Thursday, November 17, 2011

'It's dangerous to go alone'

As many of you likely are aware, the latest entry in the Legend of Zelda series--subtitled "Skyward Sword"--will be released in just a few days (on Sunday, Nov. 20, to be exact).

To celebrate that fact--even though I'm not yet sure I'll be picking up the game myself--I scoured the blogosphere for awesome examples of Zelda fan art. The one was my favorite:


I found it on the Art Jumble blog, in case you're interested. Also, it was created by Cancún-based artist Carlos Lerma. (To see more of his illustrations, check out lerms.deviantart.com and lerms.net.)

Are any of you planning to pick up a copy of this long-awaited Wii game?

Pre-order: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

20 comments:

Darwin said...

You're still undecided? I am sold after reading some of the latest reviews.

Trying to squeeze in as much Skyrim time as I can before this one.

Bryan Ochalla said...

I'm just undecided about buying it, Darwin. It looks like an absolutely wonderful game, I'm just worried that I won't play it -- especially since I never completed Wind Waker (horrible, I know) and barely touched Twilight Princess. Add to this the fact that I want to buy Mario Kart 7, Xenoblade Chronicles and a bunch of retro games between my b-day and the end of the year and, well, I'm not sure I'll have the time or money for Skyward Sword. I have a feeling I'll pick it up sometime next year, though...

Darwin said...

Yeah I know what you mean. I was initially planning to get it later in Dec and play around Christmas (seems like a Christmas type of game :P). But I want to check out the launch event at the Nintendo Store this Sat, and I know I'll end up leaving with it.

In regards to not finishing TP and WW, try listening to the latest RolePlayer's Realm podcast - great discussion comparing Skyward to those two. http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/224911/roleplayers-realm-xxiv-onward-and-skyward/

And I'm still hoping Xenoblade makes its way over here.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Thanks for pointing out the RolePlayer's Realm podcast, Darwin -- I'll check it out!

I really have to go back and play WW again, BTW, and even give TP another chance. That said, I'm starting to think 3D Zelda games may not be for me -- kind of like how 3D Mario games just don't click with some folks who like 2D Mario games. (Speaking of which, I'd love for Nintendo to make another 2D Zelda a la Link to the Past or Link's Awakening.)

As for Xenoblade: I, too, hope NOA pulls its head out of its butt and releases the game -- as well as The Last Story and Pandora's Tower and even Inazuma Eleven on the DS -- in NA next year. If not, what are they going to release -- Rhythm Heaven Fever and the latest Mario Party and that's it?

Darwin said...

Come to think of it, I've only ever finished the 2D Zelda games.

So now I've I admitted to not playing/finishing Mother, FF6 and Zelda OOT. I guess I'll mention Chrono Trigger as well :/

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, don't feel too bad, Darwin -- I've failed to finish a number of high-profile games myself, especially in recent years. (I'm honestly amazed I've finished as many current-gen games as I have.)

If that doesn't make you feel better, how about this? I've never ever PLAYED Chrono Trigger. Ack! My brother and I owned it as kids, but I never played it. Granted, I watched my brother play through most of it, so it's not like I ignored it completely, but still...

Darwin said...

Wow! Actually kinda shocked that you never played Chrono. I guess if I've seen someone play through most of it, I wouldn't feel the need to.

But that does make me feel better :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yeah, I'm sure that's a shocker to most people who read this blog :)

I do think the fact that I watched my brother play through kind of ruined it a bit for me, though. The same thing happened to me with Wind Waker, by the way: We had a friend living with us when WW came out, and I watched her play through most of the game. Afterward, I tried to play it myself, but I just didn't have the interest at the time. I think enough time has passed, though, that I should be able to get into it should I decide to play it again.

Before I do that, though, I really should finish Pokemon Black and FF: The 4 Heroes of Light...

Unknown said...

Bryan, you've never played Chrono Trigger?! I'm shocked! :P I played a few hours of it a while back but that was in my young gamer phase where I got stuck in RPGs really easily, so I gave up.

Funnily enough, I got pretty far in Chrono Cross but got stuck, then restarted it a few years later... And got stuck a couple more hours further in than the first time. Heh.

Anyways, love love this fanart! It's getting me pumped, for sure. For some reason the art style reminds me a bit of the Irish animated film "The Secret of Kells" (which is beautiful, by the way, and everyone should go watch it). Actually, the guy on the right's face (can I assume that's Ganon?) looks a lot like the father in Kells.

Well, you know that I'm going to be picking up Skyward Sword, since I preordered it! It doesn't come out till the 24th here in AU, though :/ I actually really wanted the golden Wiimote, haha. I've never finished a single Zelda game, myself, so we'll see how things go...

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha! I *knew* someone would be shocked by my lack of experience with Chrono Trigger. LOL :)

Anyway, yeah, there's nothing worse than getting stuck in an RPG, is there, Anne? GameFAQs and the like can help sometimes, but not always. That's what happened with me an Wind Waker, by the way: I got stuck in some dungeon, and I absolutely could not figure out what I had done wrong or how I could get myself out of it. Sigh.

As for this piece of fan art and in particular its style: I love it, too! I've never seen 'The Secret of Kells,' but if it looks anything like this piece of art I'm sure it's amazing.

I happen to like it because it has an art deco/Tamara de Lempicka quality to it.

Going back to Skyward Sword: Did you preorder the version with the golden Wiimote, then? That's the one I was going to get, but failed to do so. Anyway, can't wait to hear what you think of the game!

Unknown said...

Yeah, I preordered the one with the Wiimote. My reasoning was that it's actually cheaper for me to get my second Wiimote that way, rather than buying one separately :)

Are they unavailable in the US now, is that why you say you weren't able to get it? I was under the impression stocks were pretty low, so I rushed in to preorder last week. The guy here said that they're not worried about running out, though. I thought that sounded odd –– is it more popular in the US than here in AU?

Bryan Ochalla said...

I can't say I know for sure if stocks of the Wiimote bundle are low or not, Anne -- I just know that when I checked them out on Amazon the other day, I wasn't able to pre-order one. You're right, though, that it's a good way to get a Wiimote Plus on the cheap!

Viewtiful_Justin said...

There are so many shameful gaming confessions going around today! Oh man...shame all over.

I'm so buying it. The second I can.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Yes, Justin, shame, SHAME all over :)

I can't wait to hear what you and Anne and Darwin think of the game. Maybe if you all love it I'll just *have* to buy it.

Hey, speaking of your impressions of a game: How are you liking Super Mario 3D Land so far?

J said...

YES i'm buying the collector's edition with the gold wiimote! Even if you're worried about not being able to play it, may i recommend a purchase so at least you'll have it?

Viewtiful_Justin said...

I will love it.

Super Mario 3D Land is SHORT! I finished it in three medium-length play sessions...but then it opens up some more and gets WAY tougher...so...there's that. And...there's nothing cuter than Luigi in a Tanooki suit. Seriously...

But overall? It's pretty great! There's some good ideas in there. I just wish that they hadn't made Mario LESS agile in this one than in others...seems a step backwards.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, J! Oh, I'm sure I'll buy it sometime early-ish next year. It looks too good not to buy/own/play. Also, who knows? Maybe I'll like it so much that it'll prompt me to go on a Zelda spree and play through Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, too.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Justin: Ah, yes, I've heard about Mario 3D Land's shortness. I've also heard about how it opens up after the initial playthrough, though -- and most people seems much more satisfied with the game after that.

I can't wait to see Luigi in a Tanooki suit, BTW. He's actually cuter than Mario in a Tanooki suit? I'm not sure I believe it! Seeing Mario in the Tanooki suit's actually what sold me on the game, to tell you the truth.

Anyway, I'm going to ask you in a few weeks which game I should buy first: Mario 3D Land or Mario Kart 7. Be ready for it! :)

Marco Grande Arbitro said...

beautiful picture! We look forward to the game: D

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ah, so many people looking forward to this game. It really will be interesting to hear all of your thoughts on it :)