A novel mod for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is set to eliminate one of the game's most recognizable features by draining the Great Sea and altering the game's aquatic nature. The launch of the initial Zelda game for the GameCube introduced a version of the beloved franchise that significantly differed from fans' expectations. Replacing the iconic kingdom of Hyrule was the expansive Great Sea, tasking players with navigating the oceans of a submerged kingdom of Hyrule. Now, a fan creation is seeking to reverse the flooding process within the game.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker's Great Sea stands as a major distinguishing factor that sets the game apart from other Zelda titles. While most games in the Zelda series feature players exploring the kingdom of Hyrule, the narrative of The Wind Waker unfolds a century after Ocarina of Time, featuring a flooded Hyrule. Players are tasked with navigating the Great Sea, traveling atop the talking King of Red Lions boat, visiting various islands, and aiding their inhabitants along the way. However, the Great Sea is now being drained in a new Wind Waker mod.
The endeavor, known as Wind Waker: Unflooded, envisions the world of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker without the expansive ocean of the Great Sea. This ambitious project aims to recreate the lost world beneath The Wind Waker's Great Sea, drawing inspiration from fan renditions of The Wind Waker's version of Hyrule. The base game of The Wind Waker only briefly features the underwater version of Hyrule, visiting Hyrule Castle and Ganon's Tower. The project's team has confirmed that the 3D modeling is approximately 45% complete.
Zelda: The Wind Waker Mod Removing The Great Sea
Wind Waker: Unflooded's fresh interpretation of the world of The Wind Waker comes at a time when the game was one of the franchise's most divisive entries upon its release. Many fans criticized the game for its cel-shaded, cartoonish style, which starkly contrasted with the more realistic art styles of Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. Additionally, the Great Sea was a point of contention for some fans, who felt that the game's world contained excessive unfilled open space.
The Zelda franchise has a rich history of innovative mods, with fans expressing their adoration for the series through remarkable creations. The series has often witnessed mods seeking to alter core gameplay mechanics, such as transitioning Tears of the Kingdom into a first-person perspective and integrating multiplayer into Breath of the Wild. Fans have even incorporated elements from other franchises, like adding Pokemon's Miraidon to Breath of the Wild. Wind Waker: Unflooded stands as another homage to one of gaming's most cherished franchises.