The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (2006 Video Game) User Reviews

Legendary

[clements1991 · 10/10 · 31 December 2006]

I must confess that I am not a Zelda expert, this was the first 3D Zelda game I've ever played (I have played a few GBS Zelda titles though so it completely new to me) but it was pure brilliance.

It plays so well with the Wii's controls and the story is so deep and it is so satisfying to figure out the next step. It will also lull you into a false sense of security, you'll think it's a peaceful moment when suddenly, something thrilling and unexpected happens and the plot thickens.

It looks great, the story keeps you playing and it makes the Nintendo Wii a must have just so you can play this game. Well done Nintendo!

This game rocks.

[fishingphantom · 10/10 · 4 January 2007]

There's a guy who made a comment about this game boasting that it wasn't very interactive upon character-to-character meetings, the wii-mote made fighting difficult, and the camera angles were bad. He's overly-opinionated. I'm a huge Zelda fan, and when this game was released, I was expecting nothing less than perfect, especially considering all the hype, and countless delays that it underwent. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. After finishing it last night, I can still attest to the fact that this game rocks. The wii-mote control is near-flawless, the camera was spectacular, the learning curve for the control did not take long at all, the storyline was VERY deep, the final battle was epic, and the games visuals are top-notch, especially considering it was built for Gamecube hardware. I'd say that if there were a single flaw in this game, it would be the lack of voice-work....that would have been nice, but hell...I can read. This game is amazing...greatest game I've ever played. If you don't own it, do so immediately.

Link's adventures don't get much better than this. The greatest legend of Hyrule has arrived.

[Post-Punk-Eddie · 10/10 · 11 December 2006]

Four long years have passed since we were given the last console Zelda title, 2003's The Wind Waker. It has been a long, arduous wait, a roller-coaster ride of emotions. During that time, Twilight Princess has had hype unlike any game prior, a game that had to succeed on numerous levels in order to live up to the steep expectations laid out before it. Not only was it being billed as the greatest Zelda ever -- serious shoes to fill, no doubt -- but also had to show that the Wii's new controller was suited toward the "hardcore" games; against all odds, between all the criticisms and controversy between their being two versions, Twilight Princess amazingly follows through on all of its promises. Nintendo has done what one might consider the unthinkable -- achieved perfection.

Simply Breathtaking !!!

[ohwail · 10/10 · 13 December 2006]

This is by far the best Zelda game I have ever played, besides Ocarina of Time. Once again you wield the master sword with the legendary hero Link in a quest to save the land of Hyrule from evil forces. I don't want to spoil anything here concerning the story, so I will not get into it, but if you have played previous Zelda games then it flows in somewhat a similar fashion. The stunning graphics as well as the music is very appealing. The game play is awesome, I would assume this to be even better if you are playing the Wii version. This was one of main reasons I decided to buy a gamecube. I have been a long time fan of the Zelda series since a Link to the Past been released on the SNES back in the early 90's, so I am able to appreciate the growth of this series throughout the years. This is a must for any gamer out there, if you don't take my word for it, at least rent it and try it out.

Ocarina Of Time DeThroned

[jazzfunk · 10/10 · 9 January 2007]

Until 2006 Ocarina was the only Zelda game to really be reckoned with, in the grand scheme of gaming. Thats all changed with Twilight Princess.

Link is back (at full height unlike certain games i shan't mention, *cough* wind waker*) and looking better than ever. Hyrule is captured in breathtaking graphics, as you play you'll end up in familiar locations from OOT looking much better than you remembered.

Swordplay is much improved from Wind Waker, finally, its taken a while...but Link has big swords to play with again !!! Much to my tastes, fighting takes more skill than it did in Wind Waker; remember certain moves in WW which you could perform by simply pressing A when the screen flashed ? Yeah ? Well those moves are now secret, unlocked by hard work and take more than just a flashing button to pull off.

Dungeons are inventive and will have you scratching your head in puzzlement, though fairly linear in design (which some may not like) they aren't a walk a park but also don't require a masters degree to fathom. Certain enemies you encounter will have you going "OOOOH i remember these guys" as old bad guys from OOT make appearances.

You may be thinking hmmmm is this just Ocarina of Time 2? NO its not. TP comes into its own from the start, this has a much different feel to previous Zeldas, much darker and deeper than ever before. An excellent storyline which does intertwine with OOT but definitely not a sequel.

An excellent game. Best I've played in a long time.

PS i own the NGC version so i cant really make comments on control aspects as the majority of buyers for this game will probably be Wii

100% awesome!

[axman_88 · 9/10 · 26 December 2006]

I have been waiting for this game since winter 2004. When I saw the first trailer for it I went crazy and had to get it as soon as it came out. Didn't come out till fall 2006 now on the Wii instead of the Gamecube. The game is awesome and I would say it is the number one Zelda game. I think the only thing that disappointed me was the fact there was no connection to the Wind Waker. There was a huge connection to Wind Waker from Ocarina of Time. Other than that it is the best game ever invented. The game just like most Zelda games starts as Link living in a small village. When the world is thrown into twilight a mysterious he is turned into a wolf. A mysterious person/creature named Midna come and rescues him from a prisons he had been thrown into. The real journey starts there. From wolf to link the game is awesome all the way through. Buy it! If you don't have a Wii get it for the Gamecube. I would say its the best game of 2006.

Worth every penny.

[jakob_lothe · 10/10 · 14 December 2006]

Being one who has lived through all the zelda games to the current date, I can without doubt call this game a masterpiece. I bought this game on Friday, was finished on Sunday evening. I didn't leave the freaking chair, it took me a whole 37 hours to play it through. It is by far the most adrenaline-filled zelda game that has been launched, where the Wii remote takes you further into the game, living every slash, feeling every blow.

Twilight Princess is the longest game in the series, with some awesome new features, including transformation, sword skills, point-n-shoot and the best part, the combination of the remote and nunchuck. The graphics are breathtaking, whereas the engine doesn't overcharge the console, though its not as good as the xbox or the new playstation. But what the heck, its 250$ for everything, its worth it. The ingenious part of it is that Nintendo pushes the detail on graphics where they are most needed.

To the hyped zelda fanatics who has not played this game yet. The game itself is not that revolutionary compared to lengend of zelda, a link to the past or ocarina of time. But still its worth every penny, every second.

This is the BEST game i have played since ocarina time. Thats why i have given it a ten.

Setup by Ocarina of Time, Perfected by Twilight Princess

[renger6002 · 10/10 · 28 January 2007]

Many people put this legend of zelda game down and say that it is not innovative, I really am not in a position to comment on that since the only Zelda games I've played were Ocarina and Twilight Princess, and I see a formula created by Ocarina prefected by Twilight Princess and the genius developers down at Nintendo. As with all Zelda games, you start slow, and continue to work your way up with the never ending plot twists. The controls work perfectly on the Wii version, and the sounds coming out of the wii remote just add extra immersion. The music is the same Zelda music that has been praised by everyone around the globe. Ocarina of Time was the best reviewed game of ALL TIME (gamerankings.com), and using a winning formula is not a bad thing. Twilight Princess has beautiful artistic perspective, and one of the best looking GAmecube games to date (even the Wii version was developed on the GAmecube, so they count as gamecube graphics). There is nothing more fun than shooting an arrow all the way across hyrule field, then riding your horse trying to find it again. With award winning sound and gameplay, the most in depth plot, great graphics, great artistic perspective, over 60 hours of gameplay, and a character that never talks, The legend of Zelda Twilight Princess is sure to bring enjoyment to any gamer who appreciates games for what they are, an art.

The Greatest Zelda Adventure Yet!

[griffolyon12 · 10/10 · 2 January 2008]

I am a huge fan of the Zelda franchise, and I was very excited when I heard about this game on the Wii; I must say that the game delivered a grander adventure than I ever dreamed it could of. The story of Twilight Princess (I won't spoil any of it for those who haven't played it) is simply breathtaking, it has heart and emotion; the script for the game was marvelous, the whole story was just very cinematic and magical. A great addition to the story is being able to play as Link when he transforms into a wolf, and that is all I'll say about it, it's really fun. The biggest concern from most gamers were the controls which after playing the game are just perfectly suited for the Zelda franchise, swinging the wiimote as a sword never gets old. One of the greatest things about the game is the wide array of side quests. Zelda has always been known for its many side quests and this one delivers, you will be playing this game long after you've finished it to complete them all. Finally the graphics are just superb and need to be seen in action to believe.

This is a Zelda adventure that appeals to both old fans and new, it moves the franchise forward into shining new directions without alienating the old fans. I have played many of the big games on the Wii like Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3 and I must say that I still enjoyed this game the most thus far. This is the best game on the Wii.

A perfect 10/10!

An instant classic

[mussicmann42 · 10/10 · 10 February 2007]

Wow. I got this game for Christmas for my Wii and was SO excited about play it. So I plopped the disk into the drive and as soon as I turned it on, I knew this game would be awesome. Sword fighting makes you feel like you are Link, fighting a desert skull or demonstrating a move to kids. The Wii-mote in my opinion is the best control in the series of control sticks for the Nintendo. The graphics are phenomenal. Although it was originally a GameCube game, it sure doesn't look like it. Also, this game is LONG. There are nine temples, and the temples are so well put together and wonderfully designed that you would feel that you were actually in the temple. Also, familiar sights appear: the forest temple, Kakariko Village, etc. This game is the best Zelda game every created, and, as painful as this is, is even a better adventure than the great Ocarina of Time.

Its a really good game! *contains spoilers*

[TLZOOTfan91 · 10/10 · 7 January 2007]

I have waited 3 years for this game to come out and i have beat in just 3 days. But it left me very impressed. I didn't expect to fight one boss on a spinner grinding on the wall. I didn't expect Hyrule to be so big. And the graphics were great. I was so happy when getting this game and it was a little too short but it was fun, the temples were great and annoying( ha ha) the bosses were awesome! Hyrule castle looked dramatic and I got the WII version and i recommend it over the GC version any day. The controller acts as a sword. Sure the game for GC is like the other ones and the WII aiming is hard but with the WII you feel more in the game then you ever did before! Nintendo does another excellent job!

Back To The Ocarina Formula

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 13 March 2017]

Though I don't much consider myself a "gamer" anymore, I will always have a soft spot for the Zelda series, as I consider "Ocarina of Time" to be perhaps the greatest adventure game I've ever played. In recent years, I have tried playing through "Majora's Mask" (too difficult) and "Wind Waker" (the cartoonish animation never quite suited me) and came up disappointed both times. After always kind of knowing that "Twilight Princess" was compared favorable to Ocarina, I decide to final give it a try on my old Gamecube.

First off, I have to say that I have not completed the game (and may not ever). My interests have shifted away from the video-game playing of my youth and I no longer seem to have the patience for long adventure games anymore. So, this review will be more about the "feeling" of the experience rather than the actual nuts and bolts of the game itself.

That being said, I still wanted to comment on the quality of the game, as I could automatically tell that it was more kin to "Ocarina" than the previous two before it. The gameplay is basically the same (except now you get the horse right from the get-go!) and I could see similar themes between the two. "Twilight Princess" is set up as an epic adventure like "Ocarina", not a race against the clock ("Majora") or a swashbuckling cartoon ("Waker").

I couldn't give this game the full five stars, however, because it still didn't "fit like a glove" like Ocarina still does. Call me an old curmudgeon or awash in nostalgia if you will (and both of those things are probably true!), but even to this day I can still take out "Ocarina" from time to time and it seems like I can completely get swept away in it each time. I didn't have that "complete buy-in" with "Twilight Princess". Was that more because of my own personal biases...or was it that "Ocarina" is still the gold standard? I'm not sure. Either way, that doubt was even to drop it to four stars instead of a sparkling five.

Bottom line of what you need to know if you are considering giving this game a try: It plays more like "Ocarina" than any other game in the series to that point. If you were disappointed with the frantic pace of "Majora's Mask" or the cartoon-y nature of "Wind Waker", this game will "feel like Zelda" for you right away.

Not Impressed

[repo_jake-1 · 3/10 · 26 July 2007]

First off I played this on Game Cube not Wii - so whether the experience differs from the consoles and Wii's unique control system would make it better is unknown.

Graphically this is average. I saw horrible near 90 degree angle and sharp corners on cliff edges and desending into almost flat 3D areas. Link looks much better looking more like he did in Ocarina of Time, along with Zelda and other returning characters. But it still did not look as good as it could have. The unique cell shading of Wind Waker looked superb and rounded - despite not the right look for Zelda.

The music and sounds were very lackluster - usually one of the best elements of Zelda - with the standard Zelda music not even making an appearance - least until the end of the credits. The music was a mishmash of old Zelda 3 and Ocarina Music - which I think is just lazy. The sounds were average - but nothing I didn't hear on N64 nearly 10 years ago.

The Gameplay was just about the same as Ocarina - meaning good right? Wrong - the Game Cube version's Z Targeting is atrocious. It looses lock on at vital moments unlike Ocarinas brilliant targeting! The use of weapons was stuff that we have seen prior and was identical - so good! The use of the Horse was a step up from Ocarina - with on horse combat and several on horse battles - including with the final battle with Gannon. There was proper sword play - and assuming on Wii would be better - but I found this fun. Enemies who parry, block and counter - making it like a proper fight with some enemies.

The look of Hyrule is OK - but could of looked more like the classic Hyrule of Ocarina - even with the expansion of the land size.

My biggest gripe with this game is actually one of the main things in it - the wolf and Twighlight stuff. Whenever getting transformed into the wolf and having that annoying creature riding you and constantly chatting and taking the Link literally out of the game. Later you can swap but have to resort to the wolf to solve certain parts. I really disliked this element and removing it and making a more Ocarina/ Windwaker / Zelda 3 style game would of made this a whole lot better.

The Story was very confusing and never had the real threat the other Zelda games had and this King Zant character was just rubbish - the programmers almost threw Gannon in at the end to almost save it. And soon as he arrives and the annoying character who is with you is kicked out and you team with Zelda - it picks up straight away.

The classic side quests felt almost missed - yes they are there - but not so blatant as the others that you really have to go out of your way to get them and they don't feel like they contribute much to the overall quest unlike other Zelda games where they all added up to good reward that proved helpful later in game. These didn't. I bought the magic armour and never used it - not once - just a waste. Costumes of old had a part to play or contributed - like the red shirt in Ocarina made you heat resitant - this was just a waste.

Longitivity - I sadly don't feel the need to play this game again. After the stupidly long ending credits - there was nothing- the so called story didn't tie up and did't show much conclusion or resolution and worst of all no ending sequence making no worthwhile reward for your hard work. Then you can't save at the end to get a status or chance to gain 100% after. I like games with stats to tell you % of game completed etc to know how well you do.

I think Nintendo really let their greatest franchise down with this - maybe they rushed it to get it out for the Wii - considering Zelda was largely ignored on Cube for stupid Mario games - this was a sad let down. Maybe the Wii version is better - but on game Cube this was a sad let down to perhaps a let down console that showed so much potential.

EPIC!!!

[pegasus-67050 · 10/10 · 15 June 2018]

A truly darker, epic and gritty Zelda game!

PROS

• Gameplay
• Combat
• Graphics
• Soundtrack
• Story
• Characters
• Boss fights
• Level design
• Puzzles
• Game length
• Epic

CONS

• Early game monotony
• Wolf levels
• Sumo level

The best Zelda game ever. Heck, the best game ever!

[gullcrap_slithroat · 10/10 · 3 January 2007]

This game is simply breathtaking. I don't know what drugs Gamespot were taking when they reviewed this (8.9 for the Gamecube!? WTF?) but do not listen to them about this game.

The graphics are amazing, and I actually feel sorry for Midna, who is annoyed by the people who put her into the Twilight World. There is a great story, and a lot of twists. The enemies can come in armies of twenty in some temples, and some are pretty hard to tackle (the ice giants blocking some of the doors in the Snowpeak Ruins are pretty difficult to disperse).

There is a lot to do, and it may take you a while, so get it.

10/10

Simply put...Amazing

[kheas · 10/10 · 15 December 2006]

I am currently playing the Game Cube version of this game and I must say it is simply amazing. The controls are spot on and the graphics are just as good as the Wii version of this instant classic. From Epona to the Garudu Desert every aspect of this game has perfection written all over it. Even though many complain about the fact that there is no voice over work or orchestral score, the text and the music only make it feel that much more like a true Zelda adventure. Really, could anyone give voices to Princess Zelda and Link that would live up to everyones expectations?

This is a must have for any fan of the series and, dare I say it, even rivals the great Ocarina of Time.

I can't wait to see the ending of this installment of the continuing Legend of Zelda.

Not a bad release game, but not the best Zelda title.

[james.p.taylor · 8/10 · 27 February 2007]

I got Twilight Princess on launch day and have been trundling through it ever since. Now having finished it I feel it's the right time to say what I thought of the game.

You play Link, a simple boy from Faron Wood's. On your way to deliver a present to the castle you are pulled through into a dark, twilight world. Transformed into a wolf you find yourself at the mercy of Midna, a cryptic being who seems to know a lot about what's happening. You now have to battle through the usual dungeons trying to restore the world to order.

I loved OoT, the first Zelda game for the N64 about eight years ago now and seeing a Zelda game available on launch of the Wii I decided I should get it. There are a few problems with the game for me. The look is very last generation. It isn't a dramatic improvement on the OoT. Also having an Xbox360 I'm used to brilliant colours and great resolution. Here things are muted and slightly soft-focus. The controls are also not very responsive. The Wii remote is supposed to make you feel part of the game, but for me it was distracting. I ended up buying the Game Cube Twilight Princess in the end and then playing the game on the standard controller which was vastly better.

There are the ever present 'puzzles' and monsters you'll have seen in any previous Zelda games. Mid- and end-of-level bosses all have the usual weak spot you need to find and attack. Keys for dungeons need to be sought out.

What makes this better than a standard platform game is the scope of the world. Maybe this Zelda game is a bit more focused and you're channelled into completing tasks rather than being free to just wander and take in the sites, but there are so many things to see.

So, the Wii controls are bad, but the game pulls it back by being everything I'd hoped for in a Zelda game.

Despite abundant strengths and being a fine game on its own, "Twilight Princess" has many shortcomings, and evens out as one of weaker entries in the "Zelda" franchise...

[TedStixonAKAMaximumMadness · 8/10 · 11 September 2013]

The main problem with "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess", the thirteenth installment in Nintendo's iconic series, can be summed up in three words: "Ocarina of Time." Now, before you scream, I need to be heard out. I'm not saying "Ocarina of Time" (hereafter referred to as "OoT") was a bad game. It was actually a masterpiece of its time. However, the fact remains that "Twilight Princess" at times comes off as a shadow of "OoT."

The game centers on Link, a farmhand in the village of Ordon. After a series of bizarre circumstances occurs, and a devious plot to cover the kingdom of Hyrule in a phantom realm of Twilight emerges, Link and his new cohort, an imp-like creature "Midna", must save the world from devious forces.

The game has many strengths and weaknesses. Here's my breakdown of basic gameplay facets:

Graphics... 9 out of 10. The graphic and design department is fantastic overall. Taking a more realistic look after the prior entry (the cartoonish "Wind Waker"), this entry is seeping with visuals akin to Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films. Everything is very much darker and grittier. While I enjoyed "Wind Waker", "Twilight Princess" has a unique flavor. The only thing keeping this from getting a 10 is some minor issues. Mainly that the graphics weren't quite up-to-snuff for the time. This game came out in 2006, when HD was becoming prevalent. And the fact that the game has lower-resolution, Standard Def visuals does make it look more aged than it should. (Particularly when playing it on an HD TV-set. Everything is a bit too pixelated and washed out, even for a 2006 release.) However, the design is good. Particularly the amber toned "Twilight Realm" is eerie and glorious.

Sound... 10 out of 10. The music and sound design is top-notch, and this is to be expected from "Zelda." Many iconic themes are present, and the new music and sounds are also amazing. (The Twilight Realm really stands out)

Control... 8 out of 10. The controls are perfect for the Gamecube edition. However, the Wii Edition did leave a sour-taste in my mouth. They aren't bad, just a bit too jarring and different. Also, some of the basic functions in both versions (particularly climbing) is nightmarish. Not only is Link's climbing animation PAINFULLY slow, but the controls are too sensitive. Any movement of the control-stick, even a slight quiver, will make Link crawl in a different direction, which is frustrating beyond belief. But all in all, tight, concise, controls.

Now that we've covered the basics of the game from a technical level, let's analyze the pros and cons of the gameplay.

As I said, this is a game of many strengths and weaknesses. Among the strengths... The story is the most thematic and cinematic of the series at the time of release. Characters are developed more than before. The game takes time to establish itself, creating a more enriching experience. The characters are extremely likable. In particular your new "sidekick" Midna, a mischievous character who will steal your heart. By far the best "sidekick" in the series. Gameplay is also fun, and gives you the choice of progressing through the story, or doing many available side-quests, like collecting the souls of ghost-like "Poes", searching for insects to help a collector, finding heart-pieces to increase your health, etc. There's a lot to do in the larger and more expansive world.

The darker tone and cut-scenes also give us a unique view of the franchise, and there's plenty of spooky fun to have in the Twilight. (Which I dubbed "Hyrule: The Silent Hill Variation")

That being said, there are big issues with the game that do hold it back. For starters, this game can be a chore to play. The opening of the game, put in place to establish the setting and characters, can become infuriatingly dull. Especially on a second play- through. Well over an hour is devoted to tedious tutorials, repetitive scenes, etc. before the first dungeon of the game is reached. I have more than once anticipated a new play-through, only to quit half an hour in because I was just so bored with the opening.

The larger, more expansive world and dynamics of the game also lend to a clunkier, slower story. Hyrule field is enormous, many areas are huge, and the game is not always specific about what to do. There will be a lot of slow, blind wandering in the earlier parts of the game. And it does affect the score.

There are also lots of tiny problems that add up. (slow climbing animations, questionable designs, useless items like the Top, etc.)

Finally, the major problem is that this game feels like an attempt to cash in on "OoT." The last game took the series in a new direction, and it worked. Despite it's graphics, "Wind Waker" was a triumph, and did everything right. It perfected the controls, found a great balance of gameplay and story and it gave Link an unprecedented amount of expression and character. While many consider "OoT" a masterpiece, for me, "Wind Waker" is the masterpiece. A perfect game. However, fans wanted a darker game, so the "Wind Waker" sequel for Gamecube was dropped for this.

And this does feel like a shoehorned attempt to appeal to "OoT" fans. It takes so much from "OoT"... to the point you encounter the spirit of Link from "OoT." It used a similar graphical style, hits similar notes, etc. It felt like they were trying too hard to make "Ocarina of Time: The Gritty Reboot" instead of giving this game it's own identity.

But those complaints aside, this is still a fun, solid game, and a good addition to the series. Unfortunately, it's just one of the weaker ones.

"The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess" gets an 8 out of 10.

An absolutely awesome game

[hmas_doug · 10/10 · 30 January 2007]

This is my favourite game.

I really like the way that you use the remote for the sword and the nunchuk for the shield, and it looks really nice as well.

My favourite parts by far are the battles on horseback and all of the temples are really entertaining especially the city in the sky.

The Nintendo Wii has so much potential and if this is what's coming out of it now then how good will games be in 2-3 years.

I am so psyched for titles such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario Kart Wii and Mario Galaxy.

This is an awesome opening title for what promises to be a brilliant console.

not as good as ocarina of time but one of the best games i've played

[jonjonat · 10/10 · 23 October 2008]

to tell the truth i didn't expect that zelda twilight princess will be that bad or good. but when i started playing it i thought it was surprisingly good graphical, good characters, good bosses and a great head over hells ganondorf. zant the shadow prince i found wasn't as good as i thought he would be. he was pretty simple to fight. wolf link wasn't as fun as playing as normal link especially on the wii system where you can swing the wiimote as a sword. zelda i thought couldn't of been prettier, midna was cute and her true form was by god so beautiful more beautiful than zelda! i loved the master sword and the zoras and gorons but it seemed to be missing lon lon ranch. overall the horse, bosses, monsters, twilight world, villains, friends, good guys etc, etc were almost spectacularly amazing! best zelda game to date after ocarina of time. 10/10

best Zelda i've ever played.

[ernievader · 10/10 · 29 March 2008]

this is such a fantastic title. its huge, involving, and on the wii, there are fantastic controls. great music, interesting and dark storyline, and beautiful graphics as well. also, there are tons of side quests; i did just about all of them, and altogether, the game took about 60 hours. So, if you like epic, fun games with a great essence of adventure, this ones definitely for you. one of my complaints, though, is that sometimes it gets too easy, though its definitely challenging in some parts, so don't worry about it at all. also, if you have heard that most of the music is mini game music, thats a lie. so like i said; this one is more than worth checking out. however, its best for generally hardcore zelda fans to play this one; the experience is more thrilling that way. there's certainly great nostalgia there.

A Stunning Disappointment

[bstarter29 · 6/10 · 3 April 2007]

How could this have happened? How could we have received to epic 3D Zelda games(Ocarina and Windwaker), only to get this "dud" of a game? After all the delays and years of waiting, how come we're left with this? Oh yeah, that's right, Nintendo just remade Ocarina with better graphics, and a re-hashed soundtrack. To be frank, I am utterly disappointed in this game.

Twilight Princess fails on many levels. No more so than it's atrocious story line. Pretty much every Zelda has a pretty good plot, but not this one. In TP, they've added an uninteresting, confusing, jumbled tale that will bore you by game's end, and leave you unsatisfied.

Zelda has always been known for it's outstanding melodies, and orchestra. For some reason though, new music really wasn't created. No, instead we're left with remixes of Ocarina tunes that were released about eight years ago. And, it's a pretty sad thing too, because based on the game's setting and massive environments it just screams for a truly outstanding chorus, and we are not given that.

As if it isn't bad enough already, Twilight Princess just isn't that fun to play. And since the game takes about anywhere between 30-50 hours to complete, you'll feel like it keeps dragging on with no conclusion in sight.

TP doesn't fail on all levels though. The visuals, though they clearly look dated, are somewhat impressive, especially the water effects. Also, the game translates very well onto Wii, and controls, for the most part, are very fluid. But, sadly, these things aren't enough to save this uneventful, pale and just overall bad game.

Don't get me wrong

[axelgeddekjallgren · 3/10 · 17 February 2021]

But TP bad. Boring Wolf section, bad expositioning that lasts way too long, barely any recogniseable tunes and an overworked that is nothing but a waste of space. The game has aged very poorly and the dark theme does not help either. Understand that the wind waker got a lot of criticism, but this was not the way to go with the ocarina of time formula.

As a side note, Midna carries the entire game. Quite a beautiful arc

love this game

[adeleatkins1 · 10/10 · 11 December 2006]

i voted 10/10 even thought i have only scratched the surface of the game... i think it is awesome i love it... just the way it is interactive and the way u have ti fight it is great. i like the concept of the wolf... and midna is cool... hopefully she wont be like navi... just one thing... what is the point in the fairy thing on screen can anyone tell me? i guess its a given that i would like this game as i am a legend of zelda nutter... even though i don't own all the games lol i also think the graphics are good... hope fully the game isn't to long but not to short. i have heard that its a very big game... which in the end could b a good thing or a bad thing... depends on if u like long games or not...

A Wii launch title that everyone should play

[robotbling · 9/10 · 28 November 2012]

(www.plasticpals.com) Never mind that it was designed for the Gamecube; Twilight Princess is one of the best looking Wii titles available. The character models are polished and textured with minute details; Link's clothing and equipment and the Zoras and Gorons have never looked better. Unique cultural cues for each of the game's areas enrich the world of Hyrule, resulting in a more believable and immersive adventure. You'll get to know many of the people you encounter quite well, either because they're integral to the story or because they test you with various side-quests along the way. Interesting and sometimes beautiful special effects spice things up, especially in the Twilight Realm.

As expected Link must save the day by exploring dungeons, solving puzzles, battling enemies, collecting special items, and slaying bosses – lather, rinse, repeat. Similar to A Link to the Past, there's even a light world/dark world set up. It's an old formula that some fans are getting tired of but it works, and somehow Nintendo has managed to improve it once again. All of the returning items with the exception of perhaps the standard bomb and bottle have been upgraded with some sort of new function. Where items haven't changed much, they've been improved thanks to the Wii remote's pointer functionality. Aiming the slingshot, boomerang, or bow feels incredibly natural and effortless. You can pick off enemies from afar so easily it's almost criminal. Say good-bye to the nightmare of aiming with the analog stick that was Ocarina of Time or Majora's Mask.

One of the biggest changes is how Link attacks. Rather than pressing a button, players must now waggle the Wii remote in order to slash with the sword. At first this sounds like it might detract from the experience but once you get used to it, you won't want to go back. Sometimes, this can lead to frustration as there is a slight delay between unsheathing your sword and attacking that wasn't quite as evident in previous titles, but is forgivable because fighting feels more natural and satisfying. Players will pick up seven secret sword techniques as they progress through the game, which further enriches the battle system from The Windwaker, which was already pretty good. One of the biggest improvements that the waggle brings to the table is that Link doesn't come to a halt when he slashes his sword – you can run around freely slashing left and right.

As the game's introduction makes clear, Link can transform into a wolf. At first this is a bit of a curse, but eventually you can use this to your advantage. Link gains special abilities in wolf form that are indispensable to his quest. In addition, Midna (a lovable side-kick from the Twilight Realm) can stun a group of enemies for easy pickings, and point out where it's possible to jump long distances. You can also converse with animals and listen to spirits, which may provide you with the necessary clues to progress.

The puzzles aren't always new, and many chests are filled with rupees (that probably won't fit in your wallet anyway) but overall the dungeons are engaging to the last. Each one presents its own unique set of challenges and some are even inhabited by characters who will reward you for your help. The bosses look epic and are inventive and fun to fight, if a little easy for Zelda veterans.

There are some slight problems that mar the experience, such as the constant valuations of rupees per game session ("You got a Blue/Yellow/Red/Purple/Orange/Silver Rupee!"). Do I really need to see that prompt over and over again? It's a small, but annoying problem. Oh, and not having enough room for rupees ("so let's put it back") is annoying – let me carry 1000 rupees from the start, please.

Then there's the issue of the HUD, which takes up way too much real estate on the screen. You can hide the mini-map, but it's still annoying. In my opinion, everything (such as your hearts, rupees, items, etc) should be semi-transparent or invisible until needed. And it pains me to say it, but Epona just isn't as life-like and fun to control as Agro from Shadow of the Colossus.

Despite any minor flaws, Twilight Princess is an awesome experience, taking the best bits from previous Zelda titles and mixing them with new ideas, a new look, and new controls (in the Wii version anyway) to create a truly epic game. There's very little to complain about and a whole lot to love.

Some of the stand out moments for me are also the small ones; fighting a new type of enemy, using a new item, or meeting new characters. In other words, the kind of moments that make up every play session I had with the game. And it's a long game, too – it took me about 48 hours to finish it (collecting all the heart pieces and bugs, and most of the side quests – though I still need to find a few Poes), done over about a week … a pretty good indication I was hooked!

More importantly, Twilight Princess feels complete (unlike The Windwaker) and is on the same scale as Ocarina of Time or A Link to the Past, which is how a Zelda game should be. I can't imagine how they'll top this one next.