 Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Zelda II: The Adventure of Link will always be known as the black sheep of the series. Following the success of the first game, Nintendo decided to try something different the second time around. Rather than presenting fans with another overhead adventure, Zelda II is a more traditional side-scrolling adventure. Although many gamers believe that this game is the worst in the series, Zelda II manages to capture all the enjoyment that made the first game a legend. Zelda II takes place a few years after the events of the original game. This time around, Ganon (who actually doesn't appear in this game, aside from the "Game Over" screen) casts a spell on Princess Zelda which sends her into an eternal sleep. Link, who is now a teenager, is summoned to break Ganon's spell. The only way this is possible is to return six crystals to the six palaces of Hyrule. Of course, the game is a little vague on the details, but the plot works nonetheless.
Zelda II has a greater variety of music than its predecessor. The overworld theme is an excellent remix of the traditional Zelda theme. The cave/field music is a catchy track, but it's a bit overused. The palace theme is easily the best in the game. This engaging piece of music not only memorable, but it also draws the player into the action. Other highlights include the fabulous opening music, and the serene village theme.
I'm not going to lie to you - Zelda II is a tough game. Although there is a bit more direction in this game (you won't find yourself wandering around aimlessly...most of the time), the majority of the challenge comes from the enemies. Unlike the first game, Link can't just go up to an enemy, slash repeatedly, and wait for it to die. This time around, you have to do some fancy swordplay in order to stand a chance. Each enemy requires a different strategy. If you learn that strategy and practice it, you can expect to find the game a lot easier. It's hard to say how long Zelda II takes to complete. Personally, I can finish it within a day or two, but for a newbie, it will probably take about 10-15 hours. When you get a game over, you can save your game. Of course, it doesn't save your accumulated experience points, but hey - that's life.
Zelda II is a bit of an aquired taste, but if you can accept the fact that the game is not a traditional Zelda game, you'll get to experience one of the best adventure games on the system. Score: 3.5 (A-) Back to the Campus |
For the most part, the visuals do their job well. In the side-scrolling areas, the large, detailed sprites are animated nicely. As a result, Link's movements look much more eloquent than they did in the first game. In most areas, the backdrops and ground tiles set the atmosphere sufficiently. On a more critical note, the overworld is pretty ugly. The sprites are tiny, the scenery is blocky, and there is noticable slowdown. Of course, if you've played a Dragon Warrior game, you'll think nothing of it. ;)
The play control may feel a bit more loose than you might expect from a side-scroller. For example, Link likes to take an extra step or two before coming to a complete stop. This isn't really a huge deal, but it may annoy some first-time players. For the most part, the controls are responsive, but when Link gets knocked back by an enemy, all hell breaks loose (more on that later).
Having a perfect blend of action and adventure, Zelda II will keep you busy for hours. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the game is its use of RPG elements. Instead of obtaining weapon and armor upgrades, Link gains power by leveling up. When a level is reached, you have the option of raising Link's defense power, attack power, or magic power (depending on how much experience you obtain). Another nice feature is the use of spells. Throughout the game, Link will learn various spells that will give him extra power. For example, one spell gives Link the ability to jump higher, and another lets him turn into a fairy. Here's another nice feature - players who manage to finish the game will get to replay it; only this time they have all the stats and spells from their recently finished file! Simply use the THUNDER spell to annihilate all those early bosses! :D Unfortunately, Zelda II has a huge flaw that may hinder the overall enjoyment of the game - the knockback. In flat areas, this really isn't really a problem, but when you get thrown into a pit just because you couldn't see the enemy on the other side, you're bound to get aggravated.