Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas is an iOS adventure title which has recently crossed over to PCs, and is clearly influenced by Nintendo's Legend of Zelda - more specifically, the Wind Waker instalment which came to GameCube and - much later - Wii U.
With the game branching out to other formats, it makes sense to ask if a console release is on the horizon - which is exactly what Silconera did when it interviewed Cornfox & Bros. creative director Heikki Repo recently.
While Repo couldn't go into specifics, he did say that a console release is something that has been on the cards for a while:
We have always loved the idea of bringing Oceanhorn to consoles! We are looking into our options on console release at the moment, but there is nothing to announce on this matter.
Speaking about the game's obvious debt to Zelda, Repo said:
When we founded our own company, we had an opportunity to reflect on what kind of games we want to make. I am huge fan of console adventure games and JRPGs, and my lifelong dream has been to create a game like Seiken Densetsu, Final Fantasy, or Zelda. I had this idea of an adventure game, set in a world that blends fantasy and technology, and that would circle around an ancient sea monster that would tirelessly hunt down the player. That's when the idea of Oceanhorn was born.
The reason we chose a Zelda-like genre is because there just are not enough games in this genre, even though people would love to play more of them! Also, we were not completely satisfied where the genre was heading, so we wanted to give it a go and see what kind of game we would make. We wanted to create a game that would take the console-style adventure genre back to its roots! No more handholding or two hour glorified tutorials. No compass pointer that takes you through the maps. Jump to the game and play it however you want: explore the world at your own pace, enjoy a story that never tries to be anything it isn't, and when the time comes, prepare to take on the epic bosses.
Repo also took the time to point out that while Oceanhorn has clearly been inspired by Zelda it's much more than just a simple clone, and in fact has a connection with another famous RPG which is often overlooked - the Mega Drive / Genesis classic Landstalker:
From a single screenshot people might miss judge Oceanhorn as a direct clone, but when you start playing Oceanhorn you will immediately feel its own spirit, and start to learn what makes it unique. It plays like one of the classics, but the gameplay happens in a real 3D world. The game is played from isometric camera angle, which is nothing like Zelda, but more like Landstalker, another ancestor of the genre.
It's also interesting to note that famed composer Nobuo Uematsu created some of the music for this title - another indication that Cornfox & Bros. really know their stuff when it comes to Japanese RPGs. The following video contains an interview with the great man:
If Oceanhorn did come to consoles, it would be safe to assume that the Wii U would be an obvious candidate. Would you want to play this title on your Nintendo system? The comments section is waiting for your input.
[source gonintendo.com, via siliconera.com]
Comments 70
I read that as rip off :3
Id give it a chance seeing as they're least honest enough to admit they're influences.Besides it would make a nice change from the platformers n metroidvania games on the eshop (not that there's anything wrong with those)
Can they really get away with so blatantly copying Zelda Wind Waker?
Looks great. A game I would like to get. We need more games like these!
I've watched a few Let's Plays of the recent PC port and it just doesn't do anything for me. I'd rather play a real Zelda game than a knock-off. As Oceanhorn was designed for mobile, it suffers a bit from big-screen play when you notice the limited animations, lack of proper lighting, etc.
No offense intended to fans or the developers. It just looks way too similar to The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass to warrant a Wii U or 3DS port. Its superior inspirations are already available.
I gotta admit the water looks beautiful. But the characters look sort of stiff and I know they openly admit it's Zelda-inspired but they seriously ripped a LOT from them. I mean they even have the laser tower enemy! The only original idea (and by original I mean not Zelda-ish) I can see judging from the trailer alone is the hot air balloon travel. That's it.
I'm sure it would be fun to play, but that's only because they took all their ideas from good source material.
This looks cool, but yeah, the amount that it shamelessly rips off Wind Waker is a little unsettling.
As someone who found many reasons to dislike WindWaker I am a bit coutious about this ....
I think I will give it a shot if it gets good reviews though ...
I played the iOS version and really enjoyed it. It's far from 'copying' Wind Waker and I think it would make a great Wii U title.
Okay, no. Not only is it heavily similar to Wind Waker in many visual aspects, the gameplay also shares an undeniable amount of blatant similarities (all the way to the combat and weapons, including their design), and even the prologue is almost the same (legendary McGuffins that hold godlike powers for the sake of balance as the central point, catastrophe flooded the world to form a big ocean full of small islands that once were mountainpeaks).
This simply goes a bit too far for my taste, and the developers didn't even try to differentiate their game from Wind Waker in the trailer footage - no new or different mechanics, no unique traits, nothing.
Hm... seems they took a lot from Zelda (like, a lot). Doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, though, I'd sure like to try it out. You just have to keep an open mind and not expect a real Zelda. And I think it looks good enough.
Also, Landstalker reference ftw.
@JakobMB yeah - it looks great, huh?
Well, it IS a blatant copy, but a blatant copy of my favorite Zelda game of all time. So yeah, I'd certainly look into it, if it came to Wii U.
Nah, no thanks. Not really feeling it, despite being a huge action-adventure fan. Apart from being unoriginal, it looks kind of... awkward and stiff, I guess? Could still be somewhat fun though, but nevertheless, I can wait for my true Zelda experience. Besides, I don't mind the "compass pointer", and those "glorified tutorials" take nothing away from the games imo, rather only make 'em last longer, which is great and no handholding we shall get - just wait for Zelda Wii U.
Now that I think about it a isometric Zelda title would be cool.
The expression is too stiff! And from the trailer, the game scream Zelda all over to me. That said, it looks like a well designed game.
As much as I love - Love - LOVE Landstalker, simply saying it's from an isometric view isn't much of a connection.
I love Windwaker.
Just had to get the out there
I've watched the video and I'm currently nearing the climax of Wind Waker HD. Yeah it's a ripoff. The world, gameplay movement/combat, and a kid protagonist. Even the developer is a bit Anouma clone. I still want it on the Wii U though.
To me, this looks like a "What if Windwaker was made by Sega and released on the Sega Saturn." I AM SOOO SOLD!!!!
@TeeJay especially the part where the woman is talking to the main character haha.
@GH05T Stop complaining. Gosh!!
I played the demo on my phone a while back, and it was fun, so, playing it on the WiiU—with real controls—would be really awesome.
Looks okay.
I'm not really adverse to playing a Zelda clone, and if it doesn't come to Wii U, then that means the other consoles get a Zelda-like game to fill whatever Zelda void they're missing.
Positive outlook y'know?
Looks pretty great to me. Not sure why all the complaining. Personally I'm glad to see another colorful adventure, there's not enough of those these days.
I don't see it as a Zelda clone. The boat bit is a lot like Wind Waker, yes, but the rest? I know a lot of games that played in a similar way, Zelda's just the best, and best known.
I also get the sense that a lot of effort has gone into this, a lot of love. I'm in.
I understand where they are coming from though. This game is years old now, and there wasn't a hint that any serious Zelda game was coming to mobile (and there still isn't even with the mobile announcement). It is intentionally trying to look and feel like a Zelda game to fill a void on the platform.
On top of that, they did not go for a free to play or dlc pay model. It's a pay up front mobile game. It suffers from the usual problems with trying to pull this off: no physical buttons and joystick in a game style that wants them. So the combat, for me, suffers from the inability to expect precision. I haven't tried their PC port, though, which would probably be where a Wii U version would come from.
The isometric perspective makes a big difference in gameplay as well. It's not quite a top down, and definitely not like the 3D Zelda games, either.
Also, the developers admit high aspirations but being on a mobile platform hemmed them in quite a bit. The water travel looks like Wind Waker, but is just a mini game between islands as far as I've played.
Though I wouldn't have designed the look and feel so close, I love that a small independent developer got to make something so close to their heart.
Its rather interesting to see, that many famous games from the "profitable" mobile market all try to enter the Console / Handheld market, while teh console devs try to enter the mobile market...
What exactly is wrong with the market right now ?
Unless i'm confusing the term, "isometric" has been a stable in Zelda games for years. Everything else looks identical to Wind Waker right down to the music. But that's not a bad thing
Looks awesome. Maybe I should get it on my iPad. If it goes on consoles, hopefully, Nintendo will let it slide. I've actually been playing WindWaker HD lately. I just left the Hyrule Castle after meeting the Kind and unveiling Tetra.
I can definitely see the similarities between this and Wind Waker, I probably won't buy this since there's already so much games I want to buy despite always being low on money.
How has no one mentioned the music. I could swear that when I listened to it, I expected a Zelda tune any second. I could swear I heard Ballad of the Goddesses somewhere in there.
I have this on iPad. It looks fantastic, but the gameplay just feels kind of soulless. It lacks that Nintendo magic somehow. Hard to put my finger on exactly why, but I got bored with it quite quickly.
A lot of hate towards this game already haha. Some of you are very funny. You get a game like Zelda and it's not ok. LMAO
The characters and story aren't really hitting anything for me, but that gameplay looks like fun. If it comes to a console I own, It'll certainly be on my wishlist.
I couldn't get past 30 minutes of Oceanhorn. The wonky touch-screen controls and dull/sluggish animation were a huge turn-off.
It's no Zelda. Not even close.
If I wanted something like this I would simply go out and buy Wind Waker HD for my Wii U since it is sure to be a superior game.
I'd consider it...
I'd definitely play it. There's no doubt it's trying to be like Zelda but is that a bad thing? There aren't many other companies making Zelda clones and theirs seems to be one of the better ones.
I probably wouldn't even care if it did. Wind waker is one of my least fav Zelda because of the whole island world thing. I'm not saying I dont love it, just my least fav. A clone like game does not appeal to me, and if I was a ps4 gamer, a clone of an amazing game would only make me want to play said amazing game. We don't needmore Zelda like clone games, just more Zelda games.
The art style of this game is quite inconsistent.
That screenshot looks a lot like Wind Waker. Even that island looks like one of the ones from Wind Waker. Good thing Wind Waker is one of my favorite Zelda games.
As a huge fan of Zelda and someone who absolutely loved and beat Landstalker, i'll definitely be keeping my eyes on this
@Resh "Now that I think about it a isometric Zelda title would be cool."
I always thought the term 'isometric' meant the overhead view that was in all of the 2D Zelda games (except II) and I had a nice long rant prepared about how stupid it sounded that isometric was nothing like Zelda, but then I learned what isometric meant... It's overhead view with a slight tilt in angle to create a 3D appearance. I'm paraphrasing of course, but I don't know whether I should feel stupid now, or if it's still fair to say Zelda has been an isometric game since 1986.
Now wouldn't that be a neat 3DS Eshop release? I think it would. Neat looking game
@GH05T I don't exactly agree with it either... But I love zelda games so if I had an ios device I would be getting this ASAP.
Likes like a fun little Zelda game, if it came to the E-Shop I would buy it in a heart beat.
@ZeroZX-Dev The way I see it is if it does come to the Wii U, it will have disappointing sales because a lot of us already have Wind Waker HD... and if it goes to the PS4 or One, they'll either avoid it because they'll have superior games or have that as a reason to avoid getting a Wii U. "I've already got a Zelda-like game. Why should I get a Wii U to play it again??"
Personally, I would avoid this if it came to the Wii U. I've already got Wind Waker, and while it doesn't look terrible, it just doesn't look different ENOUGH from Wind Waker to warrant me purchasing it...
If it came to the 3DS, however, I might consider a purchase. I do have Ocarina of Time 3D and A Link Between Worlds, but this looks like it would provide a different experience from those. I would definitely consider buying it (especially as an eShop title).
I actually like ripoffs in the meantime. While waiting for a real proper game, it is fun to me to play games that rip off or copy a game's formula or even aesthetics. It's not like Link is in the game or anything. Nintendo doesn't own boat travel or cute mini graphics. I'm all for it... as long as it comes to Wii U that is...Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy... all started on Nintendo, let's not forget them now.
Looks like an isometric mix between A Link between worlds and Wind Waker.
This looks ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! Come on you guys, just because it's an adventure game inspired by Zelda doesn't mean it's a clone/rip-off. By that logic, DKC is just a Mario clone with stronger gravity on DK. Give the game a (seemingly well-deserved in my opinion) chance before you write it off. It looks like a really solid effort. I hope it comes to Wii U/3DS though...
Wow, what a ripoff.
If they don't bring it to the Wii U Nintendo should just go ahead and sue 'em.
@Melkac I agree, it is close enough to actually happen. They shouldn't pursue the law suit just suggest it to the devs lol
@GH05T We wouldn't want another game like Wind Waker, would we?
Wow, clearly just about nobody in here knows whack about copyright laws. This game is not similar enough to Wind Waker to have any legal implication.
And what are you all bellyaching about, anyway? Would getting a WW-like game be such a bad thing?
It's like you're all 10 year old kids. What.
The three symbols
Practically every enemy type shown
The music
His shirt
'Do NOT break any jars'
Jars
Are there any original ideas in this game?
@Fazermint Also you're assuming everyone liked Wind Waker.
Wow this looks alot like Wind Waker...
...and I love that about it! The style, the music (though at the start of the 2nd video, doesn't that song sound alot like OoT's theme? O_o ), the ALBW (kinda) style gameplay and enemies design are very similar too and they look great! Not too keen to play it on iOS though, but if it came to WiiU I'd play the poopitypoop out of it! I see no problem, if people can make games like Freedom Planet, Mighty No.9 and Project Ukulele, I don't see why this is a problem.
Fingers crossed for WiiU port! (Maybe if Nintendo is interested, they could get Amiibo support where that character can wear Link's tunic or something?!)
It looks and sounds like this was a project that was close to the devs' heart, which is a huge plus. And Wind Waker is one of my favorite Zelda games so I'd certainly be down to give this a go. I considered getting it on my phone but I'd much rather play it with sticks and buttons so I'll hold off. It'd be really nice if they were able to improve the animations a bit for a console release, but seeing as they didn't for the PC version I highly doubt it.
Shut up and take my money!
It does look like a lot of fun, but the ripping-off seems a little too blatant.
Cool, bring it on!
I could get it on steam right now, but i rather wait and play it on a console, preferably my wii u.
Also, am i the ONLY one who thinks this game looks more like Landstalker on the genesis, what with it's isometric views?
I'm all for tributes to video games and this guy does seem to have a more honest operation going than say, some Minecraft clone, but he's still playing it a little too safe. He should change it up a little more. With more work, as he actually does seem to care about making games (at least to some extent), it could be more distinct, but as it is now I would've never ported it to PC let alone considered consoles. It has a little more ways to go creatively before it's worthy of competing with its influences when it's still so close to them.
This just makes me want a real sequel to Wind Waker! I didn't even play through Wind Waker until recently I played the HD remake. I still developed strong feelings of nostalgia for that beautiful world when I hear the music or see gameplay from it. Quite magical.
This game is probably a good game.
What I dislike is the creators lack of imagination to make their own monsters, their own boat, their own way of getting random items and not just take the pots and the grass chopping from Zelda. There is nothing wrong with wanting to create a game with a Zelda like type of gameplay, but that doesn't mean you should take designs from an already existing game.
Look at Darksiders, they made a game with a Zelda like gameplay. But they made their own game. That's what other developers should do when they think: "Wind Waker is great, I want to make a game like that". They should create their own game, not Wind Waker with modified story and characters.
I would have been embarrassed if I made a game like this and people asked how I came up with all the amazing ideas and for every idea I had to answer: "I got it from a Zelda game I once played..."
Go Finland! This got great reviews when it came out in 2013 or something. I would really like to play this on Wii U.
Ehhhh...I have such a hard time appreciating Zelda clones. Even games that branch out more on their own like Darksiders and Okami. I don't know, maybe it's nostalgia, but every time I play a clone I just want to stop and go play an actual Zelda game.
I guess i AM the only who thinks it looks more like Landstalker.
Like a cross between landstalker and wind waker... it looks like they borrowed all sorts of ideas.
It also kinda looks like brave fencer musashi.
If you're going to draw inspiration draw it from dark cloud 2! Yeah cause i would love to play that over and over.
Tap here to load 70 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...