Comments 71

Re: Play Lists Pilotwings for Wii, Pre-Orders Open Now

n0body

@sonicfanatic
I just read through IGN's liveblog for both developer round-tables and nowhere does it say anything of the sort. The closest thing is Miyamoto being asked if Skyward Sword is Wii's last Nintendo game, to which he answers "I dunno..." and adds that SS was planned to give Wii a proper send-off during its development, should that be the case...
Not exactly a confirmation of anything... Quite the opposite I'd say

Re: Aya and the Cubes of Light Speeds Towards Launch

n0body

it is faster, they just edited the new trailer to match the pacing and length of the old one so it's not as evident at first. Play them both at the same time and you'll easily see the difference.This one is definitely on my radar!

Re: Features: Re-Examining Zelda: Twilight Princess

n0body

@Kid_A
Thanks for the response. Since I posted my reply I started thinking about some of the themes in TP, and your reply helped me realize how wide-spread some of them are. It's difficult for me to isolate motifs that are completely unique to this game since it's the only Zelda I've ever finished (played parts of Minish Cap and Majora's Mask, which I am now completing thanks to VC, and a tiny part of PH and WW, which I hope to return to).

With that said I have started to realize how pervasive the whole theme of appearances and transformations is in this game. Not only does Midna go through a transformation both inside and out (twice if you include the "golden giant" towards the end), but Links transformation can be seen as a form of commentary on Midna's. Even when his appearance is beastly, in his wolf form, he is still kind and willing to cooperate. In other words, his true character is not skin deep, a lesson which Midna must learn from him. Another transformation that seems important in the game is that of the yeti's sick wife, the snow-woman. There is also the transformation of Ganondorf to a giant boar, although I can't say I understand the significance of boars in the game yet, seeing as they are so common.

Other plays on this idea of appearances and meaning beneath the surface can be seen in the whole idea of "sensing" the world, by which I mean the player is taught not to trust the initial appearance of his environment, and instead look for "hidden" information that isn't immediately apparent.

There is also the side-quest about the man in Hyrule town that is transformed into a doll, I forget his name, with his eyes being replaced by jewels or coins or something, not to mention the guardians of the mirror Link encounters in the desert temple, who are all masking their true faces.

To that extent, you could equate "seeing past appearances" to sight in general in the game, which allows you to add the concept of the Mirror to the theme, in addition to perhaps explaining the recurring use of prominent EYES in every one of the bosses, as well as Midna having one eye covered during most of the game.

Still, this leaves me with more questions than answers. It is fun to speculate about these things, even though sometimes I get the feeling it's often too easy to come up with your own outlandish conclusions and not "see" the game for what it is, but rather what you wish it was...

Re: Features: Re-Examining Zelda: Twilight Princess

n0body

I find the author's analysis interesting, yet incomplete.

To me it seemed as if the twilight realm was meant to be an inferior version of Hyrule, perhaps because of the character flaws of its denizens. Link and Zelda are good and pure from the very start yet Midna is selfish and un-trusting of others. Her impish form seems representative of her flawed character. She may be concerned with the well-being of her people but she has no scruples about messing around with the land of light in order to achieve her goals.

Only when she realizes the importance of balance between the two realms does she gain the integrity required for her inner beauty to shine through, and this is no doubt a result of the kindness shown to her by Link (and to an extent, Zelda) throughout the game.
To me that sounds more like a "Beauty & the Beast" kind of story than anything else. The Beast may be an intriguing character, but there's no doubt that Beauty (in this case, Link) is the protagonist of the story.

As much as I would like there to have been a deeper, more complex narrative, I can't seem to find one in this game. The author himself admits his interpretation is flawed, since the player, as Link, goes through no shift in perspective regarding the twilight realm or its people. Only Midna experiences a transformation, with Link remaining a static character throughout the game. It is a very one-sided transition.

Sadly, even the role of "kind obedience" is thrust upon the player with no option of deviating from it, since this would delay the progress of the game. In that sense, even the so called "kindness" that melts the heart of the beast is undermined, since the player has no alternate path to follow and therefor no actual choice to make.

I would really appreciate it if the author's line of reasoning could be extended, because the cynic in me feels it is influenced too much by wishful thinking. The Zelda fan in me would love for there to be a less superficial story in the game, but I don't feel there is sufficient evidence supporting this case.

Either way, thank you for an interesting read, even if I happen to disagree.

Re: Review: A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots (WiiWare)

n0body

I just downloaded the demo and it seriously sold me on this game!
I'm getting a points card just for this!! plus I know there are some more good games coming, such as MotoHeroz and shinen's FAST so the points won't go to waste. (not to mention many already available games, and of course VC!!)
Anybody even remotely intrigued should try the demo for the game while it's out - it was just made for the wiiware service! quirky, original and fun!

Re: Features: Don't Touch my Samus: Metroid's Controversial Turn

n0body

My only complaints about Other M were that it was too short, and there wasn't enough free-from interaction outside of the main story...
Other than that, LOVED every minute of it! Honestly...
which is why it saddens me that there will probably not be a sequel to address those issues... or even just offer more of the same...

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