THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TWILIGHT PRINCESS
After initial criticism to Wind
Waker’s cartoony design, Nintendo apparently took a hard left and made a game
with some of the ugliest “hyper-realistic” graphics in the series. But if ugly’s
the only critique I can give the game, it’s doing pretty darn good. Twilight
Princess takes place thousands of years after the “child timeline” of Ocarina
of Time, when Hyrule is threatened by invaders from a shadowy twilight realm.
Our main character is an adult Link,
more or less akin to the standard “Link” you think of, so most of his moves
will likely end up there. Across the game, he carries around the typical sword
and shield, and can also grab and throw, climb, use a slingshot, fish, summon a
falcon, and has such items as the Wind Boomerang, Iron Boots, Magnet Boots,
Bombs, a swimming Fish Bomb, a Clawshot, a spinning top he can ride around on,
a pair of gauntlets with a ball and chain attached, and the Dominion Rod, a staff
that lets you control several types of statues (including some with hammers to
swing around and bells that take them from place to place). The real question
here is if there’s enough connection to tie those statues to Armos or not. Hmm.
Perhaps the most iconic gimmick of
the game is Link’s transformation into a wolf when in the Twilight Realm. As a
wolf, he can growl, dig, bite, warp from place to place with Midna, attack in a
rage, carry around a stick as a torch, howl, and summon a Kargarok to carry
him. Speaking of which, Midna is a small impish creature who becomes his
Navi-esque companion throughout the game, eventually revealed to be the titular
Twilight Princess, ousted from her throne and transformed into her current
state. She is shown to be able to leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab
things with her hair, warp from place to place, float, shapeshift, become a
shadow, warp heavy objects from place to place, control a Kargarok, stab with
her hair, and take on a monstrous form. Toward the end, she is restored to her
true body, shown with a magic tear strong enough to destroy the Mirror of
Twilight but not much else. (We’ll have to wait for Hyrule Warriors to see if
we can differentiate that form).
Princess Zelda is very much a minor character
this time around, locked up in her castle most of the time. She is shown to
wield a sword, heal with her magic, use the Triforce to let of a blast, fire
light arrows, and, under the influence of Ganondorf, float and play the
infamous tennis match with you. Another figure worth noting is the Hero’s
Shade, strongly implied to be the spirit of Ocarina’s Link, who teaches you
such sword moves as the finishing blow, the shield attack, the back slice, the
helm splitter, the mortal draw, the jump strike, and the great spin.
Minor NPCs abound throughout the
game. First and most importantly, we have the residents of Ordon Village,
including Link’s childhood friend Ilia, brother figure Colin, father figure
Rusl, local kids Malo, Talo, and Beth, and the mayor Bo, who teaches you a sumo
fighting style. On top of that, the slingshot, bow, falcon, and the horse Epona
are all heavily linked with your time in the village, so you could reasonably
tie it all to one major member. Ilia would probably be on top of that list to
inherit it, but I’ll have to think on it. Other NPCs wander around other areas,
such as the rebellion leader Telma and other members such as Ashei, inhabitants
of Kakariko Village such as Barnes and Renado, Gorons and Zoras such as Darbus
and Prince Ralis, and notably, a certain bug-loving little girl named Agitha,
who I might not mention if it weren’t for a certain role in a later warrior-y
game.
I should also mention Yeto and Yeta,
a pair of Yetis living up in the icy mountainous region of Hyrule. Yeto is shown
to punch hard, sled down a mountain, has multiple cannons around his castle
home, and can cook a mean stew. Yeta becomes possessed by the influence of the Mirror
of Twilight, fighting you in a boss fight where she rises into the air, blows
icy wind around, and causes ice chunks to fall. Monkeys also return to this
game, helping Link out by clearing smoke with a lantern, climbing, swinging
their companions, giving you a boost, and forming chains. Their chief Ook becomes
possessed, similar to Yeta, and fights you by throwing a dark boomerang and knocking
over pillars. Finally we have the Ooccoos, really weird bird things that can
warp you to Temple entrances, plus the great spirits Ordona, Faron, Eldin, and
Lanayru, and the sages that sealed away the Twilight Realm in the first place.
Zant is our initial villain, a usurper
of Midna’s throne who doesn’t seem to be quite all there. He can cast a wave of
light, throw a ball of red energy, use telekinesis, summon a shadow stone,
wield a twilight sword, summon large Zant Heads, create portals, summon
twilight bats, chase you with giant hands, take on a phantom form, teleport,
cast shadow balls, spin really fast, fly, alter the world around him, and
attack with twin blades. He turns out to have been serving Ganondorf, who emerges
as the final boss, riding a horse, casting lighting, striking you with his
elbow, and turning into a beastly Ganon form that mostly just charges and body
slams.
Our most important boss has to be
King Bulblin, the main enforcer of Zant who forms a sort of rivalry with Link. He
always rides around on his giant pig Lord Bulbo with two big horns to skewer
you with, wields an axe when off of him, can summon twilight at will, and blows
a horn to command his fellow Bulblins. Other major bosses include Diababa, a
giant monster plant; Fyrus, a chained fire monster; Morpheel, a giant sea
monster; Stallord, a giant skeletal monster in a pit that can breath smoke and
fire; Armogohma, a very realistic-looking giant spider that fires lasers, and
drops eggs full of baby Gohma; and Argorok, a literal dragon. Mini-bosses
include the strong Goron Dangoro, a big bloated beetle named Twilit Bloat, a
giant Deku Toad, Skull Kid (who can warp from place to place and controls
puppets with a pipe), a demonic goat named Death Sword, a mace-swinging enemy
named Darkhammer, a Darknut wielding a sword, shield, second sword, and mace,
and a winged variant of the Lizalfos called the Aeralfos.
Returning enemies include: Deku Baba
(including Big Babas and Baba Serpents), Bokoblins, Keese, Skulltulas, Dodongos,
Chuchus, Helmasaurs, Lizalfos, Tektites, Baris, Shellblades, Poes with scythes
and blue fire, Stalfos, Gibdos, Wolfos, Freezards. New enemies include the
Bulblins, who ride around on hogs, fire arrows, wield clubs, set fires, and
ride around on Kargaroks; Shadow Beasts that mostly grab and claw;
aforementioned Kargarok birds; Bomblings; worms that hide under tiles; icy
warriors called Chilfos; and skeletal canines called Stalhounds.
Twilight Princess goes back to a
more traditional Hyrule map, bringing back such locations as Hyrule Castle,
Hyrule Field, Kakariko Village, Death Mountain, Castle Town, Lake Hylia, Zora’s
Domain, Gerudo Desert, and the Temple of Time (now a full temple in its own
right). To my knowledge, this is also the first true appearance of the names Faron,
Eldin, and Lanayru, referring to the Lost Woods, Death Mountain, and Lake Hylia
regions respectively (which is odd, because Lanayru will come to be linked with
the desert areas in the future). Other notable areas include Link’s home of
Ordon Village, the Forest Temple, the iconic Bridge of Eldin, the Goron Mines,
the Arbiter’s Grounds, Snowpeak Ruins where Yeto and Yeta live, the Hidden
Village, the City in the Sky, and the Palace of Twilight, with the Twilight Realm
itself having a distinct look and feel to it.
All items as previously stated, with most of the other standards still
in play.
Here's what we've got so far:
Characters:
Link: Master Sword, Hylian Shield, Epona, Iron Boots, Megaton Hammer, Pegasus Boots, bombs, fire arrows, ice arrows, light arrows, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, lens of truth, climb, slingshot, fish, falcon, Wind Boomerang, Magnet Boots, Fish Bomb, Clawshot, Spinner, Ball and Chain, Dominion Rod
Young Link: jumping, rolling, crawling, Kokiri Sword, Deku shield, Epona, slingshot, Deku stick, bomb flowers, hookshot, boomerang, bombchu, Navi, lens of truth, mirror shield, travel back in time three days, slow time, song of soaring, song of storms, song of awakening, bunny hood, camera, heartless soldier, masks, Fierce Deity Mask
Toon Link: sword, shield, horizontal and vertical slices, thrust, spin attack, telescope, bag for spoils, bombs, grappling hook, Deku Leaf, boomerang, skull hammer, fire and ice arrows, iron boots, power bracelets, mirror shield, hide in barrels, wind waker, change winds, tornado
Wolf Link: growl, dig, bite, warp, rage, stick torch, howl, Kargarok
Princess Zelda: Zelda's Lullaby, jewel, light arrows, remove bars, spell of light, seal Ganon, sword, heal, Triforce blast, float, tennis match
Sheik: Zelda's Lullaby, Sun Song, Song of Storms, Song of Time, Epona's Song, Saria's Song, warp songs, disappear, leap, harp
Tetra: cutlass, blunderbuss, cannonballs, raising platforms, rope swinging, spoils bag, catapult, bombs, arrows of light.
King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule: boat form, sail, cannon, grappling anchor, tornado warp.
Impa: disappear, Zelda's lullaby, Lens of Truth
Midna: leap, cast energy balls, teleport, grab things, warp, float, shapeshift, shadow, warp objects, Kargarok, stab, monstrous form, Twili form, tear
Hero’s Shade: finishing blow, shield attack, back slice, helm splitter, mortal draw, jump strike, great spin, wolf form
Saria/Kokiri: Deku Sticks, Deku Nuts, Deku Sprouts, Great Deku Tree, Saria's song, slingshot, Mido
Darunia/Darmani/Darbus/Goron: rolling, defensive curl, strength, bomb flowers, hammer, dance, punch, ground pound, roll, drums, powder keg
Ruto/Mikau/Ralis/Zora: swim, dive, high speed swim, punch, fin blades, guitar, blue shield
Nabooru/Gerudo: twin blades, guard, spear, Iron Knuckle
Deku Scrub: launch from flower, fly with flowers, shoot bubbles, Deku Nut, spin dance, pipes
Medli/Rito: fly, lyre, reflect light, grappling hook, Valoo
Makar/Korok: violin, spinning leaf, plant a tree, spitting flowers, Deku Leaves, Deku Nuts
Happy Mask Salesman: draw in fairies, make chicks follow, milk bar, past Garos, Stalchildren, past Gibdos and ReDeads, become a giant, see hearts, detect smells, lead frogs, summon a Keaton, song of healing, shake
Ilia/Colin/Rusl/Malo/Talo/Beth/Bo: bow, slingshot, falcon, epona, sumo wrestling, cuccos
Agitha
Tingle: balloon, maps, magic dust, Tingle Tracker
Beedle: ship
Aryll: telescope
Great Fairy: Din's Fire, Farore's Wind, Nayru's Love, magical power, sword, spin attack, heal, expand pouch
Malon: Epona, Epona's song, Cuccos, Lon Lon Milk, bow
Dampe: dig, float, fire
Kafei: push
Yeto/Yeta: punch, sled, cannons, stew, rise, icy wind, ice chunks
Monkeys: clear smoke, climbing, swinging their companions, give a boost, forming chains, dark boomerang, pillars
Ganondorf: horse, blast of light, waves of darkness, ground pound, ball of lightning, horse, lightning, elbow strike
Toon Ganondorf: twin swords, slash, multi-attack, block, lunge, swoop forward, punch, dodge
Phantom Ganon: ride horse, float, lightning tennis
Beast Ganon: two giant swords, barrier of fire, charge, teleport, body slam
Skull Kid: dance, steal, float, curses, call down the moon, Tatl and Tael, warp, puppets
Majora: spins, tentacles, summon masks, laser beam, weird dance, long tentacles, top
Zant: wave of light, ball of red energy, telekinesis, shadow stone, twilight sword, Zant Heads, create portals, twilight bats, giant hands, phantom form, teleport, shadow balls, spin, fly, alter the world, twin blades
King Bulblin: Lord Bulbo, horns, axe, summon twilight, horn, other Bulblins
Gohma: climbs, drops eggs, lava, bite, lasers, baby Gohmas
Dodongo: dig, leap, breathe fire, roll around, swallow bombs
Kotake and Koume/Twinrova: quicksand, fly around on brooms, fire and ice magic, combine.
Dark Link
Iron Knuckle/Darknut: giant axe, slam, collapsing pillars, broadswords, shields, spears, punch, sword, second sword, mace
Stalfos: stalchildren, kick, sword, shield, dust breath, floating head, mace
Poe: disappearing, throwing flames, spinning with lanterns, paintings, puzzle blocks, illusions, curse, Jalhalla, scythe, blue fire
Armos: Beamos
Octoroks: Big Octo, spit rocks, projectiles, tentacles, whirlpools
Moblins: charge with spears, clubs shockwaves, spears, Helmarocs
Deku Baba: crawl, hang upside down, Mini Baba, Boko Baba, Big Baba, Baba Serpent, Diababa
Deku Scrub: hide, shoot Deku Nuts, merchants
Wolfos
Lizalfos/Dinolfos/Aeralfos: jump, swords, breathe fire, fly
Gibdo
Wizzrobe: teleport, spell of ice, staff, fireballs, fire spell, summon ally
Stalchildren
Chuchu: hopping, dropping from the ceiling, sparking with electricity, turning to stone
Gekko: punch, hop, ride a Snapper, Mad Jelly
Garo: hop, attack with swords, pop out of ground, barrier of fire, flaming swords, leap high
Bokoblins: clubs, swords, shields, broadswords, Helmarocs, burst from pots
Helmaroc
Helmasaur
Bulblins: hogs, arrows, clubs, set fires, Kargaroks (maybe King Bulbin and regular Bulblin as echoes?)
Shadow Beasts: grab, claw
Kargarok
Bosses:
Gohma
Dodongo
Barinade
Phantom Ganon
Volvagia
Morpha
Bongo Bongo
Twinrova
Beast Ganon
Odolwa
Goht
Gyorg
Twinmold
Helmaroc King
Kalle Demos
Gohdan
Jalhalla
Molgera
Diababa
Fyrus
Morpheel
Stallord
Argorok
Stages:
Lost Woods
Kokiri Village
Hyrule Field
Lon Lon Ranch
Hyrule Castle
Castle Town
Temple of Time
Kakariko Village
Death Mountain
Zora's Domain
Lake Hylia
Gerudo Valley
Great Deku Tree
Dodongo's Cavern
Lord Jabu-Jabu's Belly
Forest Temple
Fire Temple
Water Temple
Shadow Temple
Spirit Temple
Ganon's Castle
Clock Town
Termina Field
Woodfall
Snowhead
Great Bay
Ikana
Inside the Moon
Great Sea
Outset Island
Pirate Ship
Forsaken Fortress
Windfall Island
Dragon Roost Island
Forest Haven
Great Fish Island
Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple
Wind Temple
Kingdom of Hyrule
Ganon’s Tower
Faron Woods
Eldin Volcano
Lanayru Desert
Ordon Village
Bridge of Eldin
Goron Mines
Arbiter’s Grounds
Snowpeak Ruins
Hidden Village
City in the Sky
Palace of Twilight
Twilight Realm
Thanks for reading! Next up, we take to the skies in Skyward Sword!
