what can nintendo do to revitalize the zelda franchise?

[CurseoftheGods]

for the 3DS?

Edit: I mean PH and ST were a little too easy.

 

[DimmuBurgerKing]

In before lol-worthy steampunk idea.

Go back to the basics, a la New Super Mario Bros. I'm not sure what else can be done for the 3D games, aside from really opening up the overworld and doing away with the very strictly set order to the dungeons.

 

[AceBandage]

Take The Legend of Zelda.

Put that formula into a 3D game.

Instant success.

 

[inner-G]

2D HD.

 

[Raging Spaniard]

Havent we beaten this horse to death in the last month?

They dont need to revitalize it, it sells shitloads.

 

[Vice]

Spruce the combat up.
Have a smaller overworld or put more things to do if they keep the larger one.
New types of puzzles and items.

 

[GoldandBlue]

In before lol-worthy steampunk idea.

Gears on his sword, his hat, his clothes, his horse, and turn the triforce from three triangles into three gears.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

Spruce the combat up.
Have a smaller overworld or put more things to do if they keep the larger one.
New types of puzzles and items.

Isn't that what they're doing with Skyward Sword?

 

[kittens]

In before lol-worthy steampunk idea.

Go back to the basics, a la New Super Mario Bros.

Yes yes yes yes. Someone (Mama Robotnik?) wrote up an awesome concept for New Legend of Zelda a few months back. That's all the franchise needs.

 

[Big One]

What exactly about SS that screams OoT to anyone aside from how Link moves around + Z targeting?

 

[Daschysta]

The game is selling as well as ever and is still a critical darling.

They don't need to do a thing, at least for the next game, since it will be HD.

I don't think people will turn down an epic zelda game in the realistic style as the first entry on cafe.

 

[Celsior]

Add Grey and Guns.

And a sex mini game.

 

[ZoddGutts]

Havent we beaten this horse to death in the last month?

They dont need to revitalize it, it sells shitloads.

But it sure would be great, wouldn't it?

 

[AtomicShroom]

Zelda Galaxy.

It's Zelda... ... in space!!

 

[Seda]

Less Dungeony.

 

[elrechazado]

Gears on his sword, his hat, his clothes, his horse, and turn the triforce from three triangles into three gears.

So you're saying we need a gears of war zelda crossover? I totally agree.

 

[Raging Spaniard]

But it sure would be great, wouldn't it?

Nah, Im pretty excited with how SS is looking.

 

[Vice]

Isn't that what they're doing with Skyward Sword?

I've been trying to avoid info about SS, so maybe.


I'd like a more traditional handheld experience on the 3DS. Something with sprites, but a top down 3D game with traditional controls would be good.

 

[Oblivion]

The formula from OoT is getting stale, and the 3D games need a reboot ala SMG. What can be done?\

Cursed, I like you, but you kind of ruined your argument with that comparison.

 

[alr1ght]

beards

 

[Shurs]

I'd be excited if they went back to the Wind Waker look, but in HD.

 

[teh_pwn]

For one, make more games.

The series needs better hardware, orchestrated soundtrack, modern sound effects, more detailed character models, richer/moodier environments.

The dungeons and puzzle solving is fine.

 

[Tobor]

In before lol-worthy steampunk idea.

Go back to the basics, a la New Super Mario Bros. I'm not sure what else can be done for the 3D games, aside from really opening up the overworld and doing away with the very strictly set order to the dungeons.

That about sums it up.

 

[Mama Robotnik]

Go back to The Legend of Zelda.

You're in a barren world that hates you, in which the last remenants of humanity are hiding in sealed caves underground, waiting to die.

You've come of age, and as all noble young warriors do, you must venture into the wilderness to try and save the world.

With sprawling landscape in every direction, temples and caves dug into ancient, forgotten rock, and ferocious beasts around every corner, you don't stand a chance.

The intro sequence is Link leaving the cave, being stopped by an old man who says "ITS DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE. TAKE THIS", and passes you a basic sword. Link then leaves and the cave is sealed closed behind him. The whole sequence is about 45 seconds long, then BAM you are in the game.

Your goal is simple. Survive.

Spoiler

AceBandage, I know you beat me but damnit I liked typing my longer, more pondering version of your suggestion.

 

[Electivirus]

It needs to be revitalized? This is news to me.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Bring back Four Swords on 3DS.

 

[SouthernDragon]

Release another one.

 

[Alrus]

Less Dungeony.

So not a Zelda game pretty much?

 

[brotkasten]

Hmm, I'm not sure. Maybe developing a main 3D title in less than 6 years would help, so people can start to give a shit. It's not even a HD game, ffs.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

Less Dungeony.

I hope not. My favorite part of Zelda games are the dungeons.

I'd like more sidequests and optional stuff that isn't just more heart pieces, though.

 

[Pikelet]

I want a good story. I don't want anime-style cut scenes all over the shop but a nice, subtle, classic and minimalistic story without a lot of dialogue would work best i think.

Also, beef up the combat, don't rehash old items too much and perhaps switch up the dungeon structure a little bit.

I don't like the art style for Skyward sword, nor the one for Twilight Princess. I would much prefer a naturalistic style though, something that looks classy but not too realistic. Make the world as interesting to look at as something like Witcher 2, that really helps with the exploration elements.

 

[Kiiji]

The formula from OoT is getting stale, and the 3D games need a reboot ala SMG.

Who says so?

The way I see it, the formula itself doesn't matter so much. What really matters is HOW you use that formula as a medium to present entertaining content. For instance, TP and MM both follow a similar "OoT" formula, but I think most people would agree MM is better. Why? Because they used the "formula" as a medium in which to present challenging gameplay, interesting characters and setting, somewhat interesting story, etc.

The "Zelda formula" is very versatile. Saying that it's "getting stale" is like saying that the episodic TV format is getting stale and television sitcoms need to all be rebooted, or paintings are stale and people need to move onto sculpting, etc.

I'm somewhat new here, but is NeoGAF always so obsessed with "reboot"s of old, established, successful franchises?

 

[Oni Link 666]

Witcher 2 style realistic graphics and LA Noire facial animation with Bruce Campbell as Link.



...what?

 

[Seda]

So not a Zelda game pretty much?

Well, we don't Zelda to be too Metroidy either......

I guess my favorite Zelda games are Wind Waker and Majora's Mask, which both had a small number of dungeons.

Maybe just less focus on Dungeons.

I dunno.

 

[teh_pwn]

It could use a better story.

But Zelda's strength used to be exploration. Barren fields and spotty islands in a monotonous ocean just aren't the same as Link to the past. Give up a lush forest like Witcher 2 to explore, interactive environments, etc.

 

[kittens]

Go back to The Legend of Zelda.

You're in a barren world that hates you, in which the last remenants of humanity are hiding in sealed caves underground, waiting to die.

You've come of age, and as all noble young warriors do, you must venture into the wilderness to try and save the world.

With sprawling landscape in every direction, temples and caves dug into ancient, forgotten rock, and ferocious beasts around every corner, you don't stand a chance.

The intro sequence is Link leaving the cave, being stopped by an old man who says "ITS DANGEROUS TO GO ALONE. TAKE THIS", and passes you a basic sword. Link then leaves and the cave is sealed closed behind him. The whole sequence is about 45 seconds long, then BAM you are in the game.

Your goal is simple. Survive.

Spoiler

AceBandage, I know you beat me but damnit I liked typing my longer, more pondering version of your suggestion.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about! This is exactly what I want.

 

[MadraptorMan]

Release Skyward Sword ASAP.

 

[Big One]

Who says so?

The way I see it, the formula itself doesn't matter so much. What really matters is HOW you use that formula as a medium to present entertaining content. For instance, TP and MM both follow a similar "OoT" formula, but I think most people would agree MM is better. Why? Because they used the "formula" as a medium in which to present challenging gameplay, interesting characters and setting, etc.

The "Zelda formula" is very versatile. Saying that it's "getting stale" is like saying that the episodic TV format is getting stale and television sitcoms need to all be rebooted, or paintings are stale and people need to move onto sculpting, etc.

I'm somewhat new here, but is NeoGAF always so obsessed with "reboot"s of old, established, successful franchises?

This is true plus, arguably, SMG is pretty much the SM64 formula anyway. SMG is great because it takes this formula and refines it. I think SS has the potential to be something like this since it's the Wii's first original Zelda and promises new changes (instead of the development rants of TWW and TP which were all about overtaking OoT's spot as greatest game evur).

 

[ferr]

A new setting wouldn't be that horrible, or at least an amalgamated setting. Drop him in post nuclear fallout 2199 and give him a motorcycle instead of a horse. Make the mastersword a lightsaber that can be used as a rail gun in first person perspective. Also he's the leader of a covert ops team on a mission to save the president from a time traveling cowboy mutant named Ganon.

 

[Oblivion]

Who says so?

The way I see it, the formula itself doesn't matter so much. What really matters is HOW you use that formula as a medium to present entertaining content. For instance, TP and MM both follow a similar "OoT" formula, but I think most people would agree MM is better. Why? Because they used the "formula" as a medium in which to present challenging gameplay, interesting characters and setting, somewhat interesting story, etc.

The "Zelda formula" is very versatile. Saying that it's "getting stale" is like saying that the episodic TV format is getting stale and television sitcoms need to all be rebooted, or paintings are stale and people need to move onto sculpting, etc.

I'm somewhat new here, but is NeoGAF always so obsessed with "reboot"s of old, established, successful franchises?

I likes you.

 

[AceBandage]

A new setting wouldn't be that horrible, or at least an amalgamated setting. Drop him in post nuclear fallout 2199 and give him a motorcycle instead of a horse. Make the mastersword a lightsaber that can be used as a rail gun in first person perspective. Also he's the leader of a covert ops team on a mission to save the president from a time traveling cowboy mutant named Ganon.

I'd get behind this as a new IP from Nintendo.
Not as Zelda, though.

 

[Seda]

A new setting wouldn't be that horrible, or at least an amalgamated setting. Drop him in post nuclear fallout 2199 and give him a motorcycle instead of a horse. Make the mastersword a lightsaber that can be used as a rail gun in first person perspective. Also he's the leader of a covert ops team on a mission to save the president from a time traveling cowboy mutant named Ganon.

um....no.

 

[Anth0ny]

Who says so?

The way I see it, the formula itself doesn't matter so much. What really matters is HOW you use that formula as a medium to present entertaining content. For instance, TP and MM both follow a similar "OoT" formula, but I think most people would agree MM is better. Why? Because they used the "formula" as a medium in which to present challenging gameplay, interesting characters and setting, somewhat interesting story, etc.

The "Zelda formula" is very versatile. Saying that it's "getting stale" is like saying that the episodic TV format is getting stale and television sitcoms need to all be rebooted, or paintings are stale and people need to move onto sculpting, etc.

I'm somewhat new here, but is NeoGAF always so obsessed with "reboot"s of old, established, successful franchises?

This is very true.

TP barely did anything different from OOT besides the shitty wolf segments. Wind Waker and Majora's Mask had tons of new shit, and were awesome because of it (well, Wind Waker was too short, but besides that, amazing).

 

[Mortrialus]

Truthfully I can't imagine diverging from the Ocarina of Time formula. Its just the backbone of 3D action-adventure genre as a whole. At best I can imaging something like Okami where its more about progressing through the world as a whole rather than dungeons in a way.

Shaking the 3 dungeons, then plot twist then six dungeons set up would be a start.

 

[TheSeks]

In before lol-worthy steampunk idea.

Why would it be lol-worthy? It'd be new.

Hell, take Zelda into space with a sci-fi sword and weird alien enemies. It would be new.

Honestly, I think the best thing for Zelda and Mario at this point is to take a five year break. The "every one-two years" alteration is really taking it's toll, IMO.

 

[Pikelet]

This is true plus, arguably, SMG is pretty much the SM64 formula anyway. SMG is great because it takes this formula and refines it. I think SS has the potential to be something like this since it's the Wii's first original Zelda and promises new changes (instead of the development rants of TWW and TP which were all about overtaking OoT's spot as greatest game evur).

I disagree that Galaxy uses the same formula as SM64. Super Mario 64 was about exploring worlds multiple times to find their secrets and collecting stars. Galaxy is much more linear and focused, it has a much different feel.

 

[nckillthegrimace]

A new setting wouldn't be that horrible, or at least an amalgamated setting. Drop him in post nuclear fallout 2199 and give him a motorcycle instead of a horse. Make the mastersword a lightsaber that can be used as a rail gun in first person perspective. Also he's the leader of a covert ops team on a mission to save the president from a time traveling cowboy mutant named Ganon.

I like this idea. Additionally, they could cover up all gameplay deficiencies with set-pieces and watch the forum accolades and GOTY awards roll in.

 

[Celsior]

Link should have a motorcycle and play children card games.

 

[ClovingWestbrook]

Zelda Vietnam?

But seriously? LTTP 2D with upgraded visuals. BOOM GOTY

 

[Big One]

I disagree that Galaxy uses the same formula as SM64. Super Mario 64 was about exploring worlds multiple times to find their secrets and collecting stars. Galaxy is much more linear and focused, it has a much different feel.

That isn't the formula I'm talking about. I'm talking about the actual design. The controls are similar, the goal is similar (collect all the stars), the health system is similar. It's pretty much the same base game in terms of how Mario plays and controls. Same could be said about Sunshine. What makes Galaxy different is, like you said, the linear challenges, the spherical gameplay, etc. Stuff like Skyward Sword's WiiMotion+ sword controls + dungeon integrated into overworld design could potentially change the OoT formula in a similar fashion, but still retain the same base elements.