The Next Zelda (speculation thread)

[Angrist]

Hopefully we'll see the next Zelda at E³, it's very much due.

What are you guys expecting? My thoughts:

-It will be a side-quest story, so not involving Ganon (and maybe Zelda).
-It will use the new MotionPlus technology for very satisfying swordplay. Maybe a few items and puzzles that really make good use of the expansion.
-The MotionPlus expansion comes with the game, just like with Wii Sports Resort.
-It's supposed to be out at the end of this year. It will be delayed till spring 2010.
-I hope it will involve transforming into different animals (wolf, sea lion, climbing goat, maybe even an eagle?)
-I wouldn't mind a sea to explore, next to a big land area.

[thatmariolover]

I would love if they could blend 2D and 3D and do portions of the game in both. It could even fit into the story in a roundabout fashion.

[Typhoid]

I think it'll be more of the same that Twilight Princess was, but instead of the "dark world", it will be more of a time traveling like Oot.

The sword fighting won't change at all.

[Dyne]

I refuse to speculate. There's no point in getting your hopes up because you'll always be disappointed, especially with Nintendo games.

[Angrist]

Awe come on. Phantom Hourglass really took advantage of the DS. Twilight Princess was just a Cube game ported to the Wii, with tacked on controls. If anyone can get M+ swordfighting right, it's Nintendo. They've already had practice with the upcoming Wii Sports Resort.

I do consider an option for easy-mode controls, without M+. Will be less fun of course.

Also: is there anything that hasn't been done in Zelda? We've had so much time travel, it wouldn't be refreshing anymore. Any ideas?

[BreakABone]

I think it'll be more of the same that Twilight Princess was, but instead of the "dark world", it will be more of a time traveling like Oot.

The sword fighting won't change at all.

Actually the sword fighting is the one thing I expect to change the most since it basically amounted to moving the Wii-mote in Twilight Princess.

Also, I don't think it will be a side quest story as it will be the first Zelda made from the ground up for the Wii.

I don't see it being a sequel to any of the other games, and I also assume that the main plot will involve a device you control with motions similar to the Wind Baton in Wind Waker.

[Angrist]

... I also assume that the main plot will involve a device you control with motions similar to the Wind Baton in Wind Waker.Good point. Maybe a rod that can control many things (floating fireballs, your ship's rudder, eh...)?

One thing I already considered a year ago is a dancing aspect. Link's Awakening had some (simple) dancing. :)

Wouldn't it be cool if they took some of the Retro Studio guys to work on the environments? But I guess that's pretty unlikely. And TP already had some good art.

Oh, one thing I hope they won't do (but I'm pretty sure they considered) is making it a 3rd or 1st person 'shooter', like Link's Crossbow Training.

[DimHalo]

I am not sure because I have not read a lot. But, I can say what I would like to see.
-more exploration of different worlds (not so much focus on either land based or surface of the water
-complex use of sword play and other instruments
-lots of dungeons

[BreakABone]

http://www.twgnews.com/2009/03/23/top-10-zelda-franchise/

Good read.

[Dyne]

Nice, I totally disagree about Voice Acting. But he brings up good points.

Also, why the HELL would you care about where Zoras sleep?

[Crash]

On the DS: You drive a train.

[Angrist]

http://www.twgnews.com/2009/03/23/top-10-zelda-franchise/

Good read.

Interesting. He brings up some points that I also wrote about more than a year ago.

10 - Motifs I called this themes. Like the time travelling + music in OoT, masks in MM, wind in TWW, animals in TP.
I still vote for animal transformations for the next Zelda. Combined with something new.

9 - Not a happy ending I wouldn't mind one, but I don't need a bad ending either. I thought TP's was already kind of sad.

8 - Unnecessary Fetch Quests Can't argue with that. They should be optional and/or more fun.

7 - Epic boss Some of TP's coolest 'bosses' were the fights in the overworld, versus the boar-mounted moblins. I'd like to see more of that. Not just a small room with a creature that couldn't even leave if he wanted to.

6 - Greater evil The point here is that they need to shake up the story a bit. Ganondorf is getting old.

5 - Expanded towns I completely agree, Majora's Mask's Clock Town was the best Zelda town ever. TWW's also felt pretty lively. The one in TP were just so dead, it made me feel lonely.

4 - I want magic and more magic! Agree. :) Maybe make magic the theme/motif of the next Zelda?

3 - Get rid of MIDI Agree. Sadly even SMG wasn't fully orchestrated...

2 - Items, useful ones I loved the optional weapons in ALttP etc.

1 - Voice acting Best solution is to go with a Midna kind of speech, which doesn't make sense and is easy to create, but does add to the experience/liveliness. Banjo Kazooie also had it.


And no trains please.