Okay, so I'll admit that I do like the game, for the MOST part. I'm going to c/p some of what I've said somewhere else, then I have some things to add, because I need to let off steam.

From a GameFAQs post I put up two days ago:

Surprisingly, I am STILL enjoying this. So far, my opinion is that it's a good game overall (maybe an 7.5, not the 9.5 all the game sites seem to be giving it) - it's got some glaring issues IMHO but in general, I'm playing more of THIS than I have TP so far.. *hides in shame* So far, I like being able to draw the path for the boomerang/arrows (I always did suck when it came to aiming those damn things), I like being able to use the stylus to make Link creep slowly across narrow places, and I like being able to draw the path to navigate on the seas. I love some of the gimmicks, such as closing the DS to make an impression on your map. The geeky fangirl in me is easily excited with that sort of thing.

That being said, I loathe: The Temple of the Ocean King - having to go back through EVERY LEVEL and unlock the doors again every time you enter seems like a way to artificially inflate the length of the game. I loathe the Salvage Arm mini-game; guiding the crane through exploding sea urchins and rocky walls gets on my nerves quick. The control isn't as precise as they advertise it as being - yes, it's tight, but it's not ALWAYS that good. I mean, tapping the wrong spot makes Link jump into a pit, even if you didn't mean to. The warp function SUCKS - you have to draw symbols to warp to different parts of the ocean, and if you don't get them exactly right it won't trigger. Those are a few of my issues, though I am having fun.. in small doses, at this time.

Actual PROGRESS - Just finished the Ghost Ship; had far, far less trouble with it than I expected to. I'm looking for my next Sea Chart in the Temple of the Ocean King (thus my whining about having to go through that YET AGAIN..)

So. I have some followup commentary.

Okay. Using some familiar patterns/elements to tie the games in a series together is fine. In fact, with old franchises like Zelda, repetition with a few new added things increases enjoyment for most fans. But Nintendo.. why did you take a beloved franchise formula and attempt to break it? Was it your intention to attempt to shatter it upon the sharp rocks of the lame, unexplored isles?

I mean, okay, so we're visiting a familiar triad of peoples, representing the familiar elements of Fire-Water-Wind. To collect the sacred stones artifacts pendants blobs of metal necessary to repair yet another sacred sword (what happened to the Evil-Banishing Power of the Master Sword, anyway?). Not that big a deal. And I am okay with drawing a path to sail, it's far less annoying than GUESSING which way I'm heading.

But what sort of illegal drugs were you smoking when you created that HELL that is the Temple of the Ocean King???????

I'm sorry, every review I'd seen complained about having to go back through every floor, every time. I figured I could just suck it up and deal, and then in my strat guide, I saw a notation - on floor 6, there is a MIDWAY WARP POINT. My jaded little gamer's heart leapt in joy, believing that this was the end to traipsing past traps I've disarmed 10x already.. until I discovered that the warp saves the amount of time you've used. Even if you exit the temple.

Hello? The "rules" are WHEN YOU EXIT THE TEMPLE, YOUR SAND REFILLS ITSELF. Screwing with that doesn't make the game more challenging, it just pisses me off.

And let's not even get into the "attempt to draw a symbol in one stroke." I got to the point where I was supposed to draw a Triforce on the sealed door with one stroke. I suck at art anyway, so after about 15 tries I literally started scribbling on the DS. My finished product looked NOTHING like the Triforce...

But it took it! What the HELL? And I'm wondering if it works on those screwed-up warp symbols those stupid frogs give me. One of them, I can't get to trigger and I can't figure out what the problem is.

I also find the item system cumbersome - switching back and forth between items is easy to screw up in the heat of battle, or as I found out - tapping across the room to fire your bow, when the bow is not equipped, is a surefire way to get Link to jump into a pit. Or run into a Phantom. Or something.

Now, let's talk about graphics.

Unlike most Zelda fans, I did fall into the camp that eventually loved Wind Waker, and the visual style grew on me. I mean, I AM impressed with Twilight Princess's visuals, but WW didn't deeply offend me like it seemed to a lot of people.

However, that visual style doesn't translate all that well to DS, at least not in the famed cutscenes. The dungeon sequences are pretty enough but the rest of it isn't all that wonderful. Blocky = bad. And I'm not even a graphics whore!

So yeah. I'm still not sure why I like this game even as much as I do - guess I'm just weird - but gah. I really CAN'T figure out why it got 9.whatever most places though, unless it's just because it IS a Zelda game. *shrugs*

Hey, I can be a fan and still admit when aspects of a game/series suck.

Most recent blog posts from Danyal Vierheller...
Back, I think. Bad form, Capcom, bad form.

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	EmP - December 06, 2007 (02:02 PM) Excellent. The more people complain about PH, the less I feel that I'm waging a one-man war.
	siara79 - December 06, 2007 (04:55 PM) Well, unless MartinG beat you to it. :P But the thing is, while I like the game better than you seemed to, I totally agree that they screwed some things up good - with a capital F. I'm so frustrated right now I'm about ready to chuck the stupid thing, but my stubborn pride is insisting that I continue until it's done. I mean, that last battle on the Ghost Ship was easier than I thought, and if I get through the parts I hate I at least have some of what I enjoy waiting for me.... right?
	sashanan - December 06, 2007 (10:56 PM) Hey, there's no F in scre-- *gets shot*
	MartinG - December 07, 2007 (01:04 PM) I found the one or two Zelda games I have played to be extremely, mind-numbingly boring. It was my understanding that the user-friendly gameplay was there to ease the deep tedium of everything else. If they take that away and make playing a frustrating chore, what's left?
	siara79 - December 07, 2007 (01:36 PM) My take on the Zeldas: I love the first one, simply because it is the first. Kinda like loving the first Mario, the first Metroid, or hell, even Koudelka - simply because it represents the origins of a beloved series. Besides, for the time, it certainly is NOT a bad game. The second game pisses me off too much. Link to the Past & Ocarina of Time were the pinnacles of the series thus far. Majora's Mask, while innovative, is highly annoying. Link's Awakening got on my nerves too, I got lost and then promptly stopped caring. Minish Cap isn't too bad, but I've not been motivated to finish - or replay - it. Wind Waker I loved, despite the silly graphical style. The gameplay was a little richer than OOT, I think, and I'm a sucker for taking photos and making them into pretty 3-D statues. Twilight Princess is absolutely gorgeous graphically. But the first part is leaving me underwhelmed, gameplay-wise, though I've read a spoiler or two and think the story might be interesting.. if I can get past the water temple. It's too easy to miss necessary items due to the frustration of not being able to get from point A to point B without huge-ass detours. And, well, you know my opinion on PH. :P
	EmP - December 08, 2007 (02:49 AM) LA was my favourite. By far. I don't think many (or any) of the other really climbed above 8/10. Maybe the first two, but I never even beat them.