Upon completing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, players could go through the game again in Hero Mode. It was a more challenging version of the game where hearts could not be obtained from cutting grass and enemies dealt double damage. It was no Master Quest, but players wanting more of a challenge appreciated it. Now that same challenge is coming to what is arguably the easiest Zelda game ever made.
Nintendo announced this week that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will include the Hero Mode that was present in Skyward Sword. The rules are still the same from 2011’s Zelda game – enemies do double damage and you won’t find any hearts. Take a look at some case examples in the video below:
Alongside Hero Mode, The Wind Waker HD includes a number of other enhancements to the core game. For starters, the Triforce shard quest that everybody but me hated will be nerfed in the newest release. Originally, all eight shards had to be found in the ocean after Tingle translated eight sea charts. Now five of the Triforce shards will be on land while the other three will be in the ocean.
There’s also a new first person mode that’s more akin to what you’re used to seeing in first person shooters. In previous Zelda games, the player could only enter first person view to aim and nothing more. Now players can move freely in first person, but can only use first person items while in this mode.
The final major addition is a new sail that allows players to move faster over water, and even move against the wind. It kind of ruins the whole point of sailing in Wind Waker, but some people had complaints about it. At least Nintendo gives those us who loved sailing a choice to stick with the originally intended mechanic.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will be available exclusively for Wii U on October 4. You can grab it two weeks earlier on September 20 if you buy it from the eShop, or get it as part of the new Wii U bundle.
[Image: Nintendo/YouTube] [h/t: IGN]