![]() Perhaps this will convince buyers of the new Skyward Sword HD Edition Joy-Con controllers to open the box. While the phrase “quality of life” is silly in the context of a video game, rest assured that Nintendo gave precision polish to already good motion controls. Recalibration is so fast (point and click) that I can never go back to the Wii days. I found rolling bombs to be noticeably easier this time around. Did anyone play the original game with a Wii MotionPlus accessory? If so, you’ll surely appreciate the lighter weight, shorter Joy-Con, presuming they don’t drift, of course. The motion controls work even better now, aided by the lighter weight Joy-Cons. Thankfully, Nintendo toned down the challenge while accommodating both those who can’t use motion controls and those playing on a Switch Lite also. ![]() Motion controls require a skill that not every player has. Skyward Sword wasn’t a waggle fest like Twilight Princess, and some who insisted on playing that way ended up spewing hyperbolic claims of broken or unplayable controls. Combat Controlsįor context, I very much enjoyed the motion controls when Skyward Sword launched on the Wii and felt the Wiimote movement worked pretty darn well. ![]() How do they translate to the Switch a decade later? Apparently, they are even better now. It’s fair to say that the motion controls divided many players on the Wii into love/hate camps. Where things can especially start feeling alien is the combat control. Linearity brings some positives, allowing not just for character building but growth in the challenge also. But in truth, Zelda games are hardly the poster child for non-linear adventures. Is it more linear than many Zelda games? Yes. I want to stress the Skyward Sword’s linearity isn’t a bad thing. Hearing the word “linear” can trigger negative thoughts for some, but it depends on the title. Wherein the traditional formula can start feeling different for part of the audience is in the game’s flow. You’ll chat with NPCs, collect heart containers, and do plenty of the Zelda things you’ve come to know and love. There are numerous dungeons, expanded on in a bit, and memorable bosses. Some are familiar, like the bow and clawshot, while others are new and exciting, like the Beetle that’ll be discussed later in this review. A neat inventory of items proves helpful in solving bountiful puzzles. You’re given a world of imagination to explore, this time both above and below the clouds. GameplayĪt its core, Skyward Sword’s gameplay is much like its 3D console predecessors. Several new species of creatures are also on the surface, as most welcomed additions the timeshift stone-powered Ancient Robots are favorites of many, myself included. Link’s Loftwing used for flying around Skyloft, and Groose (his pompadoured rival for Zelda’s affections) are just a couple more sky dwellers with ample screen time. You’ll learn plenty about the Master Sword’s origins here. Toned down to be less interruptive, she’s handed the reins of most annoying sidekick back to Navi from Ocarina of Time. Link also establishes close relationships with the robotic Fi, his ice-skating companion residing in the Master Sword. While this might not be the best iteration of Princess Zelda yet, it’s one of the most developed portrayals for sure. In the rescue mission, Link finds himself on the surface world with more gravitas where Zelda is kidnapped from their floating island home. Rather than mere acquaintances in this entry, they’re childhood friends living in Skyloft. ![]() Thankfully, where the game shines is in many of its characters, with most having well-developed personalities.Ĭhief to the story is the relationship between the central characters, Link and Zelda. The lore gets piled on far too thick for all but the most fanatical Zelda theorists. The “Figures of Legend,” like the goddess and some recurring bosses, are the most uneven, riddled in undeniable clichés. So, the plot commands respect, even if much of the tale is hit-or-miss in delivering an engaging narrative. Skyward Sword represents the birth of The Legend of Zelda in many ways. Nintendo is keen to promote that players can experience the earliest story in the series. Has it held up? Or is there more truth to the game’s revisionist history? Story So lots of gamers will be experiencing Skyward Sword for the first time on Nintendo Switch. But a late 2011 release meant its sales were weaker (relatively speaking) as many had moved on to HD consoles at that point. Not that it wasn’t successful on the Wii, mind you its Metascore of 93 proves universal acclaim at the time. After years of rumors, Skyward Sword HD is finally here and set to find even more success on the Nintendo Switch.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |