Thursday , March 28 2024
I can't review Zelda on the Wii because I haven't finished, but it's the most fun I've had with a game in ages.

Ramblings on the Wii and the New Zelda Game

Still reeling from the fact that I ended up wandering down and purchasing a Nintendo Wii on its release date, despite being jaded by the experience I had when trying to grab an Xbox 360 on its respective release day — and let’s not even go anywhere near the drama that I’m imagining people brave or foolish enough to sit and wait for a PS3 just a couple of days before on its release day — I found myself sitting and smiling through the beginning of the new Zelda game that I purchased as well.

Hang on, I think that may be a record for most usage of “release day” in one sentence, nonsensical or not. Sweet!

Now, I’m not going to pretend to be able to offer a full review of my experiences playing through The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Not yet, anyways. Why not? Well, because I’m not anywhere near the end of the game, for one.

Having said that, I thought it might be fun to kind of keep track of an average — okay, neurotic and way below average — gamer’s initial experience with both the game and the new console that it runs on.

First off, the Wii:

I think I was expecting more from this system and its new controller system. Then again, where I to really sit and think about that statement, I’d probably have to quantify it by saying that in many ways I also expected way less from it.

While I love the idea of the new wireless “interactive” controller system, in practice — especially in practice while playing Zelda — it leaves me feeling like it is a good idea that maybe hasn’t actually had someone program a game to bring out its fullest potential.

Does that make sense?

When I’m playing Zelda and I find myself enjoying the game and allowing my hand to slip position only to see the entire game stop and basically demand that I point the remote at the screen — it kind of buzz kills the immersion factor.

Having said that, I have to admit that there is a geeky side of me that is enjoying the hell out of the fact that I get to swish my character’s sword around by swishing my controller around.

How geeky? Let’s just say that no blade of grass on this game shall escape my wrath!

So far, despite the learning curve of the controller, I’ve found myself falling in love with this Zelda game in much the same way that I fell in love with the Ocarina of Time game. That’s no surprise, really, as this feels like an extension of that game instead of a totally new gaming experience… it’s more of the same ol’ same ol’ in a way.

More of the “same ol’” is nothing to laugh at, however, when the original was perhaps the most fun I’ve ever had on any gaming console.

Granted, I’m only far enough into the game where I’ve “discovered” that I’m the blah blah blah ancestor of the blah blah blah hero — which means I’m the chosen one.

That’s right — I am the one!

(The author would hereby like to beg for people not to sue him if they are involved with the Matrix in any way, shape, or form. Yes, I know that I’m not truly “the one” as the “one” and only “onliest one” there ever will be is Keanu “Don’t call me Ted” Reeves. It’s a joke. And yes, the author realizes it is a lame joke — but still, there it is.)

All kidding aside, I get the feeling that the game is about ready to truly begin — and that has brought out this tingly feeling of joy in me. I haven’t felt that way about a game in a while. Sure, I love a couple of my new Xbox 360 games — I mean, they are killer and just about the best thing I’ve ever had the fortune of being able to play on a home console — but I’m enjoying this game on a different level.

It’s like — having a new experience that shines a vivid light on all the good times you’ve ever had playing a game. Yeah, I know that’s heavy-handed and cheesy… but I’m a heavy-handed and cheese-filled guy.

I suppose what all of this is intended to say, is, that I am surprised at how much I am enjoying my “spur of the moment” purchase of the Wii. Despite the fact that it is a distant third in terms of processing speed and blah blah blah as compared to the PS3 and the 360 — it has proven to be one heck of a hoot to play.

My only hope is that this isn’t a “one-time” experience. I hope the hardware’s inadequacies can survive the time it will take for another great game to be developed. I’m not sure that the Wii will last 4-5 years, y’know?

Of course — mine will — as it will probably take me that long to finish this Zelda game.

About Michael Jones

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