Few games have had so many fans so excited for so long as the massive adventure, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. After more than two and a half years of anticipation, Nintendo fans can finally exhale.
This time out, Link begins as a rancher whose friends are kidnapped by a group of raiding monsters. In the search to rescue them, he is pulled into a dark kingdom that is taking over the world. He is transformed into a wolf, rescued by an untrustworthy creature named Midna, and learns that he is destined to save Hyrule from the Twilight.
Many elements of the controls remain familiar on Wii. However, swordplay and aiming weapons now make use of the controller’s motion sensing and pointer features.
To pull out or swing Link’s sword, just lightly swing the remote in any direction. Doing this as you walk around lets you make quick horizontal swipes.
When you hold the Z trigger, Link can also perform vertical strikes, stabs, and jump attacks, as well backflips and sidesteps to dodge.
To do Link’s signature spin attack, simply shake the nunchuk attachment. You can’t spin repeatedly, so wait for your sword to glint before attempting to spin again.
Those are the basics, but Link learns seven more advanced sword techniques as you progress through the game.
To aim with weapons like the slingshot and boomerang, set the item to the B trigger, and then hold B to bring up your targeting cursor. Now you can simply aim the remote at an enemy and release the trigger to fire. You can also lock on to enemies with Z to get a sure shot in.
Wolf Link’s controls aren’t much different, but the wolf has some specific advantages and disadvantages. You can still attack by swinging the remote and spin attack by shaking the nunchuk. Targeting an enemy and pressing A allows you to lunge at it.
You can target multiple enemies by holding down the B trigger to generate a circular field around the wolf. Touch each baddie with this circle and release the button to unleash a frenzy of deadly attacks against your foes.
Pressing left or right on the control pad shifts you into sense mode, allowing you to see scent trails, dig-able areas, or spirits trapped in the Twilight Realm.
Humans are afraid of the wolf, but he can gather information by speaking with other animals such as chickens and frogs.
Lacking thumbs, the wolf can’t simply open the front door to someone’s house. You’ll need to find other means of entry. You’ll often jump up to rooftops with Midna’s assistance, dig under walls, or find small openings to crawl through.
After the first few hours, you’ll arrive at the first dungeon: the Forest Temple. In this overgrown fortress full of spiders and carnivorous plants, you’ll need to rescue a group of caged monkeys in order to advance.
About half way through the level, you’ll encounter the simians’ leader. He slaps his butt a lot and attacks by throwing a boomerang to dislodge nasty biting plants from the ceiling.
Take care of any plants nearby, then wait for the monkey to throw his boomerang. While the boomerang is in the air, roll into the pole that the primate is standing on. This will throw him off his balance and cause him to get knocked off by the boomerang when it returns. When he hits the ground, rush over and start slapping that red behind. After a few spankings, you’ll knock the monkey back to his senses and win the Gale Boomerang.
The Forest Temple also hides two pieces of heart. These rare items are some of the most valuable treasures in the game because collecting five of them will extend your life bar.
The first can be found in the room just to the right of the main hall. Drop a bomb from the highest platform into the plant below to access a chest with the heart piece.
The second piece of heart is nearby, in the room with worms hiding beneath the floor tiles. Use the Gale Boomerang to blow out the torches. This will lower the platforms and allow you to reach a chest holding the other heart piece.
We’ve just scratched the surface of this vast new world. Rest assured that there are plenty of hidden goodies and oddities to be found.
