"Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes" is the latest action-adventure game released by Nintendo for Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 22.
According to Eurogamer, "Tri Force Heroes" is Nintendo's latest attempt to make Zelda multiplayer game, at least for three players. The reviewer compares the game to another short franchise from the "Legend of Zelda Series" that was released for GameCube in 2004, "Four Swords". Both games, even if released 11 years apart, are said to be similar in the sense that "Tri Force Heroes" is built on the traditional style of "Zelda" that is stout little characters with bright cartoonish appeal. Also the structure is said to be simple compared to the other "Zelda" games. The gameplay is broken down into a simple series of levels and zones.
Leaning more towards a negative opinion of the game, the reviewer says that with "Tri Force Heroes" doesn't seem like a real "Zelda" game and it is more of a quick journey through levels. It is designed basically for no more or less than three players and playing along reportedly is not fun at all.
On the other hand, Polygon has a more positive take on "Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes" with the reviewer describing it as a game that would test your skills as a hero after with speaking game's director, Hiromasa Shikata, and series producer Eiji Aonuma. It was also mentioned that "Tri Force Heroes" was created to be enjoyed with other players rather than be played alone.
The developers also explained about the lack of in-game communication. Shikata admitted that they initially considered voice chat but they chose the sticker method to level the playing field. And with respect to the stickers and icons, he said, "I hope that people can find a way to try to use those communication icons to communicate with other people to perhaps stop doing a certain action."
Further explaining the rationale of the stickers and why "Tri Force Heroes" was created to be played with two other heroes, Shikata had said, "While creating the dungeons, we focused on the three player multiplayer and the items and the area. Post-Its all over the wall and combining them together to make one course."
For Zelda fans who want to have fun with two other friends, "Tri Force Heroes" is out in stores and can be purchased from the Nintendo eShop.
