Assignment 2: Spatial Analysis

In Zelda: Wind Waker, each world a player is allowed to visit is first introduced to the user by a brief animated movie, usually consisting of the individual’s game character first arriving in the new scene, and other characters explaining the basic objective for this part of the game. The first environment in the game, Outset Island, looks similar to any typical island you might find in the real world. The island is decorated with palm trees, grasses and flowers, flowing water, and small huts as houses. The camera views allowed during game play add additional effects in making this non-reality more real, by allowing the player to see the world in first person, as if he, himself, were walking around the virtual space. The environments follow basic laws that real people are familiar with, such as gravity. It is easy to realize and accept that if you jump into the air, you must come down. To jump farther, you must take a running start. These also help make the game space feel more realistic.

Movement throughout the game is aided by a small map in the lower left hand corner of the screen. This map can tell you where you are in the world, where you have been, and which direction you are facing, all regular cardinal directions. The objects and found in the different worlds relate to the type of environment the character is in. Sometimes an alternative character will guide the main character to look for a different type of object, by saying some kind of hint when spoken to. For instance, while on a pirate boat, after completing a task, a pirate directs the main character to take what is in the treasure chest. After opening the chest, the player finds an unusual artifact of some kind, usually consisting of special powers. From then on in the game, the user is now inclined to open every treasure chest it comes across, looking for a possible artifact reward.

After completing the appropriate tasks, the user is carried to another world to complete. This transition is usually made by using the brief animated movie interlude, showing the main character traversing each world. Once in each world, the player can generally move wherever on the map he/she wants, except for a few locations that can only be accessed after completing certain tasks or discovering a special artifact. The other game characters help direct the player through the space, pointing out what items or locations the player needs to explore or discover. This continues to the end of the game, where the player is shown what effects were made on the storyline, which was introduced as a mini-film at the beginning of the game.