It is incredible to think that Twilight Princess turns 10 this year, but it launched with the release of the Wii in November 2006 and was quietly released on the GameCube a month later. Arguably the most-hyped Zelda game ever released (remember the E3 2004 announcement? I don’t think I’ve heard a crowd react quite like that to a trailer since then), Twilight Princess may never have quite lived up to the hype that it generated all those years ago. The game is not without its flaws, but it was still a great title with many memorable moments.
Though he was still a young man, Link was portrayed a bit older than he had been before, and the serious story reflected that. It was a “grown-up” Zelda, embracing an entirely different tone and aesthetic than its predecessor The Wind Waker had. Wind Waker had some somber, serious moments, but, overall, it showcased a bright, charming world with a vibrant color palette. Twilight Princess focused primarily on delivering a serious narrative; its dramatic art style and subdued, faded palette reflected the “light, dark, and somewhere in between” theme of the story. The trailer below highlights this. Hyrule is thrust into darkness by an oppressive new force, and, though things are going well in Link’s sleepy village, darkness invades and thrusts him into the greater conflict. Transformed into a wolf and followed by a mysterious imp named Midna, Link must come into his own, save his friends, and, ultimately, free the land from darkness. The trailer also highlights the sweeping, grand setpieces, boss fights, and the sophisticated score the game featured, despite being sequenced music. Check it out below, and let us know what you think!
