So I’ve come up with 10 different ideas below that I feel, if all incorporated in to one game, would make the perfect Zelda game. Some of these ideas are things we’ve already seen in previous games, and others are completely new altogether.

 

Number 1. An expansive and open game world:

The first Zelda game for the NES was built upon the sense of freedom. Miyamoto wanted to put players in a big, expansive world that they could explore at their own time and pace. It worked a treat. Granted the lack of power of the NES limited his vision somewhat, but from a pure technical standpoint the first game revolutionized freedom in gaming at a time when most games were side-scrollers. But every game in the series since has limited this freedom. The main reason for this was because the SNES masterpiece, A Link to the Past, proved a massive success. Its game play was lauded, and while it offered freedom somewhat, its more structured formula went down better with gamers who struggled with the first title. So every console Zelda game since has followed the formula A Link to the Past introduced. But as time has come on this formula shows it is in need of a change simply because it has served its time. With the technology in the industry today, and the possible potential of the Wii U, I feel Zelda would greatly compliment an open world again. After playing Oblivion and Skyrim, the prospect of seeing Hyrule designed as well as Tamriel is exciting. After all, the Zelda games are adventures, so let us adventure how we want to Nintendo.

 

Number 2. No set order for dungeon progression:

The first Zelda game was also the only game in the series that you had complete control over what order you attempted to conquer each dungeon, and I want to see this feature again in the series. I’m tired of the current formula which sees you do three dungeons in a set order before you get the Master Sword and do several more in a set order. I want to say “OK, I’ll go to this one next.” At the very minimum, if Nintendo want to keep the current order they have now they should at least let us do the first three in any order we see fit, and then the others in any order when we reach them.

 

Number 3. Get Zelda herself more involved:

I’m a firm believer that Zelda could do more. She’s the Princess of her Kingdom and all she ever seems best at is getting in trouble. She needs to get more involved in the story and get a more integral role in game play. I really liked Spirit Tracks for allowing you to ‘sort of’ play as Zelda, and I liked the way Skyward Sword showed her as more of a character in the games plot rather than simply a damsel. Why can’t she do something for herself once in a while? I’m not suggesting star Zelda in her own game – I’m not even suggesting allowing us to use her a lot. I’d just like to see, every once in a while, Zelda get herself out of a sticky situation.

 

Number 4. Bring back and improve magic system:

The magic system hasn’t really been important in any Zelda game outside of The Adventure of Link, but I’d like to see it return and improved. Let us learns new spells as part of the story, or through talking to people like in The Adventure of Link, but add more spells and improve their usefulness. I can’t remember if I ever used Farore’s Wind or Nayru’s Love in Ocarina of Time, so in effect they were completely useless to me. I’d like to see enemies that can only be defeated by using specific spells; it’d add more to combat.

 

Number 5. Item and magic crafting:

I liked the item upgrade system in Skyward Sword, but I feel it wasn’t as good as its potential. Upgrading my bow to make it stronger and fire arrows farther was cool, but why couldn’t I craft a bow of my very own from raw materials? That’d be so much cooler. And the same for magic too. Imagine how strong the magic system could be if you could invent your own spells.