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Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES) artwork

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES) review


"The Adventure of Link is not at all like the original. They combined a 3D world with 2D areas. The fighting is more similiar to Castlevania then it is to the original Zelda. Really I do not understand why the original NES always changed the sequels so drastically from an already succesful formula. This is my least favorite Zelda game, for it could've been much better and I did not like how the game worked out, and the strange story. "

The Adventure of Link is not at all like the original. They combined a 3D world with 2D areas. The fighting is more similiar to Castlevania then it is to the original Zelda. Really I do not understand why the original NES always changed the sequels so drastically from an already succesful formula. This is my least favorite Zelda game, for it could've been much better and I did not like how the game worked out, and the strange story.

STORY (2/5): Really the story has something to do with Ganon, without ever fighting Ganon at all. The boss battles really never make any sense, for why are you fighting these people. You can also basically just get the items in the dungeons, and just blantantly skip the boss battles, until the very end. No real story present, to put with the Zelda history.

GRAPHICS (12/15): The world map is similiar to the world maps in games like the original Final Fantasy, as your character moves across a 3D environment where towns, caves or dungeons frequent and to enter them you just walk into them. You then switch to a fairly detailed 2D environment, with a two-demensional Link. The towns have alot of useless buildings, but that does help for the scenery of the game. Your enemies are also in 2D, but there is a variety of them, and they are dependant on color. Not a bad variety of enemies.

SOUND (6/10): Truth be told this is the weakest Zelda music in the entire series, and it is still distinctly above average. The world map music is annoying, for you spen alot of time on it, and the battle music is also not to bad. The dungeon music however is cool. The sound affects however are annoying. When you enter a battle, you have this annoying sound appear like a loud buzzing. Also the sound of when you throw your sword or hit an enemy doesn't really fit.

GAMEPLAY (38/55): Why do great videogames change their formula of success so often? The way Adventure of Link works is you journey along on a 2D map. After awhile if you do not travel on paths, these little blob things appear. If you run into one of the blob things you will be forced to fight on a 2D screen. The goal is to journey out through the sides of the 2D screen. You can also enter dungeons, towns or caves which are also 2D which means you will be able to see the enemies already there.

Adventure to Link is more RPG like than any of the others, because it has an experience pts and levels in the game. This is a change of pace, but it doesn't really affect the game except you will be forced to fight constantly to get your levels up if you want a chance at all of surviving later on. This game is a true level-uper because you will spend more time doing that then playing the game.

The actual fighting system is fairly fun, except it depends a little too much on the jumping then striking with the sword. It is kinda fun, cause you need to strike quick and then get back. When you have the ability to throw your sword it is fun, but nothing to great. Also you can't update your weapons, which is a big dissapointment. There is a magic system which is good, but Link is missing alot of his old arsenal.

REPLAYABILITY (5/10): Truth be told, the only reason to replay this game is because it is a Zelda game. If it wasn't a Zelda game, I do not think people would be replaying this game as much as they do. There is no rewards for playing it through more than once, like the original nor is there different ways to really get the feel of the game. I played it once through, and I will probably play it again someday because it is a Zelda game.

DIFFICULTY (4/5): The dungeons are kinda easy in the beggining, but later on you can be searching for hours just because half the rooms do not need to be explored. However what stands out in difficulty is the two final masters. The Thunderbird is beatable, but the final master (who will remain nameless) is impossible because you go in with like one life, cause you can't save right before the battle of anything. It is not fun, and very hard to conquer.

OVERALL (67/100): This is a game that you buy just because of the name. I mean, in all ways it is not a completely bad game, but I think it is the rock bottom for a wonderful series. Zelda II: Adventure of Link is a fun game, with a different system which is effective but in my mind a step down from the other games in this series. Sure, I would reccomend purchasing this game for it has it's moments and it is a Zelda game, even if it doesn't feel like it. However it is in noway a god of the video game industry, no matter what anyone tells you.



ratking's avatar
Community review by ratking (August 16, 2002)

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