The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Developer: Nintendo

Console: Wii

Other Platforms: None

Release Date: November 20, 2011

The Legend of Zelda is a series that is known throughout the years and ages of gaming. Will this latest iteration in the legend of Zelda franchise continue the long line of great Zelda games? Find out in my review!

Single Player:

The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is the newest title from title in the legendary series made by creator Shigeru Miyamoto. This title maintains the great aspects of Zelda that have made it great and beloved by all fans. This iteration also takes the series into a few new places and adds new gameplay elements with the incorporation of the Wii motion plus. You start out the game as the lazy sleepy head Link who has apparently grown up with Zelda since a very young age. As you move further on in the story, you will have to do a couple of side quests that can seem rather annoying at times due to the fact that they are in my honest opinion uninteresting and forgettable.  However, this is only early on and the pacing picks up greatly.

Later on in the game, you get into the full swing of the adventure when Zelda apparently falls from the sky and your destiny is revealed that you must also travel to the world below to save her and help her fulfill her destiny. The game takes you through a lot of different environments and the only thing that really annoyed me was the dousing ability. The dousing ability is acquired through your sword that allows you to search for the last known location for Zelda. This ability helps to guide you through the game while doing certain objectives and is almost required at certain times to progress. The only problem I have here is that in a game where it’s become more story heavy with the characters and environments around them, I thought this was a small cop out to advance the game.

All and all the story in the game is one that is really enjoyable even though at times I felt as though it was rather uninteresting. Even so, I was able to find some good moments in the game and had a ton of fun to last me awhile until the next Zelda game releases.  The ending in the game will make you love the great story that was created in this title.

Presentation:

Unlike other Zelda games, Skyward Sword takes a different approach than most Zelda games with its unique art style. The game is one of the best looking Zelda games that I might have ever played. The characters and the levels are uniquely designed. The colors in the game really help it to stand out and it looks as vibrant as you would expect.

Link, Zelda, and cast look better than ever. They really did a number to make them look as unique and somewhat realistic as they could be. What I really enjoyed about this game was the fact that all of the environments are unique in their own right and bring something new and interesting to the table. They really fit the feel and tone this game sets out.

Gameplay:

The big gameplay feature in this game has to do with the incorporation of the Wii motion plus. The Wii motion plus works surprising well in this game and it really helps in the new gameplay mechanic that was developed. Slashing enemies vertically and horizontally proves to be rather challenging at times. The challenge derives from the different enemies that you meet in the game.

Enemies may have shields or timed openings where you are able to attack them. If you miss these openings, you leave yourself open to the counter attacks that will be initiated by them. The enemies come in all different shapes and sizes and will get more difficult as you progress deeper into the game.

Boss battles in this game were really appealing to me just as they were in previous titles like Manjora’s Mask, A Link to the Past, or The Wind Waker. After defeating some of the bosses I was left with a great smile on my face. The battles felt awesome and the last battle was absolutely great. The game will leave you wanting more.

Sound:

The sound in the game is actually rather enjoyable as sound be as this is a Zelda game. Sound plays a huge role in showing the emotions and understanding that each character goes through. When playing Zelda sound will let know when certain things happen such as a secret door/passage opens up or when your health gets low. There are certain sound notifications that will arise to keep you aware. The sounds will happen in game and also through the Wii remote.

The signature sounds that have made the franchise great are back and some are better than you would expect. The nostalgic sounds of opening an important chest in a dungeon never gets old and the high intensity boss battle music adds to the tension coursing through your veins. Like the Orcarina of Time the music played throughout the game is absolutely some of my favorite. I’ve never really liked music in some games like how I enjoyed it in Skyward Sword with the exception of a couple of other titles.

Cons:

• The only detrimental factor that I can give this game is that I found dousing rather annoying and irritating in this game. I don’t like the idea of making you follow someone or something around to complete your objective.
• The help you get from the sprit within your sword isn’t very helpful in telling you where to go. In fact most times it gives you a general description of what to do.

Pros:

• The story in the game is probably one of the most enjoyable parts for me. I really enjoyed the cinematic in the game and thought that it was really well done.
• The Wii motion plus may not be for everyone, but in Zelda the game controls and plays very well.
• Art style looks great, the colors really bring out the true essence of the characters.

Final Thoughts:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword isn’t the greatest Zelda title ever made. It is however one of the best Zelda games in this well-established franchise. When you play this title for yourself, you will find many enjoyable factors all the way from its romance between Zelda and Link, all the way to the new environments and weapons.

Final Score:  

I give The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword a 9 out of 10.

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