Anyone who has been reading the posts on this site will know that I always look forward to new Zelda games - and the DS game, the Phantom Hourglass, has looked extra special to me for some time now.
Ever since I first realised the Phantom Hourglass could be entirely controlled by the stylus (touch screen) I have been hooked. I knew I would get the game regardless, but this extra change made a lot of difference to my anticipation. It added something new without stepping too far from the tried and true formula.
The story in the Phantom Hourglass is the usual Zelda fayre - the princess (aka Tetra the pirate) has gotten lost, and you have to rescue her. She has actually been kidnapped by a ghost ship, and it's your job to hunt down that ship and bring her back to safety.
The move to stylus based control is done wonderfully. To walk you simply tap where you want to move, attacking involves tapping the enemy you want to hit or drawing a swipe with the pen. My favourite commands are the weapons you pick up in the dungeons. If you're anything like me the first time you use the boomerang you'll have a massive stupid grin on your face (in case you haven't seen the various trailers, controlling the boomerang involves drawing it's path on the screen). Controlling the boat that moves you between the games islands is similarly simple, just draw where you want to travel and you will.
The other big new feature is the maps. The Nintendo DS has become quite well known for it's lazy developers who add a map to the second screen, and don't add anything new or worthwhile. In Phantom Hourglass things are slightly different. Yes, there is a map, but this time you can draw on it. It might not seem like a big thing to read but once you play you will realise that it's incredibly helpful, and there are some puzzles that are only (easily) solvable if you make notes.
The difficulty also deserves a mention. In some ways the game holds your hand a little too much, between your fairy companion and the other islanders you will rarely become stuck, but the change in controls has brought new puzzles and challenges. Also the dungeon bosses have changed in tempo slightly. The rigid, three hits and their down system has not been followed quite as closely as it once was, although there are still some left overs of the system.
Actually the dungeon bosses are one of the best parts of the game. They all play in very different ways, each making use of the second DS screen in different ways. My favorite boss is probably the Shadow of the Colossus style golem from one of the later dungeons - he's not the toughest but is very enjoyable to beat.
Something I do find quite interesting is that the dungeons in the game are generally a lot shorter than in previous outings. I'm not sure if this was a conscious decision based upon the target platform (shorter bursts of play) or if it was an attempt to reach out to a broader audience. Whatever the reasoning I liked the change, I rarely have time to sit down and play for hours on end, so being able to complete each dungeon in a single sitting was a welcome feature - admittedly I am quite well versed in Zelda games (having played and completed most of them) so I suspect my skills within the Zelda world are quite well honed.
The temple of the Ocean King is the biggest challenge of the game. You have to revisit it in between most of the dungeons, each time progressing a little further. It's in this temple that you get to make use of the Phantom Hourglass. Walking through the temple of the Ocean King will hurt you, unless you have sand in the hourglass - filling the hourglass is done through defeating dungeon bosses, and collecting sand within the temple. The temple is actually a masterclass in level design, making use of the different weapons you find to let you move further each time you visit. Occasionally it can be a bit of a pain but I really enjoyed my final visit when I new the routes and had all the weapons, letting me make my most efficient journey through.
I would argue that the Legend of Zelda, the Phantom Hourglass is one of the finest looking games on the DS. It has the same visual styling as the GameCube Zelda game, Windwaker and these fit the DS perfectly. The graphics have a very simple clean aesthetic, and the super stylised Link has been given some wonderfully animated moments that would not be possible with the more realistic Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess clothes.
Aurally the game is a wonder. It contains all of the classic Zelda tunes, tweaked and jiggled for a new adventure naturally, and then adds some more music on top. I've long been a fan of the Zelda Overworld theme though, so I guess I am a touch biased in this respect.
Unfortunately, whilst incredibly good, the game isn't perfect. Despite what I said about the Temple of the Ocean King being a wonderful example of level design, the repetitiveness of going back to the same place over and over is sometimes frustrating. The controls generally work incredibly well, but the rolling is very awkward to do, and is never really used anyway - so a touch pointless - and there were a few times when I found my hand covering the screen so I couldn't see where I was going. These negatives are all relatively minor and certianly not a reason to pass on one of the DS's finest games.
I would say that the unique control scheme on it's own is worth getting this game to try, but there is a wonderfully charming game underneath it all. Yes, it's another Zelda game, but it's been created with such care and attention that I find myself recommending it to everyone I meet. Play It!
370 Responses to “Zelda: Phantom Hourglass” Leave a reply ›
hi, i need to know the "invisible path" in B1 temple of courage. help please. everyone is telling me abouit how i should have it written down on a map or something
to all of you i belive this site will help you with everything in the game
hope this helps people
http://www.mahalo.com/...:_Phantom_Hourglass_Walkthrough
i have just completed the isle of gust, its telling me to go the temple of the ocean king, where is it?
Just adding in my 4 star review. Really I'd give 4.5 if the system allowed...
I have just started playing this game,and i am enjoying it
I can't get past the windmills I blow but the windmills wont stay spinning I've been trying to do this for days, HELP!!!!
you need to find the three tourches on the Island. They are sort of hidden.
To Confused
okay im stuck i cant get past the part right after the save point what do i do?
how do you mark the screen on the final boss part 1
Hi peeps, can some one help me....i am stuck on phase III (when Bellum takes over linebeck) for a month. I have followed the advise above getting the phantom sphere etc but get stuck after when Ceilia is caught and i have to 'slash, slash, slash' im getting no where and its driving me nuts i dont know how long i can slash for!!! What am i doing wrong? What should i be doing? How do i get past this grrrrr!!!!
HELP! i am in the Fire Temple or whatever you call it. And there are two fire holding things that spit balls of flame at me when they see me. WHAT DO I DO??
in what order do you pull the switches in the ghost ship to save the 4th sister i really need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Andre you have to imagine the switches as 1,2,3,4,5 from when you enter the room and in that case you should use this sequence 4,1,5,2,3. Hope this helps.
I can find the traveler guys thingy you know the on that ship with everyone looking through telescopes.
I finally beat Zelda Phantom Hourglass!I beat Bellum he was so hard! Good Luck if you haven't finished yet!
ok so were do ifind the rope for the poles and were is the arrows
how much longer until ikill this eye thing what do you have to do to kill it help me !
hey im stuck on trying to find all those little tear drop things and i need to know where they are can someone help?
Try this site Mck will tell you where all the gems are, http://www.zeldadungeon.net/...a12-phantom-hourglass.php good luck
how do you get to the ther sid on the sixth level of the temple of the ocean king
After you beat bellum, can you continue the game on a new adventure? If so how?
i dont have a clue of what to draw on the red door of the sacred crest can someone tell me in great description
i,m stuck on bellum part2 and i can't stop time can some one draw it for me
hi 'm in the temple of the ocean king and have to draw the tri force symbol to find some maps to get the special sword thing -i draw the symbol it appears for a bit then fades saying i havn't drawn it right -i have been drawing it repeatedly for aages can anyone tell me how to do it before i do something i'll regret?!
thanks
(out of random) at frost island after getting grapp hook there is a place where u can dig and a giant gold rupee will com out (300 rup)
i need to find the sages but i cnt help plz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>KF- get to bomb field blow up roks thn blow up bloks thn eddo's garage should be OPEN
hey where can i get the arrow bag that holds 50 arrows cause i really could use it
I need to know what time king mutoh sends a letter to you about his thanks and has a power gem because I am on the 20th power gem and the walkthroughs said something about my DS time so maybe I should set it but I don't know what to set it to
to get 50 arrows go to molinda island and go to romanos if you beat his hi score he'll give you the quiver
m=link go to ds options on bottom of game selection page and press ds button and go to date nd time u can change a month a day or a year then go to any island with mail boxes nd it should be dancing
how do you beat the purple monster with one yellow eye and some dots on his neck he is in front of molida island
I need four more heart containers where r they
PLZ HELP!!!! PLZ!!!!!
firefly> draw the tri force do half of the top nd do the middle triangle then finish the rest. it should work
Daryill> u have to use ur cannon to shoot the eye but it shoots things at u shoot them and get hearts. the trick is to go a little close to the skull on ur map and keep on shooting when u get close when u shoot it turn ur boat around nd repeat this 5x
what is the single stroke for the cent in the ocean king temple B 5
an hourglass or the triforce
how do i get the bombchu bag
dave> it is the triforce
(if u dnt get it look at #334)
how do u get to the little island on the top rite of mercay island?
how to destroy the big tornado in the ocean
What are you aposto do to git the sunkey?
ok im on molida island and i cant find that guys 2nd hideout. does any1 no how u get there?
I am in the second temple(the one on Mercay island), i've got the phantom hourglass but when i get to the sencond floor i cant find a key anywhere. i've checked walkthroughs and i've restarted the whole game but its just not there. Have i found a glitch or is there some place i havn't checked?
Once you defeat the Wind villian guy, you have to go to the temple of the ocean king (or watever its called) and once your on B6 there is this red wall... what are u suppose to draw on their? or wat am i suppose to do next? help!
OK Temple of ocean king stones Circle. Northeastern 7th floor. in a chest (opposite side of safe zone.) Wait for speed phantom to get to top corner. (thats the red one) A phantom (black/gray) is guarding an orb/switch (it would be easier to distract him if you had a bombchu) Use bombchu or boomerang to turn on switch. Switch puts out fire blocking path (lasts short time) run onto moving block quickly. get to chest open it (circle stone)
You need the circle to get triangle. Circle opens spikes on 8th floor Cross invisible bridge.... avoid phantoms take circle stone to pedestal (safe zone upper left area close to spikes) go down stairs. Triangle is in chest in corner.
Back upstairs. Cross invisible bridge (watch where red phantom goes) Go quickly to safe zone in upper right. Go back get circle stone. You need a bomb or bombchu and crossbow for next part.
Bombchu: send bombchu (from safe zone) to wall of blocks guarding triangle pedestal. (middle block front) Shoot an arrow at the phantom's back when he turns to go down. (this will paralyze him for a moment) Quickly pick up triangle and carry it to pedestal. Spikes go away Chest appears. send bombchu at orb/switch (down path spikes were guarding) (Switch opens door) Chest has a spirit gem (power i think) Go back and get triangle stone
Bomb: Shoot arrow at phantom's back. equip bombs
run to wall use bomb at cracked part (front)
Quickly get into safe zone there. Go back to previous safe zone (upper right corner) shoot arrow at phantom's back. Get triangle stone to pedestal.
Go down path spikes lifted from stay back from orb/switch just far enough to just hit it with boomerang.
Run back to small safe zone and remove triangle stone. Go through door go downstairs put triangle into safe zone. go back get circle stone. take downstairs.
Here there is a speed phantom (red) with the square stone and four small reapers (not the huge reaplings on the ghost ship) the reapers can become invisible and are noted as skulls on your map they follow you when you move close to them. take triangle and circle stones to large safe zone in middle of room. (you can only take one at a time) walk as fast as you can (the reaper in top right corner follows you).
Note: when carrying things like the crystals and force gems you move slowly.
Note: The reapers can be defeated by bombs or arrows. When defeated you can get 30 seconds of time from each of them
There is a safe spot blocked by a wall blow it up witha a bomb and get inside quickly. When the phantom walks by shoot an arrow at his back and grab the square stone. get back into the same safe zone. (if you don't he will see you and fire will block the safe zone you need to take it to. For the third
sea chart you don't have to put the stones in the pedestals in any specific order. just put them in and open the chest in the next room.
For the fourth sea chart you need to put the crystals in this order (square, circle, triangle)
However make note that for the fourth sea chart you will ned Bombchus and the grapling hook (found in ice temple, need 3rd sea chart)
Ps. I am at bellum (after he possesses the ghost ship) I shoot the eyes, but my game keeps freezing. (I saved before battling him in Temple of Ocean king now i have to do it again and watch the whole cutscene blah, blah, blah,) is there anyway i can keep it from freezing?
ZeldaFreak
- comment 34
Do you mean the sea monster when you first try to go to Molida Island? If so you shoot it's eyes after you get the cannon.
If not, please try to describe it a little more, unless you do that i can't help you
Karoltgreat comment 25
it's all i can think it means.
I believe it means you need bombs. Bombs can destroy cracked walls. They can also destroy plain ones too. However for plain walls there should be a blue tile in front of it.
If this does not help sorry
Dylan- Comment 35
Do you mean the Boss (armored dragon) or just monsters on the way there. Either way gorongon moves by rolling you need to tap the monsters or roll over them to destroy them.
Boss: Again you can switch between Link and Gorongon here. As link equip Bombchus (you will need them)
As Gorongon roll around and wait for boss to charge
(tap its side repeatedly for him to fall)
Switch to Link. Send a bombchu into the mouth of the Boss.
Do this until Gorongon believes the beast is defeated
Gorongon leaves. Equip bombs, Cross bridge
Boss was only stunned gets back up (blue thing appears on his back.)
Run around him dodging attacks. When he inhales throw a bomb in his mouth. He will fall over. Slash at the thing on his back with your sword. Keep doing this until he is defeated. (he will disintigrate and more sand is added to the Phantom Hourglass)
It won't let me sail to the southeast sea even though I got the sea chart for it. I tried going east and going west and off the edge to circle around. Any ideas on how to fix it?