Graphical Style

Even though the Wii is not the Graphical powerhouse the PS3 and 360 are, there's not doubt that Zelda: Wii will be beautiful.

However...

On the Gamecube, we've seen two very different styles visually of Zelda.

Wind Waker got big time flak for being so childish and cartoony, but had wonderful particle effects and was really very unique, and the style had reasoning behind it.

Twilight Princess came with a sigh of relief with the return of what was called OoT-style graphics, but took a hit for it's lack of visual originality, although I would argue that the twilight realm was the most graphically original things the series has seen.

So, then - which would you prefer?

I think what is necessary is something in the middle. I like the originality and ballsyness of WW, but would prefer more detailed, beautiful environments and characters like in TP.
Frankly, I could go for a more sophisticated cel-shaded look, but I mean very detailed, purposeful cel-shading.

NO CEL-SHADING PLEASE! As long as it's not cel-shaded, I'll be happy.

Originally Posted by TwilightPrince1

NO CEL-SHADING PLEASE! As long as it's not cel-shaded, I'll be happy.

I agree, the wii is powerful enough to produce really good 3D graphics.

Agreed. I think most people can oppose the return of the Chibi cell shaded graphics.

You three do realize that TP employs cel-shading, right? Cel-shading is not a graphical style, it is a rendering method. It's the reason you can't see the edges of polygons in TWW and TP.



Anyway, I really don't mind if the graphics are cartoony or realistic, so long as it fits the mood of the game. TP is utterly beautiful -- graphically, in design (seriously, the mere file-select menu in itself deserves a Nobel prize for design classiness) and in animation. TWW is also beautiful in its own way, though perhaps less refined than TP is, for obvious reasons. Both these games prove that Nintendo and its consoles are capable of producing breathtaking games, regardless of the powerhouses that its competition have. So, again, what I prefer graphically is what fits the mood of the game, what is appropriate -- can you seriously imagine TWW in TP's style?

Didn't think so.

Originally Posted by e_alert

You both do realize that TP employs cel-shading, right? Cel-shading is not a graphical style, it is a rendering method. It's the reason you can't see the edges of polygons in TWW and TP.



Anyway, I really don't mind if the graphics are cartoony or realistic, so long as it fits the mood of the game. TP is utterly beautiful -- graphically, in design (seriously, the mere file-select menu in itself deserves a Nobel prize for design classiness) and in animation. TWW is also beautiful in its own way, though perhaps less refined than TP is, for obvious reasons. Both these games prove that Nintendo and its consoles are capable of producing breathtaking games, regardless of the powerhouses that its competition have. So, again, what I prefer graphically is what fits the mood of the game, what is appropriate -- can you seriously imagine TWW in TP's style?

Didn't think so.

I meant WW type of cel-shading. I DO NOT want cartoony graphics, leave that for the DS. I want realistic graphics on the consoles.

I prefer the realistic graphical style overall. It's more detailed, and I think it just looks prettier. I think a Zelda game that took place on the Great Sea, but with a realistic artstyle, would be pretty cool. And I also liked the art style of Majora's Mask.

I think realistic graphics on TWW would be bad. I seriously would be terrified of TWW if it had realistic graphics(I hate deep water with a passion). Gyrogs in realistic graphics wouldnt float my boat. I dont want Jaws following me on the way to Windfall island. (tremble)

I would like to see a new cel shaded zelda game. Not because windwaker was sooo good but because the style reminds me of 2d and I love 2d games

Originally Posted by Dragohan

I would like to see a new cel shaded zelda game. Not because windwaker was sooo good but because the style reminds me of 2d and I love 2d games

Thats what Phantom Hourglass and the DS are for. You'll get your cel-shaded fix in PH.

Originally Posted by Skar

I think realistic graphics on TWW would be bad. I seriously would be terrified of TWW if it had realistic graphics(I hate deep water with a passion). Gyrogs in realistic graphics wouldnt float my boat. I dont want Jaws following me on the way to Windfall island. (tremble)

My thoughts exactly. With a realistic game, you could really freak people out by playing into their fears. The first time one of those giant eel things popped out of the reef in MM, i about jumped out of my chair.

Originally Posted by e_alert

can you seriously imagine TWW in TP's style?

Actually, yes, I can; and it looks freakin cool!

I can just imagine the serine beauty of a sunset on Outset Island in TPish graphics. Link would probably look like a TPish version of young link from OoT with a different hairdo and tunic. I can also imagine the vast Great Sea on a nice sunny day, the ocean is very clear (though not so clear as to see the ruins of Hyrule) being able to see schools of fish and other things of the sort... I could go on and on, but I'm too lazy to do so.

But of course, WW wouldn't be WW with these kind of graphics. Like previously stated, it just doesn't fit the game.

I laugh everytime I see someone call graphics like those found in OoT or TP "realistic." They're only realistic in comparison to something like tWW.

I absolutely loved the graphics of The Wind Waker. They were fantastic. When I first played the game, I was absolutely blown away by the cel-shading in a way that no other game had since OoT - the only reason OoT did it was because it was the first 3D Zelda game.

I also greatly appreciate TP's graphics. It's too bad that they're so popular, really - a style like that is so much more popular then the Wind Waker's was that I doubt Nintendo will ever get that experimental again, which I find very unfortunate. I would love to see Zelda return to a cartoon style someday. Not quite as chibi as tWW, maybe, but similar.

Originally Posted by lord-of-shadow

I laugh everytime I see someone call graphics like those found in OoT or TP "realistic." They're only realistic in comparison to something like tWW.

I absolutely loved the graphics of The Wind Waker. They were fantastic. When I first played the game, I was absolutely blown away by the cel-shading in a way that no other game had since OoT - the only reason OoT did it was because it was the first 3D Zelda game.

I also greatly appreciate TP's graphics. It's too bad that they're so popular, really - a style like that is so much more popular then the Wind Waker's was that I doubt Nintendo will ever get that experimental again, which I find very unfortunate. I would love to see Zelda return to a cartoon style someday. Not quite as chibi as tWW, maybe, but similar.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you getting another game with tWW graphics in PH. Did you forget about that little game thats coming out for the DS next year? Way too many games have that childish, cartoony look on Nintendo platforms. I'm quite sick of it, and I wouldn't be disappointed if I never saw another Nintendo game with cel-shaded graphics.

PH won't have the power of TWW, and the top-down view delivers a pretty big blow to the style and the feel of the cel-environments. I personally loved TWW's graphics--in fact, I wouldn't mind seeing two paired franchises, one following Child Link in Cel-shading, and one with Adult Link using the TP art/graphic style.

Originally Posted by LexLionHart

I personally loved TWW's graphics--in fact, I wouldn't mind seeing two paired franchises, one following Child Link in Cel-shading, and one with Adult Link using the TP art/graphic style.

I feel exactly the same way! They both work perfectly. I would insist that the game featuring child-link also be land-based though, the big empty ocean did not do the game any favors.