Topic: What Am I Missing about Wind Waker HD?

I recently got my Wii U and I am really enjoying it so far. To take a break from platforming, I wanted to try an adventure game. I saw high marks online for Wind Waker HD. I never had an N64 or GameCube, so my last Zelda game was Link to the Past on the SNES. So I purchased Wind Waker several days ago, and I'm pretty disappointed.

I keep getting stuck on essential quest tasks and constantly have to refer to online strategy guides and walk throughs. This takes the wonder out of the game, but I'm just not getting what's going on. In the Dragon Roost Dungeon, I did not know to do one obscure thing in order to get the Big Key, and then I got stuck, unable to fight the dungeon boss and progress in the game. I had to back track to the beginning of the dungeon, losing hours of gameplay progress.

This game is just incredibly frustrating. However, I'm seeing universal acclaim from critics. Is the game overhyped? Or am I missing something? I'm about to return it to Game Stop and trade it in, taking a $20 or so hit.

I don't know what to tell you dude, I find the game great its in my Top 10 games of all time. The game never seemed to confusing until the later half, its really pretty straight forward compared to dungeons like in Majora's Mask. The thing is you have to try and not rush to beat the game, just try to enjoy it. To be fair I actually got about where you got back in the old GCN days and left for about a year not really wanting to play it, came back and loved it. Don't know why, just did.

All Zelda games include a significant amount of problem solving in their gameplay. Many people actually find this problem solving element enjoyable.

If you're having trouble with the puzzles and progression, it may mean that Zelda games aren't for you, or it may mean that you haven't learned to pick up on the clues the game gives you. For experienced players, a lot of this stuff is second nature.

If you just don't like this sort of gameplay, then yes. You should cut your losses and move on. If you think you'd enjoy it more as you get used to it, then continue. Your decision, really.

The biggest tip for a Zelda game is that you look at the map. Keep the map on the GamePad because that'll help and make sure you go to every room. If you are stuck at any point go back to a room that you haven't visited yet. If you persist then the reward will be much bigger. The more you do it the better you get at it so don't give up.

I know i had some problems when i played through this as my first 3D Zelda game. After the manual told me that Link's eyes point you towards stuff that could be important i could do pretty much everything on my own though.

I've played through the HD version myself without any problems.

I'd recommend using the map a lot. I always looks for rooms I haven't been in yet and chest I haven't found. If you do that it's practically impossible to fail a dungeon IMO.

Maybe you should play Ocarina of Time first as this was the 1st 3D Zelda. The game walks you into the types of Puzzles at first, getting you to grips with what you can expect from a 3D Zelda

I'd argue Twilight Princess might be a better starting point for a struggling player to go to. It's easier, but not insultingly so. It does as much of a good job at walking you into puzzles as OoT, if not better, and the storyline and character development is objectively better because... well... it actually got finished, unlike that of OoT which has massive gaps where entire backstories used to be.

Ummm ... i still had problems with OoT after i beat The Wind Waker. I must still have gotten near the end iirc but it was a very bumpy ride for me at that time.

OoT illustrates better than any Zelda game how much the map can help you, because Water Temple. Majora's Mask illustrates pretty well where even the map is no use. You just have to remember how parts of the temple connect and work together. Wind Waker shows off a great deal of exploration potential, and Twilight Princess is great for teaching you how the puzzles typically work. If you can't manage to beat any of those, I've been told Spirit Tracks is, by far, the easiest Zelda game out there, but if you have to play Spirit Tracks to beat a Zelda game, it just might not be your type of game.

The fundamentals of every game require the map, knowing how items are used, and observing the environment.

I'm currently playing LttP on Wii U VC, and I find myself looking at the GamePad for the map, even though I still have to press X

Also, read the dialog. Most of the time they specifically tell you what you have to do.

Oh yeah, I had completely forgotten about that. Haven't played this game since GameCube..

Such an awesome game.

For Original Poster: I dunno if this is your first Zelda game, but I guess it can take some getting used to the logic of some of the puzzles - I personally think the challenge is perfectly balanced. WW is one of my favorite games of all time. Sometimes talking to all the characters in the town and everyone you meet can be a good thing, as they will generally give hints to where to go or what to do to solve a puzzle.

I hope the game somehow grows on you... Feel bad for you that you don't enjoy it But I guess we're all different, maybe it's just not for you.

I will say that boss key puzzle in Dragon Roost is only slightly better than a "how would anyone think of that?" puzzle but otherwise the game's not difficult as long as you try the items on the environment and look around. Also the map. Wind Waker's not really a difficult game tbh.

I got stuck a few times and thought it was confusing as well. Still enjoyed the game.

I wasn't feeding fish for a good while and I don't know how I was supposed to figure out how and why I needed to get the ballad of gales and then ice arrows. I have similar issues with Ocarina of time which I still have not finished. I think Ocarinas map system is horrible.

I did not have these problems with Twilight Princess or Skyward Sword.