Hey Shams, I completely agree. Glad I'm not the only one, cause I don't want Zelda to go any further into that direction.
The Zelda and Mario series are the only ones I absolutely love, I usually start getting nervous 2 years in advance of a new Zelda game. Finished ST yesterday, and I really have to say I am disappointed.
- Removing the free overworld roaming cuts my Zelda experience by half. I can't even be bothered to complete the missing side quests, cause the train travel is such a chore. And side quests are usually my favourite part!
- Another point I strongly agree on is the painfully evident 'rinse-and-repeat' structure. After some 20 years of playing Zelda, this is the game that made me feel tired of it.
- Trains. How are you supposed to feel a sense of exploration when you're going somewhere by train!?! Oh, I've found a secret, ancient temple! How? There's a railway station! Come on... Guardians and villains on wheels? Is this an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?
On the plus side:
+ Since you haven't finished the game yet: The dungeon design is very good! Actually these were some of the best Zelda dungeons in recent memory, really fresh puzzles. And the last dungeon and tower section were freaking hard. Makes you wonder how the casuals are supposed to get through... no way, I say.
+ Graphics are great
+ Good enemy design
7/10 for me. Really sad.
Currently playing: NSMB (Wii)
