WARNING! GEEK ALERT!

I love video games- the experience of getting behind the first-person point of view of a well crafted video game is certainly a great joy. It should then come as no big shocker, to anyone well-versed in the history of gaming at least, that my favorite video game series is that of The Legend of Zelda. This enthralling, beautifully crafted, pseudo-myth has kept me in awe of its amazing game play since the late 90's, and continues to impress with each new title added to the series. The above image is from The Legend of Zelda's latest entry onto a gaming console, Twilight Princess. Shimmering with colors as seemingly iridescent as an abalone shell, this picture successfully captures the mood of the game with it's abundant, yet muted color palate. One look at this image, and one is sure that this is a fantasy game, yet not one for the young kiddies- the menacing creatures, wolf and horse-back riding, and sword-play taking place all suggest a dark and epic gaming experience.

Of course, even though the image is for the relatively new technology of video games, it still utilizes some tried and true compositional tricks. For example, the rule of thirds is used to great effect. On the left, series constant and supporting protagonist Princess Zelda faces wistfully towards the sky. In the middle, the helmet of the game's antagonist Zant stares blankly, yet full of menace directly at the viewer and right above the hero of the series, Link. Then to the right, looking down and reflecting Zelda's stance is another protagonist and bearer of the game's title, Twilight Princess Midna. With this one image, four of the game's main characters are introduced, and the viewer can begin to guess each's role within the story all within this visually pleasing composition. Another compositional tool used is that of triangles. The three main nasties in the foreground make up a triangle, as do the two on the side of Link and Zant's helmet- creating more visually stimulating chemistry. Of course, as beautiful and ornate as this image is, it's a bit hard to follow. With all that is going on, the eye doesn't exactly know where to rest- it is constantly lead around the picture, but this may have been the illustrator's intention. The fact that the image has no text may be a detractor as well. With no title or discernable meaning for those not savvy to the Legend of Zelda series, this image may only attract a certain crowd. The image may be memorable to them (and me), however others may just get lost in the oil slick colors and high-fantasy beauties and beasts.