The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo DS, 2007)

"This game is... EPIC!"
I know, I know. Epic? Am I exaggerating? Nope. Few games reach epic status, one such game is Metroid Prime. I know. Am I going so far as to compare this game to Metroid Prime? No. This game is astounding.


Graphics: 10/10

The graphics of the game are quite a lot like Wind Waker's, which means graphics are either something you love, or something you hate. I am personally a fan of Wind Waker's graphics, because it is more of a storybook style, and I persoanally enjoy that, because it makes you feel like you are enjoying a great fantasy novel, as well as playing a game. That is why I give the graphics a ten.

Sound: 10/10

The sound takes you back, as always, with that first "You found a secret! DANANANANA-NANA!", and takes you back to the Wind Waker days; not a huge time jump, but enough to make you nostalgic for that ol' GCN game; the game of so many hidden treasures. The time you hear the sailing song again, you will sigh with relief. It's back... your home...

Story: 10/10

The story in this game is quite intresting. Tetra has been kidnapped, and you must find her. Wow, big suprise, right? However, the story gets more and more intresting with every new dungeon. It is great.

Puzzles: 10/10

Ok. You may start to think I am kissing up to this game, but the puzzles are amazing. Sure, they are the same ol' Push Block, Hit Switch in Right Order conviently located on sign, but then there are new puzzles such as "Open the door by writing the number of palm trees on the beach on the sign". It is like playing "Trace Memory" With Zelda. Thumbs up!

Gameplay: 10/10

From learning to roll to the Phantom Dodgings, to finding the way to find the secret cave, it is epic. Sailing, sadly, has taken a small toll, as now you may not free sail, instead navigate in a line. Fortunately, ship battles, Beedle, and barrels to dodge are still cool. Go ahead. You know the game. Let's play

Overall: 10/10

For the reasons stated above, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass has achieved Epic-hood. You can't beat this game. Well, you can, because if you don't then you will have failed game-hood, or your dignity, but this game deserves respect, care, and honor. This game will live on as one of the greatest DS games of our time. It isn't Twilight Princess, but in some ways it is better (Because this game actually has hard puzzles before Arbiter's Ground!). You will love this game. Welcome home, Link. Go on. You can stop reading. Go play.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10

Game Release: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (US, 10/01/07)