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ENTERTAINMENT
DS Zelda game forms new legend
By Tyler Ohlew
Chronicle Staff
Th e Legend of Zelda: Phantom
Hourglass may not be what many
have expected. Luckily for the Nintendo
DS title, it provides an experience
straight out of left fi eld, but
one that will reaffi rm the strength
of the series.
As a franchise, Zelda has always
had its sacred cows; mechanics,
scenarios, and items that
have been synonymous with the
series. But in Phantom Hourglass,
the traditional ebb and fl ow one
expects is replaced with something
far more streamlined. Th e
changes made are both minor
(no need to purchase wallets of
varying size, from the outset thousands
of rupees can be carried)
and signifi cant (hearts, the game’s
measurement of life, are no longer
broken up into four fragments and
scattered about, they are found
whole). And while this is far from
a traditional Zelda title, many familiar
trappings are still there. One
will still need to rescue an alarmingly
weak princess, the game’s
protagonist is the mute but lovable
Link, and there are enough bombs,
boomerangs, and breakable jars
for even the most weary of fans to
feel at home.
As a direct sequel to the stunningly
gorgeous Legend of Zelda:
Th e Wind Waker, Phantom Hourglass
continues the tale of Link setting
sail across the seas in search
of new land. A recap is present at
the beginning of the game, just to
remind veterans and inform newcomers
of what transpired in Wind
Waker. Of course, it’s nothing we
haven’t seen before.
Th e best thing Phantom Hour-
glass takes from its predecessor is
its aesthetic. As a DS title, Phantom
Hourglass boasts some of the most
charming 3D visuals seen on the
system. Th e title even showcases
the system’s seldom seen ability to
display 3D on both screens. While
the game could have been an excellent
display of the 2D capabilities
of the system, the chosen 3D
visuals allow for some great animation.
When originally announced, it
was the game’s controls that threw
many Zelda faithful into a tizzy.
Gone was the control system fans
had grown accustomed to. Instead,
as customary with the DS, touch
controls had taken its place. But
rest easy, Phantom Hourglass controls
like a dream. Upon tapping
an enemy, Link will attack. While
simple, as the game evolves so do
its enemies. A simple tap or stroke
on the screen will no longer be
enough, items like the boomerang
or bow will be necessary. Some
enemies can even be felled by the
DS’s microphone. But that’s not to
say that the control system is fl awless.
Summersaults are diffi cult to
pull off with each attempt, and occasionally
tapping an enemy will
not result in the anticipated attack.
But these are extremely rare cases.
Otherwise the touch controls are
spot on (in fact, at a later point in
the game, a character alludes to
the “message board worries” fans
had of the controls).
Which brings up an interesting
point, Phantom Hourglass lets
no feature of the DS go unused. In
fact, the game liberally borrows
from many DS titles that Nintendo
had developed. Players can expect
to literally shout for items, scribble
on their map (which now doesn’t
have to be found, it’s instantly pro-
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vided), and close the lid of their DS
to solve one of the game’s trickier
puzzles.
Sailing the seas is a vast improvement
over what was found
in Th e Wind Waker. Travelling
between islands is enjoyable, as
many obstacles (both good and
bad) pop up during the trip. Later
on, travelling between the game’s
four quadrants of sea becomes
a breeze with the help of some
Dumbledore’s private life
gets too much publicity
In front of hundreds of fans in Carnegie Hall, Harry
Potter author J.K. Rowling brought Hogwarts’ most
beloved and dedicated headmaster, Albus Dumbledore,
out of the closet.
Th e reading in Carnegie Hall was the last stop on
Rowling’s American tour of the fi nal Harry Potter
book, Deathly Hallows.
Sixteen hundred lucky New York
City public school students and
their guests attended the event on
Oct. 19, when she read from the last
few chapters of the book and then
answered audience questions.
When a young fan asked if
Dumbledore, who throughout the
series emphasizes the power of
love, ever fell in love himself, Rowling casually said to
a shocked audience that Dumbledore was gay.
She later added that he had a tragic infatuation
with his equal and dark rival Gellert Grindelwald.
Th e surprised crowd cheered while Harry Potter
haters had yet another reason to complain why the
books are inappropriate for children - Rowling has
taken heat from religious groups claiming that the
books promote witchcraft.
To be fair, not everyone has to like Rowling’s
work.
But what is not fair is that in forums of websites
The Chronicle November 6, 2007 29
golden frogs. It sounds odd, but
shaving minutes off an extensive
journey never hurts. Drawing out
your customizable ship’s route is
fun, and allows for as many or as
few detours desired.
While the game is far easier
than most in the series, it’s no less
fun. Th e dungeons grow more
clever as the adventure wears on,
as do the bosses. While death is
rare, your enjoyment won’t be. In
Photo by Tyler Ohlew
PHANTOM OF THE HOURGLASS: The new Zelda game is one you will never forget. It
is action packed with bombs, boomerangs, and breakable jars.
such as www.ultimateguitar.com and www.retrojunk.
com, Rowling is accused of outing Dumbledore as a
clever marketing scheme when there is no evidence
in the books to back it up.
Have these people ever read the books?
Th ere were little hints throughout the series.
Dumbledore has an obscured troubled past and
despite his old age lacks a female
companion.
Also, Dumbledore tends to
dress very elaborately, for example
In Chapter 1 of Th e Philosopher’s
Stone, when he is fi rst introduced,
he is wearing long purple robes
with glittery stars.
In the last chapter of Deathly
Hallows, Dumbledore tells Harry that Grindelwald’s
ideas “infl amed” and “captivated” him and that the appearance
of a charismatic friend lured him into fantastical
dreams of power and infl uence. “Two clever,
arrogant boys with a shared obsession,” he recalls,
resulted in “two months of insanity.”
Dumbledore’s love for Grindelwald caused him to
delay their legendary battle for fi ve years.
Harry Potter fan or not, it’s not fair to accuse Rowling
of outing Dumbledore for publicity.
She is a billionaire – she has had enough publicity
for a lifetime.
Ingrid
Saravia
Spice Girls
By Jenna-Lee Mainse
Chronicle Staff
Th e legendary Spice Girls
will be making a two-night pit
stop in Toronto during their
much-anticipated reunion tour.
After tickets for their fi rst
scheduled appearance at the
Air Canada Centre on Feb. 3
sold out in two minutes, the
Spice Girls added a Feb. 4 concert
as well. Th e concert forum
will be fi lled to capacity with
19,800 Spice Girl fanatics.
Th e reunion tour was announced
by the ‘90s girl group
(Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell,
Melanie Brown, Melanie Chisholm
and Victoria Beckham) in
June, after being offi cially sepa-
particular, the Ice Temple’s boss
will bring a smile to even the most
prudent of players.
Th e graphics, game play, length,
and controls are all in top form
here. Alone, each component can
stand proudly amongst the handheld’s
best. But it’s the culmination
of these individual aspects that
makes Phantom Hourglass such a
great game. Th is is one hourglass
the sands of time will never forget.
concert sells out
in two minutes
rated since February. 2001.
Th e Return of Th e Spice Girls
World Tour will kick off in Vancouver
on Dec. 24 and stop at
17 other cities around the world
before the tour ends.
Couldn’t get tickets? Not a
problem.
Fans can look forward to the
release of the Spice Girls Greatest
Hits album, which features
13 of their chart-topping singles,
such as Wannabe and Spice Up
Your Life.
Sporty, Posh, Scary, Baby,
and Ginger Spice are also releasing
two brand new comeback
singles titled Headlines (Friendship
Never Ends) and Voodoo,
which will be included on the
group’s greatest hits album.