What makes Zelda so, Zelda?

Lately, there has been an increase in the number of dungeon crawlers and medievil games. This is obviously an attempt by other companies to do what Zelda has done, but just what has Zelda done? It has held the captivation of countless fans for nearly 20 years, but how did it do it? What kept fans throughout the ups and downs? What kept Zelda going after Nintendo's failure of Zelda II? Or even worse, the CD-i Zeldas? What made The Wind Waker such a popular game, despite the massive dislike of the choice in graphic style? Why do we, as a community, love Zelda so?

Well, the simple answer is the innovation and depth presented by its interactive adventure system. Moreso, it has become a pioneer of the adventure genre. Metroid had some similarities to how such an engine was presented as well. Granted, I don't think people are trying to emulate Zelda but moreso, the idealogy of the fantasy area.

The music and enviroment. Zelda exceeds at beauty in visuals and in music. And Zelda has a dungeon setup unlike any other. It started the puzzle-adventure genre and it keeps bringing more things to the table to date.

you know what, now that i think about it, im not so sure why zelda is so loved. also, the zelda CD-I game was not a product of nintendo. but yeah, im stumped on that... but i dont care, because i love zelda, and as long as its still being made, im happy. nothing in the rpg/dungeon crawler/mid-evil game style will ever top zelda in my opinion. thats all i got so say.

Originally Posted by Master of ALttP

Lately, there has been an increase in the number of dungeon crawlers and medievil games.

There has?what are some examples of these games.

Anyway I think that what makes Zelda so great is that no mater how old the series was it has always stayed fresh every game and that every game had its unique feel.For example look at the three 3d games each of them were totally different especially Majora's Mask.Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker were very similar despite the drastic graphical change.

I don't know their names, but I remember them from G4 TV. Once there are enough posts, I will answer all the questions in my original post, and answer any remaining questions from the other posts.

Originally Posted by Kokiri_Boy64

The music and enviroment. Zelda exceeds at beauty in visuals and in music. And Zelda has a dungeon setup unlike any other. It started the puzzle-adventure genre and it keeps bringing more things to the table to date.

For sure, the environment just has that 'Zelda' feel that makes the game so great...

Yes, but what is that 'Zelda' feel?

Well, epic defines it. And to me, there is always an eagerness to explore ...well, everything. Just because the world is so vast. And so many areas are inacessible. The dungeons are brillinatly characterized and as such, they provide a good challenge and actually are quite fun. There are also the side quests that one can embark on. And the story is so interweaven with, that kind of makes the signature Zelda feel.

Originally Posted by Frost Guardian

Well, epic defines it. And to me, there is always an eagerness to explore ...well, everything. Just because the world is so vast. And so many areas are inacessible. The dungeons are brillinatly characterized and as such, they provide a good challenge and actually are quite fun. There are also the side quests that one can embark on. And the story is so interweaven with, that kind of makes the signature Zelda feel.

There now, that was the kind of answer that I was looking for. The sense of adventure. What is on the next screen, or more recently, what lies beyond the horizon. It is this kind of mystery that has always made man want to explore the world they live in. Always being 'almost there' or 'just out of reach', this is one of many things that Zelda has that other games don't.

Zelda has way more orginality than most medivel fantasy games. Most games have stuff like elves, dwarfs, and orcs or stuff from different mythologies. Zelda, however, has come up with ideas that are totally new. I've never heard of another game having Zoras, Kokiri, Ritos, and Moblins, just to name a few.
It also has interesting puzzles that make a gamer think and then when the gamer figures it out they go, "Duh!" (I've done that may times.)
Plus, it has good story lines with many twist but twist that aren't extravagent like the Final Fantasy games (which I love). Zeldas has perfected many things that are lacking in other medivel games and that's why it's soooo good.

Zelda has some very original ideas that are just now appearing in other games.

Of course theres all the puzzles, and theres figuring out how to beat the bosses.


Then theres the great world and music.

The trading sequence, and the whole, going around and talking to ppl to figure stuff out is another major factor that makes zelda. All those side quests.

The dungeons are masterful. Consider the deku tree. It took me ages to just say, "duh fall from the top to break the web". The zelda dungeons also have u go through it, then u change something, and u have to go through it all over again.

Some games have some of these features, but none has them all to the right balance then zelda. If a game was all puzzle no action itd be bad. All action and no puzzle is bad too. Zelda creates one of the most perfect balances

No wonder it takes 2 years to make a new one, they spend time making it great!

All in all, masterful games.

The feel....... It's something deep...... something that comes deep within... The very thought of a young child conquering evil. A child who stands up against the odds and faces the evil head on... A child whos fate is in the hands of many... A child who must search in the ancient places of that land and find answers to an ancient puzzle made long ago by people long forgotten... A child who is to find clues left long ago and use them to find hope... A child whos courage saves a land from sure destruction.... A child who is a part of legend from long ago..... THE LEGEND OF ZELDA!

Well thats what I feel. (remember to use dramatict pauses in the: ......)

My thoughts:

http://www.zeldalegends.net/index.ph...itorial_legend