#7: The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker

I've never understood why this game isn't regarded as a classic.  There are a great features that make this game stand out among the franchise's counterparts.  To each their own, I guess.  To me, Wind Waker is the finest Zelda game ever made.

Wind Waker breaks free from its franchise's iconic feature immediately.  In most other Zelda games, you're tied to a very small portion of the world that expands slowly as you complete more dungeons.  WW didn't keep you in your protected box.  In fact, after a couple tutorial missions, you're given the entire freaking world to explore.  There are islands and treasures that you won't be able to get, but all in all, there's a massive world to see at the start of the game.

I loved this break from the norm.  I spent hours sailing through uncharted waters before I even accessed the story.  All of the other games feel much more scripted in where you can and can't go.  Wind Waker broke the mold and I hope that others continue its path.

The big reason that Wind Waker is my favorite game in the Zelda series is its combat.  Think about every other Zelda game you've played.  You encounter an enemy and what do you do?  STAB STAB SWING STAB STAB SWING, until it's dead.  Wind Waker's battles played off of a series of counter attacks that seemed plausible and helped you cut down the biggest foes.

As a large, armored enemy swung at you, you'd hit the counter attack button.  At that moment, Link would quickly combat roll behind the enemy and cut apart the leather straps that had held his armor on.  As his armor clanged to the ground, it became a more fair fight, but still a fight based on timing.

A note has to made for the graphics.  Many say it's too cartoony, but I'll say this.  The art style in Wind Waker succeeds in making the most alive Zelda world.  They did everything from beautiful lighting to blurring objects in the distance.  Running through a forest in WW felt more lifelike than any other in the series.

I know that many people have a dislike for this game (in comparison to other masterpieces in the franchise), but give it another try.  You may be surprised with how enjoyable this game is.