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[ASIS]

By my own anecdotal observations, it seems like Skyward Sword is the most hated game with best critical reception this year.

The gap between the two for games like Uncharted 3 and Dark Souls does not seem nearly as big.

Dude, it's Zelda.

 

[Levyne]

No way. Considering how awesome the story in Metroid Prime was I want Retro on the task. Also, EAD would fuck it all up with a long-winded tutorial and unnecessary exposition.

Story? Yes the log books are well written but I could see retro bringing so many things to Zelda, story being one of the last I'd think of.

 

[Red UFO]

No way. Considering how awesome the story in Metroid Prime was I want Retro on the task. Also, EAD would fuck it all up with a long-winded tutorial and unnecessary exposition.

The story is great, but it's told in a way which I don't think would be appropriate for Zelda, at least not how we think about Zelda today (cut-scenes, interactions between important characters etc.).

 

[herzogzwei1989]

I just hope it doesn't take 4-5 years to develop. I was VERY impressed with the Wii U Zelda tech demo.

 

[TheExplodingHead]

The story is great, but it's told in a way which I don't think would be appropriate for Zelda, at least not how we think about Zelda today (cut-scenes, interactions between important characters etc.).

That's exactly what I think needs to leave Zelda, ridiculous cutscenes and goofy dialogue. It's also the weakest part of the experience, does nothing for me and it's painful they insist on beating me over the head with it. The Prime-type story would both make it more mysterious/interesting as well as not shoving it down everyone's throat who doesn't care about it.

 

[VerTiGo]

If Retro were to take the helm for Zelda Wii U I would hope its a re-imagining of the franchise like they did with Metroid Prime.

If it were a sequel, I have no problem with the Skyward Sword team improving upon their own work. I love what's there and there's plenty of room for improvement.

Although, what Miyamoto said makes it sound like Retro would be the to goto guys when needing help with the development of any game in development at Nintendo.

I'd prefer something original from Retro. However, I would love to see them take on F-Zero because I just severely miss the greatness of the series. Whatever, I don't care if they gather the Amusement Vision team again, I need a new F-Zero.

I am getting sick of seeing Star Tropics mentioned. It's such an obscure game, and something that was never popular to begin with, so what's the point?

 

[Oreoleo]

A Zelda game with a more realistic take on the universe a la Metroid Prime would be right up my alley. Prime 1 was sublime.

 

[CoffeeExpress]

Guys what's gone wrong with JP development?

All of a sudden they are constantly outsourcing to the west without making any significant progress on their own in-house games like FF, TLG etc.

 

[PataHikari]

Metroid Other M had a lot of action but it was pretty much a fancy beat-em-up.

Retro didn't make Other M

 

[mantidor]

Can't we basically reduce any of Nintendo's games to that though?

Just a simple platformer.

Just an action adventure game.

Just a a kart racer.

Just a minigame collection.

I think that oversimplifies why Nintendo's franchises are so much more successful than other similar ones.

I would never put Mario Party and Mario Kart at the very same level as mainline Mario or Zelda, ever. The games are not lacking in quality but don't reach the greatness Mario and Zelda can achieve from level design to gameplay ideas.

 

[[Nintex]]

By my own anecdotal observations, it seems like Skyward Sword is the most hated game with best critical reception this year.

The gap between the two for games like Uncharted 3 and Dark Souls does not seem nearly as big.

That's because some parts of Skyward Sword are too good(yes I said it). One part of the team knocked it out of the park and the others were like... 'eeerrr... collecting useless stuff, escort missions, stealth sections...' . Oh and Fi

 

[The Xtortionist]

A Zelda game by Retro?

 

[Ifrit]

Damn right Miyamoto, make it happen

 

[Retro]

Boo this man!

So, in my version, Zelda is middle-aged and married to a king, as all rulers are wed to those with the "Blood of the Sages", women who have gifts like foresight, magic, and healing. Link is a sword instructor in a tiny village in this kingdom, who travels to the king in order to offer his yearly tribute. He is accompanied by other instructors from the village; a gruff old alchemist (who handles your potions), a brash young blacksmith (crafting) and a female mage-in-training (who functions like Navi).

Zelda would also have a sister, similarly wed to another kingdom. This sister slays her husband, kidnaps Zelda, and tries to gather the usual Zelda relics so she can perform a powerful ritual. It turns out that the land the game starts in is actually the Sacred Realm, sealed away to prevent Magic from being abused ever again, and the Sister wants to break the barrier between the worlds so she can conquer the land outside; Hyrule.

Hyrule, as it turns out, has developed limited technology (not quite full-blown Steampunk but close) to compensate for the lack of magic and is divided between several kingdoms. One of these is ruled by Ganondorf, who has been influencing Zelda's sister so they can conquer Hyrule together with the magic that has been sealed away.

Along the way, it is revealed that Zelda and her sister were once abducted from the Sacred Realm, and another "Sacred Hero" had to venture into Hyrule to rescue them; the gruff old Alchemist. They were aided by a young Ganondorf, who joined up with the Alchemist on his journey and helped rescue the sisters so he could tip the balance of power so the Gerudo could gain a foothold in Hyrule.

While returning to the Sacred Realm, the old Hero and Zelda fell in love (Zelda eventually has a child; the young mage-girl who's been helping Link.) Ganondorf and Zelda's sister also fell in love, and formed their plan to break the barrier between realms and be together again.

So, there's a nice duality there; an old and new pair of Zeldas and Heroes.

The Second Quest is actually a multiplayer component where players assume the role of the old Hero, Zelda, her sister and Ganondorf. They travel through the same dungeons Link does, but in the past. So you have cool stuff like "Why is this pillar blocking my way" in the single player game, only to see that Zelda and her companions had to knock it down in the past to proceed with their own quest. It also helps fill in the backstory, of course.

Boo away!

 

[MisterHero]

Retro didn't make Other M

I know.

My point was that they risk outsourcing of IPs to developers that might do good work, though it would be very predictable and unsurprising. Like Konami giving MGRising to Platinum Games.

[Though they are 1st-party] Retro was the opposite effect when given Metroid, but they made it into a complete game rather than a genre filler.

 

[Übermatik]

HNNNNNNNNGGGGHHHHH.

Yes please! Don't let them hurt the character and charm, but get them on the graphics and environments!

 

[[Nintex]]

Oh before I forget, let someone else model the humans, Retro can do anything but model the humans, ok, keep calm and carry on.

 

[Rain_ng]

Wow, never even thought about it... But I wouldn't be against it.

 

[Levyne]

HNNNNNNNNGGGGHHHHH.

Yes please! Don't let them hurt the character and charm, but get them on the graphics and environments!

That sounds sorta like what they did with DKCR, so hopefully

 

[Forever]

I bet this is already happening.

And I'm looking forward to it. The series needs a breath of fresh air.

 

[evilromero]

I know.

My point was that they risk outsourcing of IPs to developers that might do good work, though it would be very predictable and unsurprising. Like Konami giving MGRising to Platinum Games.

[Though they are 1st-party] Retro was the opposite effect when given Metroid, but they made it into a complete game rather than a genre filler.

Actually, they outsourced to the WRONG developer for Other M. It was just a bad fit from the beginning.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I bet this is already happening.

And I'm looking forward to it. The series needs a breath of fresh air.

I'd prefer a Metroid to wash my brain clean after the last one.

 

[royalan]

So, in my version, Zelda is middle-aged and married to a king, as all rulers are wed to those with the "Blood of the Sages", women who have gifts like foresight, magic, and healing. Link is a sword instructor in a tiny village in this kingdom, who travels to the king in order to offer his yearly tribute. He is accompanied by other instructors from the village; a gruff old alchemist (who handles your potions), a brash young blacksmith (crafting) and a female mage-in-training (who functions like Navi).

Zelda would also have a sister, similarly wed to another kingdom. This sister slays her husband, kidnaps Zelda, and tries to gather the usual Zelda relics so she can perform a powerful ritual. It turns out that the land the game starts in is actually the Sacred Realm, sealed away to prevent Magic from being abused ever again, and the Sister wants to break the barrier between the worlds so she can conquer the land outside; Hyrule.

Hyrule, as it turns out, has developed limited technology (not quite full-blown Steampunk but close) to compensate for the lack of magic and is divided between several kingdoms. One of these is ruled by Ganondorf, who has been influencing Zelda's sister so they can conquer Hyrule together with the magic that has been sealed away.

Along the way, it is revealed that Zelda and her sister were once abducted from the Sacred Realm, and another "Sacred Hero" had to venture into Hyrule to rescue them; the gruff old Alchemist. They were aided by a young Ganondorf, who joined up with the Alchemist on his journey and helped rescue the sisters so he could tip the balance of power so the Gerudo could gain a foothold in Hyrule.

While returning to the Sacred Realm, the old Hero and Zelda fell in love (Zelda eventually has a child; the young mage-girl who's been helping Link.) Ganondorf and Zelda's sister also fell in love, and formed their plan to break the barrier between realms and be together again.

So, there's a nice duality there; an old and new pair of Zeldas and Heroes.

The Second Quest is actually a multiplayer component where players assume the role of the old Hero, Zelda, her sister and Ganondorf. They travel through the same dungeons Link does, but in the past. So you have cool stuff like "Why is this pillar blocking my way" in the single player game, only to see that Zelda and her companions had to knock it down in the past to proceed with their own quest. It also helps fill in the backstory, of course.

Boo away!

Oh hell - I liked that.

 

[StevieP]

Having been disappointed with -every- Zelda release in the past decade(that isn't Minish Cap), I would be pleased for damn near anyone else to give it a shot.

Retro would definitely be on the top of Nintendo's short list of potential developer partners.

The guy who directed Minish Cap directed Skyward Sword (not Aonuma).

 

[Salmonax]

Do it, Nintendo. I enjoyed SS, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

And the fact that nobody on the team could call out the stupidity of stuff like item descriptions and text speed proves positively that they need some fresh minds on this franchise.

 

[MomoPufflet]

I'd rather eat a bullet.

Promise?

 

[luca1980]

In retro i trust

 

[duckroll]

So, in my version, Zelda is middle-aged and married to a king, as all rulers are wed to those with the "Blood of the Sages", women who have gifts like foresight, magic, and healing. Link is a sword instructor in a tiny village in this kingdom, who travels to the king in order to offer his yearly tribute. He is accompanied by other instructors from the village; a gruff old alchemist (who handles your potions), a brash young blacksmith (crafting) and a female mage-in-training (who functions like Navi).

Zelda would also have a sister, similarly wed to another kingdom. This sister slays her husband, kidnaps Zelda, and tries to gather the usual Zelda relics so she can perform a powerful ritual. It turns out that the land the game starts in is actually the Sacred Realm, sealed away to prevent Magic from being abused ever again, and the Sister wants to break the barrier between the worlds so she can conquer the land outside; Hyrule.

Hyrule, as it turns out, has developed limited technology (not quite full-blown Steampunk but close) to compensate for the lack of magic and is divided between several kingdoms. One of these is ruled by Ganondorf, who has been influencing Zelda's sister so they can conquer Hyrule together with the magic that has been sealed away.

Along the way, it is revealed that Zelda and her sister were once abducted from the Sacred Realm, and another "Sacred Hero" had to venture into Hyrule to rescue them; the gruff old Alchemist. They were aided by a young Ganondorf, who joined up with the Alchemist on his journey and helped rescue the sisters so he could tip the balance of power so the Gerudo could gain a foothold in Hyrule.

While returning to the Sacred Realm, the old Hero and Zelda fell in love (Zelda eventually has a child; the young mage-girl who's been helping Link.) Ganondorf and Zelda's sister also fell in love, and formed their plan to break the barrier between realms and be together again.

So, there's a nice duality there; an old and new pair of Zeldas and Heroes.

The Second Quest is actually a multiplayer component where players assume the role of the old Hero, Zelda, her sister and Ganondorf. They travel through the same dungeons Link does, but in the past. So you have cool stuff like "Why is this pillar blocking my way" in the single player game, only to see that Zelda and her companions had to knock it down in the past to proceed with their own quest. It also helps fill in the backstory, of course.

Boo away!

I see a shitload of text about plot, but no details about actual gameplay or game design. This approach to Zelda is hence rejected.

 

[Caelus]

Do it, Nintendo. I enjoyed SS, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

SS was definitely not the same old thing.

 

[KrawlMan]

I bet this is already happening.

And I'm looking forward to it. The series needs a breath of fresh air.

E3 2012 is too far away

 

[Parallax Scroll]

EAD hasn't made a good Zelda game, even a mediocre Zelda game, in over a decade. Allowing Retro to step in and give the series a shot at a half-good game sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Hot Coldman]

I see a shitload of text about plot, but no details about actual gameplay or game design. This approach to Zelda is hence rejected.

He forgot to mention the controller.

 

[StevieP]

Do it, Sony. I enjoyed U3, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

Do it, Microsoft. I enjoyed H3, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

Do it, Nintendo. I enjoyed G2, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

Do it, Activision. I enjoyed MW3, but there's no question it was the same old thing with a couple of mechanical tweaks and new coat of paint.

Need I go on?

EAD hasn't made a good Zelda game, even a mediocre Zelda game, in over a decade. Allowing Retro to step in and give the series a shot at a half-good game sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Hylian7]

Do not want. Don't let Retro touch anymore Nintendo franchises. Well maybe let them make a Startropics revival or something.

Did you hate the prime series and DKCR?

 

[AceBandage]

Don't care what it is.
Just give me more Retro goodness!

 

[ShockingAlberto]

If I were to want something out of a Retro Studios Zelda, it would still have an opening section, but that section is just a dungeon.

It would be like the N64 beta demo of Ocarina (the one with the Triforce, not the one with reflective knight with no features). Game starts with Link entering a cave, door closes behind him, he looks behind him and grabs his sword.

You go through the dungeon, which has signs everywhere telling you how to do things but no one popping out telling you what to do, and the dungeon itself is roughly the same size as the first dungeon from Skyward Sword.

The base game mechanics would be like most other 3D Zeldas, but the items would be different. You're given a more Metroid-like area to move around in, filled with puzzles, but not a huge open world. It's not Lord of the Rings or anything. Pre-dungeon areas would be a combination of Assassin's Creed Tombs and Skyward Sword's pre-dungeon puzzles - some would be more action oriented, others would be puzzle solving.

 

[DR2K]

Whatever keeps them away from DKC.

 

[Hylian7]

Whatever keeps them away from DKC.

Where is DKCR-hate GAF coming from?! I had no idea this existed.

 

[WillyFive]

Where is DKCR-hate GAF coming from?! I had no idea this existed.

They obviously want it to be more like DK64.

 

[royalan]

Need I go on?

I fail to see what you're trying to prove with this argument. All of those games you mentioned, while acclaimed, have also been heavily criticized for being more of the same - for better and worse.

(Some would also suggest that those games have a decent excuse for being more of the same, seeing as they're released in rapid succession. When Zelda on an every 4 years time-frame, you expect some big changes to the formula now and then.)

 

[StevieP]

I fail to see what you're trying to prove with this argument. All of those games you mentioned, while acclaimed, have also been heavily criticized for being more of the same - for better and worse.

(Some would also suggest that those games have a decent excuse for being more of the same, seeing as they're released in rapid succession. When Zelda on an every 4 years time-frame, you expect some big changes to the formula now and then.)

If you haven't seen some pretty sweeping "OOT formula" changes from Twilight Princess to Skyward Sword you simply haven't played the game.

It's about time we got a more mature Zelda.

Oh god please burn it with fire.

 

[braves01]

It's about time we got a more mature Zelda. In addition to VA, hopefully Retro gives us some cool new steampunk toys that really utilize motion controls.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Someone's gotta say it.

Steampunk is stupid.

 

[Anth0ny]

They obviously want it to be more like DK64.

Spoiler

I do! ; _ ;

 

[AceBandage]

Someone's gotta say it.

Steampunk is stupid.

Agreed.
Needs to be cyber punk.
Link with lasers!

 

[Red UFO]

Someone's gotta say it.

Steampunk is stupid.

Fo' real.

 

[Medalion]

Link just needs to be a punk, period

Already got the dyed hair and piercing, need a green leather jacket and a knife instead of a sword, and boom

 

[royalan]

Someone's gotta say it.

Steampunk is stupid.

Agreed.

That link character drawing from a few pages back illustrates everything I hate about steampunk and should be burned.

If you haven't seen some pretty sweeping "OOT formula" changes from Twilight Princess to Skyward Sword you simply haven't played the game.

Oh - I'm not saying that there haven't been any changes whatsoever (same could be said for the games you mentioned). There have been.

But I would say that if you blatantly deny any similarity to OoT in regards to presentation, gameplay and story structure then you simply haven't played the game. The influence is there, and in obvious ways. A lot of people want to see major changes to the franchise. Have it go into completely uncharted territory.

I think Retro could do it.

 

[WillyFive]

Spoiler

I do! ; _ ;

Spoiler

Yes. ; _ ;

 

[Nuclear Muffin]

He's fucking blue balling us, there's no way that they're gonna do it now

Retro was involved in Mario Kart, but their job was to re-design the 16 classic tracks with the MK Engine and send it back to EAD.

Kerwrong! You forget that Retro also did roughly half of the character modelling and animations, submitted concepts for the new tracks (many of which were used in the final versions, though they didn't mention which ones) and they designed the DKCR track. EAD may have written the base engine, but Retro did far more than "just" the 16 classic tracks.

BTW, more importantly...

But he will also be able to explore new innovations on his own and in smaller design groups.

Confirmation that Miyamoto will be working with multiple small teams. Perhaps that means that he's heading to SPD, rather than setting up a new studio?