There’s one type of game thatThe Legend of Zeldashould place priority over. There’s no doubt that the mainlineZeldaentries have always been a major success, proven by the monumental release ofTears of the Kingdomlast year. With this in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Nintendo to focus its efforts on a sequel that builds onTOTK. Yet,Nintendo shouldn’t lose sight of the experimentation and creativity that’s provided byZeldaspin-offs.
Nintendo hasn’t always been willing to push theZeldafranchise out of its comfort zone, mostly sticking to more traditional mainline entries. This isn’t helped by earlier spin-off attempts, likeLink’s Crossbow TrainingorFreshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland, which failed to capture the spirit of theZeldaseries in a meaningful way. However, this attitude has changed in more recent years, and the success of thelatestZeldaspin-off gamesshows the worth of exploring such titles, asthey can provide unique experiences that not even the main series could accomplish.
Zelda Spin-Offs Are Some Of The Best In The Series
They Offer A Variety Of Gameplay Styles
The main appeal ofZeldaspin-offs comes from their offering of unique gameplay that differs from the core series. The most popular example of this would beHyrule Warriors. As a crossover betweenZeldaand theDynasty Warriorsseries,Hyrule Warriorsplaces greater emphasis on combat, as the player must face off against hordes of enemies, including Bokoblins or Lizalfos, that can be cleared using a variety of weapons and special moves. The multiple stages and constant onslaught of enemies make for a more intense and demanding experience than even the mainlineZeldaentries could provide.
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Cadence of Hyruleis another great example of the creative gameplay on display. As a spin-off toCrypt of the NecroDancer,Cadencecenters on rhythm-based gameplay.Players must traverse a traditionalZeldaoverworld, clearing enemies and exploring dungeons, all while keeping their panic in check as they must stick to a perfect rhythm of movement. This is where thetrue worth ofZeldaspin-offslies: offering a variety of different gameplay experiences that make each game feel fresh while remaining true to the core of the franchise.
Why More Zelda Games Should Be Spin-Offs
The Zelda Series Needs That Variety In Its Library
TheseZeldaspin-offs are clear proof of how desperately the franchise needs a sense of variety that’s been lacking for a long time. The traditional gameplay of the mainlineZeldaentries works incredibly well, but it can become predictable.Spin-offs take a far more ambitious approach, and Nintendo should be willing to take these risks in the same way they have with theSuper Mariofranchiseand its bevy of spin-off series.
There are several different genres and gameplay styles fittingZelda’s sense of adventure and discovery that have yet to be utilized. As an example,aZeldaroguelike would fit naturally into the greater franchise. The usual elements of combat and exploration are given an extra level of strategy, as players are challenged to take a more cautious approach with each journey to avoid losing all their progress.
Another spin-off could once again place greater emphasis on combat.The idea of an arena-style fighting game including multipleZeldacharacters and villains, from Impa and Ganondorf to Skull Kid and Gant, is too exciting of a prospect to pass upand would provide a multiplayer experience that the franchise often lacks.
There is a wide breadth ofZeldacharacters worthy of spin-offs, too, including Robbie and Purah, for example.
The potential for theZeldafranchise to branch out in new ways has always been in plain sight. While Nintendo clearly wants to maintain the high status the series holds,that shouldn’t prevent the possibility for spin-offs to add something new to the table. With the success of recent releases likeHyrule Warriors, this could be the sign for Nintendo to take theLegend of Zeldafranchise in a bold new direction.
