Link has ditched his boat for a steam-powered train in the sequel to Zelda's first DS outing -- The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The similarities to its predecessor Phantom Hourglass are certainly present, as Spirit Tracks runs off the same engine and uses the same visuals as Phantom Hourglass does. Both games even feature a mechanical mode of transportation, and both games have a central dungeon that is replayed several times throughout the game. Is Spirit Tracks just Phantom Hourglass 2, or does it make enough changes to remain a unique and enriching game -- and possibly the greatest portable Zelda adventure?Spirit Tracks takes place 100 years after the events of Phantom Hourglass. The previous Link and Tetra have found a new land to call Hyrule, and it was then colonized by the new Hylians. A race known as the Lokomo were already present in the new land and helped the new Hylians settle. The Lokomo are the protectors of the Spirit Tracks -- rails that imprison the evil Demon King inside the Tower of Spirits, and allow the citizens to travel by train. Once the game begins, the new Link is traveling to Hyrule Castle to receive his Engineer's Certificate, which is basically his train driver's license. Once Link receives his certificate, Zelda will ask to meet him after the ceremony. Zelda tells Link that the shady Chancellor Cole can't be trusted, and that she needs to go to the Tower of Spirits immediately. On their way to the tower, Link's train is derailed by none other than Chancellor Cole and his lackey Byrne. Cole reveals that he wishes to revive the Demon King, and the only way to do that is if Zelda's body is used as a vessel. With his dark powers, Cole separates Zelda's spirit from her body and takes her physical form with him. This begins one of the more story driven titles in the Zelda series, as Link must restore the Spirit Tracks to prevent the Demon King's revival -- with the help of Princess Zelda.
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