Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Here’s why GAME! gave this gem five stars in the April 2007 issue

Zelda games are synonymous with the phrase, “long, fun epic adventures.” Each title in one of Nintendo’s longest-running franchise always provides us the best when it comes to action or adventure. Whether it’s the perfectly designed dungeons to the over-the-top scale of explorations, nothing beats Zelda, period.

Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is indeed a tour de force in video gaming. It’s a massive quest that spans over 60 hours, with all the ingredients that made Zelda so damn popular. And I mean all.

Gripping and out-of-the-ordinary dungeons? Check! Put it this way–you’ll never play the same type of exploration and such in each dungeon you encounter. Variety is the key since every monster or puzzle-filled area plays very differently. In short, you won’t get bored questing in one dungeon over the next.

Cleverly infused puzzles? Yep! As in previous games, accomplishing them surely gives you that satisfied feeling (complete with the familiar tune you’ll be hearing from the li’l mic in your Wiimote, if I may add).

Memorable boss fights? You bet! It’s at par with the onslaught showdowns of PS2’s Shadow of the Colossus in terms of using both your head and skills. Heck, if not better, actually, thanks to the awesome functions of the Wiimote.

The game isn’t just all about Princess Zelda and our lead elf pretty boy, Link. It’s also about that mysterious imp companion, Midna. And she’s just … Ooops! Sorry, no spoilers here. But, yeah, no doubt, she is a show-stealer, and I’m pretty sure you’ll know why as you progress further in the game.

And finally, playing Zelda in 3D using this setup fits so well you’ll probably never go back to the old configuration. Beating the crap out of some boss’s weak spot or trying to shoot your arrow in the big open fields of Hyrule has never felt so intuitive and accurate. This is the way to play Zelda, and I’d be surprised even if Nintendo makes it better in the game.