The Legend of Zelda has its fair share of handheld gaming glory, but
none can match Link's latest adventure on the Nintendo DS. In fact, it
is one of the best Zelda games period. Playing Phantom Hourglass on the
DS is a refreshing Zelda experience at its core. This is largely due to
the creative gameplay capabilities of which the DS encompasses and how
well the developers at Nintendo utilize them for the game.
The most notable mechanic with Phantom Hourglass is how the player
controls Link. It is all done with the stylus, while the d-pad and face
buttons are alternatively in use to access the map and inventory menus.
Additionally, the stylus serves to control Links attacks and other
maneuvers. The motion replicates the action: make a line for a slash or
stab, a circle around Link for a 360° spin attack, a circle motion at
towards the edge of the screen for a diving roll, etc. The weapons and
items found throughout the game all have their distinct applications
with the stylus. For example, the hero of green attire has an effective
boomerang which requires the player to draw a line and even shapes of
direction for the boomerang to strike or activate. The beautiful thing
about Phantom Hourglass' gameplay is that it works so intuitively well,
and becomes a comfortable control scheme very quickly.
The overall game design compliments the gameplay mechanics also. The
player will be using each of Link's special items and abilities. The
dungeons all utilize the stylus' control scheme cohesively as well as
the capabilities of the DS. There are certain actions the player will
have Link perform throughout that game that will guarantee a smile or a
quote of, "Ah, that's cool!" Like any Zelda title, there are sure to be
boss battles, and Phantom Hourglass surely does not disappoint in
quantity. Not only that, but each boss battle is uniquely fun and
memorable.
The only grievance of the game's design is the Temple of the Ocean
King. Throughout the game, Link must return to this dungeon a number of
times after completing missions to advance the story. Each successful
visit expands the length of the dungeon until Link reaches the final
point. The problem that can persist for some players is revisiting the
temple on several occasions only to start from the beginning each
go-round. Additionally, there is an existing time limit to complete a
section of the dungeon.
The main story of Link's adventure at sea roughly can take twenty to
thirty hours to complete. This adventure alone is well worth the
play-through for the most part. However, the multiplayer mode is a nice
little treat that gives the game some extra legs. Essentially, it's one
on one capture the flag Zelda style; so the triangle gems substitute
for the flags. While it is the only existing multiplayer mode it
entails a lot of frantic fun; the only true problem is that very little
people populate the Wi-Fi servers.
Being the first direct Zelda sequel, specifically to the Gamecube's
Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass holds up a very good presentation. Since
it stays in the realm of the 2003 classic, the cel-shaded graphics
translate nicely on the DS. The musical score is what one can expect
from the Zelda universe; which in most cases includes memorable tunes.
The story holds up well, especially with the references to Wind Waker.
Additionally, the characters alongside Link are memorable, for example
the treasure-hungry navigator Linebeck who is truly a selfish coward on
the inside. Due to the light-hearted look of the game a lot of the
dialogue contains quirky humor, which is surprisingly executed well.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is a great and unique addition
to the franchise. With intuitive and accessible gameplay, it can be
enjoyable for mostly anyone. It's a great addition to the DS library.
