The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Review

Hop aboard as we try out Link's latest DS outing!

The Zelda series has spent over a decade living in the shadow of its magnum opus Ocarina of Time, a game which redefined the series, brought the adventures of Link into 3D and raised the bar for videogames overall.

Since then, each new entry has followed the series classic tried-and-true formula to the letter whilst occasionally making sacrifices for new ideas to flourish (the Nintendo DS, with its Swiss-army like utilities, being one natural catalyst for new ideas).

Phantom Hourglass brought Zelda to a new platform in a very unique and original way and its sequel Spirit Tracks looks set to improve on its originator whilst adding some new ingredients into the mix. All aboard!

Spirit Track’s story picks up 100 years after the events of Phantom Hourglass. Time has moved our adventures from sea and back onto land. A young apprentice engineer named Link (or whatever you choose to dub him) must travel to Hyrule Castle to receive his engineer’s license.
 
In predictable Zelda fashion, things go off the rails quickly. Whilst escorting the princess to a disturbance at the nearby Spirit Tower, the duo is stopped in its tracks by the princesses’ chancellor ‘Cole’ who (in a totally expected twist) is working to resurrect the demon King Malladus. But Malladus, sealed by the Spirit Tower and Rails Tracks covering Hyrule, cannot return without a vessel to inhabit. Cole kills the princess and escapes with her body leaving Zelda’s spirit to join forces with Link to repair the Spirit Tower and restore the spirit tracks before the resurrection of Malladus is complete.

Call it a little clichéd but it’s a well-needed break from the traditional Zelda narrative and an ironic twist on the ‘save the princess’ fairytale. Much like Majora’s Mask imitated the Ocarina of Time’s universe, many of the elements from its predecessor (Phantom Hourglass) have worked their way into this one offering a vibrant world that often feels like an homage to past Zelda’s with nods to characters that stretch as far back as Wind Waker, many of whom make guest appearances in one form or another.

Spirit Tracks takes the adventure back onto land but the limits of your exploration are bound to whatever towns and areas you visit and the tracks you travel on in-between them. Dropping his trusty steed Epona and his now redundant boat, Link must now get around by train.

Those who complained about Wind Waker’s dependence on getting around by ship will no doubt find the Train to be an even bigger time sponge and not a very entertaining one at that. You can play your route much like you could in Phantom Hourglass but you can also change your route at any given time to avoid dead ends or other trains.