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[Kurt]

I'm glad he mention zelda 1.

However 2 things :
1. Don't wanna play with another character.
2. Don't like to have access to all items from the beginning.

Then again, i've a good feeling that he isn't going to mess up the next zelda game.
Zelda 3ds was great besides the items from the beginning thing.

 

[kiguel182]

Linearity isn't the biggest problem, it's the way they over explain everything ad naseum.

Still, a more open Zelda is something that could be amazing.

 

[BratmanDu]

I think we'll see a boss whose weak spot is an arrow to the knee.

 

[dragonfart28]

I thought Windwaker was a pretty good attempt at open exploration.

 

[The_Endgamer]

Anything that's building on the foundations of A Link Between Worlds is DAMN FINE by me.

Skyward Sword was a great step too. Though the constant reminders of what item you just picked up and that sword 'Navi' like character could have been done without.

Combine the best of those two, make it bigger and Nintendo would have something pretty decent on their hands.

 

[nubbe]

Zelda 1 was one of the first open world games

Next Zelda should be a Steam Punk Skyrim

 

[Sendou]

Next Zelda should be a Steam Punk Skyrim

Ugggghhhhhhhh

 

[Ansatz]

Dragon's Dogma + Skyrim + Zelda for me.

What does Zelda have that you like which is not represented in Skyrim?

 

[nubbe]

What does Zelda have that you like which is not represented in Skyrim?

Boomerangs

 

[Sadist]

If Zelda goes Skyrim, I'll weep.

As in I would really hate it

 

[Orniletter]

Zelda 1 was one of the first open world games

Next Zelda should be a Steam Punk Skyrim

There is literally nothing Zelda games should learn from Skyrim.

Weather we are talking about artstyle, combat system, music, dungeon design (haha...), or like everything else .

The only thing going for Skyrim is the sheer amount of recycled content.

 

[disap.ed]

Is this the thread where we pretend ALBW doesn't exist? I mean, I can understand the skepticism if you haven't played that game, but it seems Aonuma listened.

This. ALBW's mechanics were pretty much perfect. First Zelda game since OoT I played through.

 

[Pociask]

And as far as which traditions need to be kept, I think you need someone named Link, Zelda, and I'd like for there to be a Ganon(or Ganondorf), but that's probably not essential. The only other essential thing would be some representation of the Triforce. I was going to say a green tunic and a master sword, but then I remembered how much I enjoyed Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (Tybalt's rapier, etc. ) The gameplay should have exploration and combat, and perhaps dungeons - but only in the sense of a dungeon is a dangerous location which you must enter to retrieve some item/person/thing. I guess some people still like pushing crates and blowing out torches, but that can go.

I think you could make a game that would unquestionably be a Zelda game, but set in a large urban slum in the early Industrial age, or in a futuristic orbiting space station. How about a Zelda Jungle Book, where Link has been raised by animalistic Gorons in a jungle/forest setting - and things are fine until an evil King Ganondorf starts plundering the land to fund his war against Hyrule? (Aside - I could come up with Zelda story ideas all day long - heck, check my post history, I certainly have done it before!)

The main task of the team should be to make a game that every other game of the generation will be measured against - not to fulfill some kind of expectations of the traditions of the series.

 

[Kai Dracon]

I still think that, if Skyward Sword had not fucked up by turning on a stupid amount of tutorials and reminders, it would not have instantly created such a sour feeling in many players. And more would have appreciated the ways in which it did "shake Zelda up". Aonuma has been aware of these feelings for a long time, and I don't think they lied when they said SS was the beginning of an overhaul for Zelda.

That said, ALBW clearly shows they are both listening and reacting directly to what players are saying. I'm not cynical about the next console game. Pretty interested to see what they come up with.

The main task of the team should be to make a game that every other game of the generation will be measured against - not to fulfill some kind of expectations of the traditions of the series.

There is a careful balancing act here. On one hand I think there are too many people who just complain that Zelda isn't like [insert trendy AAA game of the generation]. Zelda has its own character, and remains unique even today. On the other hand, listening to fans in the wrong way results in bowing to pressure to keep recreating one particular Zelda over and over. Because a lot of Zelda fans are locked into a single vision.

 

[Haunted]

- What's going on in the game design world over the last ten years that might be worth looking at for inspiration? Note: Companies other than Nintendo make games. Note: If you can't answer this because you don't play games, it's probably maybe time to either consider playing games or not being in charge of designing them.

shots fired

Japanese game designers - those working at Nintendo in particular -seem to be dangerously clueless about anything that goes on in the world of videogame development outside of their Nintendo bubble.

 

[RobFox64tm]

That's all well and good, but when can we see this new Zelda game?

 

[Haunted]

That's all well and good, but when can we see this new Zelda game?

With its projected release date?

Next year, maybe.

edit: I can't believe it's been three years since the last console Zelda already. ;_;

 

[eXistor]

He's been saying this for quite a while now, but the idea of a more non-linear 3D Zelda still makes me salivate like nothing else. ALBW is proof they're taking this approach seriously and I would love to see it implemented in 3D world with a bit more methodical gameplay.

 

[Chill Penguin]

Aonuma shouldn't over think it either. One of the reasons why I love the recent Zeldas is because I always have an idea of where to go next or what I should be doing. Even when I'm stuck, at least I know I'm in the right place and progress is a solution away. The way I see it, I don't want to be opening up a guide to make progress like I would to play Dark Souls. I hate that kind of backwards design.

Really? I found Dark Souls to be a masterclass in game design. It was way way more interesting and compelling than Skyward Sword.

 

[Mael]

There is a careful balancing act here. On one hand I think there are too many people who just complain that Zelda isn't like [insert trendy AAA game of the generation]. Zelda has its own character, and remains unique even today. On the other hand, listening to fans in the wrong way results in bowing to pressure to keep recreating one particular Zelda over and over. Because a lot of Zelda fans are locked into a single vision.

I'd say screw the fans.
Zelda was huge before and not because it followed a set formula.
When people think Zelda, they think huge adventure with plenty of tools to progress and that's pretty much it.
It's better to have them try new things and fail than a rote bastardization like WW was.
If anything they should make sure the game is challenging again, and I don't mean challenging puzzles.
This is Zelda, not Layton.

 

[monome]

this game is gonna end up being a Souls game with more variety and lessened difficulty.

I, for one, would welcome less ennemies but more ennemies's variety.
A presentation that is not glossy but intricate. aka stuff happening (lots of effects, environments have a life) > eyes melting artstyle (because I feel it's been a way to mask some of the misery of the design of the previous 3D games)

 

[SoraanTribal]

TP Zelda was one of the least likeable of the 3D Zeldas, imo. I agree with most everything else you said.

I don't know if I would say TP Zelda was "one of the least likable". I mean, her character was fine and she had a few good moments, but.. the big problem was she was barely in the game at all. Midna stole the spotlight in Twilight Princess (guess it's not surprising since

Spoiler

the game is named after her.

). I still say Midna is one of the best characters in the Zelda universe and definitely the best sidekick. Then again, I love Twilight Princess and it's one of my favorite games, so...

 

[Lord_Byron28]

I don't know if I would say TP Zelda was "one of the least likable". I mean, her character was fine and she had a few good moments, but.. the big problem was she was barely in the game at all. Midna stole the spotlight in Twilight Princess (guess it's not surprising since

Spoiler

the game is named after her.

). I still say Midna is one of the best characters in the Zelda universe and definitely the best sidekick. Then again, I love Twilight Princess and it's one of my favorite games, so...

Least likeable isnt the equivalent of saying unlikeable. Compared to WW Zelda, SS Zelda and OoT Zelda she is the worst incarnation of the 3D Zeldas. Im not saying she was bad just the other three were pretty good. Also Midna is my favorite character in the Zelda universe and there was a lot to like about TP.

 

[LegendofLex]

Thread title is misleading.

Should be "Zelda returns to form by casting off Eiji Aonuma traditions."

 

[Version 3.0]

What does Zelda have that you like which is not represented in Skyrim?

What a terrible question. How about coherence?

 

[RobFox64tm]

With its projected release date?

Next year, maybe.

edit: I can't believe it's been three years since the last console Zelda already. ;_;

Yeah, I assumed it wouldn't be coming out until next year, but I meant "see it" literally. They've been talking about this game for a while, but it'd be nice to actually see a trailer finally. Sounds like they've pulled footage twice already from some of their comments. Maybe E3 will finally bring the goods this year.

 

[Version 3.0]

Thread title is misleading.

Should be "Zelda returns to form by casting off Eiji Aonuma traditions."

I like you.

Maybe what Nintendo needs to do is "upset the table", for real, not by re-designing characters. Pull Aonuma off of Zelda. Mix up their teams. Put the Galaxy team on Zelda, Aonuma's team on Smash, Retro on something other than fucking Donkey Kong...or whatever. I thought Aonuma said about a decade ago that he hoped his next game would be something else, anyway.

 

[Notor!ousG]

I hear alot of people saying that ALBW is a right step in the good direction, but to me it is more than that.

We shouldn't forget that the game used a majority of the same world as ALTTP. Most of us already had the map still in their heads...

Imagine a totally new open world, freedom of dungeon choice, some new interesting items and a more interesting world...

 

[equippedwithtowel]

Give me something with TP's scope, ALBW's lean opening and something that approximates WW's near perfect mesh of aesthetics and theme and the perfect Zelda will be achieved. Also hero mode from the start.