Japan’s premier source for insider gaming information and reviews, Famitsu, has reportedly given the upcoming Zelda game for the Nintendo DS, The Phantom Hourglass, nearly perfect scores. The score is out of 40 points, judged by 4 reviews who each have 10 points to allocate. Three of the judges reportedly gave the game 10/10, while the fourth judge awarded 9/10, resulting in a composite score of 39. According to wikipedia, only 15 other games in the history of the publication have received such a score. More importantly, though, only 7 games have ever gotten 40, and one of them in Ocarina of Time. Everyone knows that Ocarina of Time is the yardstick to which every new Zelda game is measured, but Famitsu’s attempt is still relatively cute.
According to 1up.com:
Famitsu seemed fairly satisfied with the stylus controls. “It is so easy to pick up! There have been many games using the stylus, but this one didn’t feel frustrating for the most part,” said one. However, another was concerned about “parts where you may mistakenly perform a different move.”
The dungeons and puzzles are getting praises, though: “The way it allows players to use the unique features of the DS is quite natural. Particularly puzzles where you draw directly on the map are brilliant. It feels like you really are physically solving the puzzles.”
The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass is set to release this weekend in Japan (Saturday, June 23), and is further schedule for a worldwide release during the holiday season 2007 (some sources say mid- to late-november). Personally, I will crushing small children under my bootheel to get this game as soon as it releases, and then playing it continuously until I pass out from sleep deprivation. I fully expect to fail college during the 2007 holday season.
The game is reportedly using near-3D quality graphics, utilizing cel-shading technology, since the DS is capable of supporting it more easily than a true 3D system. It’s also heavily utilizing the DS’s extensive stylus features, making it the first game since the game that came out just before it to do so.
