While many fans personally disagree, critical opinion deems The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks to be the worst of the fourteen main Zelda games with an aggregate score of 87 on Metacritic and 86.92% on Gamerankings. The primary complaint revolved around the disconnected and linear nature of the overworld. One problem with recent overworlds especially those of the DS games and Skyward Sword is "unlocking" portions after completion of a specific task, usually completion of a dungeon. The problem was compounded in Spirit Tracks due to the elemental nature of each area prompting it to feel more like a Mario game with specific themed worlds than a Zelda installment. The set rails also sapped exploration from the ovverworld although sidequests including rabbit collecting slightly alleviated the problem.
But among these vices, there was much improvement which appears to be largely ignored by major gaming sites. Without delving deeper many dismissed Spirit Tracks as a Phantom Hourglass 2 sans the exploration. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Spirit Tracks improved upon central dungeon design with a convenient spiral staircase allowing players to progress from where they left off in the Tower of Spirits; the game also boasted superior dungeon and boss design over Phantom Hourglass and cast Zelda in one of her most prominent narrative roles heretofore. Were those changes too little? Did the hindrance of the overworld overshadow these perks? Discuss below.
But among these vices, there was much improvement which appears to be largely ignored by major gaming sites. Without delving deeper many dismissed Spirit Tracks as a Phantom Hourglass 2 sans the exploration. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Spirit Tracks improved upon central dungeon design with a convenient spiral staircase allowing players to progress from where they left off in the Tower of Spirits; the game also boasted superior dungeon and boss design over Phantom Hourglass and cast Zelda in one of her most prominent narrative roles heretofore. Were those changes too little? Did the hindrance of the overworld overshadow these perks? Discuss below.