Publisher: Nintendo
Copyright: 2006
ASIN: B00204AA0O
Description
In Twilight Princess, as in the many other Zelda games, it is up to Link to save the world from the powers of evil. This time the villain, Zant, is trying to transform the kingdom into a twilight world, stuck between night and day, where his power will reign supreme. As Link, the player must find the Master Sword and the lost pieces of both the Fused Shadow and the Mirror of Twilight. To do this, Link has to complete several major and side quests that take him to various settings: a forest dungeon, an underwater temple, a city in the sky, etc. In these different settings he needs different powers, tools, and skills, such as breathing under water and swinging through the air with grappling hooks. He is aided in his quests by Midna, a mysterious fairy-like creature. Throughout most of the game Link also has the power to transform into a wolf, and can only perform some of his tasks while in wolf form.
Critical Evaluation
Twilight Princess is too advanced a game for my meager video game skills, but I still found it exciting and fun. (It’s even fun to watch.) Playing it is a creative process—you can essentially go where you want and take on tasks in the order you choose (with some restrictions). (This is termed non-linear gameplay.) There are lots of puzzles to solve, and you often have to think fast. The fantasy world has many interesting places and creatures that are fun to discover. The eerie mood and the possibility of being attacked at almost any time contribute a sense of urgency.
The graphics are good, but not groundbreaking. The music has a nostalgic quality that goes well with the fantastic character of the world of the game. Play is controlled with a joystick and remote, which are pretty easy to use. The Wii platform allows you to select things on the screen simply by pointing and to engage in sword fights with just a flick of the wrist.
Why is this title included?
I included this title at least in part because my husband has been addicted to the Zelda games since he was a teenager. Twilight Princess is too advanced for kids, but still accessible to people who aren't necessarily hardcore gamers. The fantasy setting makes it particularly appealing to teens.