The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass (DS) Review

Posted by David Redkey on 11.12.2007

Does this add even more enjoyment to your Nintendo DS? Is it well worth the price of admission? Read on to find out!



According to Stephen King, Mexicans say that the Pacific has no memory. This saying applies to more than just The Shawshank Redemption. There was a reason for this quote. Nintendo decided to put the next Legend of Zelda game on the DS.

Like Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, this game is a direct sequel to a Zelda game. Link’s Awakening was a sequel to Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, this game is a sequel to Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (you will know the redundant use of “Legend of Zelda” in this review).



Graphics

On record, this is a very beautiful game. I was hard-pressed to find a DS game that looked like this game. This is easily the best looking game on the console (that title was helped by The New Super Mario Bros.), and it really shows how Nintendo can make gorgeous games when they put their mind to it.

This game, similar to Link’s Awakening, takes place in a pre-existing universe that was created by previous version. This game takes place after Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. The graphics look like they are inspired by them. The DS doesn’t have the power of a Gamecube, but it can adequately convey the same “cartoony”-graphics. It adequately conveys the actions and movements of the characters overall.

Art design is another thing that Legend of Zelda has always trumped the competition. The cartoony graphics belie the game’s deeper story (when compared to other Zelda games). The more you play this game, the more you will appreciate Nintendo’s effort on creating a truly memorable atmosphere.



Gameplay

This is where the Zelda series has always one. Link of Time, Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, all of these games have had innovative and exciting design choices that have elevated the Adventure genre (otherwise know as Action RPGs).

With the Phantom Hourglass, Nintendo decided to innovate more than the gameplay itself. They decided to change the way you played videogames. They decided to require touch screen controls for over 99% of the actions in the game.

Movement, attacking, using the boomerang, all of these things are done with the touch screen capabilities of the Nintendo DS. It was really refreshing to see this game excel and redefine the way a game is played. However, I can’t stress enough that everything isn’t perfect in Hyrule.

There were times where I became frustrated with the touch screen controls. Movement is a problem sometimes. Occasionally, I will swing my sword when I start to move in a direction. Rolling is a hit or miss affair. It becomes frustrating when you have to navigate around certain traps and the controls aren’t 100% accurate. These problems don’t happen all the time, but they happen enough time for me to notice. It is something that is easily forgiven because you can take this new Zelda adventure with you when you go out of town.

I had another problem worth noting. The game becomes repetitive when compared to other Zelda games. You have to visit the Temple of the Ocean King after visiting a major temple. The only thing that changes is the ability to go deeper and deeper into the Temple. This really feels like Nintendo was trying to artificially lengthen the game.

Unfortunately, the game is still relatively short overall (nor is it especially challenging). Nintendo is trying to convey the favor of people that don’t like gaming; however, all the people that have been playing Zelda games prior to this will find fault in the game’s “cake walk” atmosphere.

Nintendo’s philosophy for the Wii and the DS has become a hindrance to the handheld. There are very few challenging games. The games that are part of the series have been neutered to appease the masses.

With games like Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, The Orange Box, or any other game for the “hard-core” gamer, the series has taken a step back in my eyes. That doesn’t mean the game isn’t bad. It just isn’t the second coming of the series in my eyes.



Sound

This is on the DS, remember? This isn’t going to have voice work, or anything that more storage would create. On the other hand, the music adds considerably to the atmosphere. True to Zelda style, the soundtrack is a notch above other games on the DS (or even other platforms).

The sound effects, on the other hand, aren’t all that grand. You are going to hear link yell every time you swing the sword. That can become especially annoying after five minutes. Another thing, the sound effects aren’t varied or memorable. This comes mostly from the storage medium of the game disk. If this was on a CD, DVD, or UMD, it may have been varied somewhat.



Lasting Appeal

There are some multiplayer options to add to the amount of time you play this game. The relatively short length is a major failing to how long you actually play this. Considering that there are so many exciting games that came out on the PS3, X-Box 360, or PSP, you may not be playing this game for a very long time, unfortunately.



Fun Factor

In all honesty, the game is pretty fun. You can really put a price tag on the length of the game versus the amount you paid for the game. It is a fun experience. The faults are easily outweighed by what is good.

On a side note, it helps that you can play it on a bus, in a car, or anywhere away from you television. Having a portable “Zelda” game is well worth the price of admission. Nothing is frustrating like having to go somewhere and turning off the game. That elevates the amount of enjoyment alone.



The 411

It is nice to finally have a “Zelda” game on my DS. The game isn’t the best thing ever; however, it is very enjoyable in its own right. This is a must buy for any fan of adventure games, Zelda, or the DS in general.

Graphics	9.0	The graphics aren't the best thing ever; however, Nintendo always excels at art design.
Gameplay	9.0	Sometimes the touch screen controls are hit-or-miss. The Temple of the Ocean King quickly becomes uber boring.
Sound	9.0	The lack of voice overs may be annoying to some, but the music for the series continues to be the best on the market.
Lasting Appeal	7.5	The game is short. It doesn't answer any of the questions that were left by Wind Waker, and it feels like the story was rushed overall.
Fun Factor	8.5	The repetitive natue of the quest is annoying. The touch screen controls may cause miscues; however, it is still an enjoyable experience.
Overall	8.6   [ Very Good ]