After spending two delightful weeks playing "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker," I noticed a great many things wrong with the progression of "Zelda." The franchise itself is

classic and timeless; I can't imagine a future with no more adventures of Link. However, the series has begun to rely too much on its established roots.

The same style that makes "Wind Waker" sing also keeps it from achieving perfection. It just doesn't advance the idea or game play of "Zelda" at all. Much like "Mario Sunshine" was all about using that cursed water pack, "Waker" takes the gimmick of controlling the wind and overdoes it.

The style I'm referring to is that of "Ocarina of Time," the Nintendo 64 game from 1998. The targeting system, the inability to jump and the items received in "Ocarina" are all present in "Waker" for the most part. It's beginning to feel like every new "Zelda" is just one large cameo for the weapons. Ooh! It's the boomerang! Now it's the hookshot! How long until I get the light arrows? Probably right in front of Gannon's front door.

Because Gannon would leave the only weapon that can hurt him lightly guarded. In his own castle. In the room right before his. Every weapon obtained has no reason for being there; it's located somewhere solely for you to grab it and proceed to the next labyrinth. At least in "Ocarina" the most important tool in the game, the ocarina, obviously, is given to you amid a great deal of hoopla. The Wind Waker, a baton that lets you control the songs of the gods, is unceremoniously dumped on you near the beginning of your adventure. Where's the buildup?

Well, the truth is "Waker" doesn't really build up too much. The final battle is fairly exciting, and the plot, for the first time in a "Zelda" game, is actually somewhat involved, but the game is over too quickly. The last portion of the game is just scouring the ocean anyway. Not exceptionally compelling, trust me.

I only comment on the negative because the game was so good, one article wasn't enough. Just because it's an evolution and not a revolution doesn't mean it's not wonderful. If you've heard comments about the graphics, how they're too cartoony for adults, ignore them and play it. Games like this only come out a few times a year.