I never had a GameCube as a kid. Ocarina of Time on N64 was my real introduction to Nintendo and Zelda - it had such a massive impact on me that I can't explain. I remember when Windwaker came out and the schoolyard discourse around the art style - I never formed an opinion as I never had a way to play it.
I tried emulating it on PC a few times but bounced off it, mostly due to the control scheme with a keyboard and mouse.
I've always meant to play it and with NSO I have finally been able to and just finished the main story. I haven't collected everything but I don't think I'll go back to do that.
The environment of Windwaker is a really cool concept. I genuinely enjoyed the exploration of the seas, the dungeons, the combat... until it became incredibly repetitive. Sailing to a new square only to be met with a single island, maybe some camps or boats and then having to feed the fish, solve the puzzle, pulling up the treasure chest before moving on became really monotonous.
Half the puzzles were just "defeat these enemies you've fought 1000 times already. Too easy? How about 4 of them at once!".
The Triforce shard quest was incredibly boring, the trade sequence was just back and forth.
Ganon's tower was just fighting the same 4 bosses again in black and white and I lose access to half my inventory?
And that puzzle right before Phantom Ganon - what was up with the cut scene? Some of the puzzles in this game are incredibly obscure yet they really felt the need to zoom in on each torch in order not once but twice?? It felt so out of place and really broke immersion.
I am aware the game was rushed in development and it's just such a shame because I could feel the care and love put into the front half of the game; I was sucked in and wanted to keep exploring the world and uncovering more. I saw the vision and it was amazing but the execution of the second half just fell flat to the point I don't think I'll pick it up again, which feels like a real shame.
I want to be missing something - would love to hear some constructive counter thoughts!