What graphical style do you think Zelda Wii might be in?

[Adam_148]

I found in another thread discussing the possible ending of the Zelda series (yeah right, like that's ever gonna happen) a discussion between ONM (Official Nintendo Magazine) and Eiji Aounuma, discussing future Zelda games. You can thank -OC- for finding the conversation between the magazine and Eiji:

ONM - "Finally then, where do you think the Zelda series can go from here, both visually and with the gameplay?"

Eiji - "Every day I think about what we'll do in the next Zelda game that will surprise long-term players. Of course, I can't comment on the graphical style because it's something we'll decide in the process of working out the best way to execute whatever new ideas we come up with. However, as a part of our efforts to create new forms of entertainment, we might end up with a graphical style that you haven't even thought about yet. Please look forward to what we will do in the future with the Zelda franchise!"

I decided to make this thread because I wanted to see what you guys think the graphical style Zelda Wii will be in.

[Lefty2k59]

I don't think they are going to venture too far away from TP. TP looked so pristine. I don't see them going back to the pure cell shaded of WW, although the cell shading in TP did look very nice.

[MajorasWrath1]

I'm actually predicting something in the middle. Realistic models like TP's, but with a slight cell-shaded effect and alot of shading

[Lady Fay]

You can thank -OC- for finding the conversation between the magazine and Eiji:

THAAANKYOUUU -OC-
^_^
hmm..TP already has awesome graphics

[Adam_148]

It could be the same TP graphics, but a different theme, such as a futuristic, or modern style (these are suggestions, don't get stressed).

[Fluesopp]

Let it be Brawl Toon Link style! Please!

[Adam_148]

Originally Posted by Fluesopp

Let it be Brawl Toon Link style! Please!

probably a bit more TP style, but interesting

[MajorasWrath1]

Originally Posted by Fluesopp

Let it be Brawl Toon Link style! Please!

2 of the last 3 games have already had this style. Is it really necessary to make it 3 of 4? Many of us hate this style more than any other aspect of any game in the series

[KeeSomething]

I didn't like the generic art style used in Twilight Princess, and I wasn't a huge fan of Wind Waker's since the atmosphere was sacrificed due to the lack of detail. I'm hoping for a Zelda game that uses an art style is influenced by the earlier Zelda games. Take, for example, this:

I think it offers a perfect balance between all the styles of the Zelda games.

But I don't want Nintendo to focus too much on the graphics, since I feel Wind Waker's gameplay suffered because too much time was wasted on creating a gimmicky toon-shaded look. So, if Nintendo just recycles Twilight Princess's artstyle, which will most likely be the case, I won't care as long as they don't waste time with pointless development that will take away from time they could be using to improve the story, gameplay, etc. (Example: delaying Twilight Princess for a year just to add Wii functions.)

[CurryMonster]

Originally Posted by MajorasWrath1

Many of us hate this style more than any other aspect of any game in the series

And many of us don't, so that's hardly a valid argument.

I think it'll probably be TP-style, but I wouldn't mind either way.

[Adam_148]

we've considered older styles, and combinations between styles, but we haven't considered any new styles, Aonuma said it could be one we wouldn't even think of, so lets think of some

[MajorasWrath1]

Originally Posted by Pandaemonium

And many of us don't, so that's hardly a valid argument.

I think it'll probably be TP-style, but I wouldn't mind either way.

But alienating the majority of its North American Zelda audience is not in Nintendo's best interest, and that is a valid argument

[Adam_148]

Originally Posted by MajorasWrath1

But alienating the majority of its North American Zelda audience is not in Nintendo's best interest, and that is a valid argument

Can we stay on topic please, this is not a discussion about which graphical style sucks, and which graphical style is best, this is a discussion about which graphical style will be used for Zelda Wii, or if a new style will be used, and if a new style is used, what do you think it might be like

[M Sicopath]

I kind of think it will be a realistic style that harkens back to OoT's mood; not as gritty or adult as TP was, but pushing the graphical capabilities of the Wii. Just about the only complaint people had about TP's graphics were that it looked like a Gamecube game (...which it was).

Nintendo already went all-out with Metroid Prime 3 and especially Super Mario Galaxy in terms of graphics. They almost got chided for Brawl, and it looks like the same thing might happen with Mario Kart Wii, but the solid framerates of both titles keeps them held up over the criticism. I still think they're going to try to push it with Zelda, since it's their flagship franchise.

[The Great Panda]

Personally, I'd much rather have a realistic Zelda game. Something gritty and realistic with a hint of steampunk. I really think that's the direction Zelda should take. I suppose I could live with a new Celda game, though, so long as it's made to look more like an anime than a kid's cartoon. I'd imagine something like TP meets Okami.

[209116032]

I agree with Great Panda....I would love to have a more realistic Zelda with influence from TP and OoT. I thought the TP graphics were beautiful but they could have been a hell of a lot more detailed. I think Nintendo will go all out on the graphics for the next Zelda game :3

[Fluesopp]

Originally Posted by MajorasWrath1

2 of the last 3 games have already had this style. Is it really necessary to make it 3 of 4? Many of us hate this style more than any other aspect of any game in the series

No, TWW had cel shading. This is realistic shading. It's a major difference between Cel Shaded Link and Toon Link renders.

[-OC-]

It could either be TP style with more detail, or WW style. I think it depends on the game itself.
If they want something more dark and gritty, TP.
If they want something more light-hearted, WW.

The interview says "we might end up with a graphical style that you haven't even thought about yet" so that makes it quite hard to guess.

[Chozo Ridley]

What kind of graphical style haven't we thought about yet? the only thing I can think of is no graphical style at all, as in the game would be completely text based. But can you imagin a Zelda game being text based?

- you pick up 5 arrows
- a chu-jelly is coming to attack you
- (Link): swing sword
- your atack misses
- the chu-jelly hits you, loose 1/2 heart
- you died

[M Sicopath]

LOL! In a text-based Zelda game, I think when you're low on health it should spit messages at you every half-second letting you know.

A graphical style we haven't even thought of? That's hard to contemplate.

[Cresent]

I'm not beggin' for any graphic style, but it's probably like TP. But I wonder how kid Link would look like in TP graphics........ Strange.

I would like it if one game would let you choose which graphic you'd want. Then you just click it.

[Chozo Ridley]

Originally Posted by M Sicopath

LOL! In a text-based Zelda game, I think when you're low on health it should spit messages at you every half-second letting you know.

A graphical style we haven't even thought of? That's hard to contemplate.

LOL!

- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health

- Link needs food badly

[Adam_148]

Originally Posted by Chozo Ridley

LOL!

- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health
- you are low on health

- Link needs food badly

The legend of Zelda: yes, we did run out of ideas

[zeldagamer]

I kind of want the next Zelda game to be cel-shading, i love those graphics.
Any other type of graphics will do though.

[Adam_148]

Cell-shading was an... interesting choice, considering all the destruction where the storyline of WW and PH came from (adult ending of OoT)

[GamenerdAdvance]

take realistic Zelda models and add griity, abstract cel-shading like Okami.

There's your new style. The lovechild between gritty and cel-shaded.

[Adam_148]

Originally Posted by GamenerdAdvance

take realistic Zelda models and add griity, abstract cel-shading like Okami.

There's your new style. The lovechild between gritty and cel-shaded.

"hello, i'm cell-shaded link, omg, look a gritty looking moblin, it's a freak, must kill with gritty looking sword!" lol
that's a good idea though, like toon link, a cross-between gritty and cell-shaded