Wind-Waker-HD red sailAs Nintendo prepares to release The Wind Waker HD for Wii U this October, much interest has arisen across the internet over the possible changes that this updated version has from its 2003 original on the GameCube.  In several interviews and Nintendo Directs, the company has expressed that one aspect which will change is the ability to sail faster through the use of a new “swift sail” available to obtain as an item.  Today, Eiji Aonuma, producer and current director of the Legend of Zelda series, has provided new details about this sail which are quite noteworthy.

Fly to the jump for more details!

 

On Miiverse, following the Nintendo Direct, Eiji Aonuma provided clarification about what effect the addition of this red sail will have on the core gameplay of sailing around throughout the title.  It seems that this item will allow one to not only sail faster, but also at full speed, regardless of the wind direction.  Here is the full post:

“Hello, members of the Zelda Community! This is Eiji Aonuma of Nintendo. It’s great to be posting here again.

In the Nintendo Direct video that aired today, we announced new information on the soon to be released The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. I would like to take this opportunity to talk about things that we weren’t able to include in the announcement.

The Nintendo Direct video showed a glimpse of the Swift Sail (red sail) that allows the ship to go faster. Those of you who played the original may have noticed, but not only will this sail make the ship go faster, but it will always be full of wind, meaning you’re now able to control the ship to any direction you want, without having to use the Wind Waker to change direction of the wind.

…Some of you may wonder whether this can still be called a sailing ship, but along with this sail and the nautical chart displayed on the Wii U GamePad that works like a car nav, it’s now become much easier to travel to the small islands and salvage points scattered around the great sea. Even if you struggled with sea exploration in the original, I think you’ll have a blast exploring the great sea once more.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will launch this October.

The always energetic Toon Link and the great, open sea is waiting for all of you to set sail. Thank you!”

-Eiji Aonuma, Producer

Personally, while I enjoy the idea that there will be a faster means to traverse the Great Sea throughout the game, I am worried that this could detract from the more “nautical” simulation present in The Wind Waker on the GameCube.  I understand Aonuma’s argument, and I certainly feel that it will be much easier to collect items and such like a true explorer, however, I am a fan of the slower paced nature of sailing in the original game, which is more representative of reality.  Even so, I’m still interested to try out these new features, and I cannot make an accurate judgement before playing the game myself.  Who knows?  I may grow to like it more than the sail in the original title!

What do you think?  Do these facts interest you?  Are you excited to test out the Swift Sail for yourself and collect items much faster than was possible in the GameCube game?  Let us know in the comments section below!

Source: GenGame (via Miiverse)

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