"The Legend of Zelda" veteran designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Eiji Aonuma showed off new gameplay for "Zelda U" at "The Game Awards 2014." The new footage showed off a truly massive overworld that includes many high vantage points to check out the lush landscapes below. You can place beacons with the Wii U GamePad that will act as a guide to far away locations, and tapping the GamePad zooms in and out. The sailcloth from "Skyward Sword" has returned, so you can float and/or drift down from high points, covering a good measure of ground in a short period of time.
Epona appears to play a major role in this experience, as you can use your sword and bow from horseback (with Epona instinctively avoiding obstacles such as trees and the like) and even vault from your mount to fire arrows from the air with a very cool "Matrix"-like slow-motion flourish. There seems to be a good deal of detail in the overworld forest, as it was also pointed out that apples grow on some trees which you can pick and eat one would assume for health bonuses.
It was also revealed in this video (in a bit of playful banter between the two industry legends) that both "The Legend of Zelda" for the Wii U and a new "Starfox" game for the Wii U will both will be out sometime in 2015, but "Starfox" will be out before "Zelda." Thanks to GameSpot for the heads-up.
Check out the reveal video demonstration below:
