The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Description

Given that the next full fledged instalment in the seminal Legend of Zelda series isn't due until at least summer 2005, some gamers have been left feeling a certain void in the wake of Nintendo's previous GameCube offering, Wind Waker. But all isn't lost, with the Japanese giant bringing the series back to its roots in a winter warmer that goes by the name of Four Swords Adventures. Though fully playable in a single-player capacity, Four Swords Adventures is primarily designed with a notable multi-player focus. The story provides the means for Nintendo's efforts, as super wizard Vaati casts a unique spell that splits protagonist Link into four separate entities, one for each player. Assuming control of these colour-defined Links, all four players must combine their talents in a co-operative effort in order to overcome dozens of puzzle and combat-based challenges in eight familiar Hyrule locales. For example, obstacles such as heavy rocks can only be overcome with the strength of four, and so it's in each player's interest to help one another throughout. Gamers keen on multi-player sessions can also take advantage of a spanking new battle mode that sees link versus link battling it out in a number of arenas in a struggle to steal Rupees by means of a library of renowned Zelda weapons and tools. Another factor is brought into play with GBA/GC connectivity, which sees each player using the GBA screen as a means to gain an advantage over the opposition. It simply amplifies the tactical element of the competitive multi-player game. Visually speaking, Four Swords Adventures is old-school, and that's obvious. Technically, it's dated, but it's extremely well suited to the playing style intended by Nintendo. It's reminiscent of the 16-bit classic A Link to the Past, but has been made more pleasing to the eye though a series of simple but effective special effects, many of which can also be seen in Wind Waker. Though Four Swords Adventures isn't the epic we're all so much looking forward to, it's a unique and welcome chapter in the Zelda timeline and a great stop-gap for Nintendo's next instalment.