Post by Slinky on Nov 26, 2008 2:31:24 GMT -5
Over view- This is one of those games that you find hard to put down once you start.
In one word- Adorable. The plotline is very typical of any Zelda game, and one of the few things that sets it apart from any of the other games, is that the majority of game play is done at sea. Phantom Hourglass is a direct sequel to The Wind Waker, however is it set in a parallel world to Hyrule. The favoured cell shaded colouring makes a desired comeback which adds a very ‘cartoony’ feel to the game. The style is also set out like the very first Zelda games, aka a bird’s eye view of Link. However it switches to landscape when you interact with people
Plot- The protagonist Link is travelling with tomboy Tetra and her pirate crew, until they come across the mysterious Ghost Ship. Tetra eagerly jumps on board the ship before anyone can stop her, and the last thing they hear is her scream of terror. Link tries to follow her, but his hands slip on the rails, and he falls into the ocean. He wakes to the voice of a fairy called Ceila, and find himself washed up on Mercay Island. Here he meets the old Oshus who tells him more about the Ghost Ship and about the Temple of the Ocean King which is the key to solving everything. In the old Temple, Link comes across Captain Linebeck whom he rescues and asks for his help by using his steamer. From there one thing leads to another, until Link learns the master mind behind everything is the life sucking monster Bellum who can only be defeated with the Phantom Sword
Special features- Nintendo has abused the special features of the DS making the game completely hands on. The only way to make Link move is by pointing and drawing with the stylus. You also control Link’s sword by a series of jabs, swings or spins via the stylus. Not only that, but can speak and blow into the mic which in turn can make Link yell or blow out flames in certain situations. The most helpful feature is the ability to write down notes on your map. If you are given advise, or you need to take a note on what leaver to pull at what time, this handy dandy feature is a life saver
Not only is the touch screen flaunted, but the best part of the game is controlling the paddle steamer. In The Wind Waker, the ship is control via wind movement. Now the ship is completely under your stylus’ control. You can fire canons, fish, salvage treasure or find new islands. As a sea girl at heart, being on the steamer is one of my favourite parts of the game
The Phantom Hourglass is the part of the game that makes you go ‘oh great, not this again!’ The Phantom Hourglass contains the Sands of Hours, and Link uses this to safely enter the Temple of the Ocean King without losing hearts. The catch? You have a time limit. Inside the temple are things called ‘Phantoms’. If one spots you and attacks you, you lose about fifteen seconds off your time unless you reach a 'safe point' in time. Each time you enter the temple, each trap resets itself, so you must mark hints on your map, or prepared to be screwed!!
Phantom Hourglass is also the fourth multiplayer Zelda game with the use of the Wifi connection
Alternate Universe- Typical of Nintendo, they use that lovely thing called a ‘plot hole’ instead of actually doing some brain power for once. Interestingly enough the world in the game isn’t Hyrule even if some of the characteristics point to being it. The symbol of the Triforce is used, however the pieces of the Triforce are in the forms of fairies ( Power, Wisdom and Courage respectively ) and um, they don’t really DO anything, apart from leading you to the Ghost Ship... there are also Gorons and you have to defeat a red version of the Dorongo. And rather creepily, there’s a parallel version of Ganon in the form of a black smith who helps you forge the Phantom sword.
In the concept artwork, Link is also depictured with brown eyes, instead of his normal blue ( in the game they are black ) which may or may not have anything to do with the parallel world. Another annoying thing is trying to work out how old Link is supposed to be. Or at least I find it annoying, heh. Judging by his -coughcough- very adorable height ( as in; he has to crane his head right back whenever he talks to anyone, lulz ) voice actor AND the over used nicknames he would be pre-teen or young teen at the very least.
Characters-
Link
The protagonist of the game. Around 10-12 years old, Link is determined to rescue the captured Tetra from Bellum. He controls the Phantom Hourglass, and later the Phantom Sword. As Link does not speak, it’s hard to determine his true personality. However he is stereotypically heroic and brave
Captain Linebeck
The egocentric Capt. of the S.S Linebeck. Link rescues him in the Temple of the Ocean King, and by way of thanks and greed he offers to help Link search for the Ghost Ship. He makes Link do all his dirty work, as he’s a bit of a fraidy cat. Linebeck may work Link like a dog, but in his rare moments he does show that he cares and probably worries about him
Celia
This little blue fairy finds Link, and promises to help him. She suffers from amnesia. She fights alot with Linebeck, mostly because she’s annoyed that Link let’s him exploit him so much