Review: All Hands On Deck! The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD

Grab your Master Sword and fill up those heart containers because I’m about to tell you why Wind Waker HD should be a staple part of your Wii U collection, new and old players alike! 

Platform: Wii U
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre(s): Action / Adventure RPG
Release Date: September 20, 2013

The story is practically the same as any other Zelda game, go save the princess and vanquish the Great Evil that is Ganondorf. But this game portrays it in such a way that is different, Link is first set off to save a pirate named Tetra from the forest at the top of his island after being woken by his sister (Slap a new label on the box and call it The Legend of Zelda: Brother Waker.) Upon doing so, his sister is taken by a huge bird that suspects her of being Princess Zelda. Link being a master of courage (And swords, don’t forget swords) sets out to sea in an attempt to save his sister, but what new characters could be lurking in his path? Friend or Foe? I’ll leave you guys to find out!

Gameplay

As with most Legend of Zelda games, it’s pretty hack and slash, with its puzzle elements for dungeons and the variety of items at Links disposal that assist him in his quest. However, the items Link gets in Wind Waker are a little different… Like the Skull Hammer, man I love that Skull Hammer, you can literally crush your foes into a piece of flattened garbage! There’s even a Magic Leaf (*Cough* Parachute *Cough*) for those moments when you feel Link won’t roll at the last second or you’re trying to go for a 10-star landing on your boat (Seriously, try it; it’s quite fun.) 

The controls for Wind Waker has always been quite simple, you assign items to some buttons and bam, you’ve got yourself an adventure! However, the Wii U has made it easier in the way that there’s more on the screen because the mini-map has a full-blown map on the Wii U GamePad. It even allows you to change items while you’re still running around (Haha! No more stopping those epic feels in a boss battle!) It also uses motion detection for things such as the bow, the telescope, and the Picto Box (Yes, it is true, selfies can be taken on this; see the image below for my personal favorite.) Wind Waker typically uses it’s Z-Targeting system, which is simple in itself. Last but not least, this may not even come under controls, but the Swift Sail, has just saved me countless minutes of sitting there listening to the same song again because it changes the direction of the wind automatically. (FINALLY!)

Graphics

it says it on the box (It’s HD! HD!!!) But the HD does give this game a shinier flair then the original, and amplifies that cartoon feel you get from the game. The User Interface is also much cleaner and easier to use with the addition of the Wii U Gamepad. As for that, there’s not much else to say apart from the fact that link looks like a clay doll after you stand next to a torch (It’s morphin’ time!) However, still to this day, the music grips me.

I will never get over that Miniboss theme; it’s so damn badass, and every time Link connects his sword with the enemy, the sound made really feels like you hit them, and you hit them hard. Other than the music, most of the other things are cute and cartoonish sounds, which appeal to the look and feel of Wind Waker.