What I'd like to see

I love Zelda, been playing it since I was 7. What I'd like to see from this title is more maturity in plot and characters. I mean, the game has grown in extremity when it comes to the platforms Nintendo has been developing, but Zelda still has that same redundance when it comes to certain things in plot. Zelda can still be Zelda even if Nintendo wants to change things around a little. And, honestly, I think Nintendo is too afraid to stray far from the formula that seems to be working.....

I want change! I want something else aside from graphics and weapons! Why does Link always have to be the staple humble angel Hero??? Every game, it's always the same! Princess Zelda always has a plan to save whatever or do whatever. Link can be MORE than a "hero."

Maybe he can start off as a thief or part of a gang? Maybe he can have a small bit of dialogue. Perhaps even some voice actors? How about some tweaks to the old green getup into something more adult-like, a darker color, more armor, a grimer face, darker hair. Theres just so much Nintendo can do to develop some of these characters that would make this title so much more interesting and enticing. I love Zelda, but I've played almost all of the games and feel that Nintendo is secure enough to change things up a little.

Zelda can still be Zelda even if some things are changed! There's always the traditional combat, the puzzles, the main idea, these things are all parts of Zelda. If Nintendo decides to add a little to characters and plot, if done the right way with the right people on board, how can that go wrong?

Originally Posted by 209116032

I love Zelda, been playing it since I was 7. What I'd like to see from this title is more maturity in plot and characters. I mean, the game has grown in extremity when it comes to the platforms Nintendo has been developing, but Zelda still has that same redundance when it comes to certain things in plot. Zelda can still be Zelda even if Nintendo wants to change things around a little. And, honestly, I think Nintendo is too afraid to stray far from the formula that seems to be working.....

I want change! I want something else aside from graphics and weapons! Why does Link always have to be the staple humble angel Hero??? Every game, it's always the same! Princess Zelda always has a plan to save whatever or do whatever. Link can be MORE than a "hero."

Maybe he can start off as a thief or part of a gang? Maybe he can have a small bit of dialogue. Perhaps even some voice actors? How about some tweaks to the old green getup into something more adult-like, a darker color, more armor, a grimer face, darker hair. Theres just so much Nintendo can do to develop some of these characters that would make this title so much more interesting and enticing. I love Zelda, but I've played almost all of the games and feel that Nintendo is secure enough to change things up a little.

Zelda can still be Zelda even if some things are changed! There's always the traditional combat, the puzzles, the main idea, these things are all parts of Zelda. If Nintendo decides to add a little to characters and plot, if done the right way with the right people on board, how can that go wrong?

well you're practically describing TP link there. they gave him more natural green clothing instead of the christmas green, and the chainmail looked cool. his hair was also more of a light brown/dirty blonde. I thought TP link looked great. I was completely happy with his appearance.

other than that, I agree with you on everything else.

Yeah I liked TP Link a lot too, but I was refering to just a more nastier, mature looking Link, not specifically something like TP.

well I don't think Link and "nasty" should go together! but i do think Link in TP was a bit... soft. a bit to sentimental and squishy

To sum it up, I think the Twilight Princess rendition of Link was a bit too "perfect". Almost (and I hate to say it) Aryan if you will. Compared with Ocarina of Time Link, I prefer his Twilight Princess tunic design hands-down, but I prefer the nose that the Ocarina of Time rendition of Link had, he was still good-looking, but he had an imperfection, which ironically made him perfect. As for a darker game, I don't think there needs to be blood and gore, but I do see what you mean, I'd like a darker tone to the next game, Ganondorf (or whoever the villain is) hasn't really instilled a malicious and callous presence, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Veronox

To sum it up, I think the Twilight Princess rendition of Link was a bit too "perfect". Almost (and I hate to say it) Aryan if you will

Link is supposed to be a hero of the chosen bloodline, that's just how the games work. But they didn't make him some gem of physical perfection, so I think you're exaggerating. He wasn't magically able to defeat the Gorons at wrestling, he had to use his head and learn the tricks like everyone else.

Eh, I don't know....I just think Zelda should start to develop more in other ways as the years go by. It's still essentially the same thing over and over again, and while that is working apparently, I do not feel completely satisfied as a fan who played almost all the games. And, if I feel this way, i would think older Zelda fans may too...I'd just like to see something new and darker. I think it would be a great idea. It's a shame theres no way to convey this to Nintendo though...unless I get a job there or something...

Originally Posted by MajorasWrath1

Link is supposed to be a hero of the chosen bloodline, that's just how the games work. But they didn't make him some gem of physical perfection, so I think you're exaggerating. He wasn't magically able to defeat the Gorons at wrestling, he had to use his head and learn the tricks like everyone else.

I meant perfect-looking, clearly. I didn't mention anything to do with his power, or skill

P.S. You may think I'm exaggerating, but that's called an opinion.

I agree. Personally, I'm getting tired of playing the same game over and over, and I would prefer something different. It probably won't happen, though, seeing as 3/4 of all Zelda fans seem to be opposed to any change. (In fact, I've been accused of not being a true fan on various boards because of my stance on the current state of the series.)

Anyway, if there is one thing I want in a Zelda game, it is most definitely a darker, more mature setting. Nintendo has been trying too hard lately to appeal to the newer generation of gamers. What they don't realize is that their original fans (those of us with fond memories of playing the original NES titles) are being lost with every child-oriented game that comes out. TP was a smart move, but Nintendo really could've done more. Now, am I saying that all Zelda games would be dark tales of tragedy and betrayal? No, I'm not. In fact, I happen to enjoy the Celda titles (I still need to get my hands on PH, though.). Even so, I would still like, no, love to see a Zelda game that is a dark tale of tragedy and betrayal.

Now, what could Nintendo do to convey that atmosphere? They could do a lot, actually. Graphically, things need to seem a bit more realistic, and if at all possible, hi-res. The Wii can do it, just look at Corruption. The textures should have earthy, realistic colors, with a slight feeling of grittiness to them. The models should be realistic as well, with more humanoid shapes for the NPCs and whatnot. As for Link's appearance, I think they should just build off of the model they established in TP. Dirty up the tunic a bit, add a slight tint of brown or grey, and maybe a few more pieces of armor. At the same time, Link himself should look more like a real person.

Music wise, I think it should all be done via live orchestra. We've seen what Nintendo can do with the synthesized tracks in most of their games, and we've seen that they do have potential with live orchestra (thanks to Super Mario Galaxy). If they were to convert all the tracks we know and love (or, more preferably, make something new) into a glorious ear-sex malady of sound we know as live orchestra, it would greatly improve the quality of playing. The music should also fit the theme: the field music should be epic, as usual, the the boss music needs to make your palms sweat and your adrenaline soar. The forest music needs to have a foresty theme to it. The fire music needs to emphasize heat and fire. The water theme needs to have a smooth, aquatic feel to it.

The gameplay is another feature they can mess with in order to produce a more realistic world. How? For one, they can mess around with the combos that already exist and expand upon them. They can also make Link's sword depend entirely upon the Wii Remote, making it to where Link swings his sword the way you swing your controller.

Finally, the story, which is, in my opinion, the most important part of Zelda, and also the most lacking. For a while now we've all been fed the same thing: Save Zelda, stop Ganon, etc. What Nintendo needs to do is start from scratch and write a completely new story, or at the very least, write something new that circles around established canon. And for the love of Farore, leave Ganon out. In fact, don't mention him at all, and if they do, make it vague. They could also take the game away from Hyrule and place it in a totally new world.

Oh, and another thing I saw while reading this thread is the thing about voice acting. While I think it would be pretty neat to have voice acting in a Zelda game, I don't think it would work well. We could compromise, though: whenever someone talks in the game, keep the traditional text box, but add voice overs in the Hylian language. You get the best of both worlds!

Those are just my thoughts.

I could dig link if he was a little more badass...
-A little more hard rock

I mean...
-Courage doesn't mean he is good....
-He has the courage to be what the hell he wants...
--Side with Ganon or Zelda

He should buy slaves from ganon
He should learn magic from Zelda
And Buy Weapons from the people...

There should be a risk style RTS system with no ability to micromanage...
-If you conquer enough land to create a kingdom
-Just tell Officers where to send their troops and their AI kicks in


Temples remain the same...
-Puzzles
-Bosses
-Etc...


Take over the kingdom...
-Let Zelda take over from there...
-Let Ganon Take over from there...
Let ganon take control (but everyone hates him.... so... they don't follow him...)
Fight for Zelda....

Story Line changes...
-Personal thoughts....

Collosseum for online Competition
-RTS
-Puzzle solving
-Combat
-Races through Labrynths
-Fight any CPU enemy(s)... with others...

It would be interesting to see an even darker game but I don't want it to be the medieval version of GTA. I think that Link should always be pure of heart so that it would make sense for him to wield a sword that repels evil. Maybe Link could be a man who is struggling to become good so he goes to Zelda for help. Zelda removes his dark side, which takes the form of Dark Link. Dark Link terrorizes Hyrule and it's Link's job to stop him. How's that for an internal/external conflict.

It might be cool if Link started out as a thief who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He would eventually get caught and taken to Zelda for judgment. Zelda realizes that he' really a hero or something.

Originally Posted by Sage_of_Stars

Maybe Link could be a man who is struggling to become good so he goes to Zelda for help. Zelda removes his dark side, which takes the form of Dark Link. Dark Link terrorizes Hyrule and it's Link's job to stop him. How's that for an internal/external conflict.

Hmm, not bad

I wish that for the next Zelda Nintendo would go back on the way they were thinking when they developed Majora's Mask, a lot of the complains I hear about the Zelda series were fixed there. There was a new totally different bad guy, new 3 day system, the most darkest and saddest setting of all the games in the series (which proves that there is no need for more realistic and gritty looking characters and stuff, please no.. that would be absolutely horrible if that would happen) and the most developed story.

Yet they went back to the old formula, which I find very disappointing. In my opinion, a game like MM is the way to go for future Zelda games. I don't mean "make" a game like MM but get more creative like they did with MM. They should explore all the possibilities they have, I would love it if they brought back a system like the Bombers notebook to help NPC's, it brings so much more depth to the world.

What I would like to see:
Instead of having an overworld taking place in one land with 12 temples and area's like a small desert and a small mountain area, make 3 or 4 different overworlds with there own themes with 3 temples. One overworld would have a dessert theme for example and the other a mountain theme. It gives a lot more variety, for example: in the desert world Link could ride a camel and come across desert bandits, this whole world could be inspired by Arabic or Egyptian culture. The other worlds could have other forms of traveling, other enemies and be inspired by another culture or cultures. Let the game take place not in one land, but make it seem like Link is traveling the whole world. I would love to see that. Maybe let him travel the world in a hot air balloon piloted by the awesome tingle? That would give more gameplay elements, kinda like the King of Red Lions did.


Btw: I don't care much for graphics.. if lesser graphics means more content, then I'd go with more content any day.

Originally Posted by Iroas

I wish that for the next Zelda Nintendo would go back on the way they were thinking when they developed Majora's Mask, a lot of the complains I hear about the Zelda series were fixed there. There was a new totally different bad guy, new 3 day system, the most darkest and saddest setting of all the games in the series (which proves that there is no need for more realistic and gritty looking characters and stuff, please no.. that would be absolutely horrible if that would happen) and the most developed story.

I completely agree with you.

On another note, if any of you have played Shadow of the Callosus I would think some of the ambient elements seen in that game would also work for Zelda, maybe on a smaller scale though. (obviously there would be towns and stuff though, unlike....nothing lol) Also, why only two towns? Granted Nintendo included all the domains of the other races but I feel there should be more Hylian towns spotted on the map offering their own goods, purposes, and sidequests.