The Zelda series is and always will be the greatest videogame series ever known to man, period. It has a strange, beautiful, epic feeling to it that words simply cannot describe. Wind Waker is an outstanding game full of plenty to do, in fact maybe too much, but shows way less feeling than many other Zelda games.

Pros:

• Spectacular Cel-Shaded graphics
• Link is very expressive
• Very long game to beat 100% through
• Best Zelda storyline yet
• Remixed and new sound and tunes
• Tons of side quest
• Improved battle system
• Excellent final boss
• Fun fun FUN!

Cons:

• Sailing can take way too long
• Mapping the entire ocean is tedious
• Not as much "feeling" as past games

(Yes that is all I can think of)

Gameplay

When you think Zelda, you usually think intense epic gameplay. Never fear my friend, Wind Waker delivers! From north to south of the massive sea, there are mini-games, battles, and treasures to dig up from the ocean. Wind Waker is basically Zelda Ocarina of Time, with cel-shaded graphics, less feeling and longer, which is by all means a good thing. The battle system is very much improved upon, and still uses classic "Z" targeting. Sometimes, when an enemy is attacking, if you tap A, you will be able to do an uber move on the attacker, lowering his health quite a bit more than usual, and looking cool as you do it.

Dungeons are quite long and satisfying. To beat one from start to end, it should take you around 1-2 hours. The puzzles will have you thinking, and using 100% of your brain (Hey, uhh... Is that possible?). Some puzzles, are so simple, and when you figure out to do, you want to put a gun to your head and say, "Why didn't I think of that before? I should rid my self of my pathetic life that I live".

A dissapointment with the gameplay however, is that you always have to go on this damn boat thing, and travel for long periods of time to other islands, and most of the time, the islands have little to do with anything that will help your quest (Although most eventually do later on). The boat simply has way less to him, and way less character than that fabulous Epona horse you ride in Ocarina of Time. I guess I just prefer fields and think Nintendo was just cheaply getting out of having a short game by adding a giant ocean.

Graphics

Whether you like the cel-shaded look of Zelda or not, you simply cannot argue with the beauty of the game. The graphics are so smoothly animated at 30 frames per second and the textures are probably some of the best in any gamecube game to date. Yet, some of the islands seem to be designed poorly with very low amounts of polygons. The characters are super expressive, expressing anger and sadness and other various emotions. The smoke effects are dazzling as they are so nicely animated and sleek. Your jaw will drop if you were one of those "Un-True" Zelda fans who has hated how the game looks from day one, and still does. I say "Un-True" Zelda fan, because if you were a "True" Zelda fan, you'd love the series no matter the look. But yes, you haters will be shocked.

The graphics are phenominal, simply put.

Click here for a movie!

Movie and Image courtesy of: IGNCube

Sound

The sound, while not near as amazing as Ocarina of Time's soundtrack, is still pretty damn awesome. The main theme is very catchy, and I sometimes find myself humming it from time to time. The sound characters make are very comical and humourous. My friend Tim and I even came up with our own handshake that incorporates sounds from the salesman in the game. We can't help but laugh.

Some of the tunes, for temples towards the end of the game, are very emotional and heart capturing. When you hear them you will be like "Aww, I love Zelda... Just as I love my shoelaces!".

The sound effects are nice too. The water splashing against links boat as it bobbles up and down, the footsteps of Link change depending on where he is running, all enemies are unique (Some very annoying). It's all good.

Closing Comments

So umm, yes. Please buy this game by all means. While I still prefer Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask over it, it is still worthy of the Zelda name, and goes to show that games with cartoon graphics, still rock.

Buy this game now, or regret it... Hey wait, I guess you wouldn't regret it as you don't know it's beauty.

Gameplay: 9.8/10
Graphics: 9.5/10
Sound: 9.5/10

Overall: 9.9/10

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