Zelda: Twilight Princess

[JPickford (retired mod)]

That, for me, was the biggest flaw in the entire game. It's absurd that you have a character with you who just pick and chooses when to use an ability to help you out. It's fucking woeful game design.

Yeah, it's a big fat cheat.

[dr_lha]

I'd prefer people to continue referring to the dungeons numerically, myself. Some of them don't have such distinct themes as fire/forest/ice; dungeon 6, for example, would be difficult to refer to without spoiling it for others. Edit: yes, what Davros said.

For those who've completed the game, I have a question about an inconsequential overworld puzzle.

At the northern tower of the Eldin Bridge, there's a doorway to a room (with a ladder inside) that's too high and far away to reach by jumping. Midna tells you there's no way of reaching it without using a ledge. I don't understand why she can't just glide up there and let me jump across (the game seems to inconsistently pick and choose which gaps Midna can and can't help you leap over). I've tried sensing around the area for secret holes to tunnel my way inside, and I've had a good look around for clawshot points, but nothing. All I want to know is this: is it possible for me to get over there at this stage in the game, or is there something I've yet to do or an item I've yet to find before I can manage it? I've just finished dungeon 7, returned to the Mirror Chamber, and am about to start the Twilight Palace. No solutions or hints, please! Just a 'yes, you can do it, you spaz' or 'no, you can't do it yet' would be good.

Argh, why isn't the spoiler-tagged part of my post showing up?

Hmm, do smilies break spoiler tags or something?

Spoilers in order of magnitude, the last one tells you how to do it, the first 3 are probably safe to read. Use your own judgement.

First you have to fix the bridge.

Secondly, I don't think you're far enough into the game to get in that room yet, if you get what I mean.

Thirdly see that owl like statue on the other side of the bridge from where the room you can't get into? Its linked to that puzzle.

Use the rod to move the owl statue across the fixed bridge and down into the gap, you can then use it to get across, and up the ladder to the roof and a heart piece.

[Jarik]

I really liked Dungeon 5 for being a new take on the whole "Dungeon" Cliche. While it would come as no surprise that there are Forest, Fire & Water dungeons setting one in:

a run down mansion with Yeti's living in it

was new.

Not that any of the others could be called overly generic though. They had twists & new touches all over the place. A particular favorite in Dungeon 2 was:

Iron Boots + Magnetised Rock = Walking on Walls & ceilings!

[Davros sock drawer]

There was a brilliant mini-cave area I found as well, which uses that item.

Dungeon 5 was a breath of fresh air in my opinion. Charming, a little challenging, and unique. I like the mini-game too. the missus thought it was delightful, especially at the very end.

Dungeon 8 though, has simply the best atmosphere of any I've played since the Forest Temple in OoT. Just wonderful stuff, really oppressive, nice design, quite a challenge, and it looks superb.

However, I'm stuck!

I've just started fighting Zant, and I can't figure out how to hurt him. Midna hints that I should use my sword, presumably to deflect the bolts back in true Zelda fashion, but nothing doing. Any vague hints?

[Alex W.]

Okay, a bit further in and the game is charming me to bits but the Wii features are annoying me. Was the "Item Change" sound designed by a sadist or what? I can't imagine a sound more suited to generating annoyance through the Wii remote speaker.

[Landshead]

Ive just finished dungeon 3 its taken 20 hours already.

[Davros sock drawer]

Okay, a bit further in and the game is charming me to bits but the Wii features are annoying me. Was the "Item Change" sound designed by a sadist or what? I can't imagine a sound more suited to generating annoyance through the Wii remote speaker.

I get told to turn that down a fair bit. So I do ("Home", "Wii Remote Settings").

[makkuwata]

Ive just finished dungeon 3 its taken 20 hours already.

I'm 20 hours in and just starting dungeon 3! Though I do have an upgraded bomb/rupee bag and whatnot to show for it. Very tempted to sit and play this til I fall unconscious tonight...

[Davros sock drawer]

Well, I'm at 75 hours now!

I can't lay a finger on this bloody boss though...

[bcass]

Okay, a bit further in and the game is charming me to bits but the Wii features are annoying me. Was the "Item Change" sound designed by a sadist or what? I can't imagine a sound more suited to generating annoyance through the Wii remote speaker.

Turn the remote volume down then. I found the default volume to be too high anyway. Actually, I'd advise you to turn the remote volume off and the rumble off if you want your batteries to last more than five minutes. Neither of these things are needed to solve any of the puzzles (I say sadly, because it's a bit of a missed opportunity).

[Alex W.]

I've got remote volume down to about 3 bars already. Nothing short of muting will make the jangle bearable, which is a pain because otherwise I'm fine with all the remote noises (well, except Opera).

[Davros sock drawer]

Ooh no, I'd never turn either of those features off. I love the sound of a bottle being corked coming out of the remote when you catch a fairy.

I've got remote volume down to about 3 bars already. Nothing short of muting will make the jangle bearable, which is a pain because otherwise I'm fine with all the remote noises (well, except Opera).

I have it on 1, or 2.

3 bars is the default isn't it? Too loud.

[Massive Invisible Dog]

I've had to turn them off now. I wish I could find whatever it is that's interfering with it and making it sound like shit, it's been fine everywhere else I've taken it.

[Davros sock drawer]

Look at the environment you're fighting him in. Looks familiar?

If so, what did you get the first time you were there?

Oh, right you are.

So why is bloody Midna telling me to use the sword?

[Massive Invisible Dog]

Because that's what you hit him with.

[Davros sock drawer]

Because that's what you hit him with.

She says

Repel his magic with it. Even I can work out that at some point you'll also stick him with it.

Bit misleading, I'd say. Anyway, flying now, thanks VeloS. This is brilliant!

[Steven]

.::: Ehr... You have tried pressing the - button right?

[edit] What MID said. I've been skipping recurring stuff quite often and combined with the press-on conversations (FINALLY), it seems Nintendo has finally got rid of two of the most annoying problems of the series.

Yeah - found that out as soon as I started up last night -doh. Just about to finish dungeon four at ten hour mark. I'd actually forgotten a couple of things about the third dungeon or it would have been nine hours.

[Broker]

Okay, a bit further in and the game is charming me to bits but the Wii features are annoying me. Was the "Item Change" sound designed by a sadist or what? I can't imagine a sound more suited to generating annoyance through the Wii remote speaker.

Should've bought the Gamecube version.

[Project 2501]

Or muted the remote speaker altogether, like I did. It's not as though you need it for anything.

[Steven]

I really loved that one. I liked that it didn't seem like a dungeon at all, and it felt very fresh after the others. The minigame that preceded it was awful though.

My feelings exactly - the 'dungeon' was great - but I really could have done without the shitty, shoe-horned, yanked-from-another-game-that-shall-remain-nameless bit before it. Just seemed like they thought -"Hey fuck it, - let's stick that in there".

[Davros sock drawer]

I think it's a brilliant feature, I don't get why you'd want to turn it off. Hey ho, different strokes and all that.

I'm on the final straight now. Last few cutscenes have been brilliant.

[Sir DangerM]

How do i get to the sword techniques wolf around the north west of lake hylia? Havent got a clue where he is.

[Cyhwuhx]

How do i get to the sword techniques wolf around the north west of lake hylia? Havent got a clue where he is.

.::: You probably need to exit Castle Town southward and make your way around the stairs.

[Jarik]

Do you mean the one that appears off of the map? If so you naturally go that way later & you won't be able to miss him.

[Cosmic_Guru]

My feelings exactly - the 'dungeon' was great - but I really could have done without the shitty, shoe-horned, yanked-from-another-game-that-shall-remain-nameless bit before it. Just seemed like they thought -"Hey fuck it, - let's stick that in there".

Actually liked that bit myself - nostalgia time and all that. Even beat both of them easily.

[Davros sock drawer]

Thinking about it, the Golden Bugs quest isn't the direct descendant of the Gold Skulltullas at all. The Poes are!

I've still got 10 to find, and I don't even know where to start looking. I can see myself scouring the entire map.

[Gavin]

Just popped in to say I've been playing for 65 hours now and the game feels about 2/3 complete. I'm at the dungeon with the soup and have recently got the 'weapon'.

I just gotta say this is the most sublime, compelling and satisfying gaming experience I have had in years. Everything about it just seems so right. I've been a Zelda fan since Link to the Past and have completed each game since and yet I gotta say this one tops them all.

Oh well, back to that cold place for me...

[Jarik]

Thinking about it, the Golden Bugs quest isn't the direct descendant of the Gold Skulltullas at all. The Poes are!

I've still got 10 to find, and I don't even know where to start looking. I can see myself scouring the entire map.

Just make sure you do it at night.

On the one hand not being able to control the day/night cycle this time is a bother, but on the other it gives it more meaning when you start to see that Light turning golden & the Shadows getting longer.

In one instance I was racing to destroy a Poe before dawn, I had started the Finishing move & it vanished a instant before I could complete it.

[Davros sock drawer]

Oh blimey, I forgot about that! Also, are there Poes in the earliest dungeons, i.e. ones I will have seen but not been able to kill at the time?

[Jarik]

None in Dungeons 1-3. Also only the ones out in the open only come out at night. The ones in Dungeons, Hidden Holes & Caves will always be there.

Also bear in mind there are some in the Cave of Ordeals.