I have to say even with the bloom effect, it's still toon-shaded. I think some of you are mistaking the actual graphical style of
The Wind Waker with the absolute definition of toon-shading. That's not the case. While the game adopted this unique shading technique, the coloring style is not part of it. While I am fonder of the graphics style in the original than the HD version, both are equally toon-shaded. Allow me to explain...
Shading in most [semi-]realistic art styles sports a smooth gradient overlaying the subject. Sort of like this:
Toon-shading is essentially the distinct separation of those values so that it gives off a cartoony look. The representation of the above gradient could be something like this:
In
The Wind Waker's case, only two or three values are displayed at a time, creating a rather vectored shading style (In
Phantom Hourglass and
Spirit Tracks, five or six values are usually displayed making it less "crisp" but still a part of toon-shading). There is a light side and dark side of any figure at any given time, staying constant by the light source. This shading technique is exactly--and I mean
exactly--the ame in the new HD version of the game. The difference that is being noticed is the semi-blurred overlay that is being referred to as "bloom" but is totally unaffected by the shading. That is a coloring difference. The original sported a flat-color graphics style where this new one subtly dulls the boundaries of each model. Without the toon-shading, the HD game models probably look fairly similar to the Toon Link models seen in Garry's Mod. Clay-ish, sure, but you cannot complain about the WWHD not being toon-shaded. Because it is.
Besides, what you guys are calling "bloom" appeared in the original in the Nintendo Gallery as all the figurines which were probably even less toon-shaded than the HD game. Just pointing that out.
This picture is a perfect example.
The edges are softened greatly. But the light source is the item being obtained so you cannot see the shading at all.
