Oh, so you like Zelda?
Of course you like Zelda.
It’s only the greatest thing ever.
And if you like Zelda, chances are you’re pretty excited for the new Zelda to finally
come to the Wii U, but I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.
Yeah, that game’s not gonna come out for…forever.
It’s gonna be a while.
So in the meantime, you might be looking for something else to play.
Something to scratch that Zelda itch.
Sounds like Hyrule’s fastest-spreading STD.
Well, excuse me, princess.
Hey, don’t worry, this will help you scratch it.
It’s not quite Zelda, but…
Ittle Dew, for the Nintendo Wii U.
So this game was released a while ago on the PC, but…come on, this is where it belongs.
Ittle Dew is a game obviously made by Zelda fans, for Zelda fans.
To play it on the same platform as the next great Zelda game only makes sense.
Much in the same way playing Ittle Dew with the GamePad, only makes sense.
We saw this in the HD version of Wind Waker, but for adventure games like Zelda, in which
you’ve got inventories and maps and weapons and all kinds of stuff to manage…that’s
when your GamePad shows its usefulness.
It’s perfect for a game like Zelda.
Which means it’ll do…for this one, too.
Alright, that was the last one.
So you play as Ittle Dew, a brave little adventurer who arrives on this island by accident, on
account of a crashed raft.
If that doesn’t awaken your inner Zelda fan, the gameplay will.
You have to explore dungeons and castles, solving puzzles and slicing up enemies…and
with a gorgeous style that looks like a Saturday morning version of Wind Waker.
I mean, Ittle even looks like Link.
Bet she gets that all the time.
So if those statues looked familiar…you’re obviously a Zelda fan.
And those are just the beginning.
This game is packed with little nods and references, sure to make you nerd out like you’ve just
seen an ocarina.
But the great thing is that…the game also puts its own stamp on them, combining humor
and nostalgia for the perfect little interactive love letter.
As with Zelda, your health is replenished by picking up hearts.
Only this time, you’re literally picking them up, off the ground.
Then you’re…well, how else would they work?
As with Zelda, there are wise old men, eager to share their unsolicited knowledge with
any adventurer who happens by.
Only this time, you can beat the sh*t out of them.
But it’s not just references.
From the beautiful art to the game design itself, Ittle Dew is very much a Zelda game…but
it’s also its own Zelda game.
It’s the classic recipe, but with a more contemporary list of ingredients.
So even though it’s based on a game that’s almost three decades old…Ittle Dew still
comes across as fresh.
Familiar, but fresh.
And part of that is the game’s emphasis.
I mean, Zelda games have always been known for their puzzles, but Ittle Dew takes it
a step further.
In fact, Ittle Dew is more like a puzzle game dressed up like an adventure game.
The overworld is just packed with little one-room caves, and each one is its own little self-contained
puzzle.
Even the main dungeons—each room contains multiple puzzles, far more elaborate than
their Zelda counterparts.
In fact, there are more puzzles per capita here than Hyrule’s ever had.
Which is one of the reasons Ittle Dew feels unique.
In terms of its gameplay, it has as much in common with the Adventures of Lolo, as the
Adventure of Link.
Now, on the other hand…that does mean that combat takes a backseat.
Ittle Dew isn’t the swordsman Link is by a long shot.
In fact, for much of the time, she uses a stick.
It’s like you never got any weapons in Ocarina of Time…and had to make due with a Deku
Stick.
Like, obviously, you could…but that wouldn’t be quite as exciting.
And it turns out it’s not, in Ittle Dew.
The combat is more of a means to an end, rather than something you’re ever focused on.
In fact, when you do get new items…all they really do is enable new types of puzzles.
So, like…you get a fire sword, but mostly just to burn things.
There’s a magic wand, like something out of Portal…but that one’s only for puzzles.
And when you have it, it’s back to the stick for offense.
If you want to call a stick “offense.”
But I mean, you can’t criticize a game for not being something it isn’t, you know?
Sure, you’re not getting bows and bombs and things like that…but the combat here
is more than sufficient for a puzzle game, which is what this is.
And in that context, it’s almost perfect.
The controls are as tight as you’d expect from a Nintendo game, the design of the levels
and puzzles is incredibly smart…and holy crap, the presentation’s incredible.
Ittle Dew is absolutely gorgeous.
And the music is worth mentioning, too.
It always set just the right tone, whether you’re in the vibrant overworld or a dark
forest…it’s just a treat to listen to.
I mean, it really is Nintendo-level quality.
Ittle Dew is one of the best games in the eShop.
There’s no question about that.
The only question is, is Ittle Dew for you?
Well, if you like Zelda, it’s totally for you.
It was made for you.
But I think the real magic of the game…is that it’s not necessarily for Zelda fans
only.
I mean, even if you’re more into puzzle games…yeah, Ittle Dew is for you.
And it’s got this innocence about it, too.
More than just a tribute to Zelda, it’s a tribute to the imagination.
If you’ve ever pretended to be on some grand adventure with your friends…
Ittle Dew is for you.