The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

About The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD brings Nintendo's cel-shaded ocean adventure to Wii U in 2013. This remaster updates the 2002 classic with a new lighting engine, sharper textures, and an alternate art style that feels vibrant yet nostalgic. You play as Link, starting on Outset Island where life is quiet until a giant bird snatches his sister. The story follows Link and pirate captain Tetra across the Great Sea as they hunt for a legendary evil threatening Hyrule. It remains a single-player experience focused on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than combat-heavy action. The game delivers a distinct visual identity that sets it apart from other entries in the franchise while keeping the core mechanics intact for modern players.

Gameplay

You spend most of your time piloting the King of Red Lions sailboat across the Great Sea. Navigation involves checking wind direction and using the oar to adjust speed before engaging with islands or underwater caves. Once ashore, Link uses the Master Sword to cut through enemies and a hookshot to reach distant platforms or pull objects into place. Puzzles often require manipulating the environment or using items like the Deku Leaf to glide over gaps. Combat feels deliberate since you must parry attacks at the right moment rather than spamming button presses. The game includes underwater sections where you explore ancient ruins with limited oxygen. You can collect treasures, find hidden chests, and complete side quests that reveal more about the world before facing the final boss in a massive dungeon.

What Players Think

Critics loved this version, giving it a 90 out of 100 on Metacritic and an 90.3 average score on IGDB from nearly 400 ratings. PlayPile users describe the vibe as atmospheric with a surprising cooperative sentiment among three voters who found the world easy to explore together in spirit. The community notes that completion rates remain high because players enjoy finding every chest across the ocean. Average playtime hovers around 25 hours for a standard run, though completionists spend over 40 hours tracking down all secrets. Review snippets frequently mention how the updated graphics age better than the original GameCube release. Some users note that the pacing slows down when sailing between islands but picks up once you hit new dungeons.

PlayPile's Take

This game is worth your time if you enjoy slow-burn exploration and clever puzzles over frantic combat. At a reasonable price point on the Wii U eShop, it offers excellent value given the content volume. The achievement list includes 30 trophies that encourage thorough investigation of every island rather than rushing to the end. Players who found the original too linear will appreciate how much freedom the sea provides for discovery. It does not hold up for those seeking modern open-world mechanics or complex character customization. Finish this one if you want a complete story with a unique art direction and solid puzzle design that respects your intelligence.

Storyline

Set hundreds of years after the events of Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker finds the hero Link living with his grandmother on the Outset Island, one of the many small islands lost amidst the waters of the Great Sea. On his tenth birthday, Link encounters a giant bird carrying a girl. He rescues the girl, but as a result his own sister is taken away by the bird. The girl is a pirate captain named Tetra, who agrees to help Link find and rescue his sister. During the course of their journey, the two of them realize that a powerful, legendary evil is active again, and must find a way to stop him.