Friday 9 February, 2007

Narrative progression has improved a small bit, but I remain almost overly annoyed with the game. Maybe it’s just that time of the month.

After further continuing Zelda, I understand to a better degree what makes this a pleasurable game, though I feel much is still lacking which might make it a great game - hopefully as I continue playing, elements will be introduced making gameplay more exciting. I find that as a game of very obvious progression, the game world and gameplay feels stilted. I am very conscious of the linear motion of game progression, and at times I become confused and frustrated when I am faced with a game situation and I am unable to proceed based on my own judgment. Rather I must follow the very exact direction set out for me by developers. Perhaps this frustration only steams from the fact that I still yet remain trapped in the introductory phase of the game world, but to a large extent that is no excuse, either. In that case the intro should A. be more interesting and compelling, or B. it should be quicker to get through.

It picks up eventually. Give it time to get out of the introductory phase and you will find that you aren't limited to what the game wants you to do. I found that much of the enjoyment I got out of this game was just exploring the side world and interacting with the characters and activities that there are outside of the main quest. There is so much stuff to do in this game it's unreal!