The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

North American packaging artwork
Developer(s) Nintendo EAD
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Daiki Iwamoto
Producer(s) Eiji Aonuma
Artist(s) Satoru Takizawa
Writer(s)
  • Mitsuhiro Takano
  • Hajime Takahashi
  • Eiji Aonuma
Composer(s)
Series The Legend of Zelda
Platform(s) Wii U
Release date(s)
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Japanese: ゼルダの伝説 風のタクト HD Hepburn: Zeruda no Densetsu: Kaze no Takuto HD) is a 2013 action-adventure game in the The Legend of Zelda series for the Wii U home video game console. Developed and published by Nintendo, it is a remastered version of the 2002 GameCube game, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.[6][7]

The Wind Waker HD expands on the original by introducing native 1080p resolution,[8] an alternative lighting engine, as well as new gameplay features and modifications. The release of the game marked the ten-year anniversary of the international release of the original, and was the first game in the series released on the Wii U.

Gameplay

A screenshot of Link standing on Windfall Island.

The gameplay is largely the same as the original version of The Wind Waker on the GameCube; however, the game offers graphical modifications and various new features from the original.

The Wii U GamePad's touchscreen serves as a map and inventory, eliminating the need to toggle between gameplay and the menu interface. Players can use motion controls to control the Wind Waker.[9] Some weapons, like the bow, can be aimed using the GamePad's gyroscope, as in Ocarina of Time 3D. The game offers Off-TV Play which enables the player to play the game solely on the Wii U GamePad. The game can also be played on the Wii U Pro Controller, a controller similar to the one used in the original game.[10]

The Tingle Tuner item (which utilized the Game Boy Advance as a peripheral to the GameCube) in the original has been replaced with an item called the Tingle Bottle. The Tingle Bottle is used to send messages to the game's Miiverse community if players are in need of help; players then receive replies containing hints as to current objectives. Using the Picto Box item in the game, players are able to take screenshots, including self-portraits, switching between happy, sad, and surprised facial expressions for Link. They can then post these screenshots to Miiverse for other players to see.[11]

The developers tuned the gameplay to make it less tedious. After completing the Dragon Roost Cavern dungeon, players are able to purchase the Swift Sail at the Auction House on Windfall Island. This red sail operates 50% more quickly than the regular sail.[12] The Swift Sail automatically changes the direction of the wind so the player can sail at full speed all the time, without doing so manually.[13] This is intended to make sailing to small islands and salvage points more enjoyable.[14] A shorter crane will speed up time digging for treasure.[9] Animations such as those for the grappling hook are quicker.[11]

The game features a streamlined version of the Triforce Quest, a controversial aspect of the original game.[11] Whereas in the original game players needed to collect a Triforce Chart for each shard of the Triforce of Courage, in the remake the player can collect five Triforce of Courage shards directly from treasure chests and only needs three Triforce Charts to find shards hidden beneath the Great Sea.[11] Additionally, the player begins the game with the ability to carry 500 rupees instead of 200.[15]

Hero Mode, a modified difficulty setting first featured in 2011's The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, is available from the beginning of Wind Waker HD.[16] In this mode there are certain differences in gameplay. Link takes twice as much damage from enemies and hearts will not appear anywhere in the game world (forcing players to use potions to heal). Hero Mode is available from the start of the game, not initially requiring the player to complete Normal Mode like in other titles of the series. It can also be toggled on or off at any point before entering the game.[17]

Development

In a Nintendo Direct presentation on January 23, 2013, a high-definition remaster of The Wind Waker was announced for the Wii U, then slated for release in the fall of 2013. The remaster came about as the development team experimented with art styles for the next main Zelda title, also in development for Wii U. HD remasters of Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword were also tested during the planning stages, but the development team considered The Wind Waker's visuals to be the most improved.[18] The Wind Waker HD took six months to develop.[19] The soundtrack was updated by Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai, Asuka Hayazaki, and Atsuko Asahi. While the game was developed in-house at Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development (EAD), high-resolution textures were produced with the help of a few external companies.[20]

Release

A limited-edition console bundle that combines both a digital version of game and the Deluxe Wii U console was released on September 20, 2013, in North America. The black console features The Legend of Zelda styling; the GamePad includes gold lettering, a gold Hyrule Crest, and gold symbols from The Wind Waker HD. A redemption code for a digital copy of The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia was also included.[1] A Ganondorf figurine was released with a special edition copy of the game, available exclusively through GameStop.[1]

The game was originally launched on the Nintendo eShop on September 20, 2013. Reggie Fils-Aime denied the early digital release as being part of any policy shift:

We saw an opportunity given the value change to make sure we had a strong product offering for Zelda loyalists, and to get them firmly in the Wii U franchise. This is not a policy change or some grand signal by launching the digital version a few days earlier than the physical version.[21]

The Wind Waker HD was released in Japan on September 26, 2013;[2] in Europe and North America on October 4, 2013;[3] and in Australia on October 5, 2013.[5]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings91%[22]
Metacritic90/100[23]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM8.5/10[24]
Game Informer9.25/10[25]
GameSpot8.0/10[26]
GameTrailers7.8/10[27]
IGN9.8/10[28]
Nintendo World Report10/10[29]
Polygon9/10[30]
GamingTrend83/100[31]

Pre-release

In an early preview, Audrey Drake of IGN noted improved dynamic lighting and shading in the game's graphics engine.[7] However, a later preview noted qualms about the graphic style, stating "The new HD art and bloom lighting look impressive, but they subtract some of the cel-shaded magic that made Wind Waker feel like a playable cartoon."[11] Metro noted better shading, resulting in a "painterly quality", although it spotted some "rough edges" with some textures.[9] In its preview, IGN noted significant differences from the original, saying the remake is "much better, smoother, and feels as capable as a brand new game."[11]

Post-release

The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD received critical acclaim upon release, with aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic giving the game's reception an average of 91% and 90/100 respectively.[22][23]

The improved graphics of the game from the original received positive commentary. Dan Ryckert of Game Informer noted that the upgrade was immediately apparent, and that "the vivid colors and crashing waves of the flooded Hyrule [look] fantastic."[25] IGN's Jose Otero stated that the game "looks great."[28] Andrew Fitch of Electronic Gaming Monthly claimed that the game "enhances the already excellent Wind Waker visuals with HD flair."[24]

The story of Wind Waker HD was met with positive reactions. Both Otero and Nintendo World Report's Neal Ronaghan stated that the story was memorable.[28][29] Marston Gaston of GameSpot said that the game is "filled with great moments".[26]

Wind Waker HD's audio was met positively. Gaston called it "evocative",[26] and Ryckert said that it "keeps with the tradition of memorable Zelda tunes."[25] Michael Damiani of GameTrailers noted that the audio enhances the experience of the combat.[27]

The combat also received generally positive reactions. Ronaghan called it "simple yet fun",[29] while Otero called it the best feature of the game.[28] Damiani said that the combat is "fast and frantic."[27]

Sales

The game's first week sales in Japan were 30,000 physical copies.[32] In the week following the release of Wind Waker HD sales of the Wii U console increased by 685% in the UK.[33]

As of September 30, 2016, it has worldwide sales of 1.98 million units.[34]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mallory, Jordan (August 28, 2013). "Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Mario Party: Island Tour hit 3DS Nov. 22". Joystiq. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Earnings Release for the Three-Month Period Ended June 2013" (PDF). Nintendo Japan. July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Phillips, Tom (August 28, 2013). "Nintendo names Zelda: The Wind Waker HD release date". Eurogamer. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  4. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (August 28, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Confirmed for 4th October in North America". Nintendo Life. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "NINTENDO LAUNCHES ANIMAL CROSSING PLAZA ON Wii U". Nintendo Australia. August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  6. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (June 14, 2013). "Streamlined Triforce Quest, No New Dungeons For Wind Waker Remake". Kotaku. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Drake, Audrey (January 23, 2013). "Zelda: Wind Waker Remake Headed to Wii U". IGN. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  8. ↑ Buckley, Sean (June 11, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker HD launches in October, boasts faster sailing". Engadget. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 GameCentral (July 11, 2013). "Zelda: The Wind Waker HD & Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze hands-on preview – mostly new". Metro. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  10. ↑ "ゼルダの伝説 風のタクト ＨＤ：ソフト詳細 (English: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD: Soft Description)" (in Japanese). Nintendo Japan. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Otero, Jose (August 22, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Offers a Definitive Experience". IGN. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  12. ↑ "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD for Nintendo Wii U". GameStop. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  13. ↑ Reece (August 13, 2013). "Aonuma explains The Wind Waker HD's "Swift Sail"". Zelda Universe. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  14. ↑ Aonuma, Eiji. "Miiverse – Aonuma's posts". Miiverse. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  15. ↑ ZeldaInformer (September 7, 2013). "Timeline Photos". Facebook. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  16. ↑ Otero, Jose (August 22, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD Offers a Definitive Experience". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  17. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (August 23, 2013). "Wind Waker HD's hero mode detailed". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  18. ↑ East, Thomas (July 4, 2013). "Nintendo tested Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword on Wii U". Official Nintendo Magazine. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  19. ↑ Rumphol-Janc, Nathanial (October 5, 2013). "An Interview with Eiji Aonuma – Wind Waker HD and the Future of Zelda Series: Part 1". Zelda Informer. Game Revolution.
  20. ↑ Iwata, Satoru (August 28, 2013). "Iwata Asks: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD: Archeology". Nintendo. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  21. ↑ Totilo, Stephen (August 28, 2013). "Wind Waker HD Releasing Early, If You're Willing To Download It". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  22. 1 2 "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD for Wii U". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  23. 1 2 "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  24. 1 2 Fitch, Andrew (September 18, 2013). "Come Sail Away". Electronic Gaming Monthly. EGM Media. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 Ryckert, Dan (September 18, 2013). "Wind Waker HD Review – Even Better Than You Remember". Game Informer. GameStop Corporation. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 Gaston, Martin (September 17, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Review". GameSpot. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  27. 1 2 3 Damiani, Michael (September 17, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD – Review". GameTrailers. Viacom. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Otero, Jose (September 17, 2013). "Smooth Sailing". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  29. 1 2 3 Ronaghan, Neal (September 18, 2013). "Waking the Winds Never Felt This Good". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  30. ↑ Riendeau, Danielle (September 18, 2013). "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD Review: Sail Away". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  31. ↑ Roberts, David (September 18, 2013). "Ocean breathes salty – The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD review". Gaming Trend. Gaming Trend. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  32. ↑ "This Week In Sales: Zelda: Wind Waker HD Fails To Impress". Siliconera. October 2, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  33. ↑ Dring, Christopher (October 11, 2013). "Wii U UK sales spike 685% on Zelda launch". MCV. Retrieved October 14, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Top Selling Software Sales Units". Nintendo. June 30, 2016. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
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