Skyward Sword - Short Review and Final Thoughts

[GryeDor]

First off, beware spoilers. I will use the spoiler tag to hide specific points, but if you haven't finished the game yet, tread carefully.

Well, I just finished the game last night and was thinking how I felt about this one as opposed to other Zelda games. It certainly isn't my favorite, but it can easily hold its own with the other heavy hitters in the series. It's a well thought out game with a few flaws that can really overshadow a players experience. My brother, for example, HATES the game so far and has played only into the first dungeon because of them. His big complaints are what Link looks like and the hand-holding tutorials the beginning of the game is plagued with. I think they're understandable, but not worth putting the game down.

Zelda is a staple of the Nintendo conglomerate and Skyward Sword is a game that casual and serious fans of the genre can and should enjoy. Despite things being different with motion controls and playing to the Wii's stereotypical audience of casual gamers, the core experience is one that an avid fan of the franchise can enjoy. I enjoyed it, even though I do have some complaints, but overall I thought it was a great addition into the Zelda legacy.

From when I picked up the controller yesterday to when I finished was approximately 2 hours. I was saved in the final dungeon...

with 2 of the three triforce pieces collected

...From completing the final song to the end of the game were a masterpiece of Zelda gaming. The creativity in the final dungeon and the scale of the final battle were easily the best of the whole game and possibly the best of the series. I've never seen a dungeon like this and while the final battle was fairly basic, DAMN it was cool. Speaking of...

The risen and restored form of Demise was so damn well designed. The flaming hair, his bulky mass and even his manner of speaking were just SO good. You know just by looking at him that this is the mold that all subsequent villains, especially Ganon, are cast from.

Playing through, I felt there were some points and some inclusions that just felt off, and were a bit off-putting. Fi was a bit strange to work with, especially, and a few very minor things. In fact, Fi decided for some reason to add an item to my dowsing options DURING THE FINAL BATTLE. I think she could have been implemented a bit better, or at least her AI improved a little bit.

My biggest initial complaint was with Fi, obviously. I think she's too obtrusive and speaks the obvious far too often. An option to turn her comments (except the essentials) off would have made a world of difference to me.

I understand it now though, as she was a being created by Hylia to assist and guide Link through his quest. It makes sense that she'd interject and aide as often and as blatantly as she could. I'm willing to write this one off, even though she was annoying at times.

This doesn't entirely take care of my complaint, as she was still a pain to read through all her gibberish through the entirety of the game, but it at least helps. (P.S. did anyone else think that she was INSANELY creepy when she'd start "singing" during the songs you'd collect? She wouldn't move her mouth, she'd look like she's screaming, really....)

My next complaint was with all the back-tracking you have to do. After thinking about it, it makes more and more sense. I've often praised games from the NES and SNES era for being creative in their limitations. In order to keep Skyward to a single disc, it makes sense to create a landscape to creatively use new items to access new areas. I also realized looking at my map how large the three areas truly are, after you've opened each location, the space you have to explore is actually MUCH larger than it seems. Complaint retracted.

All in all, I think it's a solid Zelda title, but certainly one that could have used some polishing in certain areas. If I needed to rate it, I'd say it's an easy 7.5/10 (I'm torn between a 7 or an . A Link to the Past may never fall as my all time favorite and Majora's Mask will almost certainly never fall as the best Zelda title that doesn't follow the traditional route (wait, and I complained about back tracking??). Skyward Sword, though? Pretty damn good.

[AppleQueso]

Your brother complains about what Link looks like? He looks identical to TP. Hell it's probably even the same model with different textures.

[GryeDor]

He can be picky

Never bothered me too much, but there are a few points where he looks really odd. His facial animations can be a little strange. Overall I liked all the character designs.

[Opa Opa]

Your brother complains about what Link looks like? He looks identical to TP. Hell it's probably even the same model with different textures.

I daresay Link looks a tad bit more feminine in this game. There's an actress that he reminds me of... I can't think of her name though..

[AppleQueso]

Your brother complains about what Link looks like? He looks identical to TP. Hell it's probably even the same model with different textures.

I daresay Link looks a tad bit more feminine in this game. There's an actress that he reminds me of... I can't think of her name though..

Now that I think about it, my girlfriend's mom did comment that "Link looks prettier than Zelda"

[KDub]

motion controls and playing to the Wii's stereotypical audience of casual gamers

[gtmtnbiker]

In terms of backtracking, don't all of the Zelda games do this to an extent? Usually you can now access previously inaccessible areas due to newly acquired powers.

[AppleQueso]

In terms of backtracking, don't all of the Zelda games do this to an extent? Usually you can now access previously inaccessible areas due to newly acquired powers.

Pretty much ALL of them have tons of backtracking. Complaining about backtracking in Zelda is like complaining about Star Fox being stuck on rails.

[GryeDor]

In terms of backtracking, don't all of the Zelda games do this to an extent? Usually you can now access previously inaccessible areas due to newly acquired powers.

Pretty much ALL of them have tons of backtracking. Complaining about backtracking in Zelda is like complaining about Star Fox being stuck on rails.

You're right, maybe I just noticed it more in this one, or because I'm older and think more about what I'm doing in a game rather than just going with it. Either way, it didn't bother me so much in the end, just in the midst of it I couldn't help thinking, "I have to go all the way back through this?!"

[outlaw_moon]

"Link looks prettier than Zelda"

LOL poor Link, but I must agree with this.

Thanks for the review, I am thinking of picking it up with my next paycheck. Still gotta beat TP though