A reader argues that Zelda: Twilight Princess is the best entry in the series and unfairly criticizes being unoriginal.
It will probably be at least five years until we get another major Zelda game. Obviously there will be other games, such as remakes, remasters, and spin-offs, but the next game will take ages, especially since it doesn’t use the same maps as Breath Of The Wild. I’m really looking forward to this year’s Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom, because it looks very imaginative about regular games, but it will be very different from regular games.
Since we’ll be waiting until the next ‘proper’ Zelda, I think we’ll see a lot of best of lists and rankings like this, especially if they start remaking some of the older ones (I’m all for remaking Ocarina Of Time and Oracle Of Seasons/Ages ). What always bothers me is that my favorite Zelda is near the bottom of the list, especially if you discount portable games and other weird games.
But Twilight Princess is absolutely my favorite Zelda. I think there’s an argument to be made that you can’t compare the classic and newer formulas, but especially if you’re only looking at the classics, I’d say Twilight Princess does better than anything, including Ocarina Of Time and The Wind Waker.
The main complaint against Twilight Princess, that I’ve heard, is that it’s too similar to Ocarina Of Time. I can understand that, because that’s definitely what it’s riffing on, but it’s not like a copy and I’d say it’s better in almost every way.
Ocarina Of Time was groundbreaking, no doubt about it. One of the most important video games of all time. But playing now, its age is very obvious, not only in terms of graphics but the design limits the map and enemies. Twilight Princess is more epic in scope and more like a modern game, especially after the HD remaster.
It may not be the most innovative entry, but I feel that everything with the shape of the wolf is handled very well and Midna is fantastic. He’s only ever been in one game (weird) but he has more personality than Zelda or Ganondorf or anyone else in the series. It’s no wonder she’s a fan favorite and when you compare her to an annoying character like Fi or a non-entity like Impa, it’s really no contest.
On the other hand, I admit some of the other character designs can be a bit… ugly but I like it, it adds a weird feel to the game, which is a bit darker than the others. For me it’s the perfect balance for a Zelda game: not too childish and not trying to be grimdark. Again, that’s something that Nintendo hasn’t attempted since.
The dungeon design is also very good. City in the Sky, Arbiter’s Grounds, and Snowpeak Ruins are all top 10 creations for the entire series and a hundred times better than anything in Breath Of The Wild or Tears Of The Kingdom (I love those games too, but dungeons are something that worst of all. about them).
It might not be the most original entry, but I think it’s caused Twilight Princess to be unfairly criticized, because it’s so good in all other areas. I hope there is a new remaster for Switch (or a remake for Switch 2) and I hope more people can appreciate it.
By reading Franky
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