By Phoenix.Vael 2011-06-25 09:11:26
Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are both terrible as far as story is concerned esp. as they are meant to be sequels to Windwaker, Phantom Hourglass more directly. However, their connection is about as deep as a handful of NPCs being present. If you're one of those people turned off by fail or milked sequels, it won't do it for you in that regard.
Spirit Tracks not taking place in the water (obviously) does confirm that the ocean either disappears or the world is a newfound continent (though Hyrule is where it still takes place). So that could leave room for another direct storyline related game (except Zelda never has direct interconnected plots beyond 2 or 3 games).
The gameplay is satisfactory though, I felt it was the best use of the touch screen (which I still consider entirely gimmick) for a real (read: not gimmick) game besides The World Ends With You. It allows you better control of the boomerang and bombchu. The boss battles are pretty decent, specifically the final bosses. But the adventures are nowhere near as large as the other portables, which, as has been stated by many here, are some of the best games in the series. It is limited to four dungeons progressed in symmetrical ways: unlock the path to one dungeon, do it, unlock the way to another, repeat. Spirit Tracks especially for that example. The dungeons are also not inspired - remember those autolocking doors that signal an enemy ambush in every Zelda? They're completely obvious and every one of the characteristic doors is the same model.
For a few decent hours of familiar Zelda adventuring (but no more), they are good games. Nothing in these games are inspired, unlike Awakening's being the first portable, or Ages/Seasons being one of the deepest stories.