Introduction:

Here we go. The review everyone's been waiting to see for almost 3 years. The highly anticipated Twilight Princess. Shown at E3 '04 for the Gamecube, it was bumped to the Wii at E3 '06. Though the GC version is still being released, this review is for the Wii version. Is it as good as people hoped it to be, or the Adventure of Link II? Read on and see...

Story:

The story of Twilight Princess is based decades after Ocarina of Time, and centuries before Wind Waker. It is an all new Link, and there is no blood connection from him to the Hero of Time. The game starts out with Link sitting by a river with someone from his village, who is telling Link about Twilight. He and Link go back to the village, named Ordon Village. After a few days of doing things in Ordon, you learn of how monkeys in the woods have been acting strange and messing with people in the village. The next day, one of those monkeys comes to Link's house, where he is showing some children his swordsmanship skills. The children rush after it, wanting to punish it for what it has been doing. Link goes after them, and eventually winds up rescuing them after an adventure in the woods. As more days pass, Link learns he is being sent to Hyrule Castle, to deliver something from Ordon. As he is preparing for his journey, one of Link's best friends, Ilia, notices a wound on his horse. She scolds him for overworking his horse at the ranch where he helps out, and she takes the horse south the village to a spring. Link follows her down, and while he is talking to her, a giant goblin-like creature followed by small creatures ride in and and attack Link, Ilia, and Colin (Who has just joined them). Link is knocked unconscious by the monsters, and Ilia and Colin are taken away. When Link awakes, he knows he has to save them. As he turns to go up north into the Woods, he notices a very odd door blocking his way. As he approaches, he is pulled in.

The woods he once knew are now part of the Twilight Realm, but he does not have much time to think about it, as his body slowly mutates into the form of a Wolf due to being in that realm. As he is pulled away by some odd looking creatures, someone watches him, and tracks them from behind. Wolf Link awakes in a dungeon, and sees someone appear is if from nowhere. This person is a floating Imp, with a weird helmet. If you have seen the trailers, this is the weird little thing floating thing that is seen riding Wolf Link. This is Midna, the biggest character in TP besides Link. She talks to Link, and offers him help of escaping in exchange for helping her. After trekking with her throughout the castle, you come to the top. You realize that this is no evil castle, but this is Hyrule Castle, consumed in Twilight. At the top of the tallest tower, you meet Zelda. Who talks to Midna about saving the land from the darkness of Twilight. Midna stays with him the whole game, and she proves to be one of the biggest characters since Navi.

Eventually Link returns to the Light world, and his quest really begins. Since most people have not played the game yet, saying more about the story is spoiling. That is basically where the beginning ends, and Link's quest  begins. If you really want to know something more about the story, PM me on the forum.
 

Gameplay:

Here we go, gameplay! One of the most interesting parts of Twilight Princess, is the controls. Playing with the Gamecube is a world of differences than with the Wii. You slash your sword by moving the wiimote, and do a spin attack by swinging the Nunchuck. You also move with the Analog Stick on the Nunchuck You can Z target and look around with 2 buttons on the back of the Nunchuck, and pull up your Equip, Inventory, and Map screens with buttons on the Wiimote. The Control Pad is used for equipping items, and the trigger in the back is used for well, using them. Like if you pressed left, then what you had set to left would now be useable on the trigger. The sword swinging is the highlight though, never before have you been able to feel so into it. The actual gameplay is astounding when you put it all together. Such innovation and new feel cannot be put lower than a 10, it just simply cannot.

I give the gameplay: 10/10

Graphics:

The Graphics of Twilight Princess. Isn't this why the game has been surrounded by so much hype? The best looking Zelda of all time, the graphics are simply beautiful. Save that for next gen, the Wii should be more powerful, not the same power as the GC. Even so, its Zelda. And seeing Zelda in that depth is better than anything we could ask for

I give the graphics: 9/10

Sound:

And here we go, the lacking part of Twilight Princess. Every Zelda game has amazing music, and I mean EVERY one. They are always remembered and loved. However in TP, the music department is lacking. It is fantastic to hear old music, but you hardly hear music throughout the main part of the game.

Credit to non music must be given however. The Wiimote's speaker ringing the Zelda chime and sword slashing is awesome. That boosts the score a lot higher than it would have been

I give the sound: 6/10

Replayability:

Seeing as how I have only played the game once, I can't offer much here. However, it is a Zelda game, so it is indeed very replayable. I already want to go back to it and find all the side items and quests

I give the replayability: 8/10

Challenge:

The challenge in TP is well...lacking. This is probably the easiest 3D Zelda...besides Wind Waker. There are some very mind bending puzzles that take awhile, but too much difficulty is never good

I give the challenge: 7/10

Frustration:

No frustration, at all. Isn't that great?

I give the challenge: 0/10

Value:

50 bucks for the most hyped Zelda of all time. Uh...yeah I think its worth it.

I give the value: 10/10

Overall:

And it comes down to this. Is this the almighty?

Yes it is, this game is phenomenal. Anything below a 9.5 is screwed

I give The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: 9.7/10

Conclusion:

The Legend of Zelda: TP is a must play for all Wii owners, Zelda fans, and GC owners. This game is one of the best entries in the series, maybe even THE best Zelda game of them all

Written By: Prince Peasley

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