REVIEW: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

January 18, 2007

And like the PS3, the first of many games on the Wii, Zelda is finished. A long time in the making, first being made just for the GameCube, then later getting ported over to the Wii as well. While I haven't played the GameCube version at all, I can't really say if it was a good or bad thing. While I did have fun game and thought it was very good from start to finish, overall, I am a little let down by it. It something I just can't pinpoint... its the little things that bring it down I guess. Lets see if I can explain why.

The graphics are pretty good, even when you compare them to the big heavy hitters of today, they look great. Everything pops with bright colors, and everything has a unique look to it. My favorite though is when you are in the Twilight Realm. I don't really know how to explain... it makes everything have a sort of off color look to it... I don't know... it just works. From an art direction stand point, this game gets top marks for sure.

The sound, to be honest, works and doesn't work at the same time. Just like other Zelda game, there is no talking... well no voice acting I should say. Well... I guess some... just no real talking. This is just fine by me, and if they just kept on doing that with future game, fantastic. However what they need to change is the music. Come on Nintendo... can we maybe step away from the MIDI for once? It is 2007 (well 2006 if you count when the game came out,) lets get a FULL orchestrated soundtrack. While I will admit that during some parts of the game, yes... I honestly think MIDI would be the only way to do it right.. its just... I don't know. Zelda just seems like to be the one game that just screams for orchestrated music and when you don't have it for a large part of the game.. it seems... weird I guess. Still works alright overall though.

Now on to controls... maybe the one biggest factor when you play this game on the Wii. I think they work just fine. It doesn't feel tacked on like other reviews seem to say, but I think it does a fine job. If I wanted to strike with my sword, I jiggle the remote around. If I want to do a spin attack, I jiggle the nunchuck around. Looking back at it... if you saw me playing it, it would look rather silly seeing me wave my hands around as I get into a fight, but what the hell... I kicked some serious ass! Other stuff like using the bow or the hookshot, even though I haven't played the GameCube version, would work the best using the Wiimote. It gives you the free range and being able to pull off some quick shots if you needed to. However the one thing that I ran into alot was when I was ready to shoot the bow off, I constantly said to "point the remote at the screen," and then me trying to find the line of sight. While it does pause the game for you, it really takes you out of it when you are in the heat of battle... or whatever you are doing. Oh well.

I think what brought the game down for me though was just the overall story. When I beat the game the first thing that I said was "That's it?" Although I clocked in at around 35 hours, I just felt really short to me. Now to be fair, really didn't bother with any side quests or random exploring. The ending just didn't do it for me too. It felt rushed for the size of this game and doesn't really explain anything afterward. "Oh yeah I kicked the crap out of Ganon. Ok everyone can go back to normal now ggkthxbye." And going back to the overall story... or overall whatever, when I got to Hyrule Castle I kept on saying to my self "Man I must of missed something... I can't be here already." I just didn't feel ready for the final boss. Like when I played OoT, you know I had all this awesome shit... the mirror shield... the magic spells and the magic arrows and whatever the shit I had. I felt ready to kick some serious ass. I just didn't get it here. Maybe it's just a personal feeling but, I really would of liked it to end differently than it did.

So to finish things up, like I said, I had a great time with the game, but in the end... I don't think it needed all the hype that it got. Game of the year? Ehhh.... I guess.... maybe. I'll let you decide that.

REVIEW: Grim Fandango

January 1, 2007

Well, it took longer than I would have liked, but Grim Fandango marks the first game beaten in 2007. I would of beaten it soon if I didn't leave it just sitting around for sometimes days before I would even pick it up again. Anyway, another home run from Tim Schafer and LucasArts. While it did take me a really long time to get around to playing it, (I had to track down a copy of it!) I am really glad I did. Its one of the hardest games I have played because of just how odd some of the puzzles are. Not that its a bad thing, but you really had to think about them. For example, when I played Full Throttle it seemed really easy. It was one of those things where the puzzles were common sense... at least to me. Grim Fandango on the other hand... you just needed to think outside the box... alot.... :)

While old, the graphics still give the game a cartoony, yet serious look. Sorta like if they were going to turn Casablanca into a video game. :D The game uses a a modified version of the "Sith Engine" which was used in Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, and what also powers Monkey Island 4... I think. (It might be different but Grim Fandango and MI both look to be running the same thing.)

Sound is always something to look forward to when it comes to a LucasArts game, Grim Fandango continues that awesomeness. The voice acting is all top notch and even though everyone is dead, it really gives life to the game.... get it? ha ha ha. :) Music is also fantastic too. Nice mix of different types of genres.

If there was one thing I did not like about the game is the controls. The controls for using a keyboard just to not work well at all. Even though I used a gamepad for the whole game, even that was less than optimal. You just never seemed to go the way you wanted to go. I would always find my self going down some hallway or up a ladder multiple times just because the controls got so wonky. It didn't hurt my enjoyment of the game all that much, but I do wish it could of been better.

Overall, this is one game that everyone should play. Control problems aside, I think anyone who is a gamer would enjoy this. From the graphics to the great dialog to the game play, it all makes the game worth picking up. Could be a pain in the ass to find now, but if you happen to find a copy, I don't think you would be disappointed.