The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

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The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
North American Box Art
Developer	Nintendo
Publisher	Nintendo
Platform	Nintendo DS
Release Date(s)	2007
Genre	Action-Adventure
Rating	(E) Everyone

During GDC 2006, Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo DS's first Zelda game, titled Phantom Hourglass. This game is a direct sequel to the Gamecube hit, The Legend of Zelda: Wind WakerThe Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Like it's predecessor, Phantom Hourglass keeps the cel-shaded look and straight-forward gameplay. This section includes information and game help on the hit DS game of the year.

Story

"When an evil shadow stretches from the heart of Hyrule to its peaceful borderlands, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero within and stand tall in defense of his village. Lead Link and his beloved steed into battle against hordes of foul creatures with an incredible horseback combat system, then take on massive bosses that have to be seen to be believed. The last ray of hope for a dying realm, Link finds himself on an epic journey that will challenge him endlessly and transform him in ways unimaginable." This game is a carry on from The Legend of Zelda: Wind WakerThe Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

Gameplay

Link is making his first ever appearance on the DS with the return of the cel-shaded graphics that made The Wind Waker one of the most distinctive looking video games of all time. Although the game is a pseudo-sequel to the GameCube’s first Zelda title, the gameplay is completely unique to the DS, with the whole game being controlled via the touch screen, including Link’s own movements and attacks. You draw a straight line for a sword slash, a circle around Link for a spinning attack, you can plot the arc of your boomerang directly on screen, navigate across the oceans by drawing on a treasure map, or conjure magical symbols including the mysterious phantom hourglass. You can even do things like make notes and doodles on the onscreen dungeon map.

Although the graphics are in full 3D, the view of the game world is from a top down perspective, similar to classic Zelda games such as A Link To The Past – although this view does change in the game, most often during mini-games and specific enemy encounters. Since the sailing was not the most popular aspect of The Wind Waker, it’s been completely revamped here with Link now commanding a larger steam boat that doesn’t rely on the wind to power it.

There’s also a multiplayer mode for two players, similar in concept to Pac-Man Vs., where one player is Link and the other controls three Darknuts. Link has to collect a gem from the centre of the screen and carry it to his base on the side of the maze while avoiding the other player. After complaints that Twilight Princess was sticking too close to the established Zelda formula, this should be the most radical departure for the series yet.

Characters

Link, Linebeck and Ciela

Link - is the main character and hero of the Zelda series. He travels along with Linebeck and the fairy Ciela, on his quest to save Tetra from the clutches of Bellum, the main villain in this game.
Linebeck - Linebeck is the cowardly captain of his own ship, S. S. Linebeck. With this, he is able accompany Link on his adventure. Link uses the ship to travel throughout the game.
Ciela - Link's fairy, who accompanies Link on his journey.
Oshus - Old man who lives on Mercay Island, Ciela's 'grandfather'. He is also the Ocean King.
Tetra - A brave young pirate, who gets captured by the Ghost Ship. She is actually Princess Zelda.
Bellum- The creature that is hidden in the Ocean Temple. He possesses the Ghost Ship, he holds the key too setting Tetra free.

The Phantom Hourglass

The Phantom Hourglass is a special item which can be used to go through the Temple of the Ocean King at Mercay Island. The time will stop when you are in a safe zone, but when hit by a phantom some time will be lost. When a boss is beat, time is added to the Phantom Hourglass. Without the Hourglass, you would be unable to find the sea charts hidden in the Temple. You collect the sand (or the 'Sands of time') to build up for battling Bellum. The Phantom Hourglass has the ability to stop time, you don't use it until the final battle.