The Legend of Zelda: Winds of Change?

Zelda is in for a change. Since before its release, Miyamoto has said that Twilight Princess will be the last Zelda as we know it. Recently in an interview Miyamoto suggested that fewer and fewer people are interested in a big role-playing game like Zelda. So, does Zelda need an overhaul?

CVG tackles the issue in a feature cleverly entitled “Does Zelda need an overhaul?” and unsurprisingly the answer is “sort of.” CVG’s take on the issue is that Nintendo needs to properly balance between changes and the nostalgia that makes Zelda, Zelda.

Everyone seems to forget an amazing game that did just that subtitled Wind Waker. Wind Waker took the Zelda mold and completely flipped it on its head while still feeling right. We were treated to an awesome back story on the history of Hyrule, a vast sea and traveling mechanic unlike anything else, a pirate princess and some of the most beautiful graphics ever. Yet, people chided it.

If anything, I think that the Zelda series could use a bit less concentration on Link. Hyrule is an extremely rich world and has a deep and intriguing history that Nintendo can capitalize on. I’d love to see Hyrule’s past or future presented in a way where the Link is just a side character. Where does Link fit into a world where his legend is forgotten? If there is no typical Kingdom of Hyrule, what does Zelda preside over and who does Ganon go after?

I’d also love to see some different genres mashed up with the Zelda series. Give us a game starring Zelda/Shiek that concentrates more on movement ala Ninja Gaiden or DMC. Why not an RTS in the vein of the upcoming Halo Wars where Link and Zelda serve as generals in the fight against Ganon’s forces? I mean, I love the Zelda series as it is, but I do think Nintendo can get a bit more creative with their implementation of the franchise. What do you guys think?