They just announced a new Zelda game for the 3DS that looks like A Link to the Past, only worse because rather than use crisp 2D sprites it uses blurry 3D textures. Sadly, that’s about where the comparisons seem to end because they also announced that it would include gimmicks that require you to be able to see 3D and some sort of “turn link into a 2D drawing” puzzle gimmick.
It’s insulting to me.
Nintendo: Oh yeah?! The customer wants more 2D zelda with quality swordplay and items?!
Customer: Yes! That’s what we want!
Nintendo: Well, -I- think 3D is just too complicated for you and you’re -too dumb- to accept our amazing puzzle gameplay. So, we’ll give you what could potentially be a sequel to your beloved A Link to the Past and wrap it up in an oldschool style!
Customer: Wrap..it up?
Nintendo: Mwahahaha, you fools. As if we’d ever not make the core gameplay involve 3D and sophisticated puzzles! And, you can’t forget the kiddie, new, ‘unzelda’ puzzle gimmicks we include each time!
Maybe I’m jumping the gun here, but I doubt it. If they were going to make the game more combat focused again, why not announce or show off the fights or new combat items and such? The first announcement sets the tone for what to expect in the game and since they used their time to gush about puzzle crap and 3D, I imagine we will again be getting puzzle crap and 3D. I count it as a blessing that they at least didn’t troll us with a quality “tech demo” before revealing the actual game would be this.
It’s like they want only children who’ve never played the other games to buy their new zelda releases. Or, with this game, it’s like they want it to fail so they can soundly declare to the business side “see, going back to the classic style doesn’t work!”. Nintendo might need to learn from SE and do some “cleanup” of its staff and projects if such logic could work/be allowed to move forward.
I think this is the B-Team Zelda. The ‘real assets’ of music, graphics, and all will be reserved only for Aonuma’s team. It is the kick in the teeth Nintendo did for NSMB Wii and Super Mario Galaxy.
If these games have mediocre music and art assets (we’ll know), then I’m passing. I refuse to be a B-level consumer.