it's not just about using power to hide deficiencies in the now either, but for the future. so that when you look back at the previous generation or even further, the game holds up. i mean you still have people who enjoy the way tww gc looks despite the remake being out. and more than that, a less realistic style lends more possibility for mood. it lets the viewer fill in the gaps with their imagination. when you look at a photograph of harrison ford as indiana jones, you don't get quite the same feeling as a drew struzan painting of harrison ford as indiana jones.
But the movie was still better than the painting (am i right?) Not going the cartoon route certainly didn't keep OoT from being one of the most liked zelda games of all-time. I have no trouble going back and playing through the game, despite the dated graphics. And is it because they recently re-did wind waker in HD that people keep bringing up how wonderful it looks now? Cuz if I were to go back and replay the original gamecube version, I'd definitely notice how dated the game looks just as I would if I were to go back and play OoT. Or can I say because OoT on the 3ds looks fantastic that it obviously stands the test of time better?
The wii u only got a fraction of the power of the competition so they got to compete on art style. A realistic wii u game would look terrible next to a realistic ps4 game. However an unique art style can look pretty good next to it.
I think some are misinterpreting what people mean when they say they want a realistic zelda game. No, obviously not realistic like a first person shooter... The art style in OoT and TP was liked by a lot of fans and also was unique imo. Wind Waker and Skyward Sword, while visually pleasing, were two of my least favorite 3d zelda games. Maybe visuals aren't the main reason for that, but something about the play is different. Can't put my finger on it.
As far as the whole, "it was just a tech demo!" argument, I think what we're seeing now is probably more impressive from a tech standpoint. Which leads me to believe that Nintendo originally was thinking about going with the tech demo art style. It's not unreasonable to expect something in that direction. Never once clarifying or providing some additional details for a whole year (after having shown a very tangible and feasible trailer) only to drop the new look in everyone's face is more than misleading, tech demo or not. I suspect they needed to have something to show zelda fans last e3 so they rushed the short piece together and called it a "tech demo." It doesn't change the fact that it's misleading.
"This is just a tech demo, but hey we're going to use zelda to get everyone excited." That's called misleading. There is a big difference from the final version going through some changes versus a complete 180 in the art direction.
Regardless, the game will probably turn out to be fantastic. I was just hoping for an OoT/TP look. And why is everyone so defensive of this new look anyway? I'm not attacking Nintendo or saying it looks awful. People have been thinking for a whole year the art style would be similar to what was shown in that "tech demo." That's how people's minds work
