Check out the blockbusters of this holiday season. Dark Souls, Uncharted 3, Skyward Sword, MW3. What do these games all have in common? They’re all remixes, improvements over something that came before them. We know that these titles are going to sell well. Why? Well, they’re all probably damn good games. But it’s also because we want to keep reliving and expanding on the moments we experienced with Drake, Soap, and whoever the main protagonist in Dark Souls is. Oh yeah, and some dude named Link. He cool too.
Heck, even the random assortment of Gamecube games I have in front of me all have numbers at the end of their titles. (Was I the only person that shelled out half a G note for Shadow the Hedgehog?)
There’s something alluring about the nostalgia factor in gaming. Just like any good book or movie, you’ll probably read or watch the sequel or prequel. You’re familiar with it, you enjoyed it, and you want to come back to it. Over and over again.
But the difference with a game is, even though it is possible to view a sequel to a game as a standalone title (which is not as easy to do with a book or movie), you never ever will.
Mario, Sonic, Metroid, Zelda…man, even just typing these words on a screen evoke some sentimental feelings from the inner nerd in me. Whether it’s the satisfying feeling of finding an extra missile expansion pack, or just hearing that “item-get!” noise in a Zelda game, the memory is overwhelming.
If you haven’t already read between the lines, I am pumped for Skyward Sword, the next title in a line of epic Zelda games. As I write this, I’m listening to some orchestral Zelda medley on YouTube. The first comment is: This song ... Proof that God exists.
The question is, why do people like games like Zelda so much? I’ll admit that Zelda isn’t the best game I’ve ever played. I’ll even admit that I’ve never played through Ocarina of Time fully. But just from a couple playthroughs (plural) of Windwaker and Twilight Princess, I developed some sort of lifelong bond to a blonde dude wearing a green tunic.
The thing is, these games are greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s an understatement. Every piece fits so perfectly together, and gels so well, that it is hard to even look at these masterpieces as games anymore. It is an art. The nostalgia factor can turn a small disc into an eternal treasure.
That was deep.
And to those who argue that Zelda isn’t the b3stest? Well, my brain tells me, they might have a point. But the pull of nostalgia leaves me with no option but to say, “Oh yeah, well you just don’t get it man. Alright? You just don’t get it.” In fact, after reading/enduring Gamespot’s pathetic review of SS (a 7.5? wtf?) I was spurred into action, and sent copious amounts of semi-hate mail to the author. You should actually do the same too. No, really. Here’s his page on Gamespot: http://www.gamespot.com/users/TomMcShea/?tag=profile-nav%3Bprofile-home. Just tell him as politely as possible (lawl) that you disagree with his “review.”
It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited for a game.
I’m glad that the Wii gets a proper send off, the most fitting of swansongs, with another top notch Zelda title.
