Hiya everyone, after a long hiatus trying to find a new game to review I decided to review Nintendo's new handheld epic The Legend of Zelda: A link Between Worlds. The story is pretty much the same, you start off as a regular boy named Link and you set off on a grand adventure to save Zelda from evil once again. Not wanting to delve into the story too much as it does have its twists, you are turned into a painting trying to fight the evil but are saved. Using this newfound power to transform onto a 2d plane you must travel between worlds to save Zelda and your world from destruction. It's very similar to the Zelda games of old in that it's top down 2d however with 3d sprites (that part's new) and it brings about a change to the formula. Instead of obtaining your tools throughout dungeons you have access to everyone of them from the very beginning. This adds a new challenge as to gain the weapons you have to rent them to start, so if you happen to perish at the hands of a terrifying boss or that Moblin who happens to get in a lucky hit you lose all rented weapons and have to re-rent them once more. There is a silver lining of sorts, should you get enough rupees you can purchase them and make them your own permanently.
Another change brought up with the rental deal is that you have access to every dungeon right from the start and to me that's another plus in the game, freedom. You can go wherever you want whenever so if you want to go to that spooky skull dungeon last you can if you choose. There are also collectables in the dungeons still so Nintendo still gave you a reason to explore and not just mow your way through.
The graphics are very simple and nostalgic if you played earlier Zelda games, something to me is a plus. The detail and motions of the characters are very good and done well. The gameplay of turning into a painting to me is the best, you have to use that power to gain access to areas completely cut off and even have to use it to maneuver through dungeons. In fact my only complaint is that the game felt too short, which in turn could be good for some as the adventure ends before getting too repetitive.
Overall I say of all the handheld Zeldas thus far this one certainly sets a new standard in terms of breaking ground with new gameplay ideas. I would recommend this to any Zelda fan and anyone who
loves adventure.
10/10
