If any series deserves the lofty title of "Best Video Game Series of All Time", The Legend of Zelda comes pretty damn close. It's certainly one of the most consistently good, and the few missteps over the years can mostly be written off as well-intended experiments, or throwaways. Throughout a majority of the series, one constant has remained; a sense of fun, adventure, and true gaming joy. Zelda's heady mix of exploration, intense combat, and clever (and sometimes mind-breakingly tough) puzzles is one that has shone through in even the least of its outings. This central pillar allows for a consistent level of enjoyment, regardless of the changes or additions made in a new installment.
And special mention must be made of the series' flawless transition from 2D to 3D. As with Super Mario 64, Nintendo shaped the mold for all genre-mates to come, and even beyond the action-adventure genre. But both styles of Zelda each have their own strengths and drawbacks, and I'm happy to see that as time goes on, Nintendo hasn't turned its back on the series' origins. It's like dark and light; one cannot wholly exist without the other, and indeed, they are happily co-existing at time of writing.
The series' storytelling ambitions have grown in time. Though often a bit simplistic, the stories you play your way through are often resonant and upbeat. It's a kind of narrative that really only Zelda could pull off without it seeming hokey and lazy. It's a kind of magic, I guess. You sort of know what to expect going into a game after you've played a few, but sometimes they can really surprise you. I've got a feeling the zenith of Zelda storytelling has yet to be glimpsed, and I've only high hopes for the future (even if I've pretty much accepted they'll never outdo the series' high point).
Zelda just keeps evolving and experimenting as time goes on, maintaining a level of freshness that most long-running series of any avenue of fiction can only hope to achieve. Zelda is just special, and I always eagerly anticipate Nintendo's next surprise like a kid awaiting Christmas. Now, here's my pal Barney Stinson to summarize my opinion in one word:
The Living Legend
If any series deserves the lofty title of "Best Video Game Series of All Time", The Legend of Zelda comes pretty damn close. It's certainly one of the most consistently good, and the few missteps over the years can mostly be written off as well-intended experiments, or throwaways. Throughout a majority of the series, one constant has remained; a sense of fun, adventure, and true gaming joy. Zelda's heady mix of exploration, intense combat, and clever (and sometimes mind-breakingly tough) puzzles is one that has shone through in even the least of its outings. This central pillar allows for a consistent level of enjoyment, regardless of the changes or additions made in a new installment.
And special mention must be made of the series' flawless transition from 2D to 3D. As with Super Mario 64, Nintendo shaped the mold for all genre-mates to come, and even beyond the action-adventure genre. But both styles of Zelda each have their own strengths and drawbacks, and I'm happy to see that as time goes on, Nintendo hasn't turned its back on the series' origins. It's like dark and light; one cannot wholly exist without the other, and indeed, they are happily co-existing at time of writing.
The series' storytelling ambitions have grown in time. Though often a bit simplistic, the stories you play your way through are often resonant and upbeat. It's a kind of narrative that really only Zelda could pull off without it seeming hokey and lazy. It's a kind of magic, I guess. You sort of know what to expect going into a game after you've played a few, but sometimes they can really surprise you. I've got a feeling the zenith of Zelda storytelling has yet to be glimpsed, and I've only high hopes for the future (even if I've pretty much accepted they'll never outdo the series' high point).
Zelda just keeps evolving and experimenting as time goes on, maintaining a level of freshness that most long-running series of any avenue of fiction can only hope to achieve. Zelda is just special, and I always eagerly anticipate Nintendo's next surprise like a kid awaiting Christmas. Now, here's my pal Barney Stinson to summarize my opinion in one word:
"LEGEN...... DARY!"