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The Legend of Zelda needs to evolve

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Sunday, October 21, 2012
EDITOR'S NOTEfrom Eduardo Moutinho

I think the repetitive structure of The Legend of Zelda series is actually characteristic of Nintendo's design philosophy. Most of its beloved franchises are built on simple protagonists and backstories. After all, how many times has Link saved Zelda, Mario saved Princess Peach, and Samus run out of a self-destructing zone?

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Before you roll your eyes at me, thinking that I’m going to bash Nintendo’s acclaimed franchise, I want to make it clear; I’ve been a fan of The Legend of Zelda since the original Nintendo Entertainment System release. I had the gold cartridge, the instruction booklet with the flip-out-map poster. you name it.

But here I am today, more than 20 years later, about to challenge the almighty Nintendo -- and its most loyal Zelda fans.

I can’t help but feel that Zelda needs to move on. Like Bitmob staffer Jasmine Rea stated in her recent Resident Evil article, I think it’s time for a reboot. 

 

First off, the series is behind its time. It lacks voice acting, something that is apparent in modern games. A couple grunts and chirps from each character (while trying to tell an amazing story) is a relic of yesteryear. And no, I don’t desire a voice for Link. A mute hero has never been an issue for me.

Voice acting brings characters to life. Many players (at least that I know) tend to skip the dialogue because they don't have interest in the plot. OK, so that’s their fault.

But I always tend to imagine what these characters and their voices would sound like. Your eyes gaze into the font as if you're watching a foreign film. Subtitles are fine, but I'd like the people to become more believable at this point. 

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2

Voice could elevate the epic tales of Hyrule and perhaps develop a better understanding for the gamer. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, in my opinion, was the first game in the series to pursue the cinematic experience seriously. It was a joy to watch, but something was missing. It was like enjoying old movies without sound. Nintendo, give voiceovers a try.

Speaking of Link, he’s got on my bad side as well. True, the pointed-ear protagonist is a recognizable mascot for the big N. We all know every Zelda title presents us with a different Link (with the exception of Majora’s Mask, Zelda II, Phantom Hourglass, and other spin-offs).

So what’s the problem?

He looks the same to me. He acts the same to me. He maneuvers the same way every time. Each release hands us a sword and shield to help us save the princess. Same sacred hero. Different time.

Perhaps Nintendo can realize that this repetitive concept is getting old to some people, like me. We need new characters to play as. I get how important Link is to the saga, but wouldn’t it be cool to play as Zelda herself, a new hero, or even the narcissistic Ganon?

Maybe we could have three different scenarios. One with Link, one with Zelda, and one with Ganon. Somehow, they could all be connected and contribute to the ultimate story’s unfolding. To add sugar to the cake, we could even receive multiple endings.

New tools and bigger dungeons aren’t an answer to me. I want a new approach to the gameplay. I want innovative elements. I don’t want another pair of green tunics and the same mission to conquer.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

My best suggestion would be to do a reboot similar to Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Most Zelda fans claim that this release is their least favorite. For me, it’s my top choice. Why? Because it was different. It added RPG elements to the table. It was more difficult. Heck, it stands out against all other Zeldas.

Additionally, it’s time for the series to expand itself outside the box. I get it. The master sword is the answer to evil’s bane. Why can’t we build Link up and purchase new weapons? Perhaps we could build our own sword with its own unique power and image. It’s called variety, and I honestly haven’t seen it lately in the series. It’s the same repetitive sword with a couple of new gadgets (and motion controls) added to the mix.  

Lastly, for ages (OK, years) the games' difficulty has been embarrassingly easy. We should get multiple difficulty settings (Hero mode from Skyward Sword was a slight step up).

Sorry, Zelda fans. Believe it or not, I’m one of you. But it’s time for the franchise to receive a swift kick in the ass.

Zelda needs to evolve.

 
Tags: Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
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Comments (10)
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Sam Brougher
October 22, 2012

What.

Of every franchise that has survived since the NES, Zelda is the least stagnant. With every release, Nintendo seems committed to not just giving us new dungeons and tools, but entirely new mechanics. Windwaker, in particular, was barely even a Zelda game when it came to art and gameplay.

Your problem isn't that Zelda isn't evolving. Zelda evolves more than any other long-running franchise. Your problem is your specific issues, one of which (crafting your own sword) was already addressed in one of the games (Ocarina of Time).

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Brandon Guerrie
October 25, 2012

Wind Waker was barely a Zelda game?

True, visually, it was different (and to be honest, Waker has the best story in the series).

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the sea traveling and gliding (it was a neat way to navigate across the world), but besides the graphics, it was the same Zelda to me.

My problem is these little things that are added doesn’t change much of the experience for me. The series is stale; you’d think after so many years they could try something different. It’s still Link, and each title feels the same to me.

Would it hurt to give us multiple characters to play as? A new universe? A new hero? A knight from Hyrule who fights for the battle of the land… anything.

Crafting your own sword, buying new weapons, upgrading your armor are some Skyrim-ish elements I wouldn’t mind having. That’s little, yes, but at least it separates from finding items in dungeons (let alone the same  re-occurring equipment).

I respect your opinion as one Zelda fan to another, but some demand a reboot. That being, something drastically different.

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Nick Mannon
October 22, 2012

Except that there was a Zelda that changed the script.  It was called Majora's Mask and people hated it so much that Aonama, the director has been reigned in by Miyamoto for the past twelve years.  What I'm saying is that if the Zelda series changed so much as one iota, the fans would mutiny.  

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Brandon Guerrie
October 25, 2012

That’s true. Except me. : )

That’s a good point, and majority of the fans would riot at the idea.

The demand for a revolution in the series is low, I’m sure, but they could at least begin with some of my gripes (though they won’t).

Some people don’t want change, but it’s sad to see a Nintendo fan (like me) grow tiresome in Zelda overall.

That’s just my problem, though.

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Nick Mannon
October 27, 2012

I feel you.  I played the entirety of Twilight Princess with a sneer on my face.  I just think that Zelda is doing the one thing that I hate in all media; it's pandering to my sensibilities as a "Zelda Fan" instead of trying to make a better Zelda game.  Which is why Okami and Okamiden are the best Zelda games of the past six years.

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Cassandra Brabon
October 24, 2012

While I am open to new ideas, it is comfortable to have a stable title in the constant seas of change in this industry. I genuinely believe that "bringing Zelda up to today's standards" would actually destroy the charm that has resided in the series for decades, now. One thing that I strongly respect Nintendo for is adhering to their design philosophy, even if it isn't the most popular (their series' included).

Don't forget that this same series also standardized some of today's industry basics (3D open world concept, I believe). Though there is always room for new development of ideas, I think micromanaging it for those aspects alone is kind of shallow. If someone doesn't want to read, they don't need to play the game.

I recall voice acting being introduced to Final Fantasy, and for FFX, and its introduction worked very well for that storyline. I don't recall how much value it has added to later titles, though. And I can only imagine how much more work and time processing the game for the localization of voices would be, should this option be realized.

If anything, the strength of keeping the main mechanics of the series in modern times is quite heroic, to me.

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Brandon Guerrie
October 25, 2012

Oh, I have much respect for what Zelda has inspired for today’s games.

You’ve made one hell of a comment, and several good statements.

Would it create an issue to give us a new hero or change the world Zelda? I don’t believe so. It’s only broadening the idea they already have, and expanding it into new and innovative possibilities.

But really, Zelda hasn’t changed (at least with me) since Ocarina of Time. After so long, Nintendo seems afraid to get their hands dirty and step it up (or be caught up, particularly). And as time flows, games evolve, and produce a better experience.

The experiences and mechanisms that you speak of are honestly drying out; on my watch anyway.

And being that most of today’s games are included with voiceovers, I think it’s just being lazy not to have them. Maybe they don’t want them, who knows. I wouldn’t say it impacts the fun of the game, but by this day and age, these characters feel deader than ever.

They have loyal fans, and several want it untouched. But until they raise the bar (even a tad), I see a repetitive concept that has grown on me for far too long.

I’m not saying not to go out and not to enjoy it if you’re a fan. I wish it didn’t have a chip on my shoulder; that way I wouldn’t complain. ; )

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Cassandra Brabon
October 27, 2012

After attending Symphony of the Goddess (it was awesome!) and seeing the series' clips play back-to-back with your article in mind, I realize it was fanboyish of me to attack one part of your argument!

Truth be told, I had a conversation with myself about how bored I was with the Mario franchise awhile back. Though new features have been added for each iteration to accompany the hardware they are on, I feel like the series’ themselves are becoming gimmicks. I admit that I am comfortable that OoT has at least become the benchmark of quality for the series, even if the mechanics have not changed. I remember how much  of a "risk" when Nintendo changed the art style for WindWaker. I'm glad it was well-received enough to warrant its own following on the DS. I have always hoped that Nintendo would have a robust connectivity between their home consoles and the DS (I guess that answer now is in the form of the WiiU).

How cool would it be to play a console Zelda (as Link), a DS Zelda (as Zelda), and then have them team up for the final battle in co-op mode on the big screen to defeat Ganon? With such a strong cast of supporting characters, I see potential for a spin-off on the DS if Nintendo didn’t want to change the mechanics of the former. The DS could even be a safer platform to employ an RPG version of the series. Even Peach got her own game (for Peach's sake!).

I still hold strong on my stance for no voice-overs, though. They music is always great to listen to, and I like the strong, silent type! :)

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Daniel Castro
October 25, 2012

I agree with you, Brandon. I also consider myself a fan of the series, but being so doesn't mean that I have to deny the fact that the games are not what they used to.

I hate to say it, but I've felt decreasingly less excited after every new game announcement; each one of them have promised to surpass Ocarina of Time, and all of them have failed by staying way too close to the same formula.

By the way, I also consider Zelda II as one of my favorites, since that's the most challenging game of the series so far; I could face Ganondorf any day, but an Iron Knuckle from that game? THAT was tough...

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Brandon Guerrie
October 25, 2012

Up, A, down, A, up, A. No block button. You’re screwed. ; )

Then came along the blue Iron Knuckles. They jumped!

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