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The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass Hands-On Preview for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass Hands-On Preview for the Nintendo DS (NDS)

Getting in “touch” with your inner hero

July 6, 2007 – Every time Nintendo releases a new console or portable, everyone wants to know how long it will be before fans are treated to the three games that make up the Big N’s holy triumvirate: Mario, Metroid and Zelda.

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

The DS has been out for nearly three years now and two of the three franchises have seen at least one release. Mario launched the system with a port of the classic Mario 64, and since then DS fans have seen Mario and his pals do everything from playing basketball to running an amusement park. Metroid has had a good run on the DS as well, with a surprisingly excellent pinball adventure and a full-fledged 3D shooter in the vein of the Gamecube Metroid Prime titles. Now, come October 1, it will finally be Zelda’s turn to shine on the little handheld that could.

As previously stated, American gamers will need to wait until the fall to traverse Hyrule on their DS systems. What you might not know is that the game is already available in Japan. We imported it, we played it, we loved it and now, faithful CheatCC.com reader, we’ll let you know why The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass might just be the best DS game to date.

A lot has been said concerning Phantom Hourglass’s controversial control scheme, which is mapped entirely to the touch screen. I, too, was one of the detractors; I just couldn’t see how controlling Link with the stylus could be anything but an unmitigated disaster. Within minutes of starting up the game, my tune completely changed. Controlling Link with the stylus is extremely intuitive and easy. Within minutes of starting Link’s new adventure, you’ll be an expert on controlling him. Fans of Pokemon Ranger will feel right at home with the Phantom Hourglass touch screen controls, in which you use the stylus as a “guide” for letting Link know where you want him to go. For example, if you want Link to move toward the top of the screen you can either place the stylus right in front of him, which he’ll follow as you draw his path, or you can simply point the stylus at the top of the screen and he’ll find his way to you. Tapping an object makes Link interact with it and if the object is something lifted, like a jar, another tap will make him toss it. You’ll also be using the stylus to map your boomerang’s path around rooms, solve puzzles and a few other functions I don’t want to spoil for you. There will be folks who lament the change in control but, like the naysayers who came out of the woodwork when Starfox Command was released, they’ll be totally off base and simply unwilling to try anything new. Lay your fears to rest, DS and Zelda fans, Phantom Hourglass controls like a dream.

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

With that out of the way, we can move on to everything else that makes Phantom Hourglass great. We’ll start with how the game looks and sounds. The graphics are near identical to Wind Waker, Link’s first appearance on the Gamecube, and the cel-shaded, cartoon style fits the game’s tone wonderfully. Be ready to be blown away by just how good the game looks; the only other DS game that looks this good is another popular import, Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker. Until you see it for yourself, you won’t believe that the DS could possibly handle these graphics. The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, mixing new tunes with remixed versions of the classics. Following the look of the game, the music also brings to mind what we heard in Wind Waker. The sound effects are all in place as well. Like always, Link has very little to say and instead, you’ll be listening for his occasional grunts and yelps. All the dialogue in the game is handled with text instead of spoken, but since this has been the standard for the Zelda series since day one, it is easy to forgive the lack of voice acting.

Before we get into what the game is about and how it plays, it needs to be said that I don’t speak a single word of Japanese. Being that the only version of Phantom Hourglass is completely scripted in Japanese and only available as an import, I won’t be able to explain everything as perfectly as I’d like. You start in the game in your village and the action is viewed for an almost overhead perspective, much like the SNES Zelda classic, Link to the Past. Unlike like Link to the Past, the game is all 3D and, as I said before, looks simply amazing. As you make your way around the village, you’ll be talking to various people and solving a few small puzzles. Soon enough, the story will take off, you’ll get your trusty sword and shield and it is off to the races.

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

I won’t ruin any of the plot for you, but it needs to be said that, like in Wind Waker, you’ll be spending quite a bit of time sailing across a massive ocean to different islands and locales. However, the control of your boat in Phantom Hourglass is a bit different (and arguably more fun) than it was in Wind Waker. You’ll be using your stylus to plot your course instead of changing wind direction and hoping for the best. The old method had players simply sitting and letting the wind do its work but in this game, sailing involves the player much, much more.

The game also features online play over Nintendo’s WiFi network. Unfortunately, due to the aforementioned language barrier, I wasn’t able to delve too deeply into what seems to be a “Capture the Flag” style game involving something called Force Gems. Though it seems like it could be fun, Zelda fans know that the single player experience is what really matters. We will just have to wait until the game’s American release to truly see how the online mode stacks up.

The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

From what we’ve seen in the import version of Phantom Hourglass, it is poised to be one of the best DS games available when it hits our shores this October. So the next time a video game store employee is pestering you to preorder something, put five bucks on The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. The clerk will be thrilled about squeezing a preorder out of a customer and you’ll have a truly remarkable game to anticipate (not to mention a moment’s peace). Seriously, do their employees get paid extra to push preorders on people who don’t want them? Anyhow, watch out for The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass to make waves this fall.

Features:

  • Get In Touch!: All game control is via the touch screen, and the stylus makes controlling Link more natural than ever. Touch the screen to guide Link through the world, or sweep the stylus around him to swing his sword. You can even make notes on your map, chart routes for your boat or draw paths for your boomerang!
  • Adventure Time!: With Tetra missing, Link must enlist the aid of several fairies as he explores dangerous wilds, uncharted seas and baffling dungeons. As he does, he meets an array of fascinating characters, hunts for powerful weapons and collects sand for a mysterious artifact called the Phantom Hourglass. Over time, it will enable him to progress deeper and deeper into the ultimate dungeon.
  • Link with a pal!: Compete with a friend over local wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as you guide Link through special battle stages to capture Force Gems or command the forces that oppose him!

  • LoZ is a great way to kill time!

    February 28, 2007 – The trademark action RPG series that has stood the test of time has returned for its first DS installment. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass brings new gameplay depth to the handheld series for the first time in ages by using the touch screen to the fullest extent. It also gives gamers a deeper look at the world of LoZ: The Wind Waker.

    The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

    When The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was shown at E3 back in June 2002, audiences were shocked by what they saw. There was a new Link in town and he was cel-shaded. Eventually, the game was released and gamers noticed that the gameplay still had the classic Zelda style they had come to expect from Nintendo and the new cartoonish graphics helped add character to the game. Although Nintendo finally gave the gamers a realistic, down-to-earth Zelda game in the form of Twilight Princess, some gamers who fell in love with the new Link were saddened by the loss of the new cel-shaded style. Fortunately, Nintendo has brought back the new storyline and design for the Nintendo DS.

    The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass involves the mystery of the Phantom Hourglass which has the secret power to tell time and other secrets which weren’t revealed by Nintendo. Link discovers it while sailing with his pirate crew during their treasure hunt, and of course, the hourglass, with lots of other treasures, are all hidden in various dungeons that Link must sail to.

    The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

    The sailing controls are unique and easy and the graphics of the sea are precisely the same as the Windwaker. Simply plot your course on the map when it is on the touch screen and the boat will automatically sail towards the marked destination. If trouble heads your way, simply tap the cannon icon on the touch screen and Link will fire blasts towards the enemy. If you wish to kill the enemy completely, either turn around and fire some more cannonballs or move your ship back and forth to keep it from sailing past the enemy while firing at the same time.

    Once you’re on land, you will head into the dungeon to raid its treasures. In order to do so and to fight the enemies that block your path, you must pull your stylus from its sheathe and smite your enemies. Moving Link is done by pressing on him and making him walk or by quickly sliding the stylus on him and enabling him to roll under traps, etc. Stabbing enemies is done by tapping on them or by circling Link, enabling him to perform a spin attack. Objects can also be accessed by tapping on them. Some items that you use will be controlled via the touch screen such as the boomerang as you can plot its course. Others will be used via simple touching and tapping.

    The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

    Dungeon runs vary as there are different goals in each one. Some have you sneaking past enemies, while others have you focusing on avoiding traps and hitting switches. Sometimes, just to enter rooms, you may have to draw symbols via the touch screen.

    Boss Rooms can be totally different however, as they don’t use the traditional overhead view that the LoZ series is famous for. Some feature a 3rd person viewpoint that focuses more on Link performing tasks such as lobbing bombs at bosses than it does on moving around in true 3D. I say it is also likely that there will be mini-games with all kinds of different view points and controls. I’m hoping for a new bombchu mini-game!

    Graphically, all of the viewpoints and areas of the game look amazing. Even with 64 bit graphics, the cel-shading looks amazing and as good as it did on the GameCube. Nintendo claimed that they felt the cel-shaded style of this Zelda series was too different and unique to quit producing and I’m personally glad this humorous and vivid cartoon Link is still around…..unlike the actual 1990s cartoon Link. (via Super Mario Bros. Super Show)

    The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass screenshot

    The game’s sound effects are as good as The Windwaker, but I wish Link would talk a little more for once so we could get to know his personality better. The game still lacks some nice voice acting.

    Overall, the game is wrapping up to be a traditional Zelda game, but with unique gameplay. I’m personally excited about this one as I know going through the many dungeons the game has will finally stop being boring. I expect Zelda fans and even casual DS gamers will be tempted to pick up this title when it’s released June 1st 2007.

    Features:

  • 3D Cel-Shaded Graphics
  • Touch Screen Only Controls
  • Multiple Dungeons
  • Various viewpoints
  • Destination Plotting

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