Yeah, and you don't really need to look any further than BotW for an example of how that works. Pretty much everyone can list off several flaws, but it's the favorite of many (myself included) because it just gets so much right.
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What's the worst 3D Zelda game? (poll)
- Thread starter Phediuk
- Start date
I didn't play enough Skyward Sword to pass a firm judgement on it, so I voted for Twilight Princess. What an utter snooze-fest. Majora is also pretty grating, but at least it's really going out there and committing to its gimmick.
The only one of these I have generally positive feelings about is Wind Waker.
The only one of these I have generally positive feelings about is Wind Waker.
For me, it's BotW.
It's a great game, but I don't personally think it's a great Zelda game.
The things that make a Zelda game a Zelda game are very similar to the things that make a Metroid game a Metroid game -- the core gameplay loop that over the course of the game you get new abilities/items and those allow you to reach new places and get things you couldn't get before. Full disclosure I've only played about 9 hours of BotW because after that I lost interest, but as far as I can tell that core gameplay loop is what they removed from the game that makes it feel so different from all the others. Dungeons aside, weapon durability aside (though I love dungeons and hate durability), them giving you all your tools right off the bat and the only real "progress" being figuring out new ways to use the tools you already have just didn't do it for me.
Skyward Sword is my favorite 3D Zelda game, precisely because I think it does dungeons and puzzles and items so well and I don't mind smaller, dense areas as opposed to a wide open, empty field, so I'm sure my opinion will be immediately discarded. lol
It's a great game, but I don't personally think it's a great Zelda game.
The things that make a Zelda game a Zelda game are very similar to the things that make a Metroid game a Metroid game -- the core gameplay loop that over the course of the game you get new abilities/items and those allow you to reach new places and get things you couldn't get before. Full disclosure I've only played about 9 hours of BotW because after that I lost interest, but as far as I can tell that core gameplay loop is what they removed from the game that makes it feel so different from all the others. Dungeons aside, weapon durability aside (though I love dungeons and hate durability), them giving you all your tools right off the bat and the only real "progress" being figuring out new ways to use the tools you already have just didn't do it for me.
Skyward Sword is my favorite 3D Zelda game, precisely because I think it does dungeons and puzzles and items so well and I don't mind smaller, dense areas as opposed to a wide open, empty field, so I'm sure my opinion will be immediately discarded. lol
Skyward Sword for sure, Majora's Mask is right after it (I know, that's controversial, but I just didn't like the time mechanic at all. I've played through it a couple times over the years to see if it ever clicks for me like it does for so many people, but it just doesn't).
This is basically my answer but I played OoT first. Trying to view it without nostalgia goggles I realize the game has been vastly improved upon over the years.
I liked Skyward Sword :(
But yeah, I don't think I'd go back too often if I had the chance, and some enemies were too troublesome to kill.
But I remember liking the puzzle elements to it.
But yeah, I don't think I'd go back too often if I had the chance, and some enemies were too troublesome to kill.
But I remember liking the puzzle elements to it.
I always find things like this funny.
I've probably spent more time in BOTW than all the other Zeldas COMBINED... Literally on like 400 hours in BOTW and I always return.
The difference in experiences between people is intriguing to me.
It's not really fixed camera so much as fixed perspective. 3D World shows you different views, often in the same level. PH/ST don't fit that description.
If you really want to be pedantic, you can refer to what everyone calls the 2D games as top-down, but it seems silly to in turn call the 3D games 'non-top-down' when everyone knows what you mean when you say 3D.
This poll would be a lot more interesting to me with SS removed lol. That was predictable. I am surprised TP is pulling ahead of BotW though, guess the vocal minority made me think it was more polarizing than it actually was.
Lol I've seen this argument multiple times and it still makes no sense...
Being the worst of something is natural. Unless you hold them all in equal esteem. Which as humans is nearly impossible to do objectively. So, which out of the group is your least favorite? That would be the "worst" in the context of Zelda games.
It doesn't mean it's a bad game. Just the one you don't favor as much as the others... Do people think "worst" means inherently bad?
It doesn't.
Twilight Princess for me. Its weird, like I can honestly admit that Skyward Sword was a worse game in many ways, but the fact it's the start of it all at least gave me something to keep my interest. TP just never really gripped me even if it's a better Zelda game.
Agreed.
Im just not a make your own adventure type guy.
People think im trolling when i say i disliked it but im being sincere.
Im big on story and dungeons and coming from story heavy games like TP and SS and even WW to the barebones nothing of BotW let me down hard.
Not to mention the 4 non dungeons with copy paste bosses and a god awful final boss i just didnt have a good time.
Also i hate the weapon durability.
I voted Twilight Princess because I never played the Gamecube version. I hated the Wii controls so much for that game that I completely ignored Skyward Sword (and still haven't played it to this day), so it might not actually be the worst but it's the only one that made me think maybe I didn't like Zelda game any more.
I actually just didn't like the terrible Wii controller and the shoehorned motion controls, but it left a rotten taste in my mouth.
I actually just didn't like the terrible Wii controller and the shoehorned motion controls, but it left a rotten taste in my mouth.
It's what comes from the word. It's not a positive word, it's very negative. And it doesn't feel right to talk about any Zelda game like that.
Wow at that poll lol. And to think there are still some people who unironically refer to a "Zelda Cycle" these days.
I did SS. I don't exactly harbor a hatred of the game and what it represents as I once did back when it released (because Nintendo themselves have since realized it's NOT the direction the series to go in), so I'm able to look at it for what it is and appreciate some of the better aspects. But it's still the most poorly paced, tedious, and bloated Zelda game to go through.
A remaster for the Switch may help isolate the better aspects of the game if they fix some of the frustrations and annoyances that plague the game (and for what it's worth, no, I don't think motion controls are one of the game's issues).
I did SS. I don't exactly harbor a hatred of the game and what it represents as I once did back when it released (because Nintendo themselves have since realized it's NOT the direction the series to go in), so I'm able to look at it for what it is and appreciate some of the better aspects. But it's still the most poorly paced, tedious, and bloated Zelda game to go through.
A remaster for the Switch may help isolate the better aspects of the game if they fix some of the frustrations and annoyances that plague the game (and for what it's worth, no, I don't think motion controls are one of the game's issues).
Lmfao @ Skyward Sword. Not surprised tho.
Best thing about SS to me is that if it didnt exist BOTW probably doesnt happen so in that regard I'm thankful for its existence lol.
Did you have a GC/Wii?
Cuz TP was on GC/Wii
SS was on Wii, but you needed the Motion + add on.
I think if SS wasnt on the poll, TP would have waaaaay more votes.
Best thing about SS to me is that if it didnt exist BOTW probably doesnt happen so in that regard I'm thankful for its existence lol.
Did you have a GC/Wii?
Cuz TP was on GC/Wii
SS was on Wii, but you needed the Motion + add on.
I think if SS wasnt on the poll, TP would have waaaaay more votes.
Of the ones I played, it's a draw between Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild even though they're both decent games.
Wind Waker was boring as sin so I dropped it but do consider revisiting it. Botw is filled with so many terrible and baffling design choices, its near universal praise baffled me even though it does a lot of things right.
Wind Waker was boring as sin so I dropped it but do consider revisiting it. Botw is filled with so many terrible and baffling design choices, its near universal praise baffled me even though it does a lot of things right.
To a point I am also. I've played all the "3d" Zelda's and I cant lie most of my enjoyment after OOT was rooted in nostalgia and similar (if not the same) linear structure of the series. Botw was refreshing, non of the bosses were terribly unique from another but the battles were NOT terrible. I get it, you already disliked the feel of the game but let's not go overboard with cliches.
God awful is a strong word for serviceable and mildly entertaining. You want god awful? Try Drakes Fortune.... that was awful.
Skyward Sword. I have liked every other 3D Zelda (even though I'm not particularly fond of Majora´s), and have beat them multiple times.
But Skyward? After waiting years for it...I beat the Ancient Cistern and left it there. Could not force myself to keep on playing.
Controllers implementation, 480p SD graphics on a 16:9 format (doesn't look good in a CRT tv, doesn't look good in a modern HD display), sloooooow intro, cumbersome Dungeon-Fly overworld dynamics...
Terribe Zelda, and terrible game.
But Skyward? After waiting years for it...I beat the Ancient Cistern and left it there. Could not force myself to keep on playing.
Controllers implementation, 480p SD graphics on a 16:9 format (doesn't look good in a CRT tv, doesn't look good in a modern HD display), sloooooow intro, cumbersome Dungeon-Fly overworld dynamics...
Terribe Zelda, and terrible game.
I'm convinced that people that are saying BOTW is the best Zelda have not beat it. The ending was so anticlimactic and retroactively ruined the rest of the game for me.
Participation trophies??
Lol
There is a worst Zelda, whether you view it negatively or positively. Qualitatively they are not all equal.
I voted Skyward Sword. While I love the Link/Zelda in the game and (most) the story, playing the game itself is suuuuuuch a slog.
Majoras mask. I remember getting it for Christmas and was fed up with the time stuff, the boring quests, the try hard creepy music, and the repetitive dungeon design.
Yeah, I suppose they had quite a few overlapping problems. That makes sense.
I just kind of shrugged it off and kept exploring the game. The story wasn't why I was playing at all, so the story finishing on that underwhelming note didn't really make a difference to me.
Wind Waker for me, Sailing is cool the first time around but it becomes a real drag.
- You just sail from A to B.
- All the cool places were a one time only.
- Hyrule castle was awesome and seeing come back to life after pulling the Master Sword was great, but then you can't return there. The giant octorok battle was one time only, the ghost ship.
- Difficulty was a joke, only Darknuts posed a serious threat.
- The Triforce fetch quest was soooo long.
Skyward Sword saving grace was the battle system and motion controls. They worked for me so I had fun, but the game does suffer from the same things Wind Waker had wrong.
- You just sail from A to B.
- All the cool places were a one time only.
- Hyrule castle was awesome and seeing come back to life after pulling the Master Sword was great, but then you can't return there. The giant octorok battle was one time only, the ghost ship.
- Difficulty was a joke, only Darknuts posed a serious threat.
- The Triforce fetch quest was soooo long.
Skyward Sword saving grace was the battle system and motion controls. They worked for me so I had fun, but the game does suffer from the same things Wind Waker had wrong.
I always weep when I see Skyward Sword top this poll. It's needs a remaster where they add stuff in the sky world to do and re-pace the game to make some of the mandatory side quests optional.
Breath of the Wild is my least favorite because (like several others have said) it isn't necessarily trying to do any of the things I'm excited to do when I get a new Zelda. Like, if Aonuma's team put out Uncharted 2 but with Zelda characters, sure that would be a fine game in its own right but a Zelda game to me isn't the Zelda characters but the Zelda gameplay.
Breath of the Wild is my least favorite because (like several others have said) it isn't necessarily trying to do any of the things I'm excited to do when I get a new Zelda. Like, if Aonuma's team put out Uncharted 2 but with Zelda characters, sure that would be a fine game in its own right but a Zelda game to me isn't the Zelda characters but the Zelda gameplay.
If a bad ending can ruin games for people I wonder how bad breakups go for them?
There's being logical and being emotional, and the tarnishing of something due to a small percentage of what the whole experience truly was, is emotion 101.
The end couldn't ruin BOTW because it was NEVER about an engrossing story you were sucked into... Wait until BOTW 2 for that linear story telling aspect to return.
There's being logical and being emotional, and the tarnishing of something due to a small percentage of what the whole experience truly was, is emotion 101.
The end couldn't ruin BOTW because it was NEVER about an engrossing story you were sucked into... Wait until BOTW 2 for that linear story telling aspect to return.
Personally I don't think there's ever been an open world game that had an ending as satisfying as a linear game. I think it's just part of the territory.
Breath of the Wild has aged terrible for me, also it's the only one I haven't finished again after the first year of release (and I'll never gonna replay it again) so for me it's BotW.
The lack of dungeons, empty open world, repetitive shrines, weak story development and uninspired bosses killed the game for me (and I finished it with over 90% of completion).
EDIT
Looks like I'm not the only one, BotW it's the third worst Zelda on this poll. I said it after finish it, BotW will age terrible for most people after the initial hype.
The lack of dungeons, empty open world, repetitive shrines, weak story development and uninspired bosses killed the game for me (and I finished it with over 90% of completion).
EDIT
Looks like I'm not the only one, BotW it's the third worst Zelda on this poll. I said it after finish it, BotW will age terrible for most people after the initial hype.
the poll results are as they should be :) ...
good point. something i've never really thought about, but seems to be pretty on the money...
good point. something i've never really thought about, but seems to be pretty on the money...
Of this lot, I want to say Skyward Sword. And I really really like Skyward Sword.
They're all excellent games.
They're all excellent games.
I have to give it to Skyward Sword, but I still really enjoyed that game. It's got some cool dungeons, beautiful visuals and concepts. I think the music is underrated.
But Skyloft is underdeveloped, the controls can be the greatest obstacle, and there's just a bit too much repetition in the gameplay-loop.
But Skyloft is underdeveloped, the controls can be the greatest obstacle, and there's just a bit too much repetition in the gameplay-loop.
Skyward Sword's possibly the most underwhelming game EAD ever put out -- at best, it's just ordinary; at worst, it's the culmination of every bad design decision from TP and the DS games. No offense to those who enjoy it, of course, but those were dark times IMO.
Not surprised some don't care for BOTW, either -- much as I adore it, such a radical departure from an age-old formula will naturally draw detractors. I'm eagerly looking forward to the sequel not just for myself or how it'll further develop the series, but in the hopes those who walked away disappoined can embrace this new direction.
Not surprised some don't care for BOTW, either -- much as I adore it, such a radical departure from an age-old formula will naturally draw detractors. I'm eagerly looking forward to the sequel not just for myself or how it'll further develop the series, but in the hopes those who walked away disappoined can embrace this new direction.
I haven't played Skyward Sword or BotW yet, but of the four preceding it I'd have to go with Wind Waker. Style alone can't make up for all the tedium it makes the player endure.
I'm not entirely surprised to see Twilight Princess being voted as it is, but I played the 3D Zeldas back to back and found TP to be a better executed OoT, but neither were remarkable. It makes me believe that the response to TP is actually just a collective realization that OoT wasn't that good without recognizing that.
I'm not entirely surprised to see Twilight Princess being voted as it is, but I played the 3D Zeldas back to back and found TP to be a better executed OoT, but neither were remarkable. It makes me believe that the response to TP is actually just a collective realization that OoT wasn't that good without recognizing that.