![]() However, since Cadence of Hyrule is more of a Crypt of the Necrodancer meets Zelda than the other way around, you should know what to expect. And if you got to play Crypt of the Necrodancer then you know that it's a rhythm-based game that's nothing like any Zelda game ever made. If you've ever played any of the 2D Zelda games, you know they usually follow the same basics in terms of basic gameplay. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here. ![]() The game was reviewed on Nintendo Switch using a final “retail” download code provided by Nintendo. It was a risky endeavor that paid off, and I hope this heralds a future willingness to be even more experimental with the faces and franchises we’ve come to know so well.Ĭadence of Hyrule was released June 13 on Nintendo Switch for $24.99. The amount of care and affection found in every area of the game makes it feel astounding that an indie developer was able to pull this off with such confidence.Įven more astounding is that Nintendo was willing to grant the team at Brace Yourself Games so much control over one of its most successful and iconic franchises. The greatest compliment I can give to Cadence of Hyrule is that if I didn’t know any better, I would say this was made by an in-house Nintendo development team. This play-how-you-want mentality aligns perfectly with some of Nintendo’s latest releases like Breath of the Wild. If this sort of randomness appeals to you, the settings are fully customizable, letting players experience a brand-new map layout every time they play.Īnd, if you’ve really got a masochistic streak, there’s even a permadeath mode, truly starting you from scratch after every death, à la NecroDancer. The map has also been shifted around from Link’s world, with specific landmarks and power-ups scattered in different locations. Switching over to Zelda in another campaign, I find a completely different set of powers at her disposal, complete with her reflecting crystal ability from Super Smash Bros. I feel like I’m getting stronger and more capable as I play, just like I would in a traditional Zelda game. NecroDancer was fully randomized after every death, but here I can to return to areas I’ve already visited, besting enemies that were previously too strong. I uncover more of the map as I explore, moving screen-by-screen in the same manner as the classic Zelda games. Hyrule remains as well, at least in story mode. Heart containers carry over, too, letting me explore deeper into the world without the insta-deaths that make the first few hours of NecroDancer so punishing. This gear, usually hidden underground in mini-dungeons, sticks with me, even after death, making subsequent playthroughs much easier. That mechanic is at odds with the Zelda franchise’s tenets of free exploration and character progression, and major changes were made in Cadence of Hyrule to hew closer to classic Zelda.Īs I start exploring the world of Hyrule (playing as Link, though Zelda is also an option), I quickly stumble upon a few classic staples: a small blue shield, a sword and, a few screens later, a hookshot. NecroDancer is punishingly difficult, for instance, starting players mostly from scratch after every death. īut Cadence of Hyrule isn’t just a reskin of NecroDancer with some Zelda tunes mixed in. If you want curated lists of our favorite media, check out What to Play and What to Watch. When we award the Polygon Recommends badge, it’s because we believe the recipient is uniquely thought-provoking, entertaining, inventive, or fun - and worth fitting into your schedule. Polygon Recommends is our way of endorsing our favorite games, movies, TV shows, comics, tabletop books, and entertainment experiences.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |