Zelda games have always been acclaimed as among the best RPGs in video gaming, and there are always high expectations riding on a new installment.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword received loads of scepticism when it was revealed that the game would make use of the Wii MotionPlus accessory as fans feared that the series would stray too far from its roots. Nevertheless die-hard Zelda supporters (including myself) remained hopeful since Zelda games have a tendency to rack up positive reviews.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword swerves away from the traditional storyline of the series. The protagonist, Link, is born and raised on a set of islands floating above the clouds known as Skyloft.
Zelda is not a princess in this game and she grew up under the same circumstances as Link. When Zelda inevitably disappears, Link sets out to save her; not because it’s his duty, but because of their friendship.
To aid in his quest Link receives the Skyward Sword – a sword which grants him the ability to travel to the lands below the clouds. With the help of Link’s feathered friend he traverses between the sky and earth to find Zelda, unravel the mysteries around the separation of these two worlds and to stop the Demon Lord Ghirahim from resurrecting a powerful demon.
Although there is very little voiceover work the plot remains captivating and had me at the edge of my seat on numerous occasions. The script is astonishingly well-written and will keep you interested throughout Link’s adventures.
When it comes to tales of heroism, core plot elements can be a bit predictable, but Skyward Sword still manages to spice things up with new ideas and concepts. In any case it’s still way above the rinse-and-repeat storylines found in the majority of today’s new releases.
To command Link you’ll need a Wii MotionPlus peripheral as well as a Nunchuk. You control his movement with the analogue stick on the Nunchuk while the MotionPlus gives you one-to-one control over the sword.
You also use gestures for a variety of other tasks: lifting your shield, aiming with the slingshot or bow, rolling and throwing items, maneuvering while mounted on your bird and solving complex puzzles.
You won’t find any nonsense shaking or waving of the remote in this game. Every gesture is precise and crystal-clear. Overall the control scheme is responsive, reliable and accurate – the absolute pinnacle of motion controlled gaming.
Nintendo did an incredible job of finally incorporating MotionPlus into a title that’s more than just a party game and I have no intention of switching back to a conventional control scheme.
Music has always been a key element in the Zelda series and Skyward Sword is no different. It features spectacular orchestral tracks and a particularly gratifying theme. Throughout your adventures the music gracefully transverses to accompany the setting which builds onto the amazement delivered by each landscape or dungeon.
Speaking of dungeons – there are plenty! The sheer size and complexity of some of the dungeons will force you to carefully study the map before proceeding.
After 25 years Nintendo still provides challenges and puzzles that make use of every single gadget in Link’s repertoire. Unlike previous games where you’ll obtain a new doodad, use it for the larger part of the dungeon and then abandon it once you’re done, Skyward Sword provides brainteasers where your previously learned skills will come in useful.
The game also sports a few new ideas such as a mechanical flying bug that you control remotely, a whip and an upgrade system.
Nintendo has added ‘Bird Statues’ – totems scattered across the map that enable Link to return to the sky in order to stock up on potions or upgrade his gear. Once you drop back to the ground you can warp to one of the previously accessed statues and continue where you left off.
You’ll spend a great amount of time exploring dungeons and overcoming the challenges in your way. As has become tradition in Zelda games, the dungeons end with a boss battle – a spectacular display of wit and skill from your part. The final monsters in Skyward Sword are impressive and defeating each one is personally rewarding.
The redefined sword-wielding turns every enemy into a puzzle instead of just a hack-and-slash event. You’ll have to figure out your foe’s weakness and how you’ll take advantage of it; will it require the use of a gadget, using the environment against it, or is it all down to a precise slash from your blade?
As mentioned, the game takes stage in an open-world. You’re free to explore the small islands around Skyloft or return to a dungeon to track down rare treasures.
To compensate for the Wii’s lack of horsepower a clever trick is employed: as soon as objects cross the draw distance a brush-stroke filter is applied. This leaves distant structures with an artistic look which is low on resources. This is not compensating for anything – it’s an ingenious solution to provide the best graphics the Wii has seen to date.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has all the elements of a great game: captivating storyline, intriguing gameplay, tight controls and enough vigor to keep you entertained for some time.
Nintendo has demonstrated that after 25 glorious years, The Legend of Zelda still has the potential to amaze audiences all over again. It’s a great starting point for newcomers while still upholding the expectations of old-school fans.
This game will go down in history as one of the best games on the Wii. It is near perfection on every level and it’ll be a shame if you give it a skip because of any prejudice you might have to it or the Wii.
Is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword a fantastic game? Definitely. Is it the best game in the series? Well – let’s leave that for you to decide.
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