The 3D Era Zelda Games

[Statesman]

I prefer The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for it's darker tones and atmosphere, Wind Waker was really good too, haven't played Skyward Sword tho.

Honestly, if they had included the expanded story shown in the manga, it would would have been my favorite Zelda game.

Looks like it could channel some of the early online-gaming janky fun. Surprised they haven't been C&D by Nintendo already.

[DecadeRiptide]

I smell another lawsuit.

[KnightoftheWind]

I prefer The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for it's darker tones and atmosphere, Wind Waker was really good too, haven't played Skyward Sword tho.

Honestly, if they had included the expanded story shown in the manga, it would would have been my favorite Zelda game.

Looks like it could channel some of the early online-gaming janky fun. Surprised they haven't been C&D by Nintendo already.

The manga was great, to me it's the canon version of Twilight Princess.

[SoLong]

As far as story design goes Twilight Princess is already pretty good, and the manga was even better? Huh, I might have to check that one out...

Honestly though, storywise BotW and TotK were pretty great (for the former) and decent (for the latter). The one thing that always annoyed me about the earlier games was how very static everyone was and that for some reason the blond with questionable fashion choices was the only person who actually tried to fix ****.

Now that I think about it, the BotW/TotK duo are the first games in the 3D series that didn't have some kind of companion or something, right? No wonder it felt so isolating.

[KnightoftheWind]

As far as story design goes Twilight Princess is already pretty good, and the manga was even better? Huh, I might have to check that one out...

Honestly though, storywise BotW and TotK were pretty great (for the former) and decent (for the latter). The one thing that always annoyed me about the earlier games was how very static everyone was and that for some reason the blond with questionable fashion choices was the only person who actually tried to fix ****.

Now that I think about it, the BotW/TotK duo are the first games in the 3D series that didn't have some kind of companion or something, right? No wonder it felt so isolating.

BOTW has no real storyline, the supposed "plot" happened long before you begin the game. Whatever happened is already done, and you're just picking up the pieces if that. You can choose to ignore everything if you want, and face Ganon with a 2x4 and a Happy Meal. Everything from the non-existent story, to the minimalist music, and muted art style almost seems like an anti-fairy tale. A non-fairy tale. There is little hope or catharsis in the world of Breath of the Wild, it's static and unchanging. You're just fighting for the memory of a dead world with no sign of it ever being rebuilt. Things aren't much better in Tears of the Kingdom, although there is more of a plot in that game. The characters in the present have more of an impact on the goings-on, and you do destroy the source of the Evil rather than it's phantom and reunite with your lover at the end. But as a game it's **** poor, and the cutscenes are repetitive as all get out.

[SoLong]

As far as story design goes Twilight Princess is already pretty good, and the manga was even better? Huh, I might have to check that one out...

Honestly though, storywise BotW and TotK were pretty great (for the former) and decent (for the latter). The one thing that always annoyed me about the earlier games was how very static everyone was and that for some reason the blond with questionable fashion choices was the only person who actually tried to fix ****.

Now that I think about it, the BotW/TotK duo are the first games in the 3D series that didn't have some kind of companion or something, right? No wonder it felt so isolating.

BOTW has no real storyline, the supposed "plot" happened long before you begin the game. Whatever happened is already done, and you're just picking up the pieces if that.

"Figure out what's going on and fix it" is a staple of storytelling. What you're seemingly annoyed by is that the game isn't strictly linear, which is an improvement in my book. It does show a weakness in TotK's sage cutscenes, which are pretty samey. They all convey the exact same information to account for the fact that they can be viewed in any order. (This is something that did annoy me.)

There is little hope or catharsis in the world of Breath of the Wild, it's static and unchanging.

So stopping the currently still ongoing robot apocalypse is hopeless...? Also, one of the areas you're visiting is literally trapped in a constant (and very annoying) rainstorm until you fix it, and you can spend some time building an entire town if you like.

I would love to know how the earlier games were more dynamic and changing. Because the only one I can think of would be Majora's Mask, and that only worked because the game can constantly reset things to compress the separate storylines.

You're just fighting for the memory of a dead world with no sign of it ever being rebuilt.

The aforementioned murderbots only turn off when the game is over. Also, despite said threat, you literally help build an entire town and convince specific people to move there. When exactly did you want to do any more rebuilding?

Also, how the hell is it a "dead world" exactly? Sure, the kingdom's infrastructure is wrecked, but the entire place is crawling with life, both hostile and friendly. Considering how destructive the guardians are, I'm honestly amazed so many settlements survived.

Things aren't much better in Tears of the Kingdom, although there is more of a plot in that game.

...It's literally the same basic storyline of "Figure out what's going on and fix it" as the first time, just with two added maps (sky and the deeps), complete with half of the story being told through memories.

See, if you were annoyed that the first game dwells on the past too much I'd view it as a valid take (that I'd still disagree with), but now I just don't know what to say.

The characters in the present have more of an impact on the goings-on, and you do destroy the source of the Evil rather than it's phantom

You've just replaced one group of supporters with another group of supporters (almost all of whom are even related to the former), and no, the source of said evil is not gone, since Ganon will eventually be back anyway. It's hardly his first incarnation, is it?

and reunite with your lover at the end.

Literally the end of the last game. Also, just like the last game, you can speedrun the thing if you like.

[wndrbr]

[Bhaalspawn Jr]

The new Zeldas suck ***. The last good one was Link Between Worlds.

Yes, I prefer the old formula.

[Valter]

Someone ported Twilight Princess to PC with all things a modern port would entail, such as higher framerate, borderless fullscreen, and a myriad other customizable QoL options you can toggle from the menu. More details here:
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_L ... Dusklight)
I loved this game growing up but never did finish it because it was a borrowed copy, so this release feels mighty tempting right now
Dusklight - Official Release

► Video Options

► Input Options

► Audio Options

► Gameplay Options

► Cheats

I like No Item Timer because loot disappearing sounds stupid

► Interface Options

[jdcp]

with all things a modern port would entail

mods mods mods mods mods mods mods MODS MODS MODS MOOOODDDSSSSS

Thanks for the information man, this was amazing game, I played it back on GC and was envious of the WII version where you could swing the sword...

[Vaako]

Someone ported Twilight Princess to PC with all things a modern port would entail, such as higher framerate, borderless fullscreen, and a myriad other customizable QoL options you can toggle from the menu. More details here:
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_L ... Dusklight)
I loved this game growing up but never did finish it because it was a borrowed copy, so this release feels mighty tempting right now
Dusklight - Official Release

► Video Options

► Input Options

► Audio Options

► Gameplay Options

► Cheats

I like No Item Timer because loot disappearing sounds stupid

► Interface Options

Think I had it for the Wii once but didnt come very far, the wii stick was terrible for that game. And constantly being a wolf ridden by a goblina was not my idea of how a Zelda game should be.

[Valter]

with all things a modern port would entail

mods mods mods mods mods mods mods MODS MODS MODS MOOOODDDSSSSS

Thanks for the information man, this was amazing game, I played it back on GC and was envious of the WII version where you could swing the sword...

I hope that scene expands too. In the release video they already show custom models and texture packs support, so at least visual mods are already a thing

Also, you might have been unexpectedly blessed. Swinging that thing in the Wii version was cool at first but got old halfway in oof ouch owie my wrist

[Algol]

I've never played any Zelda games because they looked gay/lame/weak/****** before ****** was a thing.

[J1M]

If anyone can recommend more games like Zelda 64, especially ones native to PC, I would be interested. Preferably something that is family-friendly. Darksiders is great, but not an ideal choice due to the setting.

Starfox Adventures?

[Vaako]

I've never played any Zelda games because they looked gay/lame/weak/****** before ****** was a thing.

Could say the same about any wrestling game.

[wndrbr]

Twilight Princess is alright. It's overall much better than Skyward Sword, doesn't have a ton of boring filler content like Windwaker, and has actually good dungeons unlike BotW and TotK.

It's biggest issue aren't the wolf segments or the goblina pestering you all the time, it's mostly the fact that it's very derivative of Ocarina of Time. Feels almost like a remake - the overworld is very similar, the story is similar, you get to visit the same thematic dungeons like Forest temple / water temple, most of your gadgets are reused, etc.

If you have never played any other 3D Zeldas then Twilight Princess will be a good time.

[rusty_shackleford]

I had Windwaker for the gamecube, I recall it being enjoyable.

[Oyster Sauce]

The QoL options look like they fix the majority of issues TP had. Now give me the speed sail in OG Wind Waker.

[xXD4rk_s3pher0th22Xx]

I've never played any Zelda games because they looked gay/lame/weak/****** before ****** was a thing.

yeah they're all ****

also never played them

[J1M]

Zelda 64 is a great game.

[rusty_shackleford]

Zelda 64 is a great game.

I recall it being ok, but I was never a big fan of any genre but RPG

[Bhaalspawn Jr]

Twilight Princess on the Wii was my first Zelda game. I remember I had to pick between it and Red Steel. I wanted Red Steel, but my older brother convinced me to take the Zelda game (a franchise I had never heard of at that point). It's the 2nd best game in the series for me. I think it perfected the formula and had a really great story with some of the most memorable moments and characters in the franchise.

Majora's Mask is still no. 1 though.

[Olivine]

phantom hourglass and spirit tracks for the DS were good. i dont think i ever finished PH and i physically couldnt finish spirit tracks because the microphone on my dsi xl broke
the hyrule warriors spinoffs are pretty good too as was that LTTP spinoff where u play as zelda

[Vlajdimir Ermenović]

I know darksiders 4 has been announced and it'll probably fulfill this niche, but have there been any games recently inspired by the 3d zeldas? Every time I look up the best zelda-likes, it's all 2d games.

[wndrbr]

I know darksiders 4 has been announced and it'll probably fulfill this niche, but have there been any games recently inspired by the 3d zeldas? Every time I look up the best zelda-likes, it's all 2d games.

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order and its sequel

[wndrbr]

@Vlajdimir Ermenović not all that recent, but Batman Arkham series fits the bill, especially Asylum (the sequels leaned too much into overworld, essentially turning into full open world games).

Ubisoft's Immortals Fenix Rising was meant to be a BotW clone, but from what I've heard it still has a bigger focus on dungeons and puzzles than BotW.

[Valter]

i physically couldnt finish spirit tracks because the microphone on my dsi xl broke

Saaaaaaaaame. I should revisit Spirit Tracks

[J1M]

Twilight Princess on the Wii was my first Zelda game. I remember I had to pick between it and Red Steel. I wanted Red Steel, but my older brother convinced me to take the Zelda game (a franchise I had never heard of at that point). It's the 2nd best game in the series for me. I think it perfected the formula and had a really great story with some of the most memorable moments and characters in the franchise.

Majora's Mask is still no. 1 though.

Zelda story? What

[SpellSword]

Twilight Princess on the Wii was my first Zelda game. I remember I had to pick between it and Red Steel. I wanted Red Steel, but my older brother convinced me to take the Zelda game (a franchise I had never heard of at that point). It's the 2nd best game in the series for me. I think it perfected the formula and had a really great story with some of the most memorable moments and characters in the franchise.

Majora's Mask is still no. 1 though.

Your older brother did you a great favor.
(Red Steel's controls were a mess.)

[Kolgrim]

I've never played any Zelda games because they looked gay/lame/weak/****** before ****** was a thing.

That'd be Sonic.