At PAX Australia 2013 in Melbourne, we were able to get out hands on the upcoming Wii U remake of the legendary Gamecube classic Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker at Nintendo’s booth. The game takes the classic Zelda adventure into the world of high-definition all the while retaining the charming visuals which enchanted gamers a decade ago.
Upon getting my hands on Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD, I was overcome by a sense of sheer joy the likes of which I had not felt since I first played The Wind Waker a decade ago. The visuals are as charming as they are gorgeous and truly faithful to the original game. This is indeed the Gamecube classic, only polished to perfection and brought to life once more with today’s tech.
The game still retains the original’s sense of scale. There is no Legend of Zelda game that feels as vast and immense as The Wind Waker, the world is huge and naturally so inspires a sense of curiosity that players won’t be able to shake. This is a world you want to explore and with your trusty ship, the ocean is your playground and the world is yours to see.
That exploration aspect is what made the original Wind Waker such a remarkable game. There was always the feeling that there is more to see. In most game worlds, it expands to a point where it no longer can expand and thus retracts and feels smaller, such is not the case with Wind Waker which never feels as though it ends.
In terms of gameplay, the fundamental mechanics of the Legend of Zelda series are retained and the game feels very much like the original Wind Waker game. This is a very good thing, because the original itself was a brilliant game in every regard. The exploration balanced with combat and puzzles is perhaps the best of the series. The combat is addictive and fun, while the puzzles are challenging and satisfying. On top of that the game’s excellent exploration elements make this the perfect all round package in the Legend of Zelda series.
Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker may not be the game that many remember the franchise for, but it should be. It is the most innovative and experimental game in the series and a true gem that many overlooked a decade ago due to its allegedly ‘kiddy’ visuals. The game is a masterpiece and is made even better in beautiful HD.
In 2003, The Wind Waker was far ahead of its time. It challenged preconceptions of what a Legend of Zelda game could be and what kind of worlds and journeys video-games could take us on. It stands up today as one of the greatest achievements in video-game history and this HD remake does this legendary game true justice.
Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is a must-have title for the Wii U. Whether you played the original or you didn’t, this is a game the must be experienced. The wind rises once again for one of Nintendo’s greatest works, don’t miss out on The Wind Waker HD, it is the game to own on the Wii U.
