Alright Next time it turn mine on I will add you.  I am so amped fo this game, the world looks so varied and crisp.

Who's up for some online quests? 

Count me in!  This news made me smile soooooo big!

Having a BLAST!! get it?!

Zelda Wii U Map Analysis

The purpose of this thread is not only to discuss my analysis, but to put your input in as well.  I will periodically edit this thread with new information and new speculations as more footage is shown, and as more people comment about their own ideas.  I am also hard at work with making a high quality map of the land, but with what little time i have and little experience, it is a greater chance that Nintendo will beat me to the punch.  

 
Ok, First off, I would like to point out the massiveness of the map and the infinite possibilities that are within it.  I am looking forward to this game more than any other game in the history of games!

Compared to the First

A few things come directly to mind when comparing the map of the new game with that of the original.  The most noteable similarity is the location of a sea of some sort to the far east of the map, with the inclusion of water undercutting the southeast portion of the land. Also, rivers tend to cut through the center portion of the land, and large lakes are common and in very similar placement. Also, Circled in purple on the included map in the northeast of the Wii U game, there seems to be a small vortex or swirl of land that is definitely a point of interest, and it has a remarkable resemblance to the three rooms on the northeast corner of the original map.  While the actual content of this peculiar area are currently unknown, it is surely a point of significance and I will bet it is the location of a dungeon, if not several.

These games don't just share similar eastern portions of their maps, but also share the similar completely open world design, and references to the original Zelda have been made by Aunuma several times during development, so I am sure that these similarities are far more than just coincidence. 

Compared to A Link to the Past

While i think that the original map has a myriad of similarities, the third entry to the Franchise, ALttP, also has a single large similarity that is exciting to me and worth a mention.  Circled in white in the center of the Wii U map bearing a large C, is a large section of land almost completely enclosed by rivers, very similar to the castle of ALttP. I am willing to bet that in the large center of the new map will be a fairly decently large castle town, one that fits the gargantuan size of this game.  I also think, and this is just a complete shot in the dark, that their will be a fairly large dungeon underneath the town.  I have no idea why I have this feeling, but you heard it here first!     

Now, in respect to the other circles on the new map:

Other Peculiarities

1. The red circle in the NorthEast corner of the map that surrounds the lake.  This lake that is within the circle clearly resembles a skull.  It is also in the middle of a mountainous area that is filled with what seems like lava rivers!  An out of place, skull shaped body of water within a volcanic region....   hmmmmmm... It doesn't take a genius to realize that this is suspicious.  It also points towards a possibly dark plot, even despite the vibrant color scheme previously shown.  Possibly the palette may change depending on the location.  These statements are purely speculative, but I am willing to bet that this skull lake plays a key role in the plot somehow, but the how in somehow may not be known until we have the game.

2. The pink circle surrounding the triangle of lava with large dots on each corner. The triangle has always been a important symbol in the Zelda games since their inception, as it is always associated with the Triforce.  So the inclusion of the red rivers (most likely lava) creating a near perfect triangle naturally arouses suspicion.  This is also located in the Death Mountain area of almost every Zelda game, a placement that almost NEVER changes, despite almost every other recurring area being placed in new locations almost every game. What this means to me is that this is almost definitely the location of a major dungeon, one that has some significant relationship with the triforce. We may not know exactly what is here, but we do know that it is something (purposely extremely ambiguous there)

4. In the maroon circle to the NorthWest is a peculiar lake? Or possibly Crater. This area seems to me to be a desert region, but honestly it could also be a frozen area as well.  But I am leaning towards it being a desert, and what looks like a lake It Think is really a deep crater.  It does have a blue hue, but its far darker and less pronounced in tone then the rest of the water on the map, and it is nearly a perfect circle.  It think this area could be a possible abandoned mining facility found deep within the gerudo desert, and It is definitely a possible dungeon.  This is by far the most baffling feature of the map, and the one that I am most looking forward too.  

5. Circled in green in the west is what we all expect to be death mountain.  No real speculation is needed here, I think this is clearly the bellowing mountain that was in the background of the original footage.  However, the only interesting note is that this directly contradicts with number two.. Ninty has never included two volcanic regions in a zelda game, and being on nearly opposite sides of the map, this mountain hole is quite baffling to me.. It's either this isn't truly a volcano and is something much different and new, or those red rivers are something completely different, and I guess only time will tell which speculation is correct.

6. Finally! My favorite part of the new map is the island circled to the extreme southeast of the map. This island bears a crescent, which is the symbol of the gerudu people and the shape of the moon, and its location in an extreme of the map further adds to its peculiarity.  I am extremely interested to see what this could be.  But what is even more interesting is the shape of the mainland that seems to be reaching out its pinchers for the island.  But what after further examination I found the entire layout to be similar to the longtime series symbol, 

No, it is not perfect, but there is no doubting that it does bear a striking resemblance, one that is too great to be ignored.  The possibility that it is just a coincidence is great, but also the possibility of the symbolism is also quite significant.  There is a possibility that the triforce is hidden away on this island, waiting for the hero to swim on over and get it.

What do you think?

Edit 2-15-15: Map Icons and Extras

As you can see in the image above, it appears that map icon's will be making a appearance in the New Zelda.  This is something that I had originally overlooked, but after extensively browsing the web for worthy information for this thread, I decided this is worthy of the first Update.  First off, these icons are very strange in nature, they look nothing like things we have seen in other games.  I think the creator of this image is right, while at first look the town one looks very strange, you can actually make out a small house with a doorway, a window, and even smoke emitting from the roof!  However, I believe that this is actually a small settlement, possibly akin to the one seen in the original E3 trailer! Now to the camp icon, I think the camp icon is something really interesting, because the actual image of it is very strange.. For one, it kind of looks like spilled milk, not a camp, and it also should be in the view of link during the scene where he looks out over Hyrule, but it isn't! Also, due to lack of other Icon's, they more than likely only appear when you discover them ,and this is most likely a scene from very early in the game. Whether these speculations are true or not, it is clear that these icons mean that this world will be huge, and alive!

As posted below, I wanted to include this image in the OP for a myriad of reasons, it backs up my earlier claim that this game is modeled after the original Zelda, and that his Hyrule is going to be massive!

Now exactly how large? Despite Aunuma's statement that it will be the size of Kyoto (300+ Sq Km).  I think a far more realistic number would be 40-55 sq Km (25-35 Sq. Miles), and this is backed up by multiple people who have taken the time to do different calculations, based on tree size, horse speed, and shadow distance and many other odd ways, and this is the lower median of those calculations.  However, extreme high calculations have been made (especially with the horse speed calculation) that could place the map at the size of Kyoto, but lets hope it is not that big because that would be overwhelming, the love would die after a certain point. I think the 40-55 Km range is just right, and would allow hundred's of hours of exploration!!!

I would also like to include this GIF for those who don't want to scroll down to see it.. Hmmmmm.  It is amazing how similar these two maps are, it will be incredibly exciting to see what other secrets this vast new Hyrule holds.

That's all for this update, as soon as any new worthy info is released that pertains to the map (or the game) be sure that it will be in this OP as soon as I catch wind of it.

Here is a nice new video to watch for anyone yearning for more speculation!!

smash is 1080p 60 fps, Zelda WW is 1080p 30 fps, Mario Kart is 720p 60fps,  and Xenoblade is proabably going to be 720p 3o fps.

 

Interestingly enough, thats a strange little pro wii u label of misinformation gamz girrnalisz spread that has also stuck. Particuarly hilarious to see the sony/xbox fanboy meltdowns over the fact they thought all these wii u games were 1080p, as if resolution itself was the only aspect to graphical fidelity. Theyve been brainwashed well....

 

Really just goes to show just how much damage gamz girnoliz who dont get their crap straight can cause, and just how far and long the misinformation they spread can go.

Wow, that is interesting.. But still these games are all fantastic and That is what matters, the days of graphics actually enhancing gameplay were ended by the HD generation, and now I look to interesting and new gameplay as well as just the overall fun I can have playing a game.  It is why i will replay Banjo Kazooie and Tooie every single year no matter how old and outdated the graphics get!

A new Spyro plzzz

Your not a fan of Skylanders i take it? 

I get the feeling it wont matter. The games already been falsely labeled.

 

This will be the game known as 'That nintendo game with no voice chat or local bots' Loooooooooooooonnnnggg after its been disproven.

Kind of like how the wii u is labeled as the system without enough power to compete yet mario kart 8 and Smash 4 and xenoblade x all look par if not better than almost all top PS4/XB1 games. Plus they run at 1080 60fps, something that even naughty dog isn't able to do with U4(though that game does look leagues ahead of any console game in terms of realism).  Though i now own an X1 and am happy with the purchase I really don't see any major difference in quality of graphics over wii u.  But yes, once a game or system has been labeled it is very hard to loose that label.  

Alright, if you could have a sequel of any game ever, or even a spiritual successor, what game would it be? And also, what would you want done with the game? Is there any changes from the original that you would make?  The game doesn't have to be a possible game, in fact it would be better to discuss games that definitely won't happen!

For me, it is a tie between two games. first, Banjo-Tooie (pretend Nuts and Bolts doesn't exist), and second, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

1. Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie were the best 3d platformers of all time in my opinion.  They were both full of diversity, challenge, fun boss fights, and a million things to collect and do.  They both had things that were better than the other, but together they were two of the funnest(and funniest) games ever made.  I would love a sequel that introduced a new enemy that uses Grunty to destroy the isle o hags and kidnap Banjo and Kazooie.  The world would be enormous and full of diverse landscapes and interesting ideas, but just as quirky as its predecessors.  Though this game only exists in my dreams, it is still fun to think and theorize about.

2. Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning (KOA) is one of the greatest RPG's of the last gen in my opinion.  While many view it as a tired entry into a saturated market, there was something about the world that left me amazed and in awe.  Whether it was Detyre's vast cliffs and the city of Adessa's amazing and awe inspiring archetecture, or if it was Rathir's towering enormity that with the immediate sight of it I was taken back.  Whatever it was, the game hit a sweet spot in me.  The story was interesting, the lore was deep and complete, the world was spectacular, and the main quests were very well done.  However, there were some things that lacked, such as meaningful side quests and a completed and well done combat system.  Also, the world was broken up into segments that required load screens to go between, both of these things the developers planned on fixing in the second rendition before they went bankrupt.  Now the fate for this gem lies in the hands of Nordic Games, who are instead fixated on reviving a ten year old, ill recieved game.  

One last thing, the music in both of these games is absolutely fantastic, and both games are composed by Grant Kirkhope, who is a legendary game composer. 

Now,what games would you like to see made? Would you enjoy either of these games?

The souls games really werent that difficult. They just demanded the most basic of competence in the controls and mechanics, and observation of enemy behavior, instead of smashing buttons and watching the computer do the awesome like in every AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA game available today.

If those players cant smash buttons and watch awesome things happen, they cry and scream about how 'the controls are broken!!!!'

Honestly, the combat, while enjoyable really isnt the main draw of the soul series to me. And this combat looks just as servicable, if not more enjoyable, from what little ive seen. What we have no way of judging yet, is whether or not bloodbourne will retain the souls series absolutely fantastic level 4 open world design.

Something I have no reason to doubt whatsoever what with the three souls games and years of kings field (Dark souls before it was called dark souls)

I agree the world is and how it fits together so well is nothing short of flawless, but I also disagree that the game isn't difficult.  While some of it is just pure get to know the controls, if you play it without spamming the game with soul farming and naked dodging than it does become quite the challenge, especially when you first reach a level.  It took me on average 10 deaths at the start of each new area to really get a strategy going and to prepare based on that strategy could sometimes take an hour.  However, I do think the boss battles were not as hard as many have said, until the end that is.. Another thing that I really enjoy about the game is how you are left to really play it how you want, while sure some ways are a lot easier than others (AHEM pyromancer) some ways are incredibly difficult, such as the knight.  I don't see me getting into this new world as much as I did with the soul series, considering I am a huge fantasy nut, so I'm slightly dissapointed with its direction. Also, I can't see there being any diversity within the world, no forests, no lakes, no swamps only a post apocalyptic industrial age city.  So it will be neat to see if they can keep that level 4 world design, of if they pull a metroid based on what you said in the metroid discussion. 

Well this game has me more hyped than I have ever been for a game before!  The game is supposed to be nearly the size of Kyoto, the graphics style is right up my alley, the open world looks splendid (although a little lifeless, but they are still a year from release) and the boss battles that start one place and end another sounds like it will take the normal Zelda battles and put them into epic proportions!  

The other 2 are worth playing, the prime 1 and 2 are worth going for the 100% and hard mode. Also tedious fights shouldn't stay tedious for long.

I'm sure they are good games but I'm playing a ton of games right now and I just don't know when I will get to them.  And yeah fights are starting to slightly lesson in tediousness

Oh yeah, first time through trying to find your way you do end up doing a lot of back and forth looking for the way to progress, which would end up reviving a lot of enemies.

That doesnt last very long.

A few tips to help you alleviate some of that tedium, which overtime will add up to a much more enjoyable experience.

Unless there are locks on the doors, you dont have to defeat the enemies to advance, simply ignore them and head to your next door. Typically, there will only be a destroy all enemies encounter the first time you enter a certain area, although, some notorious do force you to deal with the locked doors every time.

Dont be afraid to use missiles, you will get plenty back, and use charge shots over normal shots for anything that doesnt die with a couple shots. A charge shot is worth more than 10 normal shots, and a missile is worth almost as much as a charge shot, and they both have splash damage,so they can take out multiple foes. Loosing a charged shot followed by a missile is typically enough to send any cannon fodder pirate on its merry way to hell, without you ever stopping your path to the next door.

You will soon start finding weapon power ups. And more weapons powerups. And more weapons powerups. I will not spoil anything for you, but there will soon probably come a time when you could almost start to feel bad with the constant reign of death and status effects spewing out of your arm upon all the hapless respawning baddies that are irritating you now. Metroid in general, but this game in particular, have one of the highest and swiftest rises to power in videogames, you become Techno-God. To emphasise your god like status over the pathetic mortals who are unfortunate enough to exist in the same time space as you, there are also super weapons in the form of beam missile combos. There are 4 total, you only get 1 automatically, the others are hidden, and missable. But oh so damn satisfying and room clearing.

Thanks for the advice! I am quite the explorer so I'm sure i will find just about everything there is to find someday or another..

Wow.. This is interesting.. Now i gotta go find that yoshi and see for myself!

Good ole Ninty giving the players what they want free of charge, If all developers were like them the gaming world would be a better place.

Wow that i pretty sweet! I love how it looks like its splashing!!

This game has caught my interest, but I'm afraid it won't live up to the souls series before it, which were some of the best games of the last gen.  I will get this game eventually though and i really hope it provides the same controller throwing gameplay of the souls series! IT does look to be quite difficult from the trailer..

Hmm this is interesting.. as a huge fan of Darksiders II im interested to see if the wii u support my spawn a sequal? Maybe Nintendo will publish it similar to Bayonetta 2!  Probably just hopeful thinking but this is a studio to keep an eye on.  I've never heard of this game but if it ever goes on sale i might download it.

One of the worst Zelda games??? WHAT!?   The game is in my opinion the best zelda game.  It broke away from hyrule offering the most unique, still zelda, experience of all of them.  Plus, its great difficulty and its underlying terrifying tone supplements it's lack of content.  It was a game that made the most out of four dungeons.  Each dungeon had so much to do beforehand and so much story and creepy backround it made the game full.  Also, the world is by far the fullest and most lively of all zelda games, it actually felt like people's home, a home they would lose very soon.  The ever dampening mood and the subtle changes in the ambiance and music also added to the games rich immersion and terrified all who played it.  And then there is stone tower temple, the best and most twisted dungeon to ever exist in a zelda game. Also, link becomes and acrobat and flips while jumping, who didnt love that? I could go on for days as to why this is my favorite zelda game, but I'm just gonna stop now 

I have yet to purchase one of these, but I wouldn't be surprised if certain unpopular ones were discontinued.  I expect to see link and mario amiibos for a long time to come though!

Truly, I don't know what to expect from Nintendo, but I honestly think they might delve into virtual reality, it has always seemed like something Nintendo would do.  I also think that they will release a system that will cater to Nintendo fans more, due to the hardcore nintendo fans being the only ones who have seemed to buy wii u's, as opposed to the targeted "casual" gamers.  I'm not hoping for something that competes with PC's, but rather something that lets me experience my favorite nintendo games in a new way, something Nintendo has always done well with.

I've actually recently got my hands on the original xenoblade, and I've already logged nearly 50 hours in and i do not see an end in sight.  I cannot wait for this game.  If it is anything like its predecessor I will be a very happy man! I do not care as much about world size as world life, and looking at the trailers i think this world has plenty of that!  Hopefully Aonuma  is taking notes and asking questions.  I'm also quite excited for the online implementation, and to take on some of those late game beasts shown off! 

I got this game and played it through and am indulging in the DLC as well! I've never button mashed so happily, honestly all the appeal was in playing as Ghirahim, my personal favorite villain. I am not surprised it is selling so well considering it carries the Zelda name brand, probably the second most iconic franchise in video game history behind only Mario.  And thanks for posting the Wallpapers!

I'm currently playing it for the first time.  10$ was a steal.  I don't know if I will play all three of them but I at least needed to play the first.  So far I am impressed, very impressed.  The world design is fantastic and the sound is beautiful and additive, I am also impressed with the open endedness of the gameplay, and how having to read the notes makes it seem like you are truly alone and it feels like a true adventure instead of todays "Go here and do this then come back" approach to most games.  However one thing I am dissapointed with is the constant revival of enemies that take sometimes minutes to kill and yield no reward, it eventually becomes extraordinarily tedious.  But overall I love the game and am very happy Nintendo put it up for sale.  Lets hope they start releasing gamecube games soon!!