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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GC, 2002/Wii U, 2013 (Remaster))

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GC, 2002/Wii U, 2013 (Remaster))

Subgenre: Collectathon (triforce shards and charts, water for the withered trees, optional: golden feathers, joy pendants, nintendo gallery quest, heart pieces, etc.), Basic stealth in some segments


Movement Mechanics: Semi-automated jumping (can jump manually but only while in the boat, glide jumps with the leaf - similar to the deku form in Majora's Mask but more flexible)


Other: Large overworld to explore (fairly open in terms of side content, treasure hunting - similar to Pirates!), Some new mini-games, Fetch quests

  • Linear structure in terms of the main dungeons

  • Can control certain animals by using bait (seagulls - scout areas and press certain switches, pigs - dig for treasure by luring them to certain spots)

  • Warp song (lets you fast travel to certain spots on the map - Link's Awakening), 3 warp points per dungeon which you can move between as you find them

  • Sometimes adds new enemies when backtracking to make those moments more interesting (Circle of the Moon?)

  • Sail upgrade in the remaster (faster and changes the wind direction automatically)

  • Mini-map feature (two levels of zoom)

  • Save anywhere (only one save slot per game though)

  • Day/night cycle with some changes to gameplay (however you can't simply wait whenever you're on an island - you need to use a certain song to make time pass)

  • Mail box system (NPCs send you items and info as you progress through the game or finish side quests), No quest log/journal feature (quest status only shows your main quest progress) and you can't make notes for yourself in-game - the pictograph could've been used for notes if it had much more film capacity, Can't ask anyone you want about the current quest (also can't call on your helpers/party when you need them - they call you)

  • Helpers aren't as annoying as in the N64 games

  • Need to own a GBA to use the Tingle Tuner item (helps you find some things (tingle statues and the NPC Knuckle, makes Tingle act similar to Navi in dungeons) and gives additional info about islands as you approach them, bomb attack at a fee, temporary hover boots effect at a fee, call a shop anywhere after upgrading it, its map sorts the islands by importance and allows marking of long distance destination), Can't carry most items through doors in dungeons

Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review



Influenced by: Zelda: Link's Awakening, Possibly Pirates! or ES: Redguard, Mega Man Legends 2, Tail Concerto, Marvelous (SNES)


Influenced: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas, possibly Assassin's Creed, Jotun?

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