Hyrule Warriors - 3DS/2DS

Hyrule Warriors is a game that, at first glance, might not make a whole lot of sense. It's a mash-up of the Zelda series and the Dynasty Warriors franchise, for the Triforce's sake. And yet... there's a definite logic going on there.

After all, the Zelda games ARE about a sword wielding hero in a fantasy setting, which isn't all that dissimilar from what's going on in the Warriors series. And both series have crossed into different intellectual property before (Zelda with the likes of Smash Bros., Dynasty Warriors with Gundam). So, what we get are the characters, settings and story elements of Zelda with the massively over-the-top hack 'n' slash gameplay style of Dynasty Warriors.

The delicate balance of the Triforce is under threat and Hyrule is being torn apart by the dark power of the Sorceress Cia. But, of course, that's all really about getting players to take on the role of characters such as Link, Zelda and Midna and others as they fight their way through wave after wave of enemies in locations such as Hyrule Field and the Palace of Twilight.

Developer Tecmo Koei knows its audience, and the game is littered with delightful nods to the fans such as the opportunity to hookshot the moon a la Majora's Mask or spin the world around with Link's ball and chain.

This 3DS version of the game has a few new bits and pieces, to boot. New content based on the The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker has found its way in, while the 3DS controls allow players to toggle between characters on the fly.

All in all, Zelda fans are in for something that's both very different and very familiar at the same time. more