The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U) Review

Upon its initial reveal, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was lambasted by fans and critics. With a new producer and a completely new graphical art style The Wind Waker was a divisive game. Over time however, people’s opinions have changed and we’ve all grown to love what Wind Waker has become.

Now, nearly a decade later we get to look upon The Wind Waker HD with a different set of eyes, one not tainted with insecure opinions about toon shading.

Nintendo are the masters of remasters – from the DX titles of the Game Boy Color, to Super Mario All-Stars, Nintendo know how to take a game of old and bring it to the future. The Wind Waker HD not only brings gorgeous high definition graphics but gameplay and control tweaks that make sense and it’s only been 9 years since the game’s original release.

The Wind Waker is set thousands of years after the events of another well known Legend of Zelda title. The hero of time and Ganon are all things spoken on the wind of the ocean, of a different time and place.

But as of late bad things have been beginning to happen across the Great Sea. Darkness is falling, people are being kidnapped, and it all comes to a head when Link’s little sister is kidnapped right before his eyes. With the aid of a feisty young pirate named Tetra, Link sets sail to save his story and unravel what’s going on. Poor Grandma left all alone on the island.

From there on out the game follows what is now the ‘standard’ Zelda ebbs and flows. At the time of release this wasn’t a format well worn, but now years later it’s very comfortable like an old pair of shoes. A couple more treks in them and something is going to go bust. The Wind Waker story though is a little odd, sure there’s Ganon and and Princess, the Triforce even, but the location, side quests and characters feel like something from one of the handheld Zelda titles.

If Zelda games of late have felt claustrophobic, then Wind Waker HD is the game for you. There is a whole open ocean to explore – you can literally go anywhere you want. You feel like you’re on adventure once you get out of the game’s introduction.

Once you meet the King of Red Lions your ship for this journey, you can take on the ocean and the wonders that lay on and under it. Getting around the ocean is easier thanks to the Speed Sail in the game, trips across the map now just mere minutes – it does make the world smaller but at the same time some of those trips were sleep inducing. The Wind Waker isn’t just the title, it’s the instrument in the game that allows you to change the wind direction (among other features) and explore the ocean blue. You can play the Wind Waker with the touch screen as well now.

The game’s dungeons are Zelda perfection (though there’s not as many as you’d hope), they unravel and unwind much like the game itself. You’ll start off with a minimal inventory but as you explore the game world and obtain more items, more and more is open to you. There’s a path through the game you’ll never feel lost but as the game continues on to hint and prod you where to go. The game’s end Triforce quest has recieved a huge re-tool here

The games graphic’s not only receive a boost in the resolution department, most of the character models have been tweaked to give it that new feeling. Lighting and atmospheric effects give the game high end gloss. Some may dislike the changes as they move away from solid and bold colours, rim lighting, bloom and and a haze take their place.

Wind Waker looks like a cartoon, a styling which is helped by the great facial and character animations. Thoughts and feelings are expressed perfectly and the moves and groves of characters dancing, laughing and even crying bring everything to life.

The additions to the game go beyond a graphical and audio upgrade, the Wii U GamePad adds a wealth of benefits to the game. The second screen is integrated with the game a number of ways, the best and most obvious was is the addition on the inventory. You can now drag items from your pockets to the buttons you wish to have. It works without pausing the game and is great and convenient. The charts also being viewable on the GamePad makes it feel more authentic, having your charts open as you sail makes me feel like a pirate. The pirate swashbuckling map reading style, not the Somalian killing people kind.

The GamePad also enhances the game in smaller more subtle ways. The camera being controlled now with a proper analog stick compared to the terrible C-Stick on the GamePad helps. The motion control added to the grappling hook and the hookshot feels so natural than when I tried to play the game on the Wii U Pro Controller that I was bummed that I had to use the analogue stick. The first person mode is also changed and enhanced, you could play the game the entire way through with this, but I don’t know why you would.

The GamePad also gets a work out with the new PictoBox. It’s been upgraded with motion controls and the figure quest has also been tweaked to make it less frustrating. Miiverse can now be littered with Link selfies. Speaking of littering the ocean now is filled with Tingle Bottles, these bottles are Miiverse posts other players have thrown in the ocean. They can have a picture and text attached and might even help you on your journey.

For those up to the challenge the game also features a Hero Mode which implements not only a difficulty boost but also makes refilling your health only possible with potions.

The Wind Waker HD gives you the freedom of an open ocean, the world to explore and the true feeling of adventure. The game has held up tremendously well and is further enhanced by not only the jump to high definition but by the Wii U itself.

This installment is a lighter and less complex Zelda adventure than its contemporaries, which might make it shorter but at the same time feels about right.

Nintendo’s first HD remake is a brilliant one and an excellent addition to the Wii U library whether you’ve played it before or not. Hoist the sails and set sail for fun.

Rating – 5/5