The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes Review

The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes

Release: October 23, 2015
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Adventure, Nintendo 3DS Reviews, Other
PEGI: E
Comments:

 

Comment

Apparently, lumping together Zelda and the 3DS is not always going to produce an epic adventure like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Tri Force Heroes might use the same graphical approach, but the game could not be any more different. Despite what many reviewers are saying online, I really, REALLY enjoyed my time with Tri Force Heroes, both in single player and multiplayer. Read on to find out more!

In Tri Force Heroes, it is your job to maneuver your three heroes through short puzzles – these puzzles often take 5 – 8 minutes to complete – in groupings of four. The first three levels require you to work through puzzles of increasing difficulty, centered around a theme – desert, grasslands, wilderness, etc. – and often a certain item. Certain groups of levels focus on archery, others on bombs, a water staff, etc. 

Your characters can stake into a Totem that will allow you to reach new heights. If you cannot get onto a high ledge, no problem. Throw your ally up there. Think that a button you need to click is out of reach? Stack up so you can reach it with an arrow. The puzzles are designed in such a way that it will require you to run solo at times, in a stack of two, and often in a stake of three.

Single Player Mode

A lot of individuals have expressed frustration with the single player levels because certain puzzles are much easier to finish with a friends. In single player, you can only control one hero at a time. So if you are controlling the green hero, the blue and red heroes become statues. Some puzzles require quick transitions and movements between heroes, and yes, at times it can be a little frustrating. But only a little bit. I was never stuck on a puzzle for an extended period of time.

In each level you collect rupees and items. The items are used to purchase new suits for your heroes to wear, while the rupees can be used to purchase items you have not been able to collect. Theses new suits give your heroes special abilities. If you wear the bomb outfit, you can throw larger bombs. There are suits that allow you to swim faster, move faster, shoot multiple arrows, and more. Collecting the items to get the suits is just as much fun as using the suits, and will give individuals looking for 100% competition lots to play.

When you complete a world 100%, new challenges are opened up. For example, you will receive accolades and rewards for finishing a level within a certain amount of time, finishing a level without losing health, etc. This really extends the life cycle of the single player game.

Multiplayer Mode

Most of my frustrations with this game are present in the multiplayer mode. Unless you are playing with three friends in the same room via download play – yes, download play is back! – you are bound to experience incredible frustrations. Understand, however, that when multiplayer works, it is really good. I really enjoyed playing through many, many level with friends. In multiplayer, each player votes on which level they want to play. Unfortunately, you can only play on levels that you have already beat, which means if you have finished the game and get paired with two players still on the first world, you only have a 33% chance of getting the level you want. Multiplayer mode is not perfect, and here are a few issues I found: 

1. Lags and drops – when playing online with others, your game is only as good as your weakest connection. If one player gets dropped, the entire game is over (which is understandable). For your time, you will get a few rupees as a reward, but not even close to enough to justify the time you spent.

2. Frustrating communication – the only way to communicate with others online is via a number of icons on the bottom of your screen. These pictures will reference what you are thinking. For example, throw me for when you want to be thrown, a sad face for when you screw up, and a happy face when you are pleased. It is very elementary, and very frustrating.

3. You are only as strong as your weakest player – if you get matched up with someone who doesn’t understand game, or lacks good problem solving skills, you might as well quit and try again. Most puzzles at some point will require cooperation from all three players. If even one of them is not pulling their wait, you are in for a rough and disappointing journey.

Conclusion

If you love Zelda and want a new 3DS game to play this holiday season, there is still lots to like about the single player portion of the game. The challenges are hard enough to provide a bit of challenge, but easy enough to avoid outright frustration. If you have access to multiple 3DS units, or perhaps your family and friends own their own, playing with them will be incredibly enjoyable. However, the second you take your game online to play with random people around the world, prepare yourself for the ultimate frustration.

Trailer