New Zelda to "Surprise" Gamers at E3 2010

[John Funk]

New Zelda to "Surprise" Gamers at E3 2010

The producer of the next Legend of Zelda says that gamers should expect a surprise at the next E3, because the new game will overhaul the series' formula.

While every "proper" iteration in the mainstay Nintendo series like Mario and Zelda throws its own little twist into the franchise, the games tend to be very formulaic - not that there's anything inherently wrong with that if the formula works. Last July, Shigeru Miyamoto shocked millions when he said that the new Zelda wouldn't be "radically different" from the series' roots [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/92863-Miyamoto-New-Zelda-Wont-be-Radically-Different], leading many to believe that the game would be about a young elfin boy in tights invading temples, getting the Master Sword, a bow, a grappling hook and bombs, and then fighting Ganon(dorf). Maybe he would be cartoony and on a boat, or maybe he would be more realistic and turn into a wolf, but it would stay generally the same.

But wait, what's this? Eiji Aonuma, the producer of the next major Zelda title, is directly contradicting Miyamoto's remarks by saying that his team wanted to try something new - or at least, that's what he told the Official Nintendo Magazine UK [http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=13313] when asked how different the new Wii title would be from previous installments:

"It is something we used to talk about with Mr Miyamoto, and he and I agree that if we are following the same structure again and again, we might not be able to give long time Zelda fans a fresh surprise ... o we have been trying something new in terms of the structure of the Wii version of the new Zelda game this time. I am really hopeful that people will be surprised with the changes we have implemented for this Wii version."

Aonama confirmed that the team was operating with the goal that the game would debut at next year's E3 extravaganza: "I hope that we can show you something at the E3 show next year and it is something we are hopeful will be surprising."

So which is it, Nintendo? Is it a "surprising" overhaul of the franchise, or is it something that isn't "radically different"? You're mixing your messages a bit here, don't you think?

Maybe Link will trade Epona out for a go-kart this time around.

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[Ciarang]

Maybe Link will trade Epona out for a go-kart this time around.

Oh how I'd love to see that happen...

So... Nintendo are continuing their franchises, what else is new?

 

[Caliostro]

Link will start his standard adventure with a bow and arrow this time around, while the boomerang and the sword will be the second and third items he finds! I can already feel the innovation.

Also he won't go through dungeons this time. He'll go through undergrounds.

 

[Teh_Doomage]

They really like messing with games, even though the only thing I've seen changed steadily over the years with Zelda games are the graphics...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[randommaster]

Maybe Link will trade Epona out for a go-kart this time around.

Oh how I'd love to see that happen...

So... Nintendo are continuing their franchises, what else is new?

I have it on good word that the game will feature Epona riding around on Link.

Also, the formula has been changed so that you play through everything in reverse, so the game is the same, nut really different

 

[Woodsey]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This rule should never apply to games.

When Nintendo bother to announce a new IP, that isn't akin to Wii Music or Fit, then I'll take them seriously.

 

[Pingieking]

Link will start his standard adventure with a bow and arrow this time around, while the boomerang and the sword will be the second and third items he finds! I can already feel the innovation.

Also he won't go through dungeons this time. He's go through undergrounds.

Oh boy!
I had always wanted to get the bow and arrow first, it really changes the entire gameplay experience. This is going to be absolutely revolutionary. I have always counted on Nintendo to be experimental and innovative with their games, and to this day they have yet to disapoint.

But yeah...
So, to quote Ciarang, the Pulitzer prize winner of 2009;

So... Nintendo are continuing their franchises, what else is new?

 

[Elesar]

I will believe it when I see it.
And then I still won't care.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Has someone been listening to Yahtzee recently and decided to change stuff?

 

[Quadtrix]

It's about time. The formula was getting stale.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Different as in Link being the Villain because he's had enough of running from dungeon to dungeon just to save the princess, beating Ganon (proving he's more powerfull) and then not ruling Hyrule? Will you be abled to kill Navi (since many (not me though) seem to get annoyed by the words "Hey! Listen!")?

 

[Unrulyhandbag]

So it going to be a first person shooter with real time strategy elements and extreme gore?

sweet.

 

[AceDiamond]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

This rule should never apply to games.

When Nintendo bother to announce a new IP, that isn't akin to Wii Music or Fit, then I'll take them seriously.

I don't think they need you to take them seriously when they're making money hand over fist with franchise titles, but then again I guess you're the one person that must be satisfied at all times or else a company is worthless, yes? (hint: no). But of course I guess you want Nintendo to make a brown and grey-colored shooter starring grizzled space marines or it isn't "innovative" or "serious" enough for you.

Has someone been listening to Yahtzee recently and decided to change stuff?

yes because there hasn't been at least one new mechanic in each Zelda game since Zelda II, or wait a minute, there has been. Rather than reiterate things I've said repeatedly in threads like this I'll actually use something someone else said because they put it a lot better than me (boldface mine for context)

I don't recall being able to freely transfer between two worlds on the fly in Ocarina of Time (referring to Twilight Princess), nor do I remember the added depth to the sword combat, or the different functions of the new items. Likewise, there was no real 'story' to Mario 64 as there was in Sunshine, nor were there the special challenge levels, use of Yoshi (who had different abilities based upon the food he eats)in a 3D Mario title or the water-pack (which works much better than people give credit for). Then we've gotten such additions to the Mario-Kart franchise as drifting, online play, dual-piloting, motorbikes, trick-boosts, etc. Just because the games are similar at their very core does not make them equal. The little changes add up, and usually to something highly improved.

 

[laura3lizab3th]

I love the Zelda series, but I've seen someone say "don't fix what ain't broke" and I couldn't disagree more. Its going to get incredibly samey the more they release zelda titles with the same old gaming routine.
it'll be nice to see things get shaken up a little.

 

[coldfrog]

If only they could have done this BEFORE Twilight Princess. The worst part is, I'll probably still get the game, but I doubt I'll get it new. I love the Zelda series, it's been solid, and yes, I agree that slight changes and such are good, but honestly, I was 3D Zelda'd out at this point. I'm only now trying to finish Twilight Princess; the first time I played it I just felt like it was not much new and, even with the fun wolf bits, I got tired of it quick. If they do make some huge changes I'll be pretty excited to see them, but if not I'll wait until I can get it used cheap.

Though, it DOES seem to be along time coming anyway, maybe I'll be in the mood for another Zelda by then, who knows?

 

[MetaKnight19]

Lets hope so, but even if it isn't chances are I'm buying it. Thats my inner Nintendo fanboy crying out.

 

[Georgeman]

Maybe they are going back to a more action route like the fist Zeldas? It would be different from current Zeldas, but similar to the first Zeldas. At least, I hope so.