How would you like your next Zelda? Are you ready for change?

There are only two outcomes for the next Zelda game. These outcomes being A, the same old same old Zelda coming out, and B, Zelda is revamped and refurnished with a glossy new tone. Most people are hoping for nothing drastic to occur and hoping that change will not happen, mainly because they are too attached to the same old same old. So far outcome B appears to be an option for the next game, and everybody seems to be holding their breath and praying to God it is not so. But lets analyze these outcomes with unbiased points of view.

Option A, the same old same old

So everybody's wish comes true and we get another action/adventure Zelda game that takes place in Hyrule or another land which is parallel and or very similar to it. We play the game and as the plot thickens we can almost guess every outcome and story twist because we are already Zelda experts and can pretty much do this one blindfolded. The puzzles are the same, so dungeons and quests are simple and are completed with ease. There are a few new characters but most are obvious replicas of previous ones and aren't that much different. Some new items and monsters are introduced (and a lot used again) but nothing too special about them. And that's it. Afterwords we quickly over analyze every little detail about the game and then we debate heatedly about where it fits in with the 'timeline'. But in the end we still want more and we go to the internet and our social groups and animatedly we suggest new ways of improving Zelda while deep down inside we all want the same thing. Something with a 'wow' factor like OOT had, something with graphics and deep plot like TP had, but something that is still Zelda.

As far as I'm concerned, OOT can never be redone like they tried with TP, the cell shaded sagas have been beaten to death, and remakes are just remakes. If they tried making a new Zelda like the old one be it cell shaded, 3rd person, side scroller or overhead view they could never make it truly unique, and if they tried, they would most likely just be pulling out random ideas from there arses to achieve uniqueness because truly, all the roads are spent. Granted, it was fun while it lasted.


How about option B though, what could a revamped and refurnished Zelda mean?

When Zelda fans hear about this, they almost always automatically think that this new Zelda would be set in more advanced ages. While this would definitely effect the look of the game, the core functions that have been used with previous Zelda games would make it pretty much exactly the same. Sure, there would be guns, trains, and steam, but once somebody gets a little deeper into the storyline it would be, like I said, almost exactly the same as a previous Zelda games. Do you people really think this is what Shigeru meant when he talked about the next Zelda going to be 'unlike any Zelda before'? If what is being speculated (futuristic Zelda) is true then he should have said "yeah, we're gonna tweak a few things", because when you look at the big picture, things aren't really all that different when you compare the two. So now that we're thinking outside the box, what do you think he could've meant when hesaid "unlike any Zelda before"? How about a first person shooter, something similar to games such as COD, GOW, or even Serious Sam, except of course set in earlier times. Sure there could be the occasional sword battle but ranged killings are highly in favor here and the saying 'shoot em up' is heavily implied. I know what you are thinking, that such an idea would ruin Zelda, but like I said before, and like most would agree, it's time for change. Pushing aside the ridiculous idea of a FPS, how about an RPG, where experience and level rewards are a large factoring part of gameplay. An RPG like Oblivion, Baulders Gate, or even Runescape. This in my opinion would be a big change that wouldn't take away from the whole Zelda feel, and would make Zelda more popular and addicting for people who play. It would also give the game great replay value, unlike previous Zelda's where the only things you could really do different were setting limitations for yourself to make it challenging. You don't like the idea of a FPS or RPG, but what else could they do to make Zelda different? How about a Zelda game more focused on puzzles and the storyline, with the occasional dose of romance and comedy to jazz things up a little? A deep plot with many twists is sure to keep the gamer compelled to play and could keep them guessing at every turn. Perhaps this kind of Zelda game would clear up a lot of mysterious surrounding Zelda. How about that kind of change? Do you think it would make Zelda a more exciting and fun game to play? For the old and hardened Zelda fan, probably not, because they are too attached to old themes, but for budding fans, this could be the next best thing. And since gameplay is developing drastically, change is needed for the Zelda series to survive and be able to compete, so out with the old and in with the new.

This^ is my opinion on all the speculation of the new Zelda game coming out, and while some ideas may seem far fetched, truly, anything can happen. So, fellow Zelda fans, what are your thoughts and opinions, and, are you ready for change?

I had the mental image of Obama wearing a green suit and wielding the Master Sword saying "A change you can believe in." as I read this thread.

Haha,

But any thoughts or comments?

Not really. OoT never held the wow factor for me that it does for most people, as I much prefered Majora's Mask and a Link to the Past. I've been waiting for a new style of Zelda ever since Majora's Mask, which was the last one to be sufficiently different from the mainstream series while still retaining quality.

Originally Posted by DarkVaati

Not really. OoT never held the wow factor for me that it does for most people, as I much prefered Majora's Mask and a Link to the Past. I've been waiting for a new style of Zelda ever since Majora's Mask, which was the last one to be sufficiently different from the mainstream series while still retaining quality.

What do you mean? New style as small tweaks here and there or a completely different gameplay?

Pie_Dictator, I got to say that you have a truly well written post. While I may attempt to express the idea of a change for the series, I never quite succeed in making it as simple and as coherent.

I like how you simplified this topic by asserting that there are two possible outcomes. It makes perfect sense. Either it's option A and the continuation of monotony or it is option B and completely new and possibly bizarre experience.

Afterwords we quickly over analyze every little detail about the game and then we debate heatedly about where it fits in with the 'timeline'. But in the end we still want more and we go to the internet and our social groups and animatedly we suggest new ways of improving Zelda...

This is so true. This was the aftermath of Twilight Princess, IMO. And people still argue that the series should keep away from any sort of change. I don't want to bear another generic Zelda game, play through it once and then lock myself here at ZU and discuss how the game could have been better or where it fits in with the timeline.


The outcome I am looking forward to is that of Option B. It can be ANY change. I'm almost certain that almost any change is suitable for the series. Let it be a distant setting, voice acting, first person view-- the developers of the game (if pursuing this outcome) would surely know better than anyone on what they are doing and what level of change is appropriate.
But as much as I want to see this, I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll end up disappointed. I'll just have to wait and see.

Originally Posted by Pie_Dictator

...are you ready for change?

Yes! Though I'll do my best to take it lightly if it doesn't happen.

Originally Posted by DarkVaati

Not really. OoT never held the wow factor for me...

It was for me to some degree. I can't think of other games besides Final Fantasy VI and VIII that also induced some sort of "wow" feeling. You could say that this factor is what makes them classic or timeless. These are the games that can be replayed even a few times a year.

So I'm hoping that the next title does have this OoT effect, but in a sense that it is one of a kind and achieves the respect of the player and the critics to be claimed as a classic. And not only that but also to replay it years later and have the desire to feel that feeling of when you first played it and try to analyze the game more closely or from another angle to maximize that effect and possibly get something more.

Originally Posted by IGNIS

But as much as I want to see this, I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll end up disappointed. I'll just have to wait and see.

What kind of change would you prefer though?

Originally Posted by Pie_Dictator

What kind of change would you prefer though?

I'm in favor of pretty much any change. I'd particualarly like to see voice acting, a more thematic and story-oriented game, and a futuristic/modern-esque setting.

Absolutely not! Futuristic Zelda would destroy t he franchise. People have always said Omg Futuristic Zelda is on the way!!, they did it before Twilight Princess, its nonsense.

Nintendo said Twilight Princess would definitely be the last of its kind.

Then came PH.

PH is different from all other Zeldas. Nintendo meant in terms of gameplay. PH was innovative and fun, controlling everything with the DS stylus was, more or less, revolutionary.

i totally agree that zelda needs serious changes, and i agree with a lot of things people have already said, but god i hope the next zelda isnt futuristic. i dont know why, it just wouldnt be zelda. im actually hoping they go for a more 'ancient' themed setting

i just want more legend of zelda with link and zelda... and a horse u cant forget the horse!

Originally Posted by twilight09

Absolutely not! Futuristic Zelda would destroy t he franchise. People have always said Omg Futuristic Zelda is on the way!!, they did it before Twilight Princess, its nonsense.

Why do people think this. It didn't destroys Microsoft's Age of Empires, Fable 2 will have more fans than ever, and it could very well do the same for Zelda.

Why are people so afraid of a futuristic Zelda. The sad thing is is when it does happen people will have their minds so set against it that they won't want to play the new game even know it will probably be better than the rest.

Futuristic does not mean flying cars and beam guns, but it will most likely be like the industrial revolution.

I would definitely like to see Hyrule's future. I hope it would be nothing like the common scifi future stuff that's in other games/movies/shows, though. The technology should rely on magic or something.

I'd like to have no laser or spaceship related things, we'd have to be able to continue sword fighting and arrow shooting in some way.

Originally Posted by CPW

I would definitely like to see Hyrule's future. I hope it would be nothing like the common scifi future stuff that's in other games/movies/shows, though. The technology should rely on magic or something.

I'd like to have no laser or spaceship related things, we'd have to be able to continue sword fighting and arrow shooting in some way.

Exactly.

A lot of people have the idea of stereotypical sci-fi setting and cliche when that wouldn't be the case with Zelda.

Regardless of futuristic setting, the game would still be timeless and surreal no matter how many parallels could be drawn to our modern world.

A good example of a game that is set in a timeless and magical futuristic setting would be Tales of Symphonia. You have Lloyd Irving using swords, Raine Sage using a staff and they're running around forests, ancient places, castles, and high tech facilities.

While it's still very possible for Nintendo to pump out another Zelda just like the old ones, it highly unlikely at this point. I do believe however, that 2d Zelda still has it's place. I am a fan of what they did with PH to still keep the top down 2d game, yet bring it into 3d. The new controls made the game feel refreshing and different yet the top down game play made it feel familiar. This is the same idea I feel Nintendo is going to throw into the next console game.

A futuristic Zelda wouldn't be a bad idea, I just don't think that is how they are going. Once Nintendo (Miyamoto/Iwata, whoever said it) stated TP would be the last of it's kind they released PH. PH was different enough. Remember when the Wii was coming out and it was before they announced motion controls? Nintendo just started look at the DS and you will see are next move. I feel it's the same thing here with the next Zelda. With Wii Motion+ coming out, there are many possibilities to create a Zelda game that cannot be ported to another system.

The game is going to take a more Elder Scrolls approach yet with the controls being much more engrossing and the game play being simplified. The setting is still going to be ye old Hyrule, though the story itself might take a side route like how MM did. Also the overall setup has to be broken. No more do three dungeons get sword, then do 6-8 more, kill Ganon. It gets old....Really old.

i could actually really like an industrial revolution/steampunk influenced zelda

EDIT: i just had an idea that I really like
what if it was like the scouring of the shire in lotr
the industrial world being implemented by some evil, and maybe it coiuld be partially powered or built with the evil magic
and it is destroying the ancient beauty oif hyrule and enslaving its inhabitants
it could also teach us important lessons about the enviroment! but not overtly

btw this idea suddenly came to me while playing the twilight in eldin bit in tp
i hopw you get it, cause i cant fully explain it

ps its also partly inspired by early information about lost odessey

Originally Posted by twilight09

Absolutely not! Futuristic Zelda would destroy t he franchise. People have always said Omg Futuristic Zelda is on the way!!, they did it before Twilight Princess, its nonsense.

yeah... a futuristic zelda would almost defeat the purpose of zelda. there are so many gun games out there now. zelda is something different. it should stay away from the mainstream flow of first person shooters. the new zelda could be revamped, but not too much. just fix past problems and add a few new features.