We’ve known for some time now that series producer Eiji Aonuma wants to shake up the Zelda series. We got our first preview of that vision in this week’s Nintendo Direct, where it was revealed that dungeons in A Link Between Worlds can be completed in any order and that weapons are obtained from a shopkeeper either through renting or purchasing them, rather than finding them in a dungeon.
In a recent interview with 4Gamer, Aonuma discussed some of the aspects of A Link Between Worlds and Wind Waker HD and how those correlate with the Legend of Zelda game currently in development for Wii U.
Aonuma was asked how the development of the Wii U title is doing, to which he responded:
We’re incorporating HD features we tried in the Wind Waker, and vice-versa, by applying HD features from it to the Wind Waker. Since it’s a remake, we’ve been limited regarding what we can do with the Wii U Gamepad; however, for the new title we’ll have various ways of using [the device].”
Aonuma goes on to further iterate that when he says he’s ‘tired’ of Zelda, it doesn’t mean he’s tired of the series, but that he’s tired of the formula the series has maintained for the past several years.
“When I say I’m tired, I’m not talking about making Zelda, but rather, the same constituent that has been used to make Zelda up until now. While on the subject, in regard to how we’ve always done things the traditional way until now: ‘Why does it have to be traditional?’ That’s the question I’ve been asking myself.”
It’s interesting to see Aonuma speak so candidly about development for the next Zelda titles, as he no longer answers to Miyamoto when it comes to production of the series. Miyamoto has had little input with the direction of the series and Aonuma will be standing on his own for the next few releases, so it will be interesting to see how hardcore fans react to the changes that are coming about in the series.
