How Metascores Are Calculated
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100 Classic Book Collection
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
[Metacritic's 2007 DS Game of the Year] Many months have passed since the events of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Link, Tetra and Tetra’s band of pirates have set sail in search of new lands. They come across a patch of ocean covered in a dense fog, in which they discover an abandoned ship. Tetra falls into danger when she explores the ship alone, and Link falls into the ocean when he attempts to rescue her. When he washes up unconscious on the shores of a mysterious island, he is awakened by the sound of a fairy’s voice. With the aid of this fairy, he sets off to find Tetra – and his way back to the seas he once knew. The stylus makes controlling Link easier than ever. Tap on the screen to make Link move, or sweep the stylus around him to swing the sword. Players can even draw a path for his boomerang and send it flying into hard-to-reach targets. Players can stash the map on the top screen for quick reference or drop it to the touch screen to make notes, study enemies, or chart a path for their boat to follow while they man the cannons. Compete with a friend over a local wireless connection: Guide Link through special dungeons to capture the Triforce or command the forces that oppose him. [Nintendo]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
100
GameSpy
Easy and approachable enough for the DS' vast install base of casual users but rewarding and challenging enough to satisfy the hardest of the hardcore Zelda fans. Somehow, magically, it succeeds on both counts. Phantom Hourglass isn't perfect, but it's one of the best experiences, casual or hardcore, available in gaming today.
100
100
100
100
98
95
95
Nintendo Power
Just know that it's the same Zelda you've always known and loved, and that's a good thing. [Nov 2007, p.98]
95
NGamer UK
20 of the finest gaming hours of the year. [Dec 2007, p.42]
95
95
95
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
The best and most complete portable adventure ever. Even if you’re not a fan of the series, you should feel compelled to play it and recognize it as a masterpiece. [Nov 2007]
95
Official Nintendo Magazine UK
Everything you could ever want from a Zelda game and more. [Nov 2007, p.80]
95
95
95
94
94
Games Master UK
It's a game that should be seen from start to finish, if only to witness some of the finest level and puzzle concoctions ever to grace a Zelda game and, without question, the finest single-player experience to grace the DS. [JPN Import; Sept 2007, p.68] Hourglass drips quality and innovation, no DS owner should be without it. [Dec 2007, p.62]
93
Gamer 2.0
93
93
92
91
Ferrago
91
90
90
VideoGamer
90
Thunderbolt
90
90
Edge Magazine
It is an instinctive, ingenious joy to play for every minute, and it sets a new gold standard for game interface design on any platform. [Sept 2007, p.86]
90
games(TM)
Phantom Hourglass launches from into the DS’s feature list like the past is over and out, moving from one new technology-application marriage to another. [Sept 2007, p.106]
90
90
90
90
90
90
90
Total Video Games
Bringing the classic Zelda experience to the DS with a range of creative touches, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is an overwhelming success for the format. It may not have the sheer weight of the likes of Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess, but it is nonetheless geared suitably for a stylish and entertaining handheld experience.
90
90
Pelit (Finland)
A great example of how to use the special abilities of the DS cleverly and how to make a familiar series feel fresh. The only gripe in the game is the backtracking that is required quite often. [Nov 2007]
89
89
87
Electronic Gaming Monthly
By all rights, a "Zelda" game controlled entirely by stylus should be a disaster, but somehow Nintendo has performed a miracle. [Nov 2007, p.114]
86
80
80
Play Magazine
Phantom Hourglass is absolutely worth playing and is certainly one of the better games in the DS library, but its quest is one of the less memorable entries in the Zelda cannon. [Oct 2007, p.96]
80
80
80
80
80
80
79
The New York Times
The dungeons would actually be perfectly fun without the timed gimmick. They’re all fun to go through once, but none of them are fun enough to go through 20 times. Hourglass is so good for the most part that I still enjoyed the game, but the time I spent racing through dungeons removed all thoughts of its being perfect.
75
NintendoWorldReport
It becomes difficult to fully enjoy Phantom Hourglass if you are a Zelda vet. The lack of even an option for D-pad control tells me that Nintendo did not have their Zelda fan base in mind when they were creating Phantom Hourglass. And that’s okay, I guess. It’s still a decent game, but it’s also a game apart from the rest of the series. It just feels different, and I think it demonstrates that Nintendo is reluctant to sail into the murky waters beyond Wind Waker.
The average user rating for this game is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 139 User Votes Josh C gave it a9: Sean anonymous gave it a10: George S. gave it a9: Chris G gave it an8: Giancarlo G. gave it a9: Patrick C.l gave it an8: Aaron M gave it an8: |
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