Story-
A few years after the events of the first Legend of Zelda, Link discovers the land of Hyrule in complete disarray as princess Zelda has been cast into a sleeping spell (apparently by some evil magician who died immediately after using it), Ganon's minions have re-assembled with the intent of resurrecting their old porky master and there's a mysterious third piece of the legendary Triforce (known as the Triforce of courage) hidden inside the Great Palace of Hyrule which is the key to it all. Now it's up to Link to find a way to retrieve the final piece of the Triforce and save Zelda from a terrible comatose fate before Ganon can return fully to the world! Geez, maybe it's time to consider hiring Link for permanent security detail.
Overview-
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is an action/role-playing game where you once again step into the green tunic of Link and advance your way across the land of Hyrule this time in an effort to revive princess Zelda from a sleeping enchantment. While technically a direct sequel to The Legend of Zelda, Zelda II deviates from the design of the originals top-down perspective by introducing a side-scrolling style that evolved the gameplay and brought more challenges than ever before. Despite this, most Zelda fans will feel right at home in terms of objectives as you take command of the titular hero and slash your way through caves and dungeons utilizing every trick and item you can at your disposal.
Other additions to Zelda II include an overworld screen, the use of magic spells and a "level-up" system but your main course of action as always is your sword and shield which you'll need to properly engage/defend the many adversaries found throughout Hyrule. While there's plenty to discover as you trek about the map (including towns where you learn new moves), Link's primary goal is to locate 6 labyrinth-like dungeons and battle his way to the end of each one in order to unlock the Great Palace and the path to the final encounter. Make your way completely through this giant maze of doom and pass its final test to obtain the mysterious third piece of the Triforce to rescue both princess Zelda and the land of Hyrule!
Eyes Of Ganon Are Everywhere... Just Not The Rest Of Him-
"Woah son... let's try this game out it looks like they're really sword fighting!" Instantly, when I recall Zelda II: The Adventure of Link I'm brought back quite a bit to when my dad and I first rented this epic action/role player back in the late 80's. There was just something perfect about the side-scrolling nature of Link's second adventure that really clicked with us both right off the bat. I mean, it had kick-ass sword & shield gameplay, a big world to get lost in and brutal difficulty which brought us both much satisfaction. Plus, like its older brother it too was adorned with a coat of gold which gave it the appearance of some mystical treasure as it out-shined the other games that competed for our attention at the rental store.
We both took turns diving into the world of Hyrule because Zelda games are of course single player however, we engaged this epic journey like a pair of aces with the "co-pilot" keeping a watchful eye on the map and also on potential secrets hidden around the world which might escape the "pilots" eyes. This style of playing gave the game a definite multiplayer feel and it kept us both locked in throughout the adventure as we encouraged each other to achieve new goals despite the punishing challenge. To this day, I cannot play Zelda II without fondly recounting the great memories I cultivated with my father during this super rad time of youth for the NES, the Zelda franchise and The 'Tude Dude. Not a whole lot more for me to say here other than... THANKS DAD!!!
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is a side-scrolling action/RPG where you once again step into the role of the pointy-eared hero of Hyrule, Link, and slice your way through hordes of evil minions with the ultimate goal being the revival of the sleep-enchanted princess Zelda . To do this, you must discover 6 palaces located throughout Hyrule and place a crystal in the statue of each one after defeating the guardian who protects it. Upon completion of this, the magical barrier that prevents initial entry into the final palace will be lifted and the path to the Triforce will become tangible which will save the princess after retrieval (maybe it's like a cosmic alarm clock or something).
Basically, the story goes that a few years after the events of the first game Link was startled by the appearance of a strange symbol on the back of his hand and after showing it to one of Zelda's closest confidants learned of the current fate of the cursed princess. Additionally, while Ganon himself (the always final boss in the Zelda series) remains deceased after the awesome climactic battle from before, his lackeys have regrouped in force with a kind of weird/badass plan to kill Link and spill his blood over their fallen masters ashes with the obvious intention of resurrection . (*Sigh*)... "If only there was another, perhaps hidden, piece of the Triforce that I could find... I'd put a stop to all these ridiculous monsters and wake up that clearly faking it just to get time off princess" Link said to himself. Well, GOOD NEWS cause it turns out that Zelda's dad hid the third piece to the golden triangle collector set in a completely inconvenient labyrinth guarded by the toughest enemies perhaps ever conceived in a Zelda title and all you gotta do is go in there and get it... simple . Of course, there's much more to this somewhat convoluted tale that I'm not touching on and I guess it's worth looking up for context sake if you feel like it but all you gotta know is that Zelda's asleep and the only way to wake her legendary behind up is to give all the bosses of the game you come across a taste of your sword until you find that wish-granting pointy treasure.
Much like its predecessor, (The Legend of Zelda) Zelda II: The Adventure of Link's main form of offense is to stab at enemies with your sword which can be utilized in a standing or crouching position thanks to the new side-scrolling viewpoint. Similar to the previous entry Link can shoot a projectile sword when his health is full however it's much weaker than before and also travels less distance (I guess some things are easier when your young ?). Another new addition to the Zelda series found here is the ability to jump and platform which opened up game designers to create new and interesting boards for our little green buddy to navigate as well as additional attacks to add to your arsenal like the down thrust and up thrust which are both extremely effective at taking out enemies either above or below.
The games overworld screen is presented top-down and Link can traverse the world of Hyrule here to reach new locations but beware as enemies can appear randomly (whenever off of safe roads) and engage you which will instantly take you to an action screen that you'll need to fight or dodge your way through. As before, there are necessary items that must be found in order to progress (like the raft and hammer) however it's interesting that they're not used offensively in this version and reduced to boring attachments that more-or-less just help you reach new areas. Instead, the new magic spells provide Link with some fresh moves to play around with in-game like jump which will increase Link's leaping height or Fire which will shoot a rad fireball from your sword just to name a couple. Seriously though, I'll be perfectly fine without ever having to cast that fairy spell ever again in my life! There's also a new experience system which grants Link increased power in attack, life and magic which is an interesting (and somewhat unnecessary) wrinkle to the established formula so keep an eye out for those point bags in addition to stacking your score from defeating enemies.
Towns dot the playing field for the first time in a Zelda game and there essentially a safe haven where Link can restore health and magic as well as learn new spells and attacks. Yet another interesting tweak from The Legend of Zelda is the fact that enemies do not drop hearts at all so utilizing the towns to restore yourself as well as random faeries and your life spell are the only way for Link to regain health (well... leveling up counts if you add a level to your life column) though enemies do drop magic jars which can be converted to life. Enemies swarm at you in all kinds of different varieties no matter if your in a cave or wandering around off of the beaten path on the overworld screen so be prepared for a fight at every corner! Bogeys range in difficulty (depending on your location) from the relatively simple Bot's and Octorock's to the grueling Daria's and Iron Knuckle's who push your skills to the max with their relentless attacks. Each palace contains a unique boss fight in it as well (like the mace-wielding Horsehead or the awesome-looking Carock who blasts at you with repeated waves of energy that must be reflected back at him) and they're a huge improvement over the previous games encounters but don't hold your breath for an appearance from Ganon (he only shows up to mock you at the game over screen) as instead you'll have to battle the overtly frustrating Dark Link at the games conclusion who is a mirror image of your character and an abundantly satisfying challenge but a little disappointing from a narrative stand-point.
Overall, in terms of gameplay not much has changed since The Legend of Zelda as far as what your doing (plow through dungeons, collect treasures, repeat) but how your doing it has changed quite a bit (side-scrolling action, more linear) and can play better or worse depending on the preferences of specific players. Personally, while I'm still more inclined to the free-roaming style of the first game, I absolutely LOVE the put-hair-on-your-chest challenge that Zelda II provides and still retain the most satisfaction upon this games completion to any other Zelda game that I have ever played to date! The controls are a big part of this satisfaction as the challenge presented comes mostly from heated and well-executed attacks in addition to timing which transports you into the action like never before. Of course I have to mention the dreaded "knock-back" that occurs when you take a hit is frustrating and too often a cause of death as your sent into an adjacent lava pit of death however, it's adaptable and not unfamiliar to anyone that's played a Castlevania or Ninja Gaiden game so it's not the worst thing ever.
I must say, I really like the sound department in this one quite a bit. All of the effects are appropriate and memorable whether hearing the "sizzle" from a nearby fire or the "twang" from a strike of your sword onto a hard surface but it's the music that really wins the day as it's equally as good as the first games with increased variety which prevents it from getting as stale as it used to. Extra points for the awesome Great Palace theme found in the final throws of Link's adventure as it still gets me psyched for the gauntlet at the end and motivates me to push through despite the punishing difficulty.
Graphically, Zelda II performs admirably and improves the visual style to include more variety similarly to the musical enhancements from the previous title. Not much to complain about in any of the action screens as they contain lots of detail and a wide array of colors however the overworld does look pretty dumb (...look at little Link go!). The sprites also look good (from the enemies to the townsfolk) and are yet another example of the increased variety found in the sequel to The Legend of Zelda. 'Tude-wise, Zelda II maintains a similar moderate range from before as it provides a gore-free stab and grab journey that's safe enough for kids but not exactly what you would want them to re-enact at home ("No Billy... we're not gonna shoot fireballs in the house!"). Suffice it to say, the Zelda series is always bereft of this category as it's never had to rely on any bells or whistles in the coolness department to succeed.
In conclusion, Zelda II is an awesome action/adventure game that provides an excellent challenge with a deep combat system to give NES fans one of the grandest adventures found on the entire system. While many of the changes found in The Adventure of Link led to a controversial split of Legend of Zelda fans opinions across the board (a LOT of people don't like this game compared to the first one), I find too many quality gameplay mechanics here that make this game stand apart from so many others. Its aesthetically beautiful, the controls are responsive and its as addictive to me as any other in the franchise which is the series staple. Most of all, the challenge here is one of the most grueling yet rewarding ones you'll ever come across not just for a Zelda game but for the entirety of gaming! So go and be Zelda's wake-up call and try out the unique and satisfying Zelda II: The Adventure of Link today!
The Scoreboard-
Gameplay: 5 -While some of the changes made from the first game do hinder your ability to explore the entirety of the map right away, overall the gameplay is awesome and even finds some improvements from its near-perfect predecessor. For instance, the switch to a side-scrolling perspective created new and engaging exchanges between you and your adversaries not to mention being able to jump which adds additional platforming sections to the already deep formula from before. What I think turns off most people to this game is... it's HARD AS HELL especially compared to many of the counterparts in its own series however, if given the chance, it's sure to impress all the way through to the end.
Controls: 5 -The controls feel responsive and tight in Zelda II and maintain the usual high standard found in the series despite the switch over to a brand new style after major success in the previous entry. Jumping and sword fighting is a breeze and it feels quite engaging to cross blades with a hard enemy as the timing and rhythm experienced during the action is always in-tune to your commands. Getting knocked back from taking a hit can be an irritating obstacle at times but learning when to exercise caution can usually help to deter this relatively common retro problem.
Music/Sound: 5 -Yet another check mark in the "hang ten" column for The Adventure of Link, the sound department rates very high with memorable and unique sound effects combined with a deep and immersive musical score that pairs just right with your journey to wake up Zelda. Most of the sounds rank at the top of the nostalgic scale from the grunt noise Link makes when he takes a hit or the jingle heard when approaching a fairy but it's truly the music that catapults this category (and the whole game) to another level. With a kick-ass palace theme that's just as good as the previous one (sound bar above), Zelda II keeps you alert with great music all the way to the end and provides a little more variety than The Legend of Zelda with increased zones that contain their own unique songs which help to break up the monotony.
Graphics: 5 -What can I say... it's a 4 column sweep as Zelda II scores high enough in the visual category to receive another top-billing. Graphically, The Adventure of Link improves on the sprite work and world design of the original while also introducing a plethora of different colors found all over the world of Hyrule. There are some things that do look kind of funny in the game (like Link's dinky sword for example) but a small discrepancy here and there is not enough to distract the eyes from the well-put-together world that has been constructed here.
'Tude Meter: Moderate -The 'Tude Meter certainly peaks out during the trek through the harsh caves found in Death Mountain as well as the many eerie palaces found throughout Link's adventure but valleys back to middle-tier with some dumb looking adversaries in addition to some cheesy dialogue found throughout your conversations with the townspeople of Hyrule. Plus... you actually have to turn into a fairy this time which is just unacceptable in The 'Tude Dude's opinion. The only way I ever see Link scoring high in this category is if he ditches the Peter Pan duds, grows a lumberjack beard and gets a tattoo that says "I Love Fairies Tail"... I know it's never gonna happen but I can dream!
Final Verdict: 5 -What an interesting specimen Zelda II: The Adventure of Link turned out to be. It departed drastically from the original games design (which was risky considering the monumental success of The Legend of Zelda) yet stands proudly as one of the most engaging and challenging experiences you can have on the entire NES. Swapping the controller back and forth with my dad as we hoofed our way through this smorgasbord of side-scrolling sword action easily ranks as one of my all-time favorite childhood memories and there's simply no denying the impact that this title has had on my life as it still remains a blast today.
As with the Zelda franchise, Zelda II delivers high quality across the board with distinguishable graphics, memorable sounds, tight controls and a grand adventure that's sure to keep you invested all the way to the end. The difficulty has been raised a bit from before (which seems to be a contributing factor towards peoples thoughts of the game) however, this also raises the satisfaction level to a new plateau as hoisting up that Triforce after the epic climactic battle has never felt so good . While it may be different from the original, it's equal parts in value, aesthetic and most importantly... fun and simply cannot be recommended enough from me so slam it in if you get the chance and slice your way to Zelda's revival. Til' next time dudes, you can find me JAMMIN' out with the River Devil!!!
Parting Thoughts-
Pros:
*Rewarding challenge
*Spot-on controls
*Enhanced variety from the original in the sight and sound department
Cons:
*Frustrating knock-back whenever taking a hit
*Experience system feels "tacked on"
*Less accessible as the original
Replay evaluation-
It's an interesting comparison to make whenever I look at this game versus its golden older brother but I have to dock some points in this department mainly due to the fact that the "second quest" in Zelda II is an exact replay with your experience and items intact instead of the much more impressive "shuffled" and harder second quest you got from the original. Of course, the sheer nostalgia and fun factor of a Zelda title is sure to draw you back for more no matter how long it's been since you last played but I can say with the upmost certainty that the first title is a little easier to pick back up so I guess that's my basis of differential. Still, just as a stand-alone action game, Zelda II is worth some re-tread as it provides some of the most fun sword fighting mechanics you can find during the period of 'tude and will push your hand-eye skills to the max with killer combat as soon as you depart from Zelda's slumber palace.
Chance of replay: High
The Indigo Gamer Says-
"Yep... I'll be just fine napping here the whole time while you take care of everything!" =^.^=
Thanks for reading! Question or comment? Feel free to leave below.
