The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

More Zelda? Good or Bad? on April 10, 2008

Everyone has played a Zelda game, from the original NES adventure to the newest Wii epic, Zelda has something for everyone. All Zelda games seem to have a limitless playability feel to them, whether on a console or on a handheld system. Does this one live up to its predicessors?

In a word, no. The game itself is quite enjoyable, and features a colorfull cast and interested equipment and gear. But throughout the game I kept wondering why everything was used in such a limited way. You would earn a new item, like the moving bombs or the grappling hook, have to use it extensively on your current dungeon or the next, and then use it once or twice the rest of the game. The powerful hammer had a few interested uses, and then it became obsolete. I didn't understand the developers motive. Why not create more puzzles that required multiple items used in different ways to complete?

In a similar vein, the game was much too easy. There were the obligatory scratch your head situations (I admit to having to Google my way through the fight with the twin headed dragon), but for the most part the enemies and bosses were easy and forgettable. One exception was the stone golen, fighting him was amazing cool, I really enjoyed that battle. BUT it wasnt hard, thats for sure. Even the final boss was very very easy to beat, and throughout the entire game I used a total of 3 potions. Thats definitely not the kind of difficulty you expect from a Zelda game.

The graphics were nice, and while not innovate, they were enjoyable and involving. Im not sure why Link gets younger every game.. but whatever. Jack Sparrow clearly was the inspriration for Linebeck, which is kind of irritating. I guess Nintendo is going for a younger demographic, which isnt bad or good, just... alienating. The touch controls were easily the highlight of the game and really showed off how the DS can be played completely button-free.

Overall a good game, but unfortunately forgettable.

Presentation : 7/10
Graphics : 8/10
Sound : 9/10
Gameplay : 9/10
Replayability : 6/10

Total Score : 7.8/10