As I said in my review for the GameCube version of The Wind Waker: this game may not be the best Zelda game there is, but it is a classic adventure that has shaped the future of the series for the best. It took storytelling to a whole new level, and the seeds of later developments in the series, such as an intricate sword fighting system, a less linear narrative and a more active role for supporting characters in the story, can clearly be seen here. I will go as far as saying that there would not have been a Twilight Princess without the Wind Waker, or at the very least it would not have been as good. But when I heard there was going to be a remake for the Wii U, my first thought was that the remake trend that has gone through Hollywood has finally hit the gaming world as well. Despite some detractors, Wind Waker was an artistic success, so why remake it? Was the game too ahead of its time, and would it feel more at home in the 2010s? Could the good people at Nintendo no longer live with the fact that this game was a financial disappointment? Or was the power and interface of the Wii U just something that this game would benefit from?
It is said that the makers created HD demos of multiple Zelda games, and Wind Waker came out as the best. Now I am not entirely convinced that money wasn't a big motivation for this HD remake, but I will fully admit that this is definitely not just a simple high-definition port. Of course, the basic premise of a 3D adventure on a big sea is still intact. Those who did not like the original game will probably not be won over by it now, but those who only had some reservations about it should definitely give it a chance. And those who loved the Cube version should fully embrace it.
The original had a bit of a bad start; an early demo for the GameCube set the wrong expectations, and many fans were unpleasantly surprised with the cell-shaded splendor that Wind Waker had to offer. But those who could (and can) appreciate this less dark and slightly more kid-friendly approach will be blown away by the amazing graphics and lighting effects. The power of the Wii U is used to make the surroundings and textures even more immersive and alive. Whether it is a forest in the full sun, a fiery subterranean temple or the sea surrounded by dark clouds, every scene looks like it comes straight from a big-budget animation studio. Together with the full 5.1 soundtrack, it puts the player right in the middle of the adventure. The backdrop is still a big vast ocean for most of the time, but now you can spot even tiny islands and enemies in the distance. Sailing through a lightning storm with pouring rain never felt so epic, and neither did the swordfighting.
It is good to see that the makers have listened to the complaints about the gameplay. Since sailing can take up such a long time (especially during the sidequests and the inescapable backtracking), they have added an item called the Swift Sail, which can be obtained fairly early in the game. It removes the constant need to change the direction of the wind via the Wind Waker, and greatly increases the speed of the boat. Coupled with the warping system via Cyclones, tedious traveling is a thing of the past. One mandatory mission, the search for the Triforce, has been simplified considerably, so it doesn't take ages anymore. The Wii U pad is used to great effect to control targeting items, such as the Bow, Grappling Hook, Boomerang and Hookshot, so the Wiimote isn't that sorely missed. Maps and the Item menu are also displayed on the Wii U pad, so the act of assigning items to action buttons can be done without pausing. Most of the items used on the boat, such as the Sail, the Wind Waker, the Grappling Hook and the Cannon, even come pre-assigned to quick-buttons, removing the tedious need to equip these over and over again altogether. But perhaps the new element that is most fun is the Tingle Bottle, which can be used to send messages and pictures to other players via the Miiverse. All in all, the game has eliminated many of the elements that used to frustrate and annoy, without sacrificing the difficulty level.
One thing that unfortunately wasn't fixed is the dungeons: there are only seven (the Forsaken Fortress is visited twice, but the first time is more for narrative purposes, so I count it as one). That doesn't sound very small, but there are only three in the main quest before the final one (which has the most awesome and epic finale), and only about four dungeons are really memorable and/or challenging. A lot of the missions in between feel more like fetch quests than legitimate battles. This game is still relatively easy compared to some Zelda installments. It would have been nice if they had done something about that, because like with the Cube version, the player will need to do some sidequests to extend the playing time and get the idea that a true quest has been undertaken.
So taken in account the passage of time, the recent developments in Zelda gaming, and the nice improvements, I award this remake the same score as I did with the Cube version. It isn't a completely different gaming experience, some of its shortcomings are still there, but for those who have pleasant nostalgic feelings to the Great See, this is definitely a must. If the upcoming Twilight Princess HD remake is done just as good, we're in for a treat!
