This is the thirteenth game in The Legend of Zelda series, and takes place a few hundred years after the events of Ocarina of Time. This game is quite a bit darker than others in the series (aside from Majora’s Mask) and also is the game which has the most realistic art style of any of the games in The Legend of Zelda series (so far), which I find very aesthetically pleasing.
The story starts with a new Link living happily as an average teenager in Ordon Village where he has fun with some younger kids and spends his time doing his farm duties. But his happy life is brought to an end when some monsters kidnap two of his friends and he is transformed into a wolf. Link must then set out on a quest to get himself turned back into a human and to rescue his friends and, along the way, he finds himself on a journey to save Hyrule itself. Sadly, I did think the game was a little slow starting and that you do spend a little TOO much time as Link living his normal life, but it quickly picks up afterward!
Being able to play as a wolf is a very welcome addition to the game. As a wolf, Link has a variety of new abilities: digging, fitting through small holes, talking to animals, following scents and whatnot, but he also has various disadvantages such as being unable to open doors or use his items and humans being terrified of him. So the game then presents you with various challenges that require you to use a mixture of human and wolf abilities in order to solve them.
As always, this Zelda game brings with it a large number of likeable and memorable characters. The best thing this game brings with it is Midna, Link’s new companion. Midna is an uneasy ally at first, she is only helping Link because she has to, but she and Link grow to be good friends. I think I would go as to say that Midna is my favourite of Link’s companions from all of the Zelda series. Furthermore, this game is one of the most emotional of all the Zelda games, some of the scenes in this game are very sad indeed, this is especially helped by its wonderfully emotive soundtrack.
On the whole, this is a fantastic instalment in the series; its tone, graphics, characters and storyline are all excellent. Rating: 9.4/10
