Review: Legend of Zelda – Phantom Hourglass (DS)

Legend of Zelda – Phantom Hourglass (DS) is probably the best Zelda since Majora’s Mask.

For: brilliant (controversial) stylus control scheme; fantastic graphics and sound; decent story

Against: not as much depth as previous Zeldas; plenty of backtracking

Gameplay: The adoption of the stylus based control scheme for this DS Zelda game has significantly improved the core Zelda gameplay that was starting to become predictable and repetitive: drawing the path for your boomerang, pointing to where to throw things, and performing spin attacks has never been so simple, satisfying and fun.

Design: All the classic Zelda design is here: multiple dungeons and lands, kooky characters, mini-games, Rupees, bombs, arrows,…etc… you know the score. The whole package is greater than the sum of its parts and reflects the quality of design & attention to detail that only Nintendo can do.

Presentation: The game uses the Windwaker look & feel and is just gorgeous. Many of the character models are almost as good as the GameCube predecessor, whilst the 2D/3D isometric view is well defined and detailed. The music, always strong in the series, is once again quite excellent; it really adds a sense of atmosphere and place to each island you visit.

Longevity: A pretty large game, but not quite as long as some of the console-based series, there is still plenty to do in both the main quest, and side quests/mini games.

9/10

(screenshot from Eurogamer.net)