TheMightyEthan Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 So I got into a discussion on Twitter about the various appearances of entries in the Legend of Zelda series, and wondered what people on here think about them. So here's a poll to find out. And yes, Skyward Sword hasn't released yet, but there are plenty of videos if you want to see what it looks like in gameplay. I wish the forum would let me set it up so you can rank them, but it won't, so if you want to rank all three in the comments that would give us even more info to discuss. Votes are public, just FYI, not that anyone should care for this topic. For me personally it goes: 1. WW/PH/ST then well below 2. Skyward Sword 3. OoT/MM/TP I like that the WW style is just more fun. SS has a little bit of that in the more colorful environments and the more cartoony shapes of enemies, overall I'd say it's closer to the "grittier" (if you can use that term to describe Zelda) OoT style. Really my preference for SS over OoT is minimal, the real standout is the WW style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vargras Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 WW wins my vote, hands down. Everything just felt more vibrant and "alive" - certainly helped that the characters were extremely expressive too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strangelove Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Ive never played or experienced MOST of SS, so thatd be an idiotic choice at this point in time. I actually like TP's style. Not the game though, but it looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Really hard call. I'd say Wind Waker works for its storyline and feel, whereas Twilight Princess works for itself (truly a gorgeous game too btw). Ocarina and Majora were in that funky early 3D stage that didn't age well, but they were decent enough for the time. Really have to see how well SS's visuals work with its gameplay and overall presentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMW Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 You know, I'm going to reserve judgement on this one. I need to play through Skyward Sword before placing a vote. Between the two others I think I would choose the Twilight Princess style. I think that Wind Waker and Minish Cap are the prettiest games in the franchise, but I think Spirit Tracks and Phantom Hourglass are the ugliest. The Twilight Princess style is good and it's consistent. That's my take at least. We'll see if Skyward Sword replaces it. It probably will to be honest - there won't be any old or portable games to drag the net value of the Skyward Sword style down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 Twilight Princess often gets lumped in with Ocarina, but I think I'd disagree. It's very oversaturated (especially in the Twilight areas) and has a pretty unique aesthetic overall. It does go for the quasi-realism like OOT I suppose, whereas Wind Waker is balls-out stylized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmuhpage Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 I went with OoT/MM/TP but mostly for Majora's style. I'm probably being biased since MM is my favorite in the franchise, but I really dig the color palette they used. It meshed very well with the story and the mood they were trying to impose. I would need to spend more time with SS to form an opinion on it, but I feel like all Zelda games use appropriate graphical styles for the stories they are trying to tell. For example: WW's style mixes well with the exaggerated emotions being conveyed. The innocence of Aryll's face while waking up Link wouldn't be as adorable in the N64's style. Conversely, I feel like WW's style would dilute (if only so slightly) the moment Anju and Kafei share together. Given that Nintendo generally knows what they are doing (within their established franchises, at least), I'd say "best style" comes down to "favorite game". Unless you mean which one is prettier to look at, in which case WW wins hands down. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMW Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Said P4: Twilight Princess often gets lumped in with Ocarina, but I think I'd disagree. It's very oversaturated (especially in the Twilight areas) and has a pretty unique aesthetic overall. It does go for the quasi-realism like OOT I suppose, whereas Wind Waker is balls-out stylized. Says I to that: I agree that Twilight Princess is artistically distinct from the N64 Zelda games. However, I think you could make a solid argument that Twilight Princess presented through the hardware of the N64 would look extremely similar to OoT or particularly Majora's Mask. Many of the effects that distinguish Twilight Princess artistically were simply not possible on the N64. Bloom lighting, certain particle effects, and even little things like how the Zora and Gorons are presented as more warlike through warpaint markings and armor couldn't have been communicated effectively on the old hardware. So I would argue that the art of Twilight Princess can be traced to the N64 Zelda games. The lack of detail in those games left a LOT of room for interpretation though so there are also many other equally valid interpretations of those same basic graphics. This is actually something I noticed when playing the prettier but artistically identical Ocarina of Time 3D. The game really doesn't have much personality of it's own. It wasn't until Majora's mask that 3D Zelda got personality. And I can DEFINITELY see a direct connection between Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorgiShinobi Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 I think I might be bias here, but I voted for the OoT/MM style. I don't hate the Wind Waker artistic style, but if I had a preferred vision of a Zelda game, it would lean towards a more realistic/human Link & Co. It almost bothers me sometimes to look at a character in the WW style because their body tends to be 70% abdomen and waist, whereas the rest is made up of tiny legs and arms with an egg head. However, when Skyward Sword debuts and I give it a good run, I might change my vote to that style. It's like a good mix between the two, and if I may say, it harkens back to the early Zelda games as far as the illustrations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Yeah, TP does look different from OoT/MM, but I think it's mostly a hardware thing. TP is what OoT would have looked like if the 64 had been capable of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 But there's an art direction thing too. TP is more than just an HD (well SD but HD in comparison) OOT. Saturation, colors and contrast are pretty different, though yeah if OOT were made today it would be in the same general category as TP as far as graphics. Ocarina was more dull in terms of pallet whereas Twilight Princess went for very dark darks and very bright brights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantelope Posted October 11, 2011 Report Share Posted October 11, 2011 Personally I like any of the graphical styles. I don't really mind which one they use. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingGerbil Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 My favourite thing is the fact that they mix it up instead of just finessing the same style with each new game. I love that as well as the feel of the story and the graphics i think they do a great job of matching in the music as well. One thing I've read in a few places is that watching videos of SS doesn't do the game justice at all and while I should reserve judgement I have chosen SS as my favourite because so far I'm as excited about it as the WW aesthetic so hopefully when I see it for real I will love it even more. I'd put Twilight princess next as I liked that they made it a bit different from the norm - it was the more realistic style but still had a generous layer of artiness on top. I think OoT is as generic as all get out - I can't imagine how anyone could have any feelings good or bad about something so functional and nondescript. It's the only one of the games I've played where I haven't thought at some point 'wow' about any of the things I've seen in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Did you play OOT at the time it was released? There were some pretty "wow" moments back then, but playing it now they're pretty tame. The first sunrise in Hyrule Field, the burning of Kakariko village, the crumbling Hyrule Castle at the end... all very gorgeous at the time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantelope Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Yeah, OOT had awesome graphics for it's time. It's really hard to describe just how freaking huge of a game it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingGerbil Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 not at the time but the n64 was the first 3d console I had and it was the second or third game I played on it (mario 64 and mario kart were the others) so there was no reason for it not to be able to wow me. When the sunrise and the flutey music started up it was a memorable gaming moment, but I never felt it was because of the graphics or even really the art design, more of a scripted moment. Either way, if it only wowed because it was novel then it wasn't the graphical style that impressed. Wind Waker still looks amazing and even when you turn on Twilight Princess in 5 years and the polygon count and textures are laughable the art design will still be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 and even when you turn on Twilight Princess in 5 years at launch and the polygon count and textures are laughable the art design will still be great. I agree with the sentiment, but lol @ "in 5 years". The polycounts and textures were laughable at launch. Nintendo made a conscious decision in developing the Wii not to focus on graphic prowess and it definitely shows in its games (though I make no value judgments about whether that was a good or bad decision). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 Yeah I mean that's already true. I just beat Twilight Princess and am playing Wind Waker now and they both still hold up, mostly due to art direction. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyEthan Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 IMHO WW holds up even better than TP, despite being for the GC, because WW's art style doesn't require either high poly models or detailed textures. Really the only way that WW's visuals were held back by the tech was in its display resolution, and maybe draw distance. But yeah, while technical requirements will continue to improve, good art design will always hold up no matter how old the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMW Posted October 12, 2011 Report Share Posted October 12, 2011 (edited) and even when you turn on Twilight Princess in 5 years at launch and the polygon count and textures are laughable the art design will still be great. I agree with the sentiment, but lol @ "in 5 years". The polycounts and textures were laughable at launch. Nintendo made a conscious decision in developing the Wii not to focus on graphic prowess and it definitely shows in its games (though I make no value judgments about whether that was a good or bad decision). Says I: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Twilight Princess runs on the exact same tech as Windwaker. My understanding was that the Wii version featured absolutely no graphical enhancements over the original Gamecube version whatsoever. If that is indeed the case then I don't think Nintendo's decision to let graphics technology pass them by on the Wii has anything to do with any franchise entry other than Skyward Sword. Edited October 13, 2011 by Deanb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmuhpage Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Says I: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Twilight Princess runs on the exact same tech as Windwaker. My understanding was that the Wii version featured absolutely no graphical enhancements over the original Gamecube version whatsoever. I only played the Gamecube version, so I can't speak with much authority, but this video seems to speak for itself. Also, if I remember correctly, Twilight Princess was developed solely for the GC, but when Aonuma saw the Wii tech, he was instantly convinced there had to be a Wii version, thus the delay. And a final note: Link is left handed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4: Gritty Reboot Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Yeah it's the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorgiShinobi Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Of course, but also, what better way to launch a new console than with a Zelda game! And as much of a Zelda fan that I am, when Zelda games are on the Wii, Link will be right-handed simply because the majority will swing with their right hand. However, I do believe there's going to be an opinion to switch Link's hand orientation in Skyward Sword. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Where's the choice for "A Link To The Past"? It beats out all of the mentioned titles imo. I loved the graphical style in Twilight Princess, but I'm not a fan of the visuals in OoT or MM. I also liked the graphical style in Wind Waker, but I thought the poor hardware of the DS completely wrecked it in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks. The DS should really stick to 2D graphics imo. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantelope Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Also, if I remember correctly, Twilight Princess was developed solely for the GC, but when Aonuma saw the Wii tech, he was instantly convinced there had to be a Wii version, thus the delay. And a final note: Link is left handed I remember this being the case as well. and not anymore he isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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