[Maikeru D. Shinigami]

Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

ESRB Rating: E 10+

Presentation: 9.8/10
The game has its own feel that sets it apart from the other games. The art style is its own, the vast ocean is something that before this game, Zelda had never done before. The story was good, as Zelda games tend to be. The opening story was nice. Not much bad I can say about it. It was great, though I can't say it's the best Zelda game I've played, or that it's in my top 3. For that reason, I put it as "Good" instead of "Amazing". Compared to other Zelda games, I'd call it good, compared to other games, I'd call it "Amazing".

Graphics: 10/10
The graphics of this game are a hit or miss for some people. I personally love the graphics, very cartoon-like. I like cell-shaded graphics too though. For what the designers were going for, I think they did it well, and it is my favorite graphic style of any Zelda game on the market. Though, Skyward Sword could definitely change that.

Sound: 10/10
One of the greatest soundtracks I've ever heard. It's up there with Turtles in Time soundtrack for me. I actually think I like the soundtrack more than Ocarina of Time's and Majora's Mask's, which is saying a lot. The best soundtrack out of all the Zelda games I've played. I loved the cartoon-like sound effects as well.

Gameplay: 9.4/10
Sailing on the ocean can be a bit too lengthy at times, kind of boring. However, once you learn the Ballad of Gales and start doing the numerous side quests, the game becomes much more fun and engaging. It has the same type of gameplay as past Zelda games before it, with its own little spin on it.

Lasting Appeal: 9.7/10
The numerous side quests should leave anyone interested in the game happy. You can go through several playthroughs and still have things to discover. Which is something common for Zelda games, of course.


Overall: 9.5/10
The game gets points for originality and being a Zelda game, which are always fun. It also gets points for the soundtrack, which was amazing. The main con is sailing the ocean until you get the Ballad of Gales. Medli was amazing as well. Gameplay and Presentation are the two most important areas to me, which is why this is a 9.5 instead of a 9.6 or 9.7.


Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

ESRB Rating: E 10+

Presentation: 10/10
The game comes up with a clever and original story where you have to defeat the game within a three day time span. The song of time helps make this game similar to the movie Groundhog Day while still playing like a Zelda game. The opening story was pretty good, just like all Zelda games. But not the CD-I, those don't count.

Graphics: 9.9/10
I'm not a big graphics person. This game kept the same graphics as Ocarina of Time, which isn't a bad thing. It looked really nice for the generation it was made in.

Sound: 9.9/10
The game has some great music and sound all together. Just as expected from any Zelda game. There's few games that have a soundtrack that make this one seem lackluster. One of those being a game from the series of the same name, Wind Waker.

Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay stayed true to the Ocarina of Time series, so it was easy to understand. The Gamecube controller I used was a little faulty, but that's not the games fault. There were a couple times where it wasn't exactly easy to control, specifically with the Goron rolling and Zora swimming. That point is made void though by the fact that I can be a freaking Goron or a Zora.

Lasting Appeal: 9.9/10
Many side quests should keep one entertained for reasons beyond the main story.


Overall: 10/10
The game was well put together, and was just a great Zelda game, better than all Zelda games, as far as I'm concerned. While its soundtrack doesn't reach the heights of Wind Waker or Turtles in Time, and the graphics (obviously) aren't as realistic as Twilight Princess, it brings an interesting and engaging story. Oh, and a new final boss, which as much as I like Ganon, is still cool. In fact, I prefer Majora over Ganon. The story was amazing, my favorite game in the Zelda series. My favorite story in the series, and in my opinion, the neatest Zelda game in the series. It reaches perfection for me.