2. Enemies with a Touch of Humanity
What awaits at the volcano?
The key item at the volcano is the Bomb.
Is the Bomb the first item you get once you enter the volcano game field?
Yes. It’s funny how the two most dangerous things are together. The volcano is hot, so if you aren’t careful, the bombs will explode! Also, there’s lava flowing not just in the dungeon, but around the whole game field, so if you don’t use them safely, there are certain things you can’t solve.
They’re bombs, so “Handle With Care.” (laughs)
That’s right. This time, you don’t just throw the bombs overhand, you can also roll them underhand, so you can roll them down slopes, which is really fun.
Because of the Wii MotionPlus3 technology, you can even apply spin. 3Wii MotionPlus: An accessory with a built-in gyro sensor. It is used by attaching it to the Wii Remote controller. The Wii Remote Plus controller already has this technology built into the controller itself. Either one of them is required in order to play The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Yes. So far in the series, the uses of the Bomb were limited. You could blow up a suspicious-looking rock to get past it or toss it down the mouth of a monster to defeat it. This time, you don’t just throw it but also roll it for different uses depending on the angle of the Wii Remote controller, so the possibilities expanded. For example, just thinking about how we could get the Bomb close to the targets led to some new gameplay.
And bombs aren’t the only things rolling down slopes.
That’s right! (laughs)
What else does?
Enemies!
Enemies? Kiuchi-san, you worked on the enemies. What did you do?
Bokoblins are familiar enemies from the Legend of Zelda series that show up again this time. When you defeat enemies, usually they fly back and blow up with a boom and that’s the end of them, but this time I thought about having them roll. (laughs)
There are slopes, so what could be more natural, right?
That’s right. Then I wondered how a Bokoblin would roll. We tried a number of things, and in the end had them roll down like a big wheel .
They look so endearing rolling like that! (laughs)
Endearing?! (laughs)
Yes. (laughs) I hope that after people defeat them, they won’t just move on but will watch the Bokoblins roll!
You might give them a push just to see it happen! (laughs)
The Bokoblins are often at a sort of lookout partway along a slope. They will fire arrows at you or throw rocks. When Link runs up with the Dash, he can just reach that lookout point.
Then Link is hanging there by both hands.
When he tries - with a grunt - to clamber up onto the lookout, the nearby Bokoblins trudge over and try to step on his hands!
Step on his hands?! That’s mean! (laughs)
And Link slips down.
It’s like a scene from a comic book! (laughs)
When the Bokoblins find you, they say, “Foogyah!” so you know they’ve found you. And when the Bokoblins trample on you, it looks like they’re grinning.
But they aren’t really?
No, it just looks that way for some reason. (laughs)
After that, you’re ready for revenge, right? Then, when a Bokoblin raises a rock over his head to throw it at you, you blast him with the Slingshot! And then...
He’s busy lifting up a rock, so... Oh, I get it. (laughs)
That’s one way to beat them. And aside from the Slingshot, you can use whatever item you have at hand. The Bokoblins can react in surprising ways, so try whatever you can!
I get the impression that even though the Bokoblins are enemies, they play an important role this time.
Yes. Until now, they just got in Link’s way, swinging their swords and firing arrows, but this time, we did various things to give them a touch of humanity.
There are various types of Bokoblins. The Bokoblins who live in the forest are really primitive-looking, but those who live in the desert are in a slightly different style with surprisingly modern-type weapons.
Oh...
There’s one that walks around carrying a lantern, and there’s one that has a sword crackling with electricity.
What happens when Link attacks that one?
If his attack gets blocked, it shocks him and he can’t move for a while.
I see. Why are there so many kinds of Bokoblins?
For this project, we created teams for each field - forest, volcano, desert - and they each proceeded with development. But the Bokoblins appear in every field, so the team making enemies intersected with the others. That gave rise to the question: “The Bokoblins at the volcano act like this, but how about in the desert?” (laughs)
Then everyone threw out all kinds of ideas, saying, “This would work in our area,” so the Bokoblins evolved and grew more distinctive.
Their voices are great, too. I can’t get that “Foogyah!” out of my head. And they shout “Neeaahh!” as they come down off the ropes, which is also pretty good. (laughs)
It’s so cute. You want to hear it again and again.
You guys sure do love those Bokoblins! (laughs)
Yes! They attack in all kinds of ways, which is despicable, but you just can’t hate them! (laughs)
Bokoblins were the first enemy to come along.
Bokoblins were the first enemy you made?
Yes. I’ve known them the longest, so I could pour the most love into them.
Well, it shows! (laughs)