The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has been massively anticipated for years as both a brand new Zelda adventure and a chance to put Wii MotionPlus to proper work. On both accounts, Skyward Sword is an amazing success. Familiar gameplay elements are given a whole new light while precise controls offer highly interactive ways to explore, sword fight, and solve puzzles. Even after twenty five years, the legend lives on and shows no signs of weakening. Zelda fans, Wii fans, and video game fans owe it to themselves to experience the thrill of adventure in Skyward Sword.
Die hard Zelda fans know that the actual timeline that connects the events of each Zelda game is murky at best, but Skyward Sword is a definite prequel to all other games before it. It is something of an origin story for numerous Zelda mainstays, including the evil-smiting Master Sword. But putting aside its place in the timeline, Skyward Sword manages to spin a decent yarn, one that takes Link and Zelda’s relationship to a much more personal level than before. And Zelda herself is given a defined, feisty personality that plays off of Link’s silent solemnity. Colorful characters–and creatures–dot the landscape with their own side stories, and while the plot here is not always the driving force of the game, there is a certain sense of drama, urgency, and plunging into the unknown in this adventure that is perhaps less apparent in other Zelda games. Sure you’re still going from temple to temple, collecting items and artifacts, but due to the personal nature of Link’s quest, the occasional cutscenes carry a good amount of gravitas.
Take to the skies on Link's unique crimson Loftwing and explore the lands beyond Skyloft.
Skyward Sword still clearly follows the Zelda gameplay formula, but the developers have done a phenomenal job of altering bits and pieces of that formula to make the game feel genuinely fresh. The best example has to be the temple system. Games like Twilight Princess or Ocarina of Time use long, elaborate temples packed with puzzles and enemies. Yet in Skyward Sword, the temples are generally quite short. Instead you’ll be challenged with completing tasks in the area around the temple itself such as a forest or mountain setting. These areas serve as precursors to the actual temples but they have their own supply of enemies, puzzles, and challenges. The benefit here is that you don’t feel confined to one massive temple for so long, and you get to have more changes of scenery more often. It is, fundamentally, a minor difference, yet it’s this type of approach that makes Skyward Sword feel unique even after twenty five years of Zelda games.
Other additions such as dashing or upgrading your equipment spice up the gameplay, at least for veteran Zelda players. These are all relatively small changes to the familiar Zelda formula, but they prove to be engrossing and entertaining in their own way. Upgrading equipment quickly becomes and obsessive exercise in trying to collect all the best gear as early as possible, while things like the updated item system offers a more streamlined approach to managing Link’s arsenal of tools and accessories like bottles. As said these aren’t earth shattering additions, but they manage to make this latest Zelda adventure appear fresh while maintaining the sense of familiarity that series fans know and love.
Swing your blade carefully to cut past enemy defenses.
The defining addition to Skyward Sword, though, is MotionPlus control. Being able to swing your sword with greater accuracy feels wonderful and even minor enemy encounters become a test of speed and skill. Bosses and Mini-bosses up the ante further to create memorable duels and epic battles that truly build a connection between the player and the game world. As a side note, despite Link being right-handed there’s no trouble playing with the Wii remote in your left hand, even with the enhanced control precision, so don’t worry lefties. Very rarely does the accuracy of the MotionPlus feel off; you’re more likely to notice something awry when aiming your slingshot or looking around, but this is easily remedied with no real interruption to the game by pressing down on the D-pad. Granted, some of the uses of this control system come across as a little shoehorned into the game. Actions like parachuting would have been much simpler if mapped to the control stick and bowling bombs underhanded is awkward to do when sitting down. Nevertheless, MotionPlus adds far more to the game than it detracts, putting you right in Link’s boots whether you’re cutting grass or dueling a Stalfos.
Skyward Sword isn’t without its faults, but for the most part these are minor bumps along the road. One of the more tiring aspects of the game is flying through the sky. Initially it’s an exciting, even momentous event, but the charm quickly fades when you find just how needlessly long it takes to get from point A to point B. There’s very little to do while flying and it often feels like commuting in real life–a dull but necessary time sink. The game is also just a little too keen to hold your hand throughout much of the adventure. Reminders and nudges in the right direction are fine, but sometimes it’s excessive–even first-time players wouldn’t need to be told what a particular item is every time he finds one. There is even an optional hint system yet the game still wants to guide you excessively.
Bring the right tool for the job; don't get caught waving a wooden shield around fire enemies.
In its presentation, as in its gameplay, Skyward Sword draws inspiration from previous Zelda games but manages to create a look completely its own. The colorful yet matured graphics style hits a middle ground between Wind Waker’s boyish charm and the more grave and serious appearance of Twilight Princess. The result is simply beautiful. The developers have stated that they drew inspiration from Impressionist painters and this is perfectly evident when you see the swaths of color and splotchy effect that makes distant objects appear blurred but still clearly a tree or house, for example. In all manner of landscape this painting-style design brings to life lush forests and derelict temples. All throughout the game the graphics pop off the screen, particularly in momentous boss battles. The only problem here is that the game errs on the conservative side as far as rich color is concerned. Even in a thriving forest illuminated by sunlight, the graphics have a faded, washed out look that doesn’t quite jive with the otherwise explosions of color that the game uses. This doesn’t make the graphics look bad per se but it makes the visuals seem needlessly toned down.
On the other side of the game’s presentation is the music. Skyward Sword boasts a fully orchestrated soundtrack, and the benefit of such an arrangement is immediately noticeable. A grand adventure like the one Link undertakes here just begs for a sweeping, heroic melody to buoy the action, and that is exactly what the composers have achieved. The melodies are majestic and dramatic but also carry the light-hearted thrill of adventure–the music heard while soaring through the clouds is the one benefit to long bird flights. The soundtrack more than sets the tone for the game and fully pulls the player into the adventure. As a bonus for early buyers, the game comes with a CD featuring songs from the Zelda 25th Anniversary orchestra concerts. The quality of these songs is equally fantastic, and a wonderful bonus for tenacious gamers.
The game packs plenty of puzzle elements, many of which require some clever use of MotionPlus.
You’ll have no want of content here. Just completing the main game could easily last dozens of hours, and that’s putting aside the many addictive side quests. Like any good Zelda game Skyward Sword is packed with side quests and other optional ventures to occupy your time between dungeons. From collecting heart pieces to upgrading your equipment, all of them are guaranteed to add plenty of time to the game, though it’s true that a lot of that comes from time spent flying or otherwise traveling. Nevertheless, these side quests are still a lot of fun, fleshing out the game’s world and rewarding you with valuable items.
A true sequel to previous 3D Zelda games, Skyward Sword builds off of their foundation to create an original, enthralling experience. This is the game that Wii owners have been waiting for ever since the system was first announced. The use of motion controls and MotionPlus is unparalleled, and creates the kind of direct connection between the player and the game that developers have been trying to achieve for years. Skyward Sword is not just a fantastic Zelda game, not just the arguably best Wii game ever made, but also the primary example for Nintendo’s vision of immersive, motion based gameplay. Skyward Sword is a phenomenal gaming experience that breathes the spirit of adventure directly into the player via its addictive gameplay, gorgeous graphics, sensational soundtrack, and of course the brilliant use of motion control. This is one game that truly cannot be missed.
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