Aonuma on visuals in Zelda games, Link Between Worlds didn’t begin as a sequel, wants next Hyrule “to be a setting no one has ever imagined before”
Nintendo producer Eiji Aonuma commented on a number of wide-ranging topics while speaking with GamesTM this month.
The visual style of Zelda games was one prominent item tackled by Aonuma. He spoke about his personal importance of creating unique-looking games:
When something unexpected happens, the first reaction people have is to be wary.
…I try to make games I work on unique. Not only in terms of gameplay, but also in terms of graphical style. I want the game to be unlike anything I’ve seen anywhere else. Changes to the graphics also help to change preconceived ideas and have a big impact on the gameplay. Because the graphical style can lead to uniqueness like that, I think it really can’t be ignored.
Later in the interview, Aonuma spoke about The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. While it is a follow-up to A Link to the Past, Aonuma didn’t set out to make a sequel to the SNES classic.
As A Link To The Past was what made me want to make games in the first place, it is a truly moving experience to be working on the sequel.
…I am worried about whether the fans are going to like it when it is released. We did not start making this game on the notion that we were making the sequel, and it happened as a matter of course as we developed unique ideas into a game.
…Wind Waker HD and A Link Between Worlds also give a little glimpse of this. These games may feel a little different from the experiences you’ve have before and this will be a lot stronger in the new Zelda.
Last but not least, Aonuma did tease a bit more of Zelda’s first original outing on Wii U. When it comes to Hyrule, Aonuma said there are no restrictions or limitations in place, “other than that it is a country where Zelda exists as its Princess.”
Aonuma left one interesting comment in particular: “I would really like the next Hyrule to be a setting no one has ever imagined before.”
There are no limitations on what kind of place Hyrule can be, other than that it is a country where Zelda exists as its Princess. We now have many titles in the series, so we are seeing characters and location names from previous titles coming up again. We are using these when it adds to the fun, but there is no rule that we have to use these at all. We may even need to change things you might take for granted like Zelda being a Princess. I would really like the next Hyrule to be a setting no one has ever imagined before.
