I concur with the rest of the comments - I don't understand how the author can dismiss the plethora of RPG/adventure games, from GTA to Skyrim, as not being inspired by Zelda's gameplay in the same way platformers can be said to be derivative of Mario.
What's surprising is the fact that the "fanboyism" would only be augmented by this conclusion, in that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I'd say the message would be even more powerful if he could articulate this genealogy.
On the other hand I realize the Zelda series is absolutely unique, but that this is due its minimalism, its art, and its' developers' refusal to sacrifice artistic continuity for the sake of graphic realism. The directing through the history of the series is the element impossible to replicate.
What's surprising is the fact that the "fanboyism" would only be augmented by this conclusion, in that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. I'd say the message would be even more powerful if he could articulate this genealogy.
On the other hand I realize the Zelda series is absolutely unique, but that this is due its minimalism, its art, and its' developers' refusal to sacrifice artistic continuity for the sake of graphic realism. The directing through the history of the series is the element impossible to replicate.