Does Linkle get a prince named Zeldo?

It’s a post-Tears of the Kingdom world out there and we’re just living in it, baby. After a few years of bubbling anticipation, the latest entry in The Legend of Zelda series has finally arrived, and according to reviews, it just might be worth the extra $10 Nintendo convince??d everyone to pay for it. As people around the world, be they famous developers for other games or sad? dads on the bus to work, come together to save Hyrule once again, I’m looking ahead to what might be next for the series.

All week on Destructoid, we’ve been publishing retrospectives, listicles, and feature articles centered on The Legend of Zelda. A few of our writers have highlighted ideas for the future of the series, be it a franchise fighting game or a hypothetical title where the legend of Zelda is actually about Zelda. And while I support both of those ideas wholeheartedly, I want to focus my final Zelda?? Week piece on another character entirely. Because it’s about time Nintendo put some serious thought into making a Linkle game.

Linkle’s been on my mind for the past fortnight as I booted up Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, a game that undoubtedly would have been on my Top 10 list for that GQ UK 100 best video games article if anyone outside of Destructoid knew who I was or cared what I thought. I adore Hyrule Warriors with every fiber of my being, and that’s just how I feel about the Wii U original. The Definitive Edition is pure heaven with its steady-as-stone framerate and the introduction of all the elements from the 3DS version of the game. And chief among those elements is…well, it’s the Wind Waker stuff. But second to that is Linkle, who is a ??ray of su??nshine.

[caption id="attachment_379186" align="alignnone" width="640"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Who is Linkle?

If you missed out on Hyrule Warriors Legends or Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, Linkle is a green tunic-clad Cucco farmer who mistakenly believes she’s the reincarnation of the legendary hero. When she gets word of the attack on Hyrule Castle, she grabs her dual crossbows and springs into action…in the wrong direction. While her journey takes her to many incorrect locations, she eventually reaches the castle and becomes the hero she’s always believed she is meant to be, even if she isn’t the hero.

Eiji Aonuma has suggested Linkle could appear in future Zelda games. While I question the genuine nature of that statement, given how many years it’s been since she first appeared, I don’t want to lose hope. In fact, considering my copy of Tears of the Kingdom won’t be here until Monday thankyouverymuchUPS, I’m taking this last bit of free time to postulate ideas on the future of Linkle and what it would be like if she got her own spin-off. Because we’ve already seen how she plays in a Musou crossover. But if she were to get her own?? game, what exactly would that look like? And who would/should make it?

[caption id="attachment_379185" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

A traditional, top-down Zelda game from Blossom Tales developer Castle Pixel

The first suggestion is the most obvious. The Legend of Zelda franchise cut its teeth on the top-down action game perspective, and a Linkle adventure would fit in well with the formula. Though, considering her weapon of choice is the crossbow, it would be more shooty than Link’s adventures. Castle Pixel has made a name for itself developing the Blossom Tales series, which are solid Zelda-likes that absolutely nail the feel of playing A Link to the Past. Wit?h a little guidance and some funding from Nintendo itself, I have no doubt Castle Pixel could give Linkle a brilliant, old-school solo outing.

[caption id="attachment_379188" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

A PlatinumGames developed action game

In Hyrule Warriors, Linkle’s signature weapons are her crossbows, but she’s not afraid to use her feet when necessary. In the right hands, Linkle could be gaming’s next great action game star. It isn’t difficult to s??ee her hanging with the likes of Bayonetta or Dante, and an action game following the lead of those characters would give this female version of Link an identity far from her origins.

[caption id="attachment_379187" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

A full-blown FPS from David Szymanski, developer of Dusk

There are infinite first-person shooter developers out there who would do a fine job creating a Linkle first-person shooter. Respawn Entertainment, Retro Studios, id; the cup runneth over on quality candidates. But honestly, after seeing what Brace Yourself Games did with Cadence of Hyrule, I think another excellent indie studio should get a whack at making a Linkle FPS. It may seem like something of an odd choice, but I’d love to see what Dusk deve??loper David Szymanski would do with the IP. His 2018 breakthrough?? title is still one of the best on Switch, and who wouldn’t love to return to a version of Hyrule rendered in all its 64-bit glory?

[caption id="attachment_379183" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

An on-rails narrative shooter from Treasure (because Treasure needs work)

It pains me to know the on-rails shooter genre will never be as big as I want it to be because, in my mind, it should be enormous. I love me a genre that mixes pure arcade shooting fun with ridiculous set-pieces, and while there have been some great games from the genre on console and in arcades, there is only one developer I would want to take up the challenge of making a Linkle on-rails shooter. And that’s the masterminds behind the Wii flop Sin & Punishment: Star Successor.

Treasure is a treasure, whether it’s developing the Sin & Punishment series for Nintendo or creating the masterpiece omnidirectional shooter that is Bangai-O. It’s more than proven itself worthy of getting the keys to a part of the Zelda IP. Plus, given that Tr??easure hasn’t released a game since 2014, the developers ?could probably use the work.

[caption id="attachment_379189" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

A bullet hell shooter from, well, Treasure (because Treasure still needs work)

Again, great genre that should be bigger, only one developer I can trust making a Linkle bullet-hell shooter and it’s the masterminds behind the Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun, yadda-yadda-yadda. Look, I just want Treasure to start making games again. The developers behind Gunstar Heroes, Alien Soldier, frickin�Mischief Makers, and Astro Boy: Omega Factor shouldn’t be some relic of the past. It’s h?ard to think of another studio that has made arcade fun the cornerstone of its DNA a??nd we need more of that in gaming today. So please, Treasure, please start making games again.

[caption id="attachment_379184" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image Courtesy of Nintendo[/caption]

Just make it Linkle’s Crossbow Training and call it a day, Nintendo

It’s unlikely we’ll ever see Linkle again outside of some future Hyrule Warriors sequel. While the Super Mario series is absolutely swimming in spin-offs, Link hasn’t been so lucky. Sure, there have been some, like My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Cadence of Hyrule, and Hyrule Warriors. Other spin-offs only saw a limited release, like the various Tingle games that were never released in North America or Tetra’s Trackers. Link’s Crossbow Training is arguably the most well-known of the spin-offs (and certainly the best-selling), and of all the genres that Nintendo would be most likely to stick Linkle in, it’s the shooting gallery genre (as long as it?? has some peripheral to package with it).

And while Link’s Crossbow Training didn’t have the best reception, that doesn’t mean Linkle’s turn at the helm would have to turn out so bad. In keeping with the spirits of her debut game, Linkle’s Crossbow Training could take her around the many different versions of Hyrule, from the fields of Ocarina of Time to the ghost ships of The Wind Waker. That’s a game I would play the heck out of.

As I stated above, despite Eiji Aonuma’s insistence, it's unlikely that Linkle was nothing more than a one-and-done character. We're probably not going to see her again, at least not from Nintendo proper. But I think the company is in a new era, with successes like Mario + Rabbids and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where it isn’t so afraid to loosen its grip on its treasured brands. I’m sure if an i??ndie developer or third-party partner came to Nintendo with a solid pitch for a ?Linkle game, we could see one come to fruition.

And if not,?? Nintendo should just ask Treasure to make one because THE WORLD NE?EDS MORE TREASURE GAMES.

The post What does a Legend of Linkle game look like to ??you? appeared first on Destructoid.

The first DLC wave, out June 18, includes the Battle-Tested Guardian, a Flail for Link, and the Master Cycle for Zelda

During the E3 2021 Nintendo Direct, we got a more substantive look at the first wave of DLC (and a tease for wave two) for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.

Pulse of the Ancients is up first, and it's releasi??ng on June 18. Here's what y??ou get:

• Battle-Tested Guardian (new playable character)
• Flail weapon (Link)
• Master Cycle weapon (Zelda)
• Apocalyptic difficulty setting
• Royal Ancient Tech Lab location ("unlock weapons and new helpful features")
• Harder versions of Wizzrobes, Giant Chuchus, and bomb-tossing Moblins
• "Take on a gauntlet of foes in the new 'Dangerous Specimen' Boss Battles"

//youtu.be/Xpa8baKl-9k

The next batch of DLC, which is also included in the Age of Calamity expansion pass ($20), is Guardian of Remembrance. It's coming in November 2021. Here's the latest inf??o:

• New character vignettes
• New stages
• Expanded roster
• New battle skills for the current characters

Clearly, the second half of ??the expansion pass is light on details at the moment, and it'll probably be a few months until we know what's included in Guardian of Remembrance �unless everything gets datamined to hell and back. That's the way of the world.

If nothing else, Zelda tearing up the scenic landsc??ape on a motorcycle i??s my kind of fun.

That said, I can't in good conscience spend any more money on Age of Calamity until I beat the story. (And even then, I don't know if I have it in me...) I went HAM on Hyrule Warriors on Wii U and again on Switch �literally hundreds of hours spent on both versions �and the whole ordeal kind of broke me. It's me, not you! You're a fine game!

For those of you who have cleared out most of Age of Calamity, is this content too little too late? Have you mov?ed ??on? I've gotta say, a Switch Pro bump sure could help.

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HYAH!

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition was announced during Nintendo's mini-direct yesterday, but not much else was talked about. A vague Spring release window could mean anything, with a release?? coming as late as June. According to Nintendo Hong Kong, though, we won't have much longer to wait.

As seen on this press release from the Hong Kong branch, Hyrule Warriors' Switch port will be available on March 22, 2018. It will also contain a Traditional and Simplified Chinese translation, which is pretty good news for that region of Asia. While this doesn't necessarily mean a worldwide release is in order, it would be very odd for a Zelda game to release in China before the US.

For a long time, Nintendo games typically launched in Japan first, but the Zelda series shifted gears towards the West with the release of Twilight Princess in 2006. Every subsequent game, apart from Breath of the Wild, has released in the West first (Breath was the first worldwide release for the series). My money is on Hyrule Warriors coming out in March worldwide based on this.

Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition, Dark Souls Remastered Support Chinese; Hyrule Warriors Release Date Revealed [Siliconera]

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Wind Fish sighting!

We're far enough along into Hyrule Warriors Legends' DLC schedule that I'm feeling the call to come back. By the time the 3DS title released, I already had hundreds of hours with the original Wii U version under my belt and was utterly burned out. But Marin? I need Marin! And a bunch of you do too, apparently, given the reaction to her inclusion in the game in this announcement post.

This video is a full rundown of the Link's Awakening Pack, which includes the red-haired Koholint Island resident, an adventure map, boots for Linkle, and 15 My Fairy c??ostume pieces.

The DLC will be available on June 30, 2016 for $6.99 on 3DS. If you're playing Hyrule Warriors on Wii U, you'll only be able to nab Marin and Linkle's new weapon (they're $4.99 t?ogether).

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Free for Wii U and 3DS

Medli from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is the latest character addition for Hyrule Warriors, and this time, you won't need to buy the upcoming 3DS version, Legends, to get her. She'll be offered for free in both versions of the action title alongside Legends' first paid DLC.

As a reminder, Hyrule Warriors Legends hits March 25, 2016?? and includes a transfer code to download?? and play as Linkle, Skull Kid, Tetra, King Daphnes, and Toon Link in the Wii U version. It'll also have a season pass available at launch, with four DLC packs coming this year.

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The Adventures of Linkle, please!

"I'm sure we will keep [Linkle] in mind when thinking about future titles," Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma told IGN. "I had a chance to give feedback on Linkle during development, but the satisfying action of using a crossbow, which we developed for the spinoff title Link's Crossbow Training, was implemented this ti?m?e completely by Koei Tecmo."

Aonuma went on to all but confirm that Linkle is considered canon, saying, "It may feel a little different from other titles in the franchise, but she doesn't feel out of place at all in the world of the Zelda games."

Linkle will be available for the first time when Hyrule Warriors Legends launches on the 3DS in the US on March 25, 2016. She will also be exportable to the Wii U's Hyrule Warriors. 

N??intendo keeping Linkle in mind for future Zelda?? games [IGN]

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Yes!

One of my most anticipated new features of Hyrule Warriors Legends, an expansion of sorts for the original Warriors, is Skull Kid. The new attacks sh??own in the video look amazing, and include moon abilities, as well as a fighting style featuring Tatl and Tael at his side.

As a reminder, if you buy the Legends 3DS edition that launches next year ??(January in Japan, March in the west), you can import Tetra, Toon Link, the King of Red Lions, Linkle, Skull Kid, and trident Ganondorf into the Wii U version.

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Hyrule Warriors Legends

Pulling a reverse Smash Bros., Hyrule Warriors launched on the Wii U last year and is getting an updated version on 3DS, Hyrule Warrios Legends, sometime next year. It's Ja??nuary 21 in Japan, first quarter 2016 for America? and Europe.

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Needed the additional processing power

While Hyrule Warriors Legends, an updated Nintendo 3DS port of last year's action game, will be compatible with older models of the portable, its stereoscopic 3D?? effects will not.

Speaking with 4Gamer at Tokyo Game Show, producer Yosuke Hayashi mentioned 3D functionality only works on New 3DS, as the title pushes the limits of the original hardware's p??rocessing power.

Hayashi also noted Legends will feature amiibo support, which either requires players to have a New 3DS or purchase a NFC reader accessory. It's difficult to imagine 3D effects or peripheral-free amiibo support having many folks run out to buy a New 3DS, but it see??ms Nintendo is slowly but surely finding ways to use the new handheld's beefier processor and additional features.

Hyrule Warriors Legends de??buts in Japa??n next January, with a western launch planned for spring.

「ゼルダ無双 ハイラルオールスターズ」の発売日が，2016年1月21日に決定 [4Gamer via Polygon]

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More DLC is basically confirmed

It looks like there's going to be more to Hyrule Warriors Legends on 3DS than meets the eye, if this Famitsu interview with producer Yosuke Hayashi is any indication. Apparently the inspiration for a portable version is literally as simple as Zelda ??fans noting that they wanted to take it on the go, so th?e team started development to meet that demand.

Evidently Wind Waker content was cut from the original release because "it wouldn't work with the story," but with the new 3DS game, they had a chance to create an epilogue-like situation that did allow it to work. The Wind Waker portion will actually continue the core story and won't be fluff. There will also be StreetPass support for Adventure Mode, a spring 2016 release target, and amiibo suppor?t that will be similar to Wii U.

As for other new content, the King of Hyrule and Tetra have been confirmed already, but Hayashi notes that "we plan to add new cha??racters other than [those two]. There ar??e fan favorites...so I'd be happy if you kept guessing who will join the fight while waiting for follow-up information."

Well, Agahnim is basically a shoo-in at ??this point right?

Hyrule Warriors Legends [Famitsu via Nintendo Everything]

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Free costume

While everyone was off enjoying all of the new announcements that came out of E3, Hyrule Warriors got a really small update. How small? Well, Link now has an extra "Classic Tunic" costume for use in the game to celebrate the 3DS release. A message also re-iterates that if you buy the 3DS edition you can transfer ?the new char??acters to Wii U.

Like many other things, why didn't Nintendo announce this during their conference? I get that you only have so much time, but guys, you left so many cool things out -- like the fact that the new Star Fox is being co-developed by Platinum Games!

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Adding Wind Waker characters and stages

Nintendo officially confirmed Hyrule Warriors 3DS at its event today. The team pegged it as a "re-imagining" of the Wii U game and noted that it includes all of the DLC characters from the original, as well as new characters and stages from the best Zelda game, The Wind Waker.

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YES PLEASE!

HEY LISTEN!

The fellas at GameXplain have spotted a crossbow in the leaked trailer for Hyrule Warriors for 3DS that matches the one used by the Link-esque lady in the Hyrule Warriors art book. 

This is easily the hypest thing I've seen leak ahead of E3 thus far. Nintendo poten?tially could be using this as a test to see how fans would react to a female Link, which I think will mostly be met with positivity. I have a sneaking suspicion that we may not find out for sure at E3, but in the months leading up to the release of the game.&nb?sp;

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Upcoming patch will fix long loading times, thank goodness

In the next and seemingly final piece of DLC for Hyrule Warriors, we'll be able to punch bosses in the face as the biggest boss of all, Ganon, in his own separate mode. I'm eager to let my anger out on the Imprisoned, that jerk??. Toes will be smashed. The camera will peace out. Fun times for all.

There's also a separate boss rush mode, which doesn't sound too appealing considering how painfully repetitive those fights become once you're hundreds of hours into the game, but I'll at least play to unlock some new costumes. Speaking of which, Ganondorf, you feeling okay?

The Boss Pack ??DLC is now available in Japan and will release on March 12, 2015 in North America as part of the season pass. Alternatively, you can nab it as stand?alone for $2.99.

A free game update is also on the way. Most notably, it'll address those pes??ky load times, ra??ise the level cap to 255, and flesh out the Apothecary with mixtures that cause the weak point gauge to deplete more quickly, increase attacks against giant bosses, and absorb magic from bosses.

Amazing spoiler alert: This is one of the rewards in the n?ew Ganon Play mode:

Bless this game.

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The Ganon Pack

Soon, Hyrule Warriors will get its 1.6.0 update, which brings i?n more free enhancements to the mix. The max?? level cap will be increased, new potions and medals will be added, challenge mode will be enhanced, and there will be a score recording function and an extended load time fix. Nice!

Also around the corner is the "Ganon Pack" add-on, which is coming February 26 in Japan. You'll be ale to battle against the gigantic bosses in a new Boss Challenge mode as well as acquire new costumes, and play as the massive Ganon in Ganon Play.

This is the last DLC that is part of the Season?? Pass, but given the popularity of the game I'm not so sure the money train is completely over yet.

Zelda Musou [GamesTalk]

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*Idles on map screen and awaits death by moon crash*

I know it's early, but anyone else dig into the Majora's Mask DLC for Hyrule Warriors yet?

I've played about an hour of it today and I'm loving the Termina map, especially its music, embedded above. So upbeat despite that accursed moon looming overhead. Just like in Majora's Mask, there's a clock cou??nting down to the end of days, and Owl Statues are scattered around.

Tingle is an ai?rborne delight as expected, but I haven't tried Young Link because I spent all of my money upgrading the middle-aged man, obviously. The new mission types are also pleasant: they have you racing against A.I. warriors to capture keeps, or earn the most Rupees or kills??.

Even if you aren't getting the DLC, be sure to download today's free software update. It adds a bunch of improvements like the ability to delete weapon skills and quick-restart levels. Also, the maximum character rank h??as been bumped to 200, which, please, make it stop! The only downside I've noticed is longer load times, presumably due to the restart option. All good, otherwise.

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I still hate Liu Bei

Nintendo's gambit with one of its most profitable properties seems to have paid off. Koei Tecmo's Hyrule Warriors is the fastest selling of any entry of the Musou series released in the United States. Great DLC and iconic characters have shot this game up the sales cha?rts.

A fan of the series compiled the above chart showing the Hyrule Warriors had a considerably more successful launch than its predecessors. However, historically the Musou series has seen its numbers increase throughout a console cycle, so only time will tell if Hyrule Warriors will surpass Dynasty Warriors 4's worldwide sales ?of over two million copies. 

I for one hope Nintendo and Koei Tecmo's relationship continues into more Musou games. Maybe the next entry can include characters from multiple franchises. Super Smash Battlefield perhaps?

ZhugeE??X??, Media Create Sales: Week 3, 2015 (Jan 12 - Jan 18) [NeoGAF via GoNintendo]

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Revenge is sweet

In this trailer overviewing the Majora's Mask DLC for Hyrule Warriors, we get to see?? Young Link don the Fierce Deity's mask and c??ut the Moon in half. My dark fantasy has finally been realized.

There's more excitement abound: Tingle's dramatic leg jiggle; Darunia wearing the Goron mask; that low-fi rendition of the Clock Tower tune. I am all about this. It's releasing February 5 for $7.99 as a standalone or at no additio?nal charge if you already own the $19.99 DLC bundle.

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Next update adds skill deleting, quick restarts, higher max level

When the Majora's Mask DLC for Hyrule Warriors drops (?January 29 in Europe and Japan; February 5 in North America), players will gain access to these three new costumes. As expected and feared by some, Lana is getting the Skull Kid outfit. I'm loving Sheik's latest look, though.

But more than any of that, I'm most excited about the next software update for the game. No joke, it made my morning. If you're deep into Hyrule Warriors' Adventure maps too, you'll understand:

• Raised max level for characters.
• New potions.
• Even more new medals.
• New weapon skill(s)?
• Smithy improved, adding several new options: "Delete Skill," "Check skills (before crafting)," and add "Sale weapons"
• More information available during Adventure Mode: Total damage is visible, and you can now restart the mission without going back to the map.

Skill deleting and quick restarts? Bless.

「ゼルダ無双」のDLC「ムジュラの仮面パック」が1月29日配信開始。「子供リンク」と，自称妖精の生まれ変わり「チンクル」がプレイアブルに [4Gamer via NeoGAF]

The new Adventure map looks intimidating.

What a time to be alive.

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Bless you, Divisive Plan

I'm continually amazed and frightened by how much mileage I've gotten out of Hyrule Warriors. This game is massive without DLC, and with it,?? god help us all -- it just keeps going.

After regularly playing since launch in late September, I?'ve managed to clear the first Adventure Mode map, most of the Master Quest map, and around half of the Twilight Princess map. But just when I feel like my progre?ss is coming together, more content drops. Not that I'm complaining.

There's still the Majora's Mask DLC ($7.99 standalone, or bundled with the other DLC packs for $19.99) on February 5. We got our first real look at that content -- Young Link, Tingle, three new costumes, and an Adventure map -- during today's Nintendo Direct. It's gonna be good.

I'm ready to start rocking Tingle, but if your current favorite characters aren't as leveled-up as you'd like them to be, the Twilight Princess map can help. In particular, the "Divisive Plan" missions (locations here) are ideal for grinding experience points. You'll face off against a single warrior, like Darunia or Fi, who will split apart into multiple clones as you deal damage. More clones equ??als more XP. Just be sure to take advantage of their elemental weakness (e.g., Water beats Fire)!

Here are two more tips that will be a revelation to some of you and common sense to others:

• There's a quicker way to sprint! While moving, press and hold the evade button ("B" on the GamePad) to immediately start sprinting after you roll.
• No, you don't need to pick up material or weapon pouches dropped by fallen foes. You'll still earn those items upon successful completion of the level, thank eff.

Got tips 'n' tricks of your own? Share 'e?m,?? if you'd be so kind.

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$0.99 per

Hyrule Warriors has had a fair amount of DLC so far. By "fair" I mean "fairly priced," as the Season Pass offers up four hefty packs?, two of which have dropped already. More DLC has also arrived in the form o??f costume packs.

Priced at $0.99 each, you can get the Ganondorf-themed "Demon King" set, the Twilight Princess set, the Skyward Sword set, and the Ocarina of Ti??me set; the latter three apply to both Link and Zelda.

In oth?er words, you can now by those retailer-exclusive bonuses upfront at a nomin??al fee.

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Twilight Princess pack

♪ I believe in miracles, since you came along, you sexy Link. ♪

Next Thursday's Twilight Princess pack for Hyrule Warriors will be one to remember. The DLC adds Twili Midna as a playable character, the Postman costume for Link (look at those legs!), the Ilia costume and Dominion Rod weapon?? for Z??elda, and yet another Adventure Mode map, as if we didn't have enough content to get through already. I'm struggling to keep up.

This DLC costs $7.99 standalone, or you can get it bundled with the other three packs (only one of which, the Master Quest pack,?? is out yet) for $19.99. So?? far, so good on the DLC front.

『ゼルダ無双』“真のミドナ”や“黄昏（たそがれ）マップ”が登場！　“トワイライトプリンセスパック”が11月27日より配信開始 [Famitsu]

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Nice!

Hyrule Warriors is still one of my favorite games of 2014, and the DLC so far has been a large part of why I keep playing it. We've already seen the "Master Quest" DLC, but now Nintendo's Eiji ?Aonuma has spilled the beans on what the upcoming "Twilight Princess" p??ack will entail.

The new character will be Twili Midna -- the true princes form of the character that already exists to some extent in the core game. Anouma states that "it was a waste" to only see her in the ending, and now you'll be able to see more of her. She'll wield the Mirror of Twilight weapon, which is described by Anouma (and probably Chad Concelmo's translation) as "am??azing."

In addition to Midna you'll also get new weapons and costumes, as well as another adventure map. Link is said to? have a costume based on a "cert?ain familiar character." Yep, this sounds like a pretty badass bit of DLC.

Aonuma [Miiverse]

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It's not as new as I would have liked, but it keeps me going

Hyrule Warriors is a massive game. If you want to 100% everything, get every weapon, and max out every character, it could last you roughly 200 hours or more. I'm hitting the 100-hour mark myself, due in part to the new Master Quest DLC pack that dropped yesterday.

The pack comes side-by-side with a free update that brings three new chara?cters to the mix, and on its own delivers a new weapon (Epona), five new campaign maps, and a newer, tougher Adventure Mode map.

Hyrule Warriors: Master Quest DLC (Wii U)
Developer: Omega Force, Team Ninja, Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: October 16, 2014
MSRP: $7.99 (part of the $19.99 Season Pass)

Let's start with the additional campaign. Put simply, it's a prequel and a side-story to the events that unfold over the course of the narrative. You'll see Cia's rise to power, how she recruited Wizzro and Volga, and her interactions with the denizens of each of the "portal" worlds like Skyward Sword and Twilight Princess. It takes place over five missions, all of which re-use? maps from the story mode but offer new? scenarios.

Where these maps really shine are with the game's Hero difficulty. They're some of the most challenging ones on offer, and you'll have to employ some actual tactical thinking to best them with?out a few retries. The first m?ap in particular is really cool in that it features three armies, all of which are constantly warring as the battle rages on. It also gives you a great look into the character of Volga, who is easily the star of the new update.

Link's new Epona weapon is surprisingly one of the best parts of the package. It functions very similarly to horses in the Warriors series -- outside of the fact that you can't actually get off said horse. Attacks range from charges (with the classic carrot icons from past Zelda ga??mes) and area-of-effect abilities. In other words, Epona can be used in every map without an issue and kicks a lot of ass. I really liked the added touch of the shadow aesthetic when using the Dark Link skin.

The new map is titled the "Master Quest," and gives you another board to work through in Adventure Mode from square one. Although hardcore fans probably breezed through the first map? without too much difficulty, Master Quest is going to put your skills to the test. Every piece of the map features a certain challenge requirement, like "no healing of any kind," or a time limit on your objective.

This is on top of the fact that a lot of the levels are just harder in general, and some require the use and mastery of the new characters. In my mind this is a great way to do DLC, as it's a natural progression from the first map. I would have liked to have seen something drastically different like a monochrome or Game Boy Color-themed Link's Awakening map, but the missions speak for themselves. Having said that, if you didn't dig the first map, you probably won't bother to complete this one, and you should w?ait for the next DLC pack to hit -- unless you like the idea of costumes and 8-bit weapons for your troubles.

Finally, the last part of the paid Master Quest add-on is two costumes for Cia and Lana. These are essentially holy-themed getups, and while Lana's isn't all that special, it drastically changes Cia's appearance from evil to good, which is something. Still, it's not nearly as enticing as a Fierce Deity or Toon Link skin, per se. While the three free extra characters aren't technically part of the DLC, buying Master Quest unlocks a few perks, like their higher-level weapon??s and the ability to use heart containers on them. They're also some of the most fun characters in the game by f?ar.

Cia's badassery speaks for itself. As one of the core villains of the game, she uses her magic abilities and her whip as weapons. She can throw energy balls, summon flying discs to attack gro?ups of enemies, and even summon a small army of Dark Links to lay waste to the battlefield. She's an AOE-oriented character but still holds her own in one-on-one situations. She also feels completely unique, even from Lana. As a neat bonus you'll also get two extra costumes right off the bat, including a hatless skin and a skin without her mask.

Volga took me completely by surprise, and ended up being one of my new favorite characters. He plays similarly to a polearm character from the Warriors games, which should make more than a few fans happy. His "dragon" aspects are also well done to the point where it doesn't feel like they're overdoing it, and wings and claws will sprout during specific attacks.? In terms of raw power he's one of the stronger characters in the game, giving you an extra viable roster option if you're the min-max type.

Wizzro on the other hand feels weaker at first, but he's a highly technical character that shines in co-op. What's cool about him is that the vast majority of his attacks are ranged, putting him in a class of his own.?? He's adept at juggling and has a very useful beam attack that can be aimed at single enemies or even groups. I really like how the developers allowed him to use some of the basic moves of the Poe enemies but keep his own style.

Hyrule Warriors is on a roll. Not only does the base game have more gameplay than nearly anything released in 2014, but the DLC does a decent job of augmentin?g the experience. While I'd like to see a little more original content in future DLCs, the three characters alone will add hours of e??ntertainment.

The post Hyrule Warriors’ ‘Master Quest’ DLC is worth the price of entry if you’re already addicted appeared first on Destructoid.

He's still creepy

As I've said in the past, one of my favorite things about Hyrule Warriors is how different every cha?racter is. This new video showing off Wizzro exemplifies that fact, as he mostly operates at a mid-range capacity wi??th various beam attacks.

He also looks pretty badass in general and creepy to boot. I wouldn't mind if Wizzrobe enemies took up this style in future Zelda games.? As a reminder, Cia, Wizzro and Volga are all free DLC.

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Dude can transform

Hyrule Warriors is gaining a new polearm combatant soon with the addition of Volga, the badass fire-dragon warrior. In addition to changing into a freaking dragon, he also seems to have a wide array of attacks that mimic the Dynasty Warriors series.

As a reminder, Cia, Volga, and Wizzro will drop in Hyrule Warriors as free downloads. The first paid DL??C will have story missions for Cia, as well as Epona for Link, two new costumes, and an extra Adventure Mode map.

The post Get a load of Hyrule Warrior’s Volga, the dragon warrior appeared first on Destructoid.

A Skyward Link to the Twilight Ocarina

We never could have ?imagined this? mash-up in our wildest dreams.

Nintendo, Team Ninja, and Omega Force together, co-developing a game based on the Legend of Zelda and Dynasty Warriors series. Few stranger things have happened, and fans of both franchises have ?been eagerly awaiting this all-star com??bination for months on end.

While the typical Warriors trappings are still present in Hyrule Warriors, Nintendo has injected more than enough charm to make this collaboration something specia??l.

Hyrule Warriors (Wii U)
Developer: Omega Force, Team Ninja, Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: September 26, 2014
MSRP: $59.99

The madness that ensues in Hyrule Warriors may not be canon, but it's explained rather well. Characters provide their typical grunts and guttural sounds over a text-based dialog system, but every level begins with a special voiceover narration -- a first for the Zelda series. The actor that provides the voice fits the mystical theme of the game well enough (even if she under-delivers a tad), and I found myself enjoying the sto?ry, no matter how tertiary it is to the real action at hand.

What you're getting is a typical tale of dark vs. light, with Link and his crew battling the evil Ci?a (a newcomer created for the game) and some villains from the hero's past. It's all very predictable, almost in a comical fashion, but a lot of love and authenticity was put into the characters, as they all operate how you think they would after meeting each other. The development team also put a lot of work in when it comes to differentiating every character (both aesthetically and mechanically), and the cast feels wholly unique.

Control-wise, Hyrule plays like your typical Warriors game with the addition of one extra (items, which I'll get to in a moment) -- meaning it's insanely easy to pick up and play, even with no prior knowledge of the series. The "combo" move setup returns, allowing players to press the standard attack button any number of times for a full combo, with the option to alter it with the special attack button. For instance, if Link attacks twice then uses a special, he'll summon a projectile with his sword, and if he attacks three times then prompts a special, he'll use an air-juggle launche??r, and so on.

All of this works seamlessly with the Hyrule cast, since every character has a radically different moveset. This is rare in a Warriors game, but I found myself liking every playable combatant, and since characters have two distinctly different weapons that alter their movesets on top of that, odds are you will find a play style you'll gel with. For example, it's amazing how they translated Fi into a hack and slash so well, as she looks and plays like she was transplanted 1:1 from Skyward Sword. No one feels like a clone character.

Sub-weapons are also included, and seek to differentiate Hyrule from its pedigree. Bombs, arrows, and the hookshot (among others) all make an appearance, and all serve a purpose -- like bombing rocks in the overworld just like a real Zelda game. You can also level-up each character individually, and earn "badges" -- a huge skill-tree like system that you can progress through by earning Rupees and materials through normal play. It's an easy and ?fun progression mechanic that encourages player?s to replay levels for items without feeling like a grind.

The lock-on system is one of the best I've seen in the series, as it actually works as intended. While locked on, you can ??dodge with the press of a single button, or guard by holding the left trigger and circle around your opponent. The only problem I found is that sometimes the camera gets a little wonky while locked on, but this only happens briefly once every 10 levels or so. When playing on the TV, the visuals are beautiful (though not as amazing as some other current-gen games), and there is hardly any slowdown to speak of.

Once again, I'm finding myself glued to the GamePad as a control method. It's my favorite controller out right now, and I absolutely love how it feels. Players can also opt for a Pro Controller or Wiimote and Nunchuk if they please, and controls are fully customizable. There's just one major problem -- Off-TV play feels rushed in Hyrule Warriors, and really exposes the la??ck of power on the Ga??mePad.

Simply put, Warriors games typically display up to 100 models on-screen at once in heated situations, and the GamePad cannot handle it. In some le?vels -- the Twilight maps in particular, with looming towers in the background -- I've gotten full slowdown spurts as lengthy as 30 seconds (again, this doesn't happen on the TV). Now, the game is doable, and for the sake of experimentation, I completed the entire campaign on hard using Off-TV play. But if at all possible, it's not recommended.

While the story and characters are wonderfully presented, the missions are going to be your typical Warriors fare. Even on hard mode the game isn't that much of a challenge, and although many levels have objectives like "capture this keep" or "kill this captain," your main goal 99% of the?? tim?e is to enter the enemy base and kill the big boss. It can get tiring if you're going at it alone to say the least, since your fun factor is cut down by obtuse objectives, sometimes forcing you to slog to and fro across the entire map.

You'll also have to gradually unlock characters by playing the story, starting with Impa by completing the first level, and so on. You won't even have the full cast until you complete the game, which fits in terms of the story (as you have to meet them first), but with many levels limiting you to just one character (Link), it feels restrictive. Thankfully, there is an exploration element in Hyrule Warriors that somewhat mirrors the Zelda s?eries proper to help break up a lot of the repeti??tion.

As previously mentioned you can look for rocks to bomb, cuccos to find and mess with, hidden chests to grab, and special items to gather. When there isn't an imminent need to press on, I liked running around levels trying to find things, and it gets even more fun as you accumulate sub-weapons throughout the story. Slashing grass for health and breaking pots never felt this fun in the Warriors games.

Your enjoyment is going to be increased ten-fold if you play the game with a friend. Hyrule Warriors features a full co-op mode for two players, but like other aspects of the game, it's very particular. For one, there is no online co-op of any kind. It's a huge bummer that really makes the package less appealing if you can't wrangle up a friend locally. Another thing to keep in mind is the aforementioned poor off-TV play. In Hyrule Warriors, there is no support for split-?screen -- one player has to use the GamePad screen, and another has to use the TV -- no exceptions.

The good news is that every single level and mode (except the first stage after booting up the game) is playable with a friend. What's really cool is that the second player can pick anyone unlocked so far in the story, even if the first player is ?limited to? say, Link-only. Despite the lack of online play and inherent issues, couch co-op is an absolute blast, and I've played at least 30 hours with my wife, even though the campaign is roughly 10 hours. I cannot state strongly enough how much fun it is to share the experience with a partner.

There's also a big bonus that makes up for the repetitive campaign -- adventure mode. This is also fully playable with two people, and features a retro-flavored map from the original NES The Legend of Zelda. You'll explore the entire overworld from the first game as you tackle each "square," which is a challenge level?? of sorts. Some squares might require you to kill 400 enemies in 10 minutes, and some might task you with killing three or more bosses on-screen at once. After beating a stage you?? might earn an old-school item like a lantern or a bomb, which can be used on the map to open up even more areas.

It's crazy how fleshed out this mode is, and it cuts down on a lot of the fatigue from playing the campaign -- especially since many levels are actually challenging. If you're looking for even more to do, there's 100 collectible Gold Skulltulas that are hidden about the game. If you wanted to complete the story, adventure mode, find every Skulltula, and max out every character, it wo?uld probably take around 100 hours at minimum. That's not including the planned free updates and upcoming paid DLC. For instance, over the course of the review, a new challenge mode was even added as an update that essentially delivers more story-like missions.

Hyrule Warriors can fall into the same trappings as any hack and slash, but the amount of effort that went into making it enjoyable for Zelda fans is staggering. This is one of the best couch co-o??p game??s I've ever played, warts and all.

The post Review: Hyrule Warriors appeared first on Destructoid.

But you're not going to like it

In Japan, there's a Hyrule Warriors collector's edition that comes with a scarf, among other trinkets like a miniature treasure chest. Europe is getting the limited-edition scarf, too.

North America? Well, we're technically getting it. There will ??be a bundle over here, but it'll be sold exclusively at the Nintendo World store in New York. Sales begin at 8:00am on? September 26.

According to Nintendo, "Quantities are limited [and] due to high demand pre-orders wi?ll not be available for this item."?? There's always eBay. (Ugh.)

Nintendo World Store [Twitter]

The post There i??s a way to get the Hyrule Warriors scarf in North America appeared first on Destructoid.

Middle of the road for Wii U

Hyrule Warriors is just around the corner, and I know a lot of you Wii U owners like to plan out how much space you'll need if you're going the download route. Today I can confirm that the game clocks in at 7.08GB. It's not quite as gargantuan as say, Tropical Freeze ??;(11GB), but it's sizable enough where you might want to clear out something if you don't already have an external hard-drive.

Warriors is set to launch on September 26th, but our r?eview will drop roughly a week before launch.

The post PSA: Hyrule Warriors is roughly a 7GB download appeared first on Destructoid.

I hope a lot of those updates are free

One day many years ago, I went into Starbucks with a friend. The barista inquired as to whether or not he'd want to try a new bakery item they had just concocted, to which he awkwardly replied, "not unless it's FREE!" It wasn't free. I'm sure that's how a lot of you out there value planned updates ??and expansions (otherwise known as add-ons or DLC).

Well, you better get ready for some of that DLC for Hyrule Warriors, as an official tweet stated this week, "[Here's some] new information to commemorate the release. Hyrule Warriors is a festive Zelda title that was made with much effort. In order to h??ave you folks enjoy it for longer, we’re currently planning long-term updates and a large-scale mode expansion. We’ve received a few bug reports?, so we’ll be working on that as well.”

A large-scale expansion? That sounds interesting -- new Zelda g?ames could be added to the mix. No price points were given, but obviously an ideal situation would be free updates mixed in with a? meaty paid expansion down the line.

Hyrule Warriors [Twitter via Siliconera]

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