Kotaku's review isn't very spoilery. Only very barely, maybe.
About 20 hours into playing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, one of the Wii's most ambitious games, I shook my head and realized why I was frustrated with a game that I was enjoying.
The new Zelda was fun, I thought, but it was also something else. It was formula. It was the fourth formulaic Zelda I had played in five years, the fourth to establish that it's no longer a fluke or a brief trend but instead a realfity that Nintendo's Zelda series is no longer a head-turner of repeated radical change.
Zeldas have become James Bond movies, I decided, mid-way through Skyward Sword. They have their own version of the gadgets, the girls and the exotic locales. The Zelda formula, followed with near-perfect faithfulness in the last 10 years, requires a new way of getting around the game's vast terrain; a new batch of dungeons spread through the land, one of which should reward the player with bombs, another with the bow and arrow; a new playable musical instrument in each game; and so on.
As I played the new Skyward Sword, my sense that I might be playing the best video game of the year was at war with my feeling about what it seems this Zelda series had become.
Then I played the game for 27 more hours.
[...]
There is much that I find extraordinary about The Legend of Skyward Sword. It is masterful in pleasing the player, in surprising them, in asking them to try new things and in providing in its art and music an aesthetic range of a quality not seen in the series and even rare in the medium. It is also impressive for the most unusual fact that it is good at being long. So many video games are long, but they stretch poorly. Skyward Sword tiptoes toward the sin of forcing players to repeat content to stretch the game's length, but that is minimized in favor of throwing new ideas into the mix even into the game's final few hours. The excellent art direction supports the game's long-playing-time appeal. Its lovely specificity ensures you will notice and remember little curiosities [...] in the early hours of this game and remember them late when they matter or when they're fun to reminisce about in the many mental postcards you'll make playing this game.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is not a radical game. It is, in its structure, no surprise. It is hard to explain why it is wonderful. From outside, and even sometimes from within, it simply appears to be more of the same. It is not. It is single-player excellence, improved—yes, improved—by motion control, drawn and scored with great artistry and packed with the pleasures of interacting with what amounts to one massive 50-hour hand-crafted puzzle. This is not a game that would convert a Zelda skeptic wary of bows, arrows and treasure chests, but it should thrill anyone who has ever considered being a fan.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be released on Nov. 20 for the Wii. Nintendo provided Kotaku with a copy of the game. Played it for 47 hours, didn't give the kid's love letter to the person in the bathroom who was out of toilet paper. Yes, that's a sidequest.
If you want to go into the game completely blind, then more power to you.
I've tried not to give too much away in my posts, thought I admit discussing how many areas there are to explore and of what type they are is indeed somewhat spoilery to talk about for someone who wants to go into the game blind.
EDIT: I'll change the subject then. Has anyone here played Twilight Princess on both GameCube and Wii, and have an opinion about which one they like better? (without further arguing about motion controls on games in general)
I ask because I do have the GCN version, and am considering getting it also for Wii.
I own both. I first bought the GC version because I didn't yet have a Wii (I was incredibly upset when it turned out the Wii version came out first). I prefer the controller to the Wii remote. It's just easier and more familiar. Less prone to glitches. The Wii versions isn't too bad, though. I've played through and beaten both of them. The mirrored world kind of threw me off at first lol. Going back and forth between each game is kind of interesting. I only wish that the Wii version also support the GC controller. If it did I'd play the Wii version alone because it's widescreen and the GC version isn't.
I assume it's less about story spoilers and more about scenario spoilers. There are some pretty interesting concepts in this game that I wouldn't like to know about in advance.
Also I felt like, even if the sword controls in Twilight Princess were a bit blah, it was worth it for the pointer controls for things like the Bow and Arrows, since sniping distant enemies in seconds made me feel like a badass.
But people are actually concerned about the story, as if that has ever mattered in Zelda.
But it does matter.
People don't just play Zelda for the dungeon crawl.
Case in point, I love the 2D Zelda games but I rather dislike The Binding of Isaac.
I even bought The Binding of Isaac from one of the Indie Bundles just so I could have my own opinion of it, and I can say beyond a doubt that dungeon crawling alone is not merely what Zelda is about.
Of course, if you hate the 3D Zelda games, and they are the ones in which story becomes much more apparent, then I can (maybe) see why you might not understand. Although, again I do also like the story in A Link to the Past. If someone had spoilered for me that the girl in the fourth dark world dungeon turned out to be Blind before I had first encountered her, then I would have been annoyed.
People don't just play Zelda for the dungeon crawl.
Case in point, I love the 2D Zelda games but I rather dislike The Binding of Isaac.
I even bought The Binding of Isaac from one of the Indie Bundles just so I could have my own opinion of it, and I can say beyond a doubt that dungeon crawling alone is not merely what Zelda is about.
Of course, if you hate the 3D Zelda games, and they are the ones in which story becomes much more apparent, then I can (maybe) see why you might not understand. Although, again I do also like the story in A Link to the Past. If someone had spoilered for me that the girl in the fourth dark world dungeon turned out to be Blind before I had first encountered her, then I would have been annoyed.
The story always has the depth of a sheet of paper. I don't hate the 3D games, they are usually just inherently inferior to most of the 2D games. Wind Waker is the only one that I have enjoyed more than any of the 2D games.
In 3D Zelda games especially, the story isn't just apparent, it's an integral part to immersing yourself in the game. In Wind Waker, would you like it if I explained beforehand why the boat can talk; how Tetra got her telepathy crystal; which characters are the new sages; or what happens regarding Hyrule at the end? I sure as heck wouldn't like it at all.
The story in Skyward Sword is important to the experience. I've beaten the game. I can say for certain that I know what I'm talking about.
In 3D Zelda games especially, the story isn't just apparent, it's an integral part to immersing yourself in the game. In Wind Waker, would you like it if I explained beforehand why the boat can talk; how Tetra got her telepathy crystal; which characters are the new sages; or what happens regarding Hyrule at the end? I sure as heck wouldn't like it at all.
The story in Skyward Sword is important to the experience. I've beaten the game. I can say for certain that I know what I'm talking about.
I agree, but we're not going to convince him of that.
In 3D Zelda games especially, the story isn't just apparent, it's an integral part to immersing yourself in the game. In Wind Waker, would you like it if I explained beforehand why the boat can talk; how Tetra got her telepathy crystal; which characters are the new sages; or what happens regarding Hyrule at the end? I sure as heck wouldn't like it at all.
The story in Skyward Sword is important to the experience. I've beaten the game. I can say for certain that I know what I'm talking about.
I agree, but we're not going to convince him of that.
I don't care about the story, because it's not particularly interesting in any Zelda game. "Stuff happens, there are bad guys, go kill them" is enough storyline.
I don't care about the story, because it's not particularly interesting in any Zelda game. "Stuff happens, there are bad guys, go kill them" is enough storyline.
Then, if I may say so, you are very shallow indeed.
Don't chastize other people's interest in encountering the story elements first ingame for themselves just because you consider them worthless.
One wonders why you visit an adventure game developer's forum, when you care so little for story.
EDIT: Now, if you don't mind. STOP COMPLAINING so we here can get back to having more interesting conversations about the Zelda franchise.
I own both [versions of Twilight Princess]. I first bought the GC version because I didn't yet have a Wii (I was incredibly upset when it turned out the Wii version came out first). I prefer the controller to the Wii remote. It's just easier and more familiar. Less prone to glitches. The Wii versions isn't too bad, though. I've played through and beaten both of them. The mirrored world kind of threw me off at first lol. Going back and forth between each game is kind of interesting. I only wish that the Wii version also support the GC controller. If it did I'd play the Wii version alone because it's widescreen and the GC version isn't.
I hadn't thought about it being widescreen. Hmm... one more point in favor of buying it.
Call me a Zelda junkie, but I just can't come up with a reason not to get it the more I think about it. Sure, it's the same story, but the gameplay is entirely different. Also, considering that I've beaten the game from start to finish 3 or 4 times by now, I can say that I like it enough to appreciate having a new reason to play it again.
When did you realize that the Old Woman at the Sealed Temple was Impa?
The moment that
young Impa decided to stay behind and watch over the crystal. It was kind of a The Sixth Sense moment for me. "OH WOW!" "UNBELIEVABLE!" and all that. I was probably smiling about it for half an hour
.
Later, in Hero Mode, I
made a point to look behind the old woman at the earliest opportunity, just to confirm that the crystal was already back there
.
EDIT: I had
a similar experience when the Gate of Time fully activated (ie. became gears) in the Sealed Temple and I realized that the Temple of Time in the desert was not same place as in the other games (having been moved by Nintendo just to change the map around), but rather that the real Temple of Time was always right there in the forest where it should be and I just hadn't known. It also made me wonder if the ruins of the desert Temple of Time were the Arbiter's Grounds, where the Mirror of Twilight is located, given the existence of the Triforce emblem nearby
I wish I had a DS so that I could play the DS Zelda games (albeit not including 3D OOT.)
I've never played Phantom Hourglass or Spirit Tracks, and despite the recent convo about "dumbing down" of controls, I still would like to have played them.
However, I'm probably not ever going to invest in a DS, because I would then be playing games all by myself, and my wife likes being involved in what I'm doing.
But people are actually concerned about the story, as if that has ever mattered in Zelda.
Hey, I really dig the Zelda storylines! OOT in particular was quite fascinating to go through. I remember being freaked out at the reveal at the end of Link's Awakening when it all made sense. Sure that may seem like an obvious or a small thing to most, but I thought it was so cool at the time. The story to Wind Waker wasn't very much I'll admit. But OOT and TP had great stories and I loved them. Receiving any spoilers before experiencing them firsthand would have been disastrous and would have ruined both games for me.
Wind Waker had a fantastic story and great, solid gameplay. The only reason it's not really high up there in my list is the sailing and, most of all, the Triforce quest. And that's mainly Tingle's fault.
Then, if I may say so, you are very shallow indeed.
Don't chastize other people's interest in encountering the story elements first ingame for themselves just because you consider them worthless.
One wonders why you visit an adventure game developer's forum, when you care so little for story.
EDIT: Now, if you don't mind. STOP COMPLAINING so we here can get back to having more interesting conversations about the Zelda franchise.
I care about story, I just don't think Zelda games really have a story worth caring about. It's just a framework in which the game can exist, it's hardly compelling or intriguing.
I care about story, I just don't think Zelda games really have a story worth caring about. It's just a framework in which the game can exist, it's hardly compelling or intriguing.
That is your OPINION. In which case, don't look down on those that DO care for Zelda's story and don't wish to have story elements spoiled for them.
Again, when I avoid spoilers it's not about the story, it's just about the stuff that happens. I smacked myself for clicking a spoiler tag somewhere and learning that
time travel
was involved in one of the areas of the game, for instance, and when I avoid spoilers it's not because I'm worried about spoiling the emotional arcs of the story or anything, I just don't want to know what I'm going to be doing in the next dungeon until I get there.
I like to personally think as Zelda storylines as a story told in very broad brush strokes. You interpret a lot of it in your own personal way, it both lends to the games strengths but also attests to them.
BTW, LuigiHann. Every time I read a post of yours it's nothing but sense. Well done you for being a big old smartie!
I just read the Easter Egg section of IGN's Skyward Sword guide, and it says "When played in reverse [...] the main theme of Skyward Sword, is Zelda's Lullaby from Ocarina of Time."
I just read the Easter Egg section of IGN's Skyward Sword guide, and it says "When played in reverse [...] the main theme of Skyward Sword, is Zelda's Lullaby from Ocarina of Time."
It took me a while to get the hang of rolling into trees, just because I wasn't giving myself enough running space. Need a little distance between you and the tree so you can get up to speed to roll.
Why compose new music when you can just reverse old music and add accompaniments to it? Soon, every new song in Nintendo games will just be backwards old songs.
Comments
For the record, I did do that. He was not happy.
I've tried not to give too much away in my posts, thought I admit discussing how many areas there are to explore and of what type they are is indeed somewhat spoilery to talk about for someone who wants to go into the game blind.
EDIT: I'll change the subject then. Has anyone here played Twilight Princess on both GameCube and Wii, and have an opinion about which one they like better? (without further arguing about motion controls on games in general)
I ask because I do have the GCN version, and am considering getting it also for Wii.
I already have a 3DS. A rehashed version of one of my least favorite Zeldas is not really a replacement for a good new one.
"Then there is no pleasing you!'
Also I felt like, even if the sword controls in Twilight Princess were a bit blah, it was worth it for the pointer controls for things like the Bow and Arrows, since sniping distant enemies in seconds made me feel like a badass.
Because they would like to get the most out of the game by first going into the game as blind as possible. What's wrong with that?
But people are actually concerned about the story, as if that has ever mattered in Zelda.
It's not that bad, but it is near the bottom of my list. Games worse than it include the DS games, Twilight Princess, and Skyward Sword.
People don't just play Zelda for the dungeon crawl.
Case in point, I love the 2D Zelda games but I rather dislike The Binding of Isaac.
I even bought The Binding of Isaac from one of the Indie Bundles just so I could have my own opinion of it, and I can say beyond a doubt that dungeon crawling alone is not merely what Zelda is about.
Of course, if you hate the 3D Zelda games, and they are the ones in which story becomes much more apparent, then I can (maybe) see why you might not understand. Although, again I do also like the story in A Link to the Past. If someone had spoilered for me that the girl in the fourth dark world dungeon turned out to be Blind before I had first encountered her, then I would have been annoyed.
The story always has the depth of a sheet of paper. I don't hate the 3D games, they are usually just inherently inferior to most of the 2D games. Wind Waker is the only one that I have enjoyed more than any of the 2D games.
The story in Skyward Sword is important to the experience. I've beaten the game. I can say for certain that I know what I'm talking about.
I agree, but we're not going to convince him of that.
I don't care about the story, because it's not particularly interesting in any Zelda game. "Stuff happens, there are bad guys, go kill them" is enough storyline.
Then, if I may say so, you are very shallow indeed.
Don't chastize other people's interest in encountering the story elements first ingame for themselves just because you consider them worthless.
One wonders why you visit an adventure game developer's forum, when you care so little for story.
EDIT: Now, if you don't mind. STOP COMPLAINING so we here can get back to having more interesting conversations about the Zelda franchise.
I hadn't thought about it being widescreen. Hmm... one more point in favor of buying it.
Call me a Zelda junkie, but I just can't come up with a reason not to get it the more I think about it. Sure, it's the same story, but the gameplay is entirely different. Also, considering that I've beaten the game from start to finish 3 or 4 times by now, I can say that I like it enough to appreciate having a new reason to play it again.
The moment that
Later, in Hero Mode, I
EDIT: I had
I've never played Phantom Hourglass or Spirit Tracks, and despite the recent convo about "dumbing down" of controls, I still would like to have played them.
However, I'm probably not ever going to invest in a DS, because I would then be playing games all by myself, and my wife likes being involved in what I'm doing.
Edit: I like this comic quite a bit sometimes, and this strip is great.
There was a time when this:
...was a hefty amount of the general opinion when OOT first came out. Everyone though it was just a rip-off of LTTP.
Hey, I really dig the Zelda storylines! OOT in particular was quite fascinating to go through. I remember being freaked out at the reveal at the end of Link's Awakening when it all made sense. Sure that may seem like an obvious or a small thing to most, but I thought it was so cool at the time. The story to Wind Waker wasn't very much I'll admit. But OOT and TP had great stories and I loved them. Receiving any spoilers before experiencing them firsthand would have been disastrous and would have ruined both games for me.
I care about story, I just don't think Zelda games really have a story worth caring about. It's just a framework in which the game can exist, it's hardly compelling or intriguing.
That is your OPINION. In which case, don't look down on those that DO care for Zelda's story and don't wish to have story elements spoiled for them.
BTW, LuigiHann. Every time I read a post of yours it's nothing but sense. Well done you for being a big old smartie!
So I loaded Ballad of the Goddess from my bundled soundtrack into WavePad and had it play backwards... and it's true!
I'm impressed, Nintendo.
My mind is blown.
http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/12/skyward-sword-producer-says-zelda-cant-go-back-to-buttons
Mwa ha ha.
Why would you want to? Just dash.
Kidding, without rolling, you can't knock crap out of trees. Hold A to dash and shake the nunchuk. Yay, give Link a concussion.:D
Just run and hold the wii remote steady. Don't panic.