The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

"Nintendo makes multiple personality disorder fun"

Gameboy connectivity. Either you love it and worship it blindly, or you hate it and completely dismiss it altogether. Some people say you can't play games without it, while others preach about it being Nintendo's get rich quick scheme. But after playing this game, I found myself thanking Nintendo for coming up with one of the most original and exciting multiplayer games i've ever had the honor of playing.

First Impressions:
After purchasing a Link to the Past for gba, I'd always been curious about what four swords would play like. It was an extra bonus game, but without each of my friends owning a copy, I could never get the chance to play it. When I heard it was coming out for Gamecube, I was kinda excited, and kinda disappointed. Sure, it'd be a nice game to release for gamecube, but it was just a rehash from the gba title... or so I thought. This game is actually the sequel to four swords, which I was sadly unable to play. And after the debacle that was Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles, I wasn't sure if I wanted to invest in this one. By god, what an experience I would've missed if I would have let SquarEnix tarnish my view of connectivity.

Storyline:
As in every Legend of Zelda game, there is some evil villain planning some equally evil and villainous plan to do whatever the heck he feels like doing. In this game, we have the dark sorcerer Vaati, and a mysterious Shadow Link terrifying the countryside. In order to combat this, Link must use the power of the four-sword and split into four selves. The storyline of this game isn't great, but it's the gameplay that makes this game what it is. If you're looking for a game with a deep storyline, or even anything resembling Wind Waker or Ocarina of Time, you'll have to look elsewhere. Storyline is existent, but just not necessary. And rightfully so. Why's that, might you ask? Because Nintendo just loves to make fun games. Crazy, I know.

Gameplay:
Get out the drool buckets. At first glance, this game appears to be nothing more than a Link to the Past with multiplayer. However, once you play, you'll realize that it's a completely different beast, and with the multiplayer addition, it's one of the most entertaining Zelda games ever created.
The main premise is to use the four Links to solve a variety of puzzles, defeat enemies, and collect force gems and items, which help you to progress through the game. All the familiar items are back, and even some from the gameboy only Link's Awakening. You'll find Bombs, Bow and Arrows, Pegasus Boots, Roc's feathers, Flame wand... the list goes on and on. Each of these items has a different purpose, and most of the time feature uses different than the original game. It feels like they blended Wind Waker and LTTP perfectly, and this is the end result.
Much like Wind Waker, Link now has the ability to use combos, instead of just having the standard slash of LTTP. You can cancel a combo and hit an enemy behind you, or roll out of the way. And while charging up your sword for the famous spin attack, you can hop around as if you were using the L-targeting from Wind Waker. A VERY nice feature, since you'll constantly find yourself overwhelmed by enemies and traps of all varieties.
Personally, I found Wind Waker and LTTP to be my two favorite Zelda games, so this game is nearly perfect. They took the good of both games, and seemingly none of the bad (I'm sure i'll have to play it for a VERY long time to find more than a few faults), and it just feels so complete.
Keep in mind, although it's being heavily advertised as a multiplayer game, it's single player game is nothing to scoff at. Multiplayer just makes it more streamlined, and adds an element of competition that no Zelda before it has provided. One second, you're helping your buddies to move a giant rock, or step on some switches, and the next, you're making a mad dash for that giant force gem that just fell from the ceiling, while trying to hit your friends or throw him off a cliff so that you can nab the goodies first. And considering how fast this game can go at times, it's an absolute rush to play. You'll be swearing and laughing like never before, and as crazy as it might seem, it's just damn fun.
The puzzles in this game are pure genius, and you'll often find yourself smiling with child-like wonder when you discover how to solve a puzzle using a method you never would have originally thought of using. And without connectivity, it wouldn't have been nearly as rewarding. It just allows for so much more freedom, which is always a welcome addition to games.
Speaking of connectivity, allow me to go into that a bit further. On your television screen, you (and your friends) will walk around the overhead map together. But if you see a cave entrance, hole in the ground, or house, connectivity allows you to explore those areas without needing your friends to follow along. So while one friend is off chopping down bushes on the world map, the other can be in the house finding a clue, while another is finding bombs in a cave below. And unlike Crystal Chronicles, teamwork is beyond essential in this game. For example, one person might be on the world map, and you could be in a building (that's shown on your gba screen). The player on the world map might mention about a switch that they can't hit. So what do you do? Shoot the arrow from the building, so that it hits the switch on the world map. It might be a little tough to explain, but the connectivity doesn't separate you from the game. It makes it more complete. And if you have fond memories of LTTP, this game will be twenty times better for you. All in all, this is the perfect compliment to LTTP, and hands down, the BEST use of connectivity. Leave it up to Nintendo to pull it off, when other's think it's only useful for something like a map or menu.

Graphics:
My inner old-school gamer cries with delight. Most people who base games on graphics might dismiss this one because it looks like a super nintendo game. I say, so freakin' what? LTTP is a timeless classic that I can play to this day, and not complain that it doesn't have FMV or fancy 3d worlds.
Nintendo manages to take the original game, and spruce it up quite a bit. Link has an entirely new sprite (taken from the gba four swords), the effects have been upped as well. You'll see fog and clouds floating overhead, while explosions burst in the same Wind Waker fashion. Item effects are astounding. Try using a charged up hammer shot to see what I mean. The flame rod can torch and entire chain of bushes, resulting in some pretty amazing pyro. It takes a classic game, and makes it much better, plus it makes connectivity flow flawlessly, without any major difference between the gamecube screen and gameboy advance screen. For old fogies such as myself, this isn't just eye candy. This is an eye buffet. And only a few sprites seem out of place, so there is rarely anything to complain about when it comes to four swords' visuals.

Sound/Music:
When i'm dead and lying in my coffin, i'm sure that i'll still be humming these themes. They're just so catchy, so... classic. Almost every single LTTP sound clip has been faithfully transferred to four swords, along with the familiar yells that Link spouts off in Wind Waker. The game can be quite loud at times, but if you and your friends have a heart that's pumping blood throughout your body, you all will be too. Great sound effects, and great remixed music from the original game. Old school fans won't be disappointed, and newer fans will instantly hear why these songs are simply unforgettable.

Closing Thoughts:
Amazing. Simply amazing. I never thought I would have as much fun with this game as I've had over the past few nights. Single player is good, and if you don't have any friends with gbas, or if you think that you've got to spend 500 dollars to play this multiplayer, then don't worry. It's also a full single player game. Multiplayer is a bonus. And one hell of a bonus. It really makes this game what it is, and the connectivity single handedly creates a game experience like none other before it. Yes, connectivity. None of this splitscreen garbage. It works just fine the way it is. And while this game isn't the perfect game, it comes pretty darn close. It's a blast to get together with friends to play with, and single player offers a unique take on the world of Zelda. I couldn't ask for more.
Thanks a bunch, Nintendo. As if I wasn't losing enough sleep already... So pick this game up, hold it over your head, and sing that classic "Do do do doooo!".

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/11/04, Updated 08/26/04