Daily Debate: Does Zelda’s Combat System Need an Overhaul?

Zelda‘s combat system has seen a number of changes throughout the series’ history. From simplistic top-down combat in The Legend of Zelda, to side-scrolling action RPG fare in Adventure of Link, to Z-targeting in Ocarina of Time and the advancements made to that system in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. Heck, we’ve even had stylus controls for combat in the DS titles, and motion controlled combat in Skyward Sword with the use of the Wii Motion Plus.

That said, the combat system for Zelda games hasn’t really changed in major ways. Every single 3D console iteration of the series has used some form of targeting, with one button for sword swings and occasionally response attacks or special combos. The top-down games have been even more simplistic (though, arguably, faster-paced). Zelda‘s tried-and-true combat systems have worked very well for decades, but could it be time for a complete overhaul of the system?

Hyrule Warriors, though a spin-off game, took the bones of the 3D Zelda combat system (L-targeting and all), and went nuts with it. Two different attack buttons to string together for a vast array of combo attacks make for a ton of different ways to attack enemies. Bosses have weakness meters that, when depleted, allow you to perform a massive finishing move. Using magic or the special meter allow for two other big special attacks to wreak havoc on your foes.

Could the Hyrule Warriors combat system translate well into a canon Zelda title? What other ways could the combat system be expanded, revamped, or updated? Let us know your thoughts about the Zelda combat system (and if it needs a major change) in the comments below!