Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 94
 this is great January 17, 2005
blossom
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Although I've played most of Zelda handheld games and 3-d ones, this one is very impressive. First off, I was really excited about this game since Christmas and when I anticipate something too much I'm usually disappointed with it in the end. Surprisingly, when I picked up this game, it was even better than I expected.
Some good:
-the graphics of the games were very crisp and colourful with sharply defined lines that makes it stand out.
-there were a lot of beautiful music geared to different settings.
-a lot of things to do: go on the main quest, which is enough to keep you busy with the shrinking and growing aspect that lets you see things from different views. Tired of going on the quest? Take a rest collecting cute figurines. If not, just talk to other people (there are amusing things that can happen) and try to fuse kinstones with them. This is one of the things I really enjoyed in the game, people seems to live their own lives and we can discover their stories.
-this may be good or bad, but I found that the bosses of the stage and dungeon were relatively easy compared to the other zelda games. This can save you some frustration but also makes the game shorter compared to the other.
-interesting way of learning new sword techniques.
-a variety of equipments to choose from
Some bad:
-as said before the bosses and monsters are easy compared to other zelda games (esp. because of less heart loss per hit), this can make the game smoother but perhaps subtract from the feel of victory at their defeat.
This game is reminiscent of past zelda games but oddly has a very new feel to it.
To the person who keeps entering 2/5 review, you're obviously an immature person with nothing else to do but creating three accounts a day to post a review, two times on Jan 17, two on Jan. 16 etc, the same type of language, and the user always have a history of no other review, come on. I'm not criticizing you because you don't like this game, everybody is entitled to their own opinions and their own likes and dislikes (that's what this review system for), but not when you try to force your opinions on other people and influencing the rating of this game by posting a gazillion of reviews that doesn't reflect what other people might think.
That's 4 for 4 Nintendo February 14, 2005
Cloud (Canada)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
For some reason, of my 2 favorite game series, Zelda has managed to not release a single bad game, even average(for the record, I'm not including the atrocious CD-I releases). The other being Final Fantasy, and there's a couple I don't care for. I liked VIII but IX wasn't that great. Zelda has seen 4 releases since Game Boy Color, Link's Awakening, Oracle of Ages/Seasons, Link to the Past and now Minish Cap, and all have been outstanding.
Story: While attending the Picori Festival with Zelda, Link finds himself in the middle of a battle for Hyrule has Vaati wins a swordsman tournament and unleashes creatures, and petrifies Zelda. Apparently, he's looking for an ancient power that would make him really powerful. Nothing new but it's still fun to watch.
Graphics: Utilizing the look of most Zelda overhead graphics combined with the sprites and character designs of Wind Waker, this is quite a beautiful game. It's on Gameboy of course so it doesn't have a "ooh, aah" look of say Halo 2 or Metroid Prime but it still looks great.
Gameplay: Most Zelda games revolve around what's essentially a gameplay "gimmick", there's a theme around it. Link to the Past was the light/dark world theme, Oracle of Ages/Seasons was being able to change seasons or go back in time, Ocarina had a time travelling aspect, Majora's Mask had the masks and Wind Waker had the sailing. A hat Link wears is the titular Minish Cap, a green bird-looking hat that allows Link to shrink down to the size of your thumb. He's not even bigger than a leaf. And the puzzles revolve around this.
Minish Cap has some new additions. First is 2 new items: the Gust Jar which is essentially a vaccum cleaner to suck in enemies and shoot them back out or to clear hurtful terrain. And the Mole Mitts, which are basically cooler versions of the classic Shovel, only he can claw through special walls as well as dig in the ground. And you get your classic Bow and Arrow, the Boomerang, Pegasus Shoes, Roc's Cape like in the Oracle games.
There's also 2 new features: Kinstone Fusion and Figurines. Kinstone Fusion is kind of like the Cinderella glass shoe in a way. Basically throughout Hyrule, there's these pieces of what look like a coin only it's broken in half and somewhere in Hyrule there's someone(or in a couple cases, something) that has the other half. Connect with them and it opens a secret, either containing money, a piece of heart, or another kinstone piece which will lead to a better item or an upgrade like your wallet or bomb bag.
Figurines is kind of like Super Smash Bros Melee. Someone in Hyrule Town has a slot machine and the machine uses mysterious shells, found throughout Hyrule, you can bet up to 3 and try your luck at finding a figurine, with 130 to be found, 6 at the end. Figurines aren't really that exciting, but Kinstone Fusion is quite addicting as you're constantly looking around for that next person to fuse with.
One complaint that people have, although personally is a godsend, is people think The Minish Cap is a bit too easy. And really, it kind of is. But after having your ass handed to you in a game then putting it away cause it frustrates you to much, it's not to have a game that while you don't blow through in a day, does offer a challenge now and then. For instance, the final boss while not being super hard, is kind of frustrating due to the fact you face him 3 times, each one with several phases. And in a weird way, fairies, the most heavily prized when entering a dungeon only replenishes 4 measly hearts, instead of 10 or 7, but just 4. Bah.
You can blow through the game really quickly(I beat the game in 3 days), but you'll have quite a lot of fun with it.
Classic Zelda fun January 14, 2005
Howdy (Seattle, WA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Has all of the key elements that make the best Zelda games enjoyable. Fun puzzles and characters as well as charming environments. Graphics are quite good.
-Addendum: I'm most of the way through the game now, and am enjoying it even more. Not sure why all the poor reviews are appearing. I agree with the reviewer that said that it doesn't make sense to compare the graphics of this game to graphics one would see on xbox. Graphics are charming and gameplay is where this really shines. It's much more fun and addictive than many games that may have "better" graphics.
Nintendo does it again. January 17, 2005
D. Barney (Brinstar Depths)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I am glad Nintendo finally ran out of titles to port from other systems, This game does not disappoint, bringing yet another new twist to the Zelda universe. If you are looking for a great fun inexpensive game, then go no further. Note, this is a review for Zelda, The Minish Cap, from a person who has actually played the game. I will not give away any of the gameplay elements except it has great visuals for the GBA and is great fun. Fans of the Zelda series will love it, but will be disappointed by it's length. You knew it would be good, now get to playing.
The following information is not a continuation of my review for Zelda, the Minish Cap, but some comments on some of the negative reviews.
I recognise that there are quite a few reviews that have given this game poor marks, pay no attention, they all appear to be somewhat incoherent and suprisingly similar in lack of game experience and education. Probably by the same witless person. The problem being that only unintelligent people would consider these poor reviews viable. It's a shame, because this game deserves 4 stars at the least.
Classic Zelda February 8, 2005
neek (Singapore)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
It has been almost 20 years, and the Legend of Zelda is still very much alive and kicking. Exclusively made for the Game Boy Advance, The Minish Cap is the latest instalment of this very popular series. Developed by Capcom with input from Nintendo, The Minish Cap is a classic Legend of Zelda game that entails a strong plot, mind-boggling puzzles and some very tough battles.
Taking the role of Link, you must put together the pieces of a broken blade by fusing four elements (Earth, Fire, Wind, Water) into the sword to stop the evil deeds of the sorcerer Vaati. Link also has to revive Princess Zelda, who was turned into stone by Vaati. Can this woman ever get out of trouble?
Link's quest involves exploring a massive overworld, as well as six dungeons. Apart from getting items and upgrades along the way, Link also has a companion in the form of Ezlo, a hybrid of a bird and a hat. Weird as this may sound, Ezlo literally rides on Link throughout the game, and provides hints should Link gets stuck. Not that his hints are any good, by the way, but he does have an important role in the proceedings, but I won't spoil it for you.
The combination of Ezlo and portals scattered around the maps allow Link to be shrunk into ant-size. This allows him to interact with a tribe of people known as the Picoris or the Minish, who secretly lives in various parts of Hyrule. Basically, this is a "Honey, I shrunk the Kids" concept, but it works very well here. Looking at the world from a whole new perspective, Link's quest gets all the more difficult when enemies whom he can kill easily when he's normal become a tough challenge. Ever thought killing an Octorock will take you half an hour?
Apart from the classic weapons, Link also has an array of items to play with. Among them is the Gust Jar, which allows Link to suck in and split out air. This comes in handy against some well-protected enemies. The Mole Mitts allow Link to dig through sand, which is very useful when finding treasures. And in a bold move, Link also gets an improved version of the Roc's Cape, which allows him to sort of fly momentarily. You'll be amazed to see Link does a Superman impression late in the game. Also, the Grip Ring lets Link climb mountains, while the Pegasus Boots helps him walk across quicksand. Even classic items get an upgrade, with bombs now capable of being remotely controlled by Link. Strategic bombing, anyone?
Solving puzzles is an important part of this game. Apart from the block-pushing stunt that is so connected to Zelda games, a gimmick from the previous Four Swords game is also included. After infusing some elements into his sword, Link can multiply himself by charging his sword, which allows him to push even heavier blocks. Some puzzles also require Link to respond quickly, for example, a lever-controlled bridge that retracts almost immediately after he loosen the grip. All in all, the variety of puzzles are acceptable, and very interesting to play with.
Treasures in The Minish Cap take the form of rupees, kinstones and mysterious shells. Kinstones? Mysterious shells? Yes, you read it right. Kinstones Fusion plays a large part in the game. By fusing, it simply means collecting a fragment of a stone, and matching it with someone with a, well, matching fragment. If the pieces fit perfectly, an event will happen somewhere on the map. While some fusions create random events, the more rare red and gold kinstones are essential in changing the course of the game. To put it simply, these fusions are compulsory, so it could take up some of your time finding the right pieces. Although this is a nice idea, it does make the game a little too linear for my liking. The free-roaming nature of past Zelda games takes the backseat in this time round.
Now, even when Link is eager to save the world, he's entitled to have a hobby. Figurines Collection is a non-compulsory part of the game that incorporates the Japanese "Gashapon" concept, which basically involves trying out his luck with a toy machine. When Link meets new people (or monsters) in the game, figurines of these are made by a master sculptor. Visiting the sculptor's shop, Link could get chances to earn these figures by exchanging mysterious shells with him. There are a total of 136 figurines in all, so it could take forever. Then again, I can see the greed in your eyes.
The graphics and audios In The Minish Cap complement the overall feel of the game superbly. It's heartening to see such intricate details on a 2D game. The colors are also vibrant and attractive, making it a really pleasant playing experience. The music is a mixture of old school and new scores, and to a certain extent, they blend well. Some parts are too bouncy, but on the whole, the feel is just right.
In summary, The Minish Cap delivers. While the main quest is rather short, the amount of side quests lengthens the overall playing time. If you only have the dough for one game this month, make The Minish Cap your top priority.
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