Last gen's Zelda games and similar action/adventures

[bVork]

BG&E is definitely my favourite of the Zelda-style games.

All of the others had significant problems. Wind Waker had long and dull seafaring, and a complete lack of difficulty. Twilight Princess is more competent, but somehow is missing something. It lacks the charm of WW, the creativity of MM, and the sheer brilliance of OOT. Okami is designed for 5-year-olds. I can't think of any other reason for the degree of handholding present in the game. I had more fun with the moon language version where I didn't understand any of the hints. Shadow of the Colossus has great boss battles (duh) and fantastic art design, but one of the worst framerates I've seen in a console game and a complete lack of anything to do besides the boss fights. It's like Wind Waker's excess seafaring in a prettier environment.

BG&E's only major flaw is its relatively short length. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING else about it was top-notch. The graphics were great (with THE best water effects of last generation), the art design was fantastic and charming, the music was incredible, the minigames were polished and fun, the puzzles were interesting, and the stealth and combat were challenging without being too difficult. The ending wasn't all that great, but it was obviously a setup for a sequel - and the fact that there isn't one (yet!) is a true tragedy.

Haven't played Sphinx yet, though. Which port of it is the best? Xbox?

Also, The Hobbit was a Zelda-style game. And it was garbage, so there's no point in adding it to the list or discussing it.

[James]

I'm still waiting for a Zelda clone to be as good as Alundra. I enjoyed everything on the list, but nothing on there matched this 9-year-old game. I'd say Shadow of the Colossus came close (and Ico even closer) but that's it.

I played Dual Hearts as well, by the way, and it's one of the few games of the genre I didn't bother to complete. The main character was almost utterly unlikeable and I think I remember the dungeon designs being obnoxious.

James

[Shin Johnpv]

Haven't played Sphinx yet, though. Which port of it is the best? Xbox?

Xbox and GC versions are pretty close, the developer will tell you GC as that was the platform it was developed on first and then ported to the other two.

[Glass Joe]

I'm in the Sphinx camp as well and I like it better than any of the games listed besides SotC. Shadow doesn't really belong in here for me. Sphinx and SotC are in my top 5 games last gen. I didn't care much for Okami and Zelda:TP and BG&E are/were a chore to play.

I really love this genre of games and always look forward to playing new games in this style.

[Glass Joe]

I'm still waiting for a Zelda clone to be as good as Alundra.

I agree with you on Alundra. Have you played Landstalker? It's made by most of the same people as Alundra. These are my top two games of all time of this genre.

[Shin Johnpv]

It's a shame there wasn't a Sphinx sequel It really really deserved one (and needed one to continue the story like BG&E)

[James]

I agree with you on Alundra. Have you played Landstalker? It's made by most of the same people as Alundra. These are my top two games of all time of this genre.

I hate to do this here, of all places, but-

http://www.o-sd.com/hardcoregamermag...andStalker.pdf

Yep.

James

[Glass Joe]

Wow! Nice. Is that from the newest issue?

You're right Shin. It really should have gotten a sequel and I really, really wish I could find the soundtrack since it was excellent.

[dakidski]

You forgot Sphinx and the Cursed mummy which personally I would put before Okami, and SoTC

Sphinx and the Cursed mummy wasn't bad.

[James]

Wow! Nice. Is that from the newest issue?

Yep, the one with the God of War II cover. It's available online as a download because the version that got printed somehow had a paragraph transplant between proofreading and hitting the printers.

James