Aonuma on how Nintendo approaches the open world in Zelda U

[Smear-Gel]

mZuzek said:

We can achieve this thanks to the hardware features of Wii U, but to truly get a deep understanding of the game world, we also need a real map that depicts the world as it is. The GamePad is very effective for displaying this, and thus also [for] providing players with a constant hint on where to head to. I think we can safely say that the innovations in this new game are only possible thanks to the Wii U hardware.''

This is probably the best news I can take from this interview. It probably means they're not trying to tack on some stupid GamePad gimmick.

It doesn't guarantee the game won't have a central gimmick, but it's already a good relief. It also probably means this will be playable on the Pro Controller - hopefully the Wiimote Plus too?

The central gimmicks arent really that bad, IMO.

I miss the shrinking gimmick dearly, for instance