The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker From ... - Douglas Wilson

entrance to the dungeon’s basement section. Other, quite different types of problem
solving include partner-based interactions in which Link must work cleverly together
with an accompanying sidekick (either Medli or Makar), as well as full-blown puzzles
like the complex arrangement of light-reflecting mirrors at the end of the Earth Temple.
More so than earlier Zelda titles, Wind Waker reduces the prominence of pure
gameplay. As many critics have pointed out, Wind Waker is not a very challenging game.
In fact, most players will rarely find themselves in danger of “losing” (that is, dying). As
one review complained at the time, “In playing through Wind Waker the first time, we
never died. In fact, we barely came in danger of dying.” 60 Even for newcomers to the
series, Wind Waker battles are far from difficult, especially given the addition of timed
power attacks. The ease of life replenishment (whether by finding hearts, using potions,
or capturing health-restoring fairies), in conjunction with the ability to save your progress
at any point, downplays death as a mere setback. Wind Waker even sacrifices some
Figure 14 – Battle in the Earth Temple. (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendo, 2002)
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