The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Set 100 years after the events of The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks introduces a new Hyrule where technology has advanced to the steam age, and an evil force, long-sealed in a tower, has been freed.
Development
The Tracks Go On and On
"My son loved this book. When he was four or five, this was the book he'd bring me every night before bed. 'Read it, dad, read it!' That's the story, it's a very simple one, but the pioneering spirit, the kids building the railroad... Something about it seemed as though it would fit with Zelda. But I didn't tell the staff about this book." -Eiji Aonuma
As the first continuous sequel to a Zelda game on the same console since Majora's Mask, Aonuma thought of this game in the same way as that game, creating a brand new game and story while using the same assets made for it's predecessor, in the same way Majora's used from Ocarina of Time. Spirit Tracks took two years to make, as opposed to Majora's Mask, which was developed for only one year.
As it is tradition to make a direct Zelda sequel to have gameplay elements completely different from their previous title, the team decided to use the Phantom enemy from Phantom Hourglass as a second playable character that can be controlled simultaneously with Link using the touch screen to add a new mechanic to solve puzzles, as well as for story purposes.
Story
Princess Zelda and Link talk as friends.
Link confronts Zelda's attacker.
This leaves Zelda's spirit wondering around aimlessly, unseen by all whom she passes. Well, except for Link, anyway. Upon discovering this, Zelda enlists the help of the young engineer to help her regain her body, stop the mad schemes of Chancellor Cole.
Gameplay
Link and a Phantom Zelda work together to finish a dungeon.
Link's train, much like his predecessor's boat, sports a cannon to fend off any hostile creatures that get too close. Like any Zelda game, Spirit Tracks will include dungeons full of environment based puzzles, giant bosses, and all new items and weapons to help the player throughout the game.
New to this game is a player controllable Phantom Knight that can be used to safely traverse hostile terrain. Link can ride on this Phantom Knight to cross lakes of lava or use it to block fire in Link's path.
Controls
Controlling both Link and Zelda at the same time.
For combat, you simply make a quick swipe across the screen to use Link's sword. You can also just tap an enemy to attack them as well. Other actions, such as picking up and moving an object (like pots, bombs, or whatever else you can grab) simply require you to tap on that object to pick it up, and tap again where you wish to put or throw said object.
The game uses the DS microphone frequently, specifically for the Spirit Flute and the Whirlwind.
Characters
- Princess Zelda - The descendant of Tetra and ruler of Hyrule.
- Link - The protagonist of the game whose latest incarnation sees him as a train conductor.
- Niko - A surviving member of the original pirates, he is now over 100 years old and narrates the game's prologue.
- Alfonzo - Link's mentor in the Royal Railway. He is a great swordsman and train engineer. A descendant of the original pirates.
- The Postman - A traveling postman in charge of delivering letters across the kingdom.
- Chancellor Cole - Zelda's suspicious chancellor whose interests may lie outside of the royal family.
- Byrne - A very powerful minion of Chancellor Cole. He is a conflicted individual, unsure if what he does is right.
- Anjean - A member of the Lokomo tribe, and the guardian of the Tower of Spirits.
- Gage - The Lokomo of the Forest Realm.
- Steem - The Lokomo of the Snow Realm.
- Carben - The Lokomo of the Ocean Realm.
- Embrose - The Lokomo of the Fire Realm.
- Rael - The Lokomo of the Sand Realm.
Bosses
- Stagnox - The Armored Stag Beetle of the Forest Temple.
- Fraaz - Master of Icy Fire of the Snow Temple.
- Phytops - Barbed Menace of the Ocean Temple.
- Cragma - Lava Lord of the Fire Temple.
- Bryne - Chancellor Cole's minion.
- Skeldritch - Ancient Demon of the Sand Temple.
- Demon Train - The Demon King's diabolical train.
- Chancellor Cole - Zelda's chancellor who seeks to summon the Demon King.
- Malladus - The Demon King.
Locations
Forest Realm
- Aboda Village
- Hyrule Castle Town
- Whittleton
- Trading Station
- Rabbitland Rescue
- Forest Sanctuary
- Forest Temple
Snow Realm
- Snow Sanctuary
- Snow Temple
- Anouki Village
- Wellspring Station
- Bridge Builder's House
- Slippery Station
- Snowdrift Station
Ocean Realm
- Ocean Sanctuary
- Ocean Temple
- Papuchia Village
- Pirate Hideout
- Lost at Sea Station
Fire Realm
- Fire Sanctuary
- Fire Temple
- Goron Village
- Goron Target Range
- Ends of the Earth Station
- Disorientation Station
- Dark Ore Mine
Sand Realm
- Sand Sanctuary
- Sand Temple
All Realms
- Tower of Spirits
- Beedle's Air Shop
Multiplayer
Like its predecessor, Spirit Tracks features a multiplayer mode that similar to Pac-Man where up to four players can compete to collect as many force gems as possible, while avoiding Phantom Knights, before time runs out. The mode features six maps, each with their own traps and hazards, which are somewhat based on the various temples from the story.The mode does not support online, but does support download play.
