Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review roundup

It’s not that often that we pay close attention to Wii games. In fact, we’ve even been criticised for ignoring the platform altogether, and of course removing the Wii section tab didn’t help.

But we have a very good reason for not writing about Wii games very often: most of them are crap.

However, having said that, it is a platform known for occasionally turning out absolute gems. The Super Mario Galaxy series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Xenoblade Chronicles and Metroid Prime are great examples of outstanding Nintendo franchises that deserve the highest praise, and so is The Legend of Zelda series.

The latest in the Legend of Zelda series, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is being called the best Legend of Zelda game released to date, which is saying a lot considering the franchise is one of gaming’s most beloved and long standing.

30 critics have weighed in and contributed to the game’s 95/100 Metacritic score, and the likes of The Escapist, Videogamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Edge Magazine and Wired have given the game a perfect review score.

We are still waiting patiently for our own review copy, but in the meantime, here is what the world’s gaming press have had to say about the game:

Game Informer 10/10

The biggest surprise in Skyward Sword is the story. For all the different shapes it has taken, the plot of The Legend of Zelda has always been a fairly predictable affair that feels like an afterthought. Skyward Sword doesn’t elevate the art of video game storytelling, but it is a major step up for the franchise, with clever writing, an interesting (if strange) new villain, and a wide cast of characters that would feel at home in one of Disney’s better animated movies. Read more

1UP A+

Truly fantastic. It’s not a reinvention of the genre like Ocarina was — but it’s much better, because it takes all its predecessors’ raw ideas, perfects them, and creates an experience that’s at once new and familiar. It’s rare to find a launch game that truly justifies the purchase of a new console, but this is precisely that. Read more

The Escapist 5/5

Skyward Sword manages to honor 25 years’ of gaming history while simultaneously feeling relevant for anyone new to the ways of Zelda – or those who’d perhaps grown a bit tired of hanging out with Link. Read more

Nintendo’s most time- and workforce-intensive project yet, and it  shows in every hour you spend with it. It’s a masterful blend of taut design and boldly non-traditional controls, an adventure liberally studded with memorable moments it would be remiss to spoil. Your favourite Zelda is usually your first. For many, come November 18, that won’t be the case any longer. Read more

Eurogamer 10/10

It is the most formally inventive Zelda in a long time (admittedly, that’s not saying a great deal). But it’s the game’s carefree attitude, quick tempo and warm heart that do the most to make it feel new…Skyward Sword will surely be the greatest adventure money can buy.  Read more

IGN 10/10

Remarkably, this Zelda game manages to reshape its control scheme, design sensibility and pacing all at once while still telling a brilliantly powerful story featuring some very memorable characters. Increasingly Nintendo refuses to compromise cinematic storytelling for gameplay, finding a balance that seems effortless.   Read more

Computer and Video Games 9.8/10

A huge departure for Zelda and a proper arrival for Wii’s motion controls. Link’s latest is rule-breaking, dream-weaving, tech-loving, heart-soaring stuff. If it Wii’s last hurrah, they don’t come more impassioned than this.  Read more

Destructoid 9.5/10

My new favorite 3D Zelda title, beating out Majora’s Mask and Wind Waker by a substantial margin. It would be hard to go back to any of those games now. All of the gameplay innovations, emotionally involving moments, beautiful little details, and purely blissful experiences in this game have me completely and utterly spoiled.  Read more