(andPOP) - In a year of shooters focusing on guts, gore, and guns, I find myself looking through my video game library time after time for a light, fun adventure game to play. Luckily, Nintendo gave me a portable game to play when I don’t feel like venting my rage with murder, and what a game it was! The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, released in early October, is Link's first adventure on the Nintendo DS. Nintendo definitely put a lot of thought and planning into this outstanding title before releasing it.
Taking place after The Wind Waker, Link begins on a ship with Tetra and her pirate crew only to be confronted by a ghost ship that takes her away and leaves you washed up on an island with many questions. A random fairy finds you and brings you to its elderly grandfather and the quest begins. A monster has sealed up the fairies and the Ocean King's power and is causing havoc all over the ocean and its inhabited islands. You must go find the fairies, release the king's power, defeat the evil and save your friend. All in a day's work for a hero such as Link, right? This time, however, you must travel from island to island with your new friend, Linebeck, and his ship.
The majority of the game takes place exploring the islands in the four quarters of the sea and completing dungeons and puzzles, but a good portion also takes place on the ocean digging up treasure and fighting battles. An interesting twist in this title is that in order to find the sea charts and make your way to more distant new islands, you must keep re-entering the Ocean King's temple and progress deeper and further using the new items you acquire throughout the game while limited to the amount of time left in your Phantom Hourglass (you obtain more time by defeating bosses). It's an interesting concept, repeating the same dungeon time after time but exploring more of it each time you defeat a boss. Throughout the game, the only thing I found missing was the lack of jars, wallet upgrades and the single aspect of the game that disappointed me most was the fact that the only thing really needed to buy in stores was a shield at the beginning of the game. Otherwise all of your favorites return in this true Zelda title, from fairies to cuckoos, this title will make you remember why you fell in love with Link and his crew all those years ago.
The Phantom Hourglass's graphics are by far the best I have ever seen on the Nintendo DS, as long as you can deal with the game's cartoon cell shaded look first introduced in Wind Waker for the Nintendo Gamecube. Everything in the game (save the map and menus) are in 100% 3D and look stunning. The use of vivid colours (or dull grays depending on the situation) works perfectly in this light hearted adventure title. The design of islands and dungeons within the game are well laid out as one would expect from a Zelda game. Each dungeon is varied greatly, ensuring that the game does not get stale. From smoky explosions to witty cut scenes, the graphics hold their own in Phantom Hourglass.
From "HYAAs" to "BOOMs", Phantom keeps true to its predecessors with all the sounds that make Zelda memorable. This includes Zelda-style Triforce music, effects for the boomerang and bombs, and beeping when your health is low. Of course the famous 'secret passage opened' sound is here too. Your ears will perk when you hear something so familiar, so calming as getting another heart. This game has all the sounds and music that made us hum and reminisce in past games while controlling Link on crazy, whimsical adventures. In this title, they even go a little further and in some instances the sound within the game actually influences the way the game is played (for example, in dungeons, certain floors make noises attracting enemies). This is definitely a game you would want to play with sound, so if you're riding the bus, be sure to bring headphones.
The controls are where this game diverges from the tried, tested, and true. Although this one uses the same principles that past Zelda titles have, and has the same style and feel, the controls are totally different. To begin with, the entire game can be played with just the stylus if you wish (you can use the shoulder buttons or the D-pad for shortcuts to the map or items), controlling Link and all his weapons and items by using the stylus, you can roll and attack with a sword just by tapping or drawing lines with the stylus. Throw the boomerang or direct other items by drawing the path you want the weapon to take, creating new and innovative ways to overcome obstacles and puzzles. As well, the use of the dual screen works perfectly with this game. Often, the top screen shows the map, and with this, you have the ability to bring it down to the stylus screen at any time to draw paths, or write notes to help solve puzzles or just remind you to take out the trash when you get to a certain part of the game. Phantom uses the innovative aspects of the DS to their fullest: blowing into the microphone to brush off sand, revealing hidden items by wiping them with the stylus, and closing the DS to transfer an image from one screen to the other, for instance. The ways the DS is manipulated in this game are truly amazing but at the same time, they are simple enough not to get in the way of enjoying the fast paced battles or exploring the sea.
As with all other Zelda titles (it may very well be the biggest selling point in the Zelda name), there's tons to do aside from the actual quest. There are dozens of citizens to speak to from all over the ocean. A few of them have little side quests for you to complete, which may fetch you interesting prizes. Some citizens can send you on wild goose chases while some might ask for your help through the in-game mailbox. The mini-quests are often varied and usually include a puzzle or two along the way. There are also a number of secret uncharted islands with mini-games or optional puzzles to complete for more prizes. Players will find treasure maps that pinpoint locations in the sea where Linebeck's ship can enter a mini-game to try and salvage a chest at the bottom of the ocean while avoiding bombs. The prizes can also include pieces to upgrade and customize your ship for that sleek pimp look you’ve always wanted. Players can also go around finding courage, wisdom, and strength gems that can unlock your fairies' power and make you stronger. On top of all these little additions to keep players interested, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass also includes some multiplayer aspects where players can compete in a game of cat and mouse trying to collect force gems. Two players take turns controlling Link collecting the gems or phantoms trying to stop him. The multiplayer aspect (both over local wireless and Nintendo Wi-Fi) can also have an effect on items Link collects and can trade later on in the single player adventure.
The world is large, the dungeons and bosses are as fierce as the game is long, and Link is back in all his glory. Not only is this the best Zelda title found on a portable gaming system but perhaps could be put up there with some of the best Zelda titles of all time.
Graphics: 5.0 / 5.0
Gameplay 5.0 / 5.0
Sound 5.0 / 5.0
Replay value 5.0 / 5.0
