I've been playing Zelda an awful lot of late, and I've been thinking about what I'd like to see in Zelda when it finally appears on the WiiU. So without further ado, here's a list of the things I'd like to see in ZeldaU.
A ripping yarn
Nintendo made a big step with storytelling in Skyward Sword. Yes it still hinged on the usual kidnap cliche, but in Skyward Sword Link and Zelda had a proper relationship, which meant he had an actual reason to go after her. Let's hope they make another step up in the quality of their stories and give us something epic and properly affecting.
A massive world
A forgone really, since the trailer specifically focussed on an open world. I'd like to see Nintendo go further than that and not just give us Hyrule, but open up some of the rest of the world as well. I'd love the quest to extend to Termina and Kohlint Island. At the same time, the world needs to be filled with life and look like it can support the people living in it.
Towns that feel lived in
I'd love for the places I visit in the next Zelda to feel like functioning communities. In the past, there have been technical limits to how populated a town could be. Hyrule Castle Town in Ocarina of Time for instance felt more like a diorama or a stage set than somewhere where people actually lived. Fable II, despite its faults has this feeling nailed. Bowerstone feels like a thriving community. There was a pub on the Town Square, a blacksmith, food stands, residential areas and shops hidden in back streets. People mingled and complained about their rent. It felt like life went on whether you were there or not. I want to see fields full of grain to feed the population. I want so see trains of cattle from LonLon Ranch being driven to the big city. I want to see people travelling. I want to see people living. Zelda towns exist in a kind of stasis, with people repeating the same lines and motions until the next story beat. For Hyrule to feel like a living world it needs touches like these.
Technology
Hyrule has been pre-industrial for pretty much every game. I'd like to think that the steampunkish monster in the trailer hints at some kind of advance in technology for the world of Hyrule. It would be very cool to see a Hyrule just on the cusp of an industrial revolution. Perhaps one fuelled by the rediscovery and reverse engineering of the ancient technology hinted at in Skyward Sword. A new world where cobbled together old tech sits uncomfortably next to new inventions could be compelling.
Horseback battling
One of my favorite parts of Twilight Princess was charging the Moblin King on the bridge. The horseback battles were some of the coolest and most cinematic moments of the game. I'd like to see them make a return on the WiiU.
Lose the musical instruments
They're annoying and they've become a cliche. Can we have a game without them please?
A day/night cycle
I love being out on Hyrule field and watching the sun set. If the new world of Zelda WiiU is going to feel like a place that could really exist. A day and night cycle is essential.
Motion control
I never thought I'd say this, but motion controls in Skyward Sword made it a better game. It would be a shame to lose them in favour of the gamepad in the new Zelda. Yes, the controls could be improved upon, so let's hope Nintendo do that. It could be amazing.
A separate, playable Zelda
story
Did you ever wonder what Zelda got up to when she was out journeying in Skyward Sword? What about how she became Sheik? Wouldn't it be cool if the next game had playable scenes where Zelda's story got told?
The ability to choose Link’s gender
Lets face it, in most Zelda games it doesn't matter if Link is a boy or not. Think about it. What would change in any game if Link was a girl in any of the Zelda games. Okay, it might lend Skyward Sword a couple of sapphic undertones, but it still wouldn't make any difference to the story at all. There were a lot of positive noises when the trailer for ZeldaU was first revealed and the internet thought that Link was a girl. Let us choose Link's gender. It'd be cool.
Voice work
Come on Nintendo, it's 2015. Let's have some voice acting in your games already. Just not in the vein of, "excuuuse me princess!"
Robin Williams.
Because it would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much laughter to the world and loved Zelda enough to name his daughter after her. Credit to http://oscarjoyo.tumblr.com/ for the image
