Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo DS) - Review by Trent

Introduction

All aboard for another adventure with Link, once again for the Nintendo DS and a sequel to the 2007 entry into the series Phantom Hourglass. Link's back with Zelda tagging along with him, giving the series an interesting new twist. You will travel the land on one of the series finest transportation methods, a fully-fledged train. An interesting new plunge from Nintendo, the question on everyone's lips is has it paid off.

Gameplay

Veterans to the series will be familiar with the titles gameplay mechanics, with it resembling closely in style to the previous Nintendo DS title Phantom Hourglass. Like all Zelda games the aim is to journey through various dungeons in the aim to then beat the evil force surrounding the land. This time around the goal is to restore the Spirit Tracks of each region as well.

Like Phantom Hourglass the game consists of a central dungeon which in this title is called the Spirit Tower. The Spirit Tower works in the exact same way as the Temple of the Ocean King did in Phantom Hourglass. Though this time around there is a few differences, Nintendo has removed the time limit which in the master dungeon and at the end of each section players will be greeted with a region map which restores only a fraction of the Spirit Tracks. To restore all of them players will travel to the various regions and meet the regions spirit. He will then teach you an ancient song of the spirits which will open the way to the dungeon.

Though that isn't it, players will also be able to advance by completing various side quests. These side quests give the players force gems which opens up various smaller tracks which lead to either warp tunnels or more locations to visit.

Players will control Zelda as well in the Spirit Tower and ads a new fresh feeling to the series. Zelda fits into a helper roll, but gives the game some comical relief as well. Gameplay with Zelda is more point and click however, but she is still able to perform most of the tasks Link can.

Once again the over world is a more linear approach to the series like Phantom Hourglass and exploration is restricted to whatever is on the side of the tracks. You can map out your course by drawing on the map, in a similar style to Phantom Hourglass's boat travelling. You can even upgrade your train by selling treasure just like the titles prequel.

The range of items which the players have access to are quite limited if your used to the console entries, but for a handheld title what is available is quite similar to the amount offered by resent series entries. Some of the items are series favourites such as bombs, bow and boomerang. But the title also brings some interesting new items to the table which offer new challenges to Link, as well as taking on forms and properties like items in past games in the series.

Nintendo has also polished up many things which were considered "wrong" in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks seems to have taken a shine, fixing what was once hated. Side quests are now plentiful as well and more interesting. You will experience various transport missions, bunny catching and even a few things Nintendo has added throughout the game to spice up the main mission.

Controls

Spirit Tracks takes the control scheme which Phantom Hourglass had and fine-tuned some things. For example rolling is easier, but the idea is still fundamentally the same. The game contains a control scheme which is very similar to most touch games on the Nintendo DS.

Sword play is as simple as tapping on the selected object or slashing at the screen. Various other objects in the game have different controls such as a boomerang's path is drawn on the screen before it is sent off. The game also makes use of the microphone with various new items which make use of it. Such as the Whirlwind and the Spirit Flute.

The microphone for the most part is sensitive enough to pick up any breath, for example the whirlwind can even be used by rubbing on the microphone with your finger. But it seems Nintendo has decided to make the sensitivity tighter when playing the Spirit Flute, as rubbing your finger just doesn't give the flute the power to make a sound.

The Flute works by using the touch screen to select the note by pushing the flute into the centre of the top screen, the colour it's on is what is selected. The microphone is more tighter tuned and shouldn't be a problem for most people, but for people with a weak blow it wouldn't be abnormal to spend ages on these flute sections. To create the amount of force which is needed for blowing in the flute- it's clearly not targeted to people with weak lungs or old people.

Graphics

Graphics nuts always have a different option on what the graphics should be and if they look good. Over all like Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Track's graphics are quite spectacular for the power of the Nintendo DS, but there are various sections like in cut scenes or the over world where the game just doesn't look right.

Older gamers will wish that the title was made with sprites, but the games graphics do not create any intrusive moments which clash with gameplay.

Sound

Toot! Toot! These are the sounds which you're going to be hearing a lot of as you sound your train's horn down the tracks. The games music is mostly comprised of only a few tracks, but you will find lots of verity in the title as you travel. Nintendo has remixed the basic music tracks for various other regions, towns, dungeons etc.

Some of the music pieces are very magical, and the occasional remix feels true to the feeling Legend of Zelda should try and capture.

Dual screen

Almost everything is possible to be done on the touch screen, with only a fraction of the possibilities also available for button use. The touch screen is used so much more than most Nintendo DS titles and has copied simular winning formulas for Touch Screen Use.

Nintendo been sneaky and creative like they are also brings back the microphone which is one of the major Nintendo DS functions which has been left behind over these years. You can blow all to your heart's content now through the microphone to make it play tunes and send out the badest of them all- the whirlwind item.

Final comments

Nintendo has left what they tried to do on Spirit Tracks behind a bit and decided to focus on what made the original games great. When they put to the two together, they made a winning formula on the most part. There are many annoying design choices which Nintendo has included in the title which will disappoint. But overall Spirit Tracks is one of the most smoothest Zelda adventures yet, and it's in depth story brings what we loved of older handheld titles back into the new age.

Pro: Great new story which is fresh and interesting, Train gameplay actually works quite well, While the dungeons are still quite easy- they are hard enough to give veterans a solid experience and at the same time new players a slightly challenging ride.
Con: A few design choices which set back the game, Graphics blocky and ugly in some places.
Final score: 8.7

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