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The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is a game that was released on the Nintendo GameCube console. It is the fourth game to be set in The Legend of Zelda series. The story centers around an evil presence taking hold of Hyrule, which has created chaos among four ancient sages known as the “Great Fairies.” Link must restore order to Hyrule by rescuing the fairies, finding Master Sword, and restoring the Four Swords.
Bottom Line Up Front
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords is a unique game in the Zelda franchise. It harkens back to the original Legend of Zelda game and features 2D, side-scrolling gameplay. It’s not particularly hard, and it’s designed for younger players. However, it can be fun to play multiplayer Four Swords online.
Four Swords Release
The game was released in Japan on March 18, 2003, but North America had to wait until November 14th of that year. An official soundtrack for this game was never released in stores. However, in 2008 it became available through Club Nintendo, the official Nintendo fan club.
Four Swords Gameplay
The game has a total of 14 stages that can be played in any order desired. The player will play each stage as Link, which means he must travel on foot. There are no other modes of transportation available to him within Four Swords. As players proceed through levels, they should be prepared to face a wide assortment of enemies, boss battles, and puzzles.
The Four Swords themselves have different uses that depend on the stage being played. For example, the red sword is used to attack enemies at close range while the green sword makes it possible to chop down otherwise indestructible plants. The blue sword has been designed for solving puzzles that are found in the game, while the fourth sword, known as “Gant” is used for creating blocks. The red and blue swords do not have to be obtained by Link until he has reached a certain point, but they can be found hidden in pots or barrels along the way.
The Four Swords also allows players to use a new mode known as “Shadow Battle.” In this mode, two players face off against each other and fight until the last one standing is declared the winner. This mode can be played either with two controllers or taking turns playing with a single controller.
Additionally, three different swords take on the shape of icons found in the Game Boy Advance. These swords can be used by a second player who is playing a copy of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on the handheld device. That way, both players will have access to any items that one has while exploring stages together.
Game Hints
Several puzzles need to be solved to make it through levels. Some clues can be found in the text of NPCs, but a second player that has a copy of A Link to the Past also provides hints. By placing a GBA in one of the controller ports, players will get information about hidden items or obstacles that need to be overcome.
Game Inspirations
As with other games in The Legend of Zelda series, the art design and sound effects used in Four Swords were inspired by previous titles. For example, the music has been taken from A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time.
Additionally, there is a dash button that allows players to move more quickly than they normally would. This feature has been used in other Zelda titles and was borrowed for Four Swords.
The History of Hyrule Four Swords takes place during a time when the land of Hyrule has been overrun by evil forces. To save the princess, Link must go through dungeons and fight against powerful beasts.
In addition to this game taking place in the same universe as The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Four Swords also takes inspiration from Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. For example, the world where the game takes place is based on Ocarina of Time’s depiction of Hyrule.
Gameplay Similarities to Other Zelda Games
Four Swords offers several gameplay elements that can be found in other titles within The Legend of Zelda series. Defeating enemies and solving puzzles are both activities that Link must perform.
To defeat enemies, Link is given a sword that can be upgraded throughout the adventure. Players need to collect Rupees to buy items and weapons from an in-game shop.
There are a total of nine dungeons that must be explored by players as they play through Four Swords. Each dungeon has a different theme that is based on past Zelda titles. For example, the first dungeon Link comes across is modeled after The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Additionally, four different bosses must be defeated by players as they move through levels. Bosses have a health meter so players will know how much punishment they can take before the enemy is defeated.
Game Story Similarities to Other Zelda Games
As Link, players must make their way through Hyrule and defeat the evil that has spread throughout the land. A powerful wizard known as Vaati has taken over and it will be up to the hero to rescue the princess and restore peace and order to the kingdom. Players will have to strategize with their three companions so they can defeat the forces of evil.
Game Controls Similarities to Other Zelda Games
Players use a virtual joystick to move Link throughout levels. There are several different abilities that players will have access to as the game progresses, including the ability to shoot projectiles and avoid danger. The more Rupees that are collected throughout the course of play, the more items and abilities can be purchased from in-game shops.
Game Difficulty Similarities to Other Zelda Games
Four Swords is not an extremely difficult game for players who have experience playing other games in The Legend of Zelda series. Since this title was designed with younger players in mind, it may be a bit easier than some of the other titles in the franchise.
Two different modes can be played through Four Swords: the A Link to the Past-inspired Light World, and the world which is based on Ocarina of Time. As players complete levels, they will get new weapons and items that will help them solve puzzles and fight enemies.
Important Characters in Four Swords
The protagonist of the game is Link. The hero finds himself in a situation where he must rescue three Great Fairies and finds out that Agahnim is behind much of the chaos.
The antagonists of this game are Agahnim and Ganon. Agahnim serves as a loyal servant for Ganon. The evil wizard was once known as Aghanim but earned his new name after turning to evil.
In Four Swords, Zelda is the princess that Link attempts to save. The Princess is held captive by Agahnim who plans to use her power for evil purposes.
Ganon makes his debut appearance in the Four Swords title. The character returns once again in A Link Between Worlds, which serves as a sequel to this game.
Notable Enemies and Battles
Many different enemies appear throughout the game. The most common are Moblins, Stalfos, and Gohmas. Link must defeat each of these enemies to make it through levels.
Other important battles include those with Manhandla, Helmasaur King, Ganon/Ganondorf, and the final battle against Dark Link, which is exclusive to the Game Boy Advance version of the title.
There are a total of six different swords that can be collected throughout gameplay to defeat these enemies. Swords will be upgraded as players accumulate Rupees and complete levels. Each sword has a unique name, but all have the same abilities.
The Master Sword makes its first appearance in Four Swords. This sword is also found in the other games belonging to the franchise, including Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker.
Four Swords Consoles
The game has been remade for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, and the Virtual Console for Wii U.
In Four Swords, Hyrule Castle serves as a central hub for most gameplay. However, in the Game Boy Advance version, Faron Woods is used as a central location.
Four Swords Legacy
On February 14, 2004, a sequel to Four Swords was released. Titled The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, this game took place after the events in The Minish Cap and featured Link traveling through different parts of Hyrule to save his friends.
Although an official soundtrack was never released, the music from Four Swords can be found in different Zelda titles. For example, a version of Kakariko Village’s theme is a bonus track on the Ocarina of Time CD called “15th Anniversary Super Soundtrack.” It should also be noted that one of the songs from The Minish Cap became a track on the Twilight Princess CD.
In addition, two songs from Four Swords were remixed and used during gameplay in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. One of these is a version of “Hyrule Castle” that has been changed to fit an area known as the Ghost Ship.
There was also a remake released of the original Four Swords for DSiWare. Available on March 28, 2011, it includes a new single-player mode and multiplayer support that is available through local download.
Alternatives
If you’re looking for unique Legend of Zelda games to play, Four Swords is certainly one of them. Here are some other games you may want to try as well.
The Minish Cap
A spinoff of the Legend of Zelda series, The Minish Cap is a 2D title that takes place in Hyrule. Players get to control Link and use his sword and other items to take down enemies. He also can shrink and become Minish-sized.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
This remake includes graphics that have been updated for the Nintendo 3DS but still contain much of the original gameplay from the N64 title. The game is available for download on eShop and can be purchased physically at retailers.
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
This Nintendo DS game is set in the Great Sea, which is an ocean that takes up most of the world in The Wind Waker. Players embark on a journey to save Link’s friend Tetra and defeat Bellum, who is behind all the trouble.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
In another game that takes place in the Great Sea, players travel throughout islands and dungeons to stop Ganondorf from obtaining the Triforce. Link can control the wind with his ocarina and use weapons such as swords and arm cannons.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Four Swords and other Legend of Zelda games.
Question: How Many Versions of Four Swords are There?
Answer: There have been two different versions available to the public: Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures. However, a remake was made available on Nintendo Wii U in 2015 that is known as Four Swords Anniversary Edition. There is also a DSiWare version for download through the DSi Shop and eShop called Four Swords Anniversary Edition.
Question: How Many People are Required to Play the Original Four Swords?
Answer: Four players are required to play this game together. However, there was also a single-player mode included with the release of The Minish Cap for Game Boy Advance.
Question: How Long are Four Swords?
Answer: The total playtime for this game can take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours.
Question: Which Legend of Zelda Game is Similar to Four Swords?
Answer: This is a difficult question as there haven’t been many titles available that take place in the same style as Four Swords. That being said, The Minish Cap and Phantom Hourglass are similar games that are set in Hyrule with side-scrolling gameplay.
Final Thoughts
Although Four Swords is a unique addition to The Legend of Zelda series, it was never as popular as other titles such as Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess. It also included online play capabilities, which caused many players to complain about lag and slow connections. Nonetheless, this game brought back a classic element from the original The Legend of Zelda.
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