Game: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Rating: 235/255

I can feel the wind through my hair already, the blue skies and ocean... This is it, the first time Link is on our dual-screened beauty... The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Houglass is the 13th installment of The Legend of Zelda series. Phantom Hourglass takes place a couple days after the final events of Wind Waker for Gamecube in which Link, Tetra, and her crew have been exploring the vast seas together. In the first few minutes of the game you are treated to the quality cinematics of the game (Nintendo's Treehouse did a good job on translation!), you hear of a rumor that a mysterious ghost ship has been haunting the great sea, It so happens that the ghost ship appears before Link, Tetra, and the pirate crew's eyes. Tetra goes to check out the ghost ship... and a scream of terror is called out from her, Link shortly follows after as the ship takes off, Link jumps for the ship only to come up short. So Link plunges into the ocean and soon wakes up on an unknown island. That's how the game begins... Not bad!

Even though the story is good and the graphics are really good, it's the gameplay that really sells the game. It's so easy to pick up and play!... a little too easy. Let me get this out of the way right now... The game is a little on the easy side, I even beat the game in a total of 8-9 hours. For hardcore gamers, this is a game you will breeze through, but enjoy all the same. All actions are done with the stylus/touch screen, so simple a monkey could figure it out. To move Link, touch in the desired direction, To swing your sword, make a quick stroke or tap an enemy, to use your boomerang draw a path for it. It's that simple and fun to do. I spent half my time just playing with the tools. XD

The graphics of the game definitely make use of the DS's FULL POWER. When sailing from Island to Island (Which takes 30 seconds to 3 minutes) you are treated to a full 3D view with a vast ocean view. When on an island you are switched to a traditional top-down view reminiscent of Link To The Past. The games graphics engine is amazing with a melding of Wind Waker tradition along with Cel-Shading!

Multiplayer is a version of Hide-And-Go-Seek. I will give a basic explanation. One player takes the place of Link, while the other plays as the dark and evil Phantoms. The Link player must collect Force Gems before time runs out, while the Phantom player must end his turn sooner. When Link is hit by a Phantom players switch sides. Whoever has the most Force Gems at the end of 3 rounds, wins. The multiplayer is actually fun and adds a bit of replayability to Phantom Hourglass.

All in all, This is a wonderful addition to the series. It may not be as good as Twilight Princess, but the game is definitely worth your time and money. :finish:


Comments? (BTW: Vote)

I give it 210/155 because of the fact that you have to sale and has Wind Waker cartoonish graphics.

^Review's in.^

Man, 13th installment already.

It has been 25 years... :)

And I've seen it all!! B)

So... Any Real Comments? :P

That was my comment.

Oh... Any comments from other people? :ph43r:

Haven't played it yet.

I haven't either, but I'm reviewing over what I've seen.

I own it... And have beaten it. So my review is justified. :Minv:

i had typed up a reply a long time ago, but it got messed up sdo i decided to abandon it. Zelda Phantom hourglass is an incredlible game. graphics are decent, storyline is amazing, and the integration of all the ds's features was phenomenal. 250/255. replayability is excellent except for one thing. after beating it once, the game was WAY too easy to beat the second time.