My feelings on The legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Update: The E3 Hands On
Saturday, June 6th, 2009 at 11:15pm by Will
Update: Hands On.
From what I understood from an Nintendo of America employee, Spirit Tracks is actually not a continuation of the Wind Waker series in terms of a sequel to Phantom Hourglass. Yet the game happens one hundred years after the events of Phantom Hourglass.
The one thing I was complaining about before was of course the train game play. I said it is very limiting to exploration, and I was right. You are pretty much stuck “on the rails” as you explore the land. Traveling between destinations is basically being on an on the rail shooter, as you can tap and shoot things with a bomb cannon once again. Besides that you can control the speed of the train, moving forward or just stopping, blowing the whistle to make creatures get off the tracks, and switching tracks to go to different areas. Track switching is done by either tapping a left or right arrow on your screen, leaving very simplified game play.
The key point to Switching tracks is to avoid bomb trains. Evil train like creatures that will automatically kill you in one hit by wrecking your train. This is done by a head on collision, and when your train is wrecked it is game over. From what I saw there is no Overworld exploration at all, besides the train… and that’s a disappointment.
Dungeon wise and Boss battle wise, it is almost exactly the same as Phantom Hourglass. Boss Battles take up two screens and push you closer to the enemy in terms of the camera moving almost behind Link. If you played a Zelda game you can expect similar puzzles like hitting a switch to advance in the dungeon or being creative with how to kill enemies in your way with the many special items you find.
Overall it’s Phantom Hourglass with less content. The only thing that was added was four player multiplayer due to the fact that most people complained that the wifi phantom game was too challenging.
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March 26th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I know what you mean EXACTLY, Will. Sea exploration with Wind Waker was a bit boring, but at least there were several islands you can travel to. Phantom Hourglass just had a big, empty, lonely sea. Not much islands and things of that sort.
Spirit Tracks are going to drive the exploration even further down the hole. And exploration was what Zelda was all about…
March 26th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
…But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to fork over some cash for a DSi just to play this.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I can understand that. Twilight Princess’s map of Hyrule was huge and full of hidey holes to explore, not to mention pretty.
While I haven’t played Phantom Hourglass, I have played Wind Waker. And yes, sometimes the ocean exploration was rather dull, but at least you had the option of control or warp, and the numerous hidden treasures along the way.
But yes, I can see where the train travel could follow this formula. Although, this is the part where you hope there’s more to it than that.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I have played and beaten every Zelda game that has hit U.S. shores besides the CDi games that I dont count. I loved all the handheld Zelda adventures including Phantom Hourglass. I know that everyone has different expectations for a game in the Zelda series as beloved as that series is and I feel that every Zelda game is different and thats something I like about the series. A lot of people hated on Wind Waker because of its graphics and later after giving it a chance loved it. Also a lot of people hated Majoras Mask because of the time travel issue but I thought it was a lot of fun. It may not be as deep as your true 3-D adventures but I think it is great for what the DS provides. I for one am so happy to see another Zelda its been to long and even though this game may have its flaws I know it will be a great adventure to add to an amazing series.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Who says that you’ll be limited to preset tracks? It may start out that way, but the fact that it’s called “Spirit” tracks leads me to believe they’ll be a lot more to it then just hopping on a train headed towards the nearest dungeon.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I liked what PH did with the DS, literally, but didn’t like the gameplay. So, I’m steering clear of this one. Pun intended.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I have to say I agree. I’m not crazy about this title after playing PH, because PH was a bit of a letdown for me. The game was good enough but I got seriously bored with doing the Time Temple or whatever it’s called over and over, and I found the sea travel pretty blah.
It’s looking like they are basically keeping the same game and replacing the sea with the train. I’ll probably get it eventually but I won’t be waiting on release day for it.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
@Will
I know man I know. It’s sad, but I know. I couldn’t even play PH because it was so painfully awkward.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Oh I just want to add that Minish Cap was really good.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Ah, I share your sentiments. For me, one of my favorite things about Zelda is the ability to explore. I remember my first Zelda game (The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons for the GBC). I spent hours on end doing nothing more than exploring the world and messing around with side quests and ring collecting. The same thing applied (more or less) to every other Zelda game I played. To hear that the ability to explore the overworld is being replaced by a literal on-rails transportation/minigame system is pretty disheartening.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I have to disagree. With all the controls you mentioned for doing the “over world” travellling it would of been to much for me. I mean i only have so many hands to use.
I really enjoyed Hourglass. And the fact that my missus liked it means that Nintendo struck a chord here.
I mean all the previous top down versions had a lot to explore. But you never really did that much anyway. Swipe a few badguys here, jump down a whole there.
Like you say, the meat of Zelda is the dungeon and if the Trains were anywhere near as good as Hourglass I will be very pleased.
(And so will the missus)
March 26th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I’m a fan of Phantom Hourglass, and, beyond the bland sailing and the fact that you had to play the Temple of the Ocean King repeatedly, I think it perfectly caught the feeling of Zelda games of old. But admittedly, it didn’t do anything all that inventive beyond great touch controls.
I don’t think Spirit Tracks will add anything new to the mix, but I do think that train travel will at least shorten the amount of time spent doing hardly anything a la sailing in Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass. Regardless of this, I remain optimistic, and even though it’ll largely be what we’re used to, it’s still bound to be a solid Zelda game.
I’d like to counter your point about the lack of exploration in Wind Waker though; I felt there was a lot to explore, it just wasn’t as easy to access because the process of finding new things was boring. Phantom Hourglass is a handheld game, so you’re going to have to cut it some slack on that argument. It’s still lengthy and fun and there are a couple of things to find if you go out of your way to do so.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I haven’t played Phantom Hourglass, but I do agree that Zelda has always been about exploration and puzzles. Wind Waker was a great game to me because it took the exploration aspect to a whole new level. I didn’t feel confined within a sandbox, but felt I was exploring this open world. I think the drawing of the sea routes in Phantom Hourglass was to answer some of the complaints about Wind Waker and to utilize the DS’s touch screen. I think Nintendo viewed Phantom Hourglass as a success and rather than drastically changing the formula they wound up creating a sequel. If they did another ocean environment I think people would have complained so I guess a train was the next logical choice? Atleast we’re not getting a game where we draw our route for us to travel on Epona.
I personally welcome this change, it’s mixing up the series and keeping it fresh. Nintendo isn’t going to make everyone happy… change too much and people complain, don’t change enough and people complain. I think we’re going to have to wait and see what this game brings.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that thinks that Phantom Hourglass was not a very good game. I was disappointed with it, and I’ll make sure to try this one out before plunking down the cash.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Speaking as someone who doesn’t play Zelda games anymore (stopped after TP) I must say I’m not really impressed. The PH trailer almost made me want to jump back into the series it was so good but this one seems pretty…
tame.
I’m just really surprised they went back to the DS instead of a new Wii title. I guess I’m also disappointed we’ve seen 3 Zeldas this generation while we’ve only had two Marios, one Starfox (an abysmal piece of crap at that) and no F-Zero games.
I don’t want another Zelda. I want something different. Nintendo, I know you have other IPs you can use.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Trains don’t give me the Zelda feeling as with other Zelda games. I associate trains with cowboys and Westerns which is far from the fantasy and whimsical feeling that Zelda games give me. I’m also concerned that the trains will limit the exploration that we can do unless there’s a feature where we can build our own tracks. I’m definitely going to play it, but I’m not as excited. Also, I hope they up the difficulty somewhat because Phantom Hourglass was a insultingly easy.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
It’s going to be pretty funny if you have to take the 5 o’clock train to get the Master Sword.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
The best thing about Phantom Hourglass was the multiplayer.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
@ KillerHeroes
I don’t know what you’ve been playing, but plenty sections in plenty Zelda games have had Western/Bandito vibes. Heck, the Gerudo Valley is in the West of Hyrule for Pete’s sake.
I for one loved how they interpreted Phantom Hourglass on the DS and made puzzles and combat work with a touch interface. Stuff to do and problems to solve for us faithful. Intuitive interface and colorful graphics for newcomers. There seemed to be plenty of those Zelda nooks and crannies, cooky characters and puzzles to me. Heck, there was even an actual RPG element in the Ship customisation. I’m looking forward to this, and unlike you naysayers, am giving Nintendo the benefit of the doubt having NEVER PLAYED NOR SEEN ACTUAL PLAY like any good Nintendo fanboy should..
March 26th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
When I play a game of a Nintendo IP, I wish it would never end, and then I get sad when I beat it. That’s why I want a game that’s only slightly different (with the exception of Wind Waker, one of the best games I’ve ever played). I want a slightly different (and better) Twilight Princess, and no twilight world, I jumped out of my pants when that hand came after me.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
@ Elmer
Some sections of some Zelda games have Western motifs which I promptly played through and forget about. This game seem to be entirely based on this train gimmick. I’ll hold judgement for when the game comes out.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Nothing we saw in the trailer necessarily means you HAVE to take the train. You could very well have the ability to explore all that terrain, and the train is like Epona, just a quick way to move around after you have looked around. You sure assume a lot from a trailer.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I for one don’t want to play on-rails Zelda. This looks boring and I definitely don’t want to explore.
March 27th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
The Zelda series is an interesting one to talk about; for the Darker Zelda titles there is amazing graphics, lots of areas, lots of exploration.
(Im still trying to find all the poe souls in TP)
But the sutler titles; awaken another type of gamer, the casual one.
I think that Nintendo should be making games for both the Hard Core and the Casual gamers on BOTH CONSOLES.
Now back to Spirit Tracks, I do not believe that Nintendo ONLY intends for you to use the train for travel, however what I beleive is that you will use the trains for travel for the temples, towns, and anything else that needs you to get somewhere fast.
Though that is not to say that there is only those places, MAYBE there are secret places that you need to walk to, or sidequests which invole not using the Trains.
However you can’t tell until it comes out
I don’t plan on getting this game right away, if at all.
If anything I plan to play either Wind Waker or Phantom Hourglass first, at least to get used to the sutle Zelda titles.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I know I’m getting it.
And in PH, you could reset the line the boat traveled on. No on-rails shit. That game was good.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
They started dumbing it down in twilight princess if you ask me only reason it didn’t seem like it the first go around is because they made it bigger but in the end it was to easy period plain and simple i didn’t even get to use a fairy.I kept the fairy in there until the bottle was dusty i had to let the little guy out he was missing his family.I never got knocked down by more than 2 hearts I kinda felt sad at the end of the game because it was the same old stuff they been pitching for years.I wish they was willing to risk more on the twilight princess version and make it a little harder for Christ sake.I actually missed wind waker after beating this game i went and started over on it and it was more fun than twilight princess and actually more of a challenge.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I will buy it, but i’m not sure if I’m going to enjoy it.
March 27th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
This argument is lame. In Phantom Hourglass the overview map and islands were a waste, but the gameplay was AWESOME. I would rather they cut the overview down more (which it seems they did) and focus on what makes it great on DS, the stylus control.
I love the Wind Waker design and hope they continue this until they find the next Hyrule (in the stories continuity).
Is it me, or would a Zelda game with a Mega Man 2 approach of picking your levels right off the bat in any order be cool? If you go to a stage where you need an item you don’t have, it makes it harder? Any takers?
June 6th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
As N64 Games 4 the Win stated, it seems like Nintendo is create two Zelda franchises: on with a more realistic feel focused on big open worlds for the core and a more accessible, simpler Toon Link series for the cas-core and casual. I have no problem with this as long as I get my big exploration-based Zeldas.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:04 am
The Zelda series is my favorite of all time, but i’ve never really been a fan of the handhelds, especially the capcom ones. I have to say, as far as the hand held titles go, i liked Phantom Hourglass. Spirit tracks on the other hand, looks less than impressive. wtf?! Link is now a train conductor?! are the taxis in hyrule to expensive? what ever happened to riding horses? I mean, what’s next? Is Link gunna be a helicopter pilot? drive a BMW? get coffee at Starbucks?
June 7th, 2009 at 2:10 am
So are you mostly on the train because you didn’t make any sense up there.
June 7th, 2009 at 4:51 am
So we get not one, but two bad Zelda games for the DS. I don’t deserve this, I love this series and have never played a bad Zelda game until it hit the DS. Nintendo should just stop what they’re doing and give control of the hand held games back to Capcom. They can’t be trusted anymore.
Capcom always does an excellent job, I’d actually look forward to another dual set of games like the Oracle duo Capcom developed or another strong and wonderful title like The Minish Capcom. Something new would be good too. Just make sure the game can be played with buttons and that it’s a Zelda game, not a knockoff with the Zelda license.
June 7th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I really don’t want to hear more about how Nintendo is making everything “casual” and “new gamer accessible” just because now people who’ve never heard of Zelda are able (and willing) to play it. You can never prove it beyond “I think it so, so it must be.” And truth be told, it’s getting pretty banal reading how Nintendo has “ruined yet another franchise by dumbing it down for casuals and grandmas and non-gamers.” Blah blah blah, find a new record, please.
It should still be a massive hit, nonetheless. Boring, repetitive blog whining aside.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
even if you’re stuck to the tracks in between areas. there’s no way that there won’t be overworld areas to explore. there’s going to be towns with people to talk to and caves with treasure inside.
and i don’t think anyone should worry about a zelda game when it changes the formula. of this much exploring and this many temples with this type of fighting and this type of traveling.
i think it’s great when the formula is broken. it’s refreshing to see something different.
June 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Don’t really care about the casuals, Phantom Hourglass didn’t come close to being at the same level of quality or enjoyment as the previous Zelda games. It forced touch screen controls and the timed dungeon was at the opposite end of enjoyment in comparison to the repeating cycles of Majora’s mask. The story premise of the whole Tetra gets lost on a Ghost ship is pretty weak. The game also feels pretty dull. The graphics look nice, but there’s just an ongoing feeling of dullness that can’t be escaped.
June 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Will, you are judging the trend of the Zelda games on the DS based on only 2 games, one of which hasn’t even been released yet…
Yes, you are being too harsh!
June 15th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
There is only one thing you can do if you are disappointed in a Zelda game: refuse to buy it.
And from the sounds of it, all of you don’t seem all to upset about the changes. So put your money where your mouth is if you really don’t like it. Nintendo takes notice when a Zelda game doesn’t do very good.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Can we please just get a steampunkesque Celda on the Wii with good graphics, quality immersive controls, and not this DS stuff? I’m really starting to get sick of seeing my favorite conception of Link (Wind Waker style) in subpar N64 graphics like some pixelated blocky shovelware game. Phantom Hourglass really didn’t come out that long ago. Lets get some quality console gaming again.