A Preview: Zelda Spirit Tracks [DS]
The news that Zelda: Spirit Tracks was definitely being released was not news at the latest E3 conference, but the trailers were. Several new videos have begun surfacing, including gameplay, since the conference started last week.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, set to be released December 30th of this year, is the DS sequel to The Phantom Hourglass. The game will involve the typical puzzles, DS based dual screen movement and best of all…trains. The trains speed, track selection and possible monster fights will be controlled by the player, the same way the ship was in the Phantom Hourglass.
General Features [IGN.com]
- Link has a valuable new companion. While navigating dungeons, he’s accompanied by a Phantom, a hulking suit of armor that responds to his commands. Players can tap the Phantom to take command of him, then draw a line on the touch screen to direct him where to go. The stout Phantom can walk through fire or lava, be used as a platform to carry Link above dangers, or even run interference to block Link from harm.
- When Link conducts the train, players enjoy a satisfying combination of action and real-time puzzle solving as they determine which track to take and how to best manipulate their speed. When on the train, Link must plot the best route to the end of the line around ever-moving obstacles. While en route, Link might need to fire an onboard cannon at enemies who attack the train or sound the whistle to scare animals off the tracks.
- Link uses a variety of new items and weapons, including the Whirlwind, which players activate by blowing into the microphone of the Nintendo DS or Nintendo DSi system.
- As with The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, players can draw notes on the in-game maps using the stylus on the touch screen.