Skyward Sword, thoughts so far?

[Zing]

How is anyone supposed to know to get the patch if it is hidden in the Wii Shop channel that no one visits.

I guess it's just there to fix broken saves and gives customer support somewhere to point users with the problem.

*edit* Oh I see. It just fixes the actual save file. It doesn't patch the game. That makes more sense.

[Curlypaul]

Yep, if you've run into the bug, saved the game and then checked the internet to find out that your game is now foo barred, then you can d/l this tool and it will fix the save file. Its an odd bug as it's something to do with talking to one of the Gorons at the wrong time and something that can be fixed by altering the save. I'm just interested in whats actually going wrong.

I'm nearly at the end of the game now and I'm in the phase of trying to complete all the side quests and collections before I get to the final boss. I'm really terrible at the mini game on fun fun island, I just can't land on the damn 50 rupee slot

[Zing]

It took me 5 tries to land on that spot. The key was to aim much farther ahead that I thought.

[Zing]

I finished the game last night. Great game.

I have to say that this is the most linear Zelda game I have ever played, and I actually don't see how it could get any more linear. Whoever got paid to write the "strategy guide" must have felt guilty taking the money, because this game is essentially its own walkthrough. The game spells out everything you need to do and where you need to go to do it. Even the side quests are either obvious, or explicitly pointed out to you. There is zero exploration in this entry of the series.

To give you an idea of how this plays out… I completed the game with 19 out of 20 heart containers, I found every goddess cube, and it appears I completed every side quest but one. The only time I took a moment off the main storyline is when I walked around Skyloft dousing for gratitude crystals. Literally every other item, quest, or section of the world, I stumbled across just while playing through the main quest.

You see a place you can't seem to get to right now? Never mind, the game will lead you there later. Can't reach that goddess cube? Don't worry, the game will lead you there later. Wondering what that weird thing is on the ground? Again, the game will lead you later. Goddess chests are marked on the map when you unlock them, so there is no need to explore the islands. You won't even miss a side quest unless you never talk to anyone in town, because the random people walking around will point out anything you missed.

Even the thing that seemed like it should be the most secret in the game ("moonlight merchant") is explicitly explained to you through the normal course of the game with full instructions on where and how to find it.

Every area outside of Skyloft feels like one large dungeon. A very well designed and fun dungeon to play through, for sure. However, it is just that: something to play through. The instant I completed Wind Waker I thought, "I want to play through this game again immediately". The instant I completed this game I thought, "I will never play this game ever again". Not because it is a poor game by any stretch of the imagination. It is an amazing and fun experience. It just has zero exploration or need for creative thinking. You control the avatar, but the game really does just play out like a pre-scripted story. The game just uses an invisible hand to guide you, plus the most annoying sidekick ever created for a video game.

[alienjesus]

To give you an idea of how this plays out… I completed the game with 19 out of 20 heart containers

Actually, there are 18 heart containers. The other 2 are obtained from life medals.

[Zing]

I was counting the two from life medals. I didn't bother to find the last few heart pieces I needed for the final heart.

That reminds me, anyone using any potions? I used one upgraded potion, just because I had it, and I tested the invincibility potion for fun as well, but I could have easily made it through the game with zero potions. I did use three fairies, however.

[Czernobog]

I just beat the game as well, and while I enjoyed it, I completely agree with Zing that it was the most linear Zelda game. I also didn't have a single moment where I had to stop and think for any length of time. I stated earlier that I felt like I was casually walking through the temples and that stayed true to the very end. For someone like me, who enjoys most of the Zelda games most for their exploration/adventure aspect, this game, while fun, was sort of a let-down. I did however really appreciate the multiple nods to other Zelda games that were in this game.

[KDub]

Hmm I don't know, I don't feel like this is any more linear than Link's Awakening. I mean that game would tell you when you beat a dungeon what the next dungeon was.

I do agree though, it is more cinematic and it does feel like it is pushing you through a story and not just the game; so that lends to the linear feel.

I didn't care for Fi either, I had much bigger attachment to Navi and Midna

[alienjesus]

I was counting the two from life medals. I didn't bother to find the last few heart pieces I needed for the final heart.

That reminds me, anyone using any potions? I used one upgraded potion, just because I had it, and I tested the invincibility potion for fun as well, but I could have easily made it through the game with zero potions. I did use three fairies, however.

I carried two bottles of red potion around with me at most times. I rarely had to use them though, although I did in one or two boss battles.

[AppleQueso]

Now that the spectacle of the whole thing has worn off, I'm not sure at all how I feel about SS compared to the rest of the series.