eye spacing, whatever your pleasure. This way you get the die hard fans but also experience some fun.
You make some pretty good points but Nintendo’s more recent image of “innovation” has just been gimmicks. The Wiimote was kind of a Joke, and I personally think Skyward Sword was the worst game in the series. What we need is another Zelda 2, the fans are idiots, lets have a challenging game that makes you scream at the tv but makes you orgasm with satisfaction when you conquer that beast. Also I like an open world with drive to explore. And challenging puzzles that Fi doesn’t feel the need to ruin for me.
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Thanks for sharing this great article :D
Now just save the Legend of Zelda :D Happy Gaming :)
Hey thanks a lot for your comment!
:D
Changing the character flatout will definitely stir up the fanbase and cause havoc amongst the million virgins (just kidding xD) playing zelda. But you know how the curse on the holders of the triforce is the later borns of ganon will continue to attempt defeating the later borns of link and zelda. Well why not switch it up and have the newer incarnations to be from the same line as them :) like for instance, Zelda has a son who is a prince in turmoil and Link has a daughter who (you know the drill)……now that i think of it that sounds kind of badass :0