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There will be no spoilers in this review. As a Zelda fanatic, I know how important it is to complete a new title of the series spoiler-free.
That being said, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an excellent game.
The most important change Skyward Sword has brought to the franchise is the addition of motion controls. Nintendo implemented this in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. However, Twilight Princess was never intended as a motion control game (which is why I often suggest gamers seek the original, Gamecube version). Its controls were clunky and often unresponsive. Skyward Sword's are the complete opposite.
The Wii MotionPlus works smoothly. I was thoroughly impressed with how well Link's movements matched mine. It is a constant part of the game that takes some getting used to. However, after an hour into it, I was in love. Most enemies require certain motions to defeat them. So rather than swinging rapidly to defeat an enemy easily, the player must focus on where he or she is placing the controller.
The best part about it is likely the option to reposition the cursor at any time. This seems obvious and silly but if the controller is off by even the slightest bit, it could be annoying. So while Link is shooting arrows or other items, one just has to position the controller at the center of the television and press a button to realign the cursor, allowing for perfect accuracy. This game utilizes the Wii to the fullest I have ever seen.
The story is exciting. I will not say much about it for those who want to play it in the future. However, it alludes greatly to other games in the Zelda franchise, which will please long time fans.
What I will say is that this is my favorite version of the character of Zelda since her spunky, pirate counterpart in The Wind Waker. I really feel like she is a legitimate person. Her personality is realistic and endearing. She is not helpless either, which makes the feminist in me squeak in delight. Zelda has her own agenda in this game. It is made apparent her role is just as important to the plot as Link's. Toward the end of the game she does get pushed to the side a bit but otherwise, I really appreciate this move on Nintendo's part.
That being said, your companion is not nearly as interesting. This is one of the few flaws I have seen so far. Fi is a spirit who travels with you to give advice and further the plot. It surprises me to say this but she is more annoying than the "Hey! Listen!" spouting Navi in Ocarina of Time. She constantly reminds the player of things he or she should already know. There should be a way to turn her off but there isn't. And frankly, she's not interesting. When I saw previews to Skyward Sword, I was expecting Fi to outshine Midna, your companion in Twilight Princess. However, I feel Fi is merely a knock off of Midna, with the same gibberish sound overlapping her dialogue. Midna was able to captivate me by her mere presence. I wanted to know more about her. Fi is boring and is merely an application to drive Link from place to place. I found more personality in grass than I ever did in her.
A Zelda companion is supposed to be your, well, companion. The character is supposed to make you as a player feel less alone in expansive regions and dungeons. However, I feel Fi is more like a smart phone than a friend. Her development is minuscule compared to companions of previous Zelda games. Nintendo missed its chance to create a remarkable character in Fi.
The other characters are well designed. I was impressed by one character, who I hated in the beginning, but cheered for in the end. The usual, quirky Zelda characters the series is known for are back at full force. I was intrigued by everyone I met. Some characters from previous games return, which will likely delight older players. The characters have no relation to their past selves, however, so they won't confuse newer players.
The music for this game is amazing. It is likely my favorite part. Nintendo has finally implemented real, orchestrated music. I found myself doing nothing sometimes just so I could listen to it. I wish I could see the Hyrule Symphony live. It did a phenomenal job for the soundtrack.
Skyward Sword deserves the hype it is getting. I will not say where this game falls in the ranks of Zelda games that have come before it. I will probably not know that until I play it a second time through. Regardless, it has definitely earned its place in the franchise and is well worth full price.
The game is, in essence, a new beginning for Zelda. Nintendo took an enormous risk with the motion controls but it paid off incredibly. Your sword is no longer a "B button" as it has been in previous games. It is the whole controller. I felt closer to being Link than I have in any game thus far. Skyward Sword is a beautiful, engaging experience that I recommend to anyone.
That being said, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an excellent game.
The most important change Skyward Sword has brought to the franchise is the addition of motion controls. Nintendo implemented this in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. However, Twilight Princess was never intended as a motion control game (which is why I often suggest gamers seek the original, Gamecube version). Its controls were clunky and often unresponsive. Skyward Sword's are the complete opposite.
The Wii MotionPlus works smoothly. I was thoroughly impressed with how well Link's movements matched mine. It is a constant part of the game that takes some getting used to. However, after an hour into it, I was in love. Most enemies require certain motions to defeat them. So rather than swinging rapidly to defeat an enemy easily, the player must focus on where he or she is placing the controller.
The best part about it is likely the option to reposition the cursor at any time. This seems obvious and silly but if the controller is off by even the slightest bit, it could be annoying. So while Link is shooting arrows or other items, one just has to position the controller at the center of the television and press a button to realign the cursor, allowing for perfect accuracy. This game utilizes the Wii to the fullest I have ever seen.
The story is exciting. I will not say much about it for those who want to play it in the future. However, it alludes greatly to other games in the Zelda franchise, which will please long time fans.
What I will say is that this is my favorite version of the character of Zelda since her spunky, pirate counterpart in The Wind Waker. I really feel like she is a legitimate person. Her personality is realistic and endearing. She is not helpless either, which makes the feminist in me squeak in delight. Zelda has her own agenda in this game. It is made apparent her role is just as important to the plot as Link's. Toward the end of the game she does get pushed to the side a bit but otherwise, I really appreciate this move on Nintendo's part.
That being said, your companion is not nearly as interesting. This is one of the few flaws I have seen so far. Fi is a spirit who travels with you to give advice and further the plot. It surprises me to say this but she is more annoying than the "Hey! Listen!" spouting Navi in Ocarina of Time. She constantly reminds the player of things he or she should already know. There should be a way to turn her off but there isn't. And frankly, she's not interesting. When I saw previews to Skyward Sword, I was expecting Fi to outshine Midna, your companion in Twilight Princess. However, I feel Fi is merely a knock off of Midna, with the same gibberish sound overlapping her dialogue. Midna was able to captivate me by her mere presence. I wanted to know more about her. Fi is boring and is merely an application to drive Link from place to place. I found more personality in grass than I ever did in her.
A Zelda companion is supposed to be your, well, companion. The character is supposed to make you as a player feel less alone in expansive regions and dungeons. However, I feel Fi is more like a smart phone than a friend. Her development is minuscule compared to companions of previous Zelda games. Nintendo missed its chance to create a remarkable character in Fi.
The other characters are well designed. I was impressed by one character, who I hated in the beginning, but cheered for in the end. The usual, quirky Zelda characters the series is known for are back at full force. I was intrigued by everyone I met. Some characters from previous games return, which will likely delight older players. The characters have no relation to their past selves, however, so they won't confuse newer players.
The music for this game is amazing. It is likely my favorite part. Nintendo has finally implemented real, orchestrated music. I found myself doing nothing sometimes just so I could listen to it. I wish I could see the Hyrule Symphony live. It did a phenomenal job for the soundtrack.
Skyward Sword deserves the hype it is getting. I will not say where this game falls in the ranks of Zelda games that have come before it. I will probably not know that until I play it a second time through. Regardless, it has definitely earned its place in the franchise and is well worth full price.
The game is, in essence, a new beginning for Zelda. Nintendo took an enormous risk with the motion controls but it paid off incredibly. Your sword is no longer a "B button" as it has been in previous games. It is the whole controller. I felt closer to being Link than I have in any game thus far. Skyward Sword is a beautiful, engaging experience that I recommend to anyone.
This was a piece I wrote for a school website that was not featured for various reasons (none having to do with the actual review). I wrote this in late November.
© 2012 - 2024 DayDreams1920
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Six years later and I still like this game; I think it still has the best dungeon design in the franchise, despite the installments made since this game's release (and your review of this game).