I know, it uses all the DS accessories and it doesn't have "Imagine" or "training" in the title.


There’s a lot of thing I pity in this world: the homeless, shallow celebrities, people who have never experienced a ham and crisp sandwich (…..) . But there’s nothing on earth that has my sympathy more than the Zelda franchise. The franchise is constantly slated (and rightfully so) for not evolving since it’s first game by the general public. While on the other side of the candle, majority of fans will consider any new addition to the family “inferior” to “Ocarina of Time”. Sure, every Zelda game is critically acclaimed and (some) are fun to play, but we have to accept the fact that it ‘is’ the same game repeated and eventually the time will come there would a really good that should stand out among the franchise but won’t because the series has already been titles a joke to those aren’t too familiar with the franchise, while fans while still compare it to “Ocarina of Time” or “Majora’s Mask” and shun it for not having too enough nostalgia.
I think it was obvious from my first paragraph that I was not looking forward to “Spirit Track” (that’s dedication right there, thing to play it but still bought on the launch date) . However this is mostly due to my hatred to the “Phantom Hourglass” .I numerous reason why I hated, things like the way of travelling on the boat, the cop-out main villain and the constant returning to the temple with the timer would grind anyone gear. However, mine gripe with Phantom Hourglass is that is was essentially an unnecessary game only reason of existence is the show off the controls and peripherals of the DS and still be able to appeal to the dedicated fans. Yet, I will compliment the control of the and the use of the character Linebeck.
Before playing “Spirit tracks”, I assumed that the game the game will fall into two categories: the game controls well but leave me bored to death (Phantom hourglass) or I have nothing to complain nor praise about so it so I leave it in the pile (Nintendo 64 era Zelda, Minish Cap and Windwaker), and you can imagine my surprise that this game is one of the few Zelda’s that fall into the super secret category of “Recommendations”.
Now to the actual review,



I find it quite humorus when the Ds is trying to look badass

“Spirit Tracks” takes place possibly a generations after “Phantom Hourglass”, and yet again, nobody is aware of links descendant’s achievements and is ranked once more as a locals which it tends to lead down the usual route of Zelda plots involving maguffins, dungeons and ridiculously easy boss fights. And why do you ask that I consider this game is superior than most of the other Zelda games (well I hope you do anyway). Firstly I want to state that this game follow suit to most handheld of major Nintendo games as in it has a tongue-in-cheek feel to it ( i.e. Mario & Luigi and Metroid Pinball). The dialogue is well written, and at some points I found myself laughing to whatever the princess was saying or reacting, which brings to my second point: Zelda herself. Links a mute and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Yet, if there’s anything that I learned from “Ocarina of Time” it is two things: Have low expectation for the water theme levels and nobody what’s to hear a conversation between two people when one of them is a mute. Zelda not only works as a comic relief but as a voice for link between the rest of the universe.
Of course there is a dozen of gripes I have with game and of course to no surprise it the mode of transport Nintendo was bragging about since the days of E3. Remember how in “Windwaker” and “Phantom Hourglass” the boat were not only boring but tedious at the same time because you have to keep an eye on the screen? Yeah imagine that but you’re now on a fixed path!……. And you can’t jump to pass the time….. And this is not the only time Nintendo has dropped the ball, it seem can’t let go of the Nintendo glory days and put a DS alternative to the ocarina the pan pipe, where you have to drag the pan pipe for the require note and then in simultaneously ,it’s the whole rubbing your stomach and patting your head thing all over again (except this time you can’t impress girls)!
Character-wise, ”Spirit Track” has take a turn for the better, there are the rehashed pirates from “Wind Waker“ , but they are depicted as he descendants of those pirates so they don’t feel out of place. I also have a personal likeness for one particular villain who reminds me of both the Cheshire Cat and Mad Hatter combined.
The controlling of both Link and Zelda simultaneously work better than one can imagine and switching from one to another couldn’t been more smoother (unless they put a Gillette Advert in there). Zelda is both an escort mission and a essential gear in puzzle solving combined, however she so balance that she doesn't become a choir or over powered to handle which leads to puzzle that are satisfying are genuinely fun to solve (though a certain Kotaku article promised me a challenge). Of course it helps that she controls the vessel of a armoured knight!
But all that praised that I gave to the game can be withdrawn for the simple mistake of bringing the Spirit Tower into play. The Spirit Tower is essentially the “Temple of the Ocean King” of “Spirit Track” for those who played predecessor and for those who haven’t “BLARGH”!! Fortunately this level have been tweaked for the better as there is now no timer and the constant trek through the temple have been cut down. Still, this was “Phantom Hourglass” biggest fault, plus with the new mode of transport, it’s not even fun to travel there.



Spirit Tower? Yeah, it's that bad!

Despite the fact that I ended on a bad note, I would like to end on this: There are two type of Zelda games: Ones that I forget and ones that I recommend and “Spirit Track” is one of the three that I recommend. “Phantom Hourglass” was the prototype and this game is simply “Phantom Hourglass V0.2”with interesting character, humour and less headaches. It would be hard to like this game for someone who has already play “Phantom” (like myself), so I hope this is the last of the adventure of DS Link. At least he goes off in style (as much as you can on the DS anyway).