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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword game review


Five loooooonng years. It’s been quite a wait for a new The Legend of Zelda for the Wii. But with Skyward Sword, that lengthy wait is finally over.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD
Nintendo for Wii, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older

Gameplay: 9.0
Graphics: 8.0
Sound: 9.0
Replay Value: 7.5
Overall Score: 8.7

Pros: It’s a brand-new Zelda; inventive ways to play; riding Loftwing.

Cons: Jaggies on graphics show the Wii’s age; tips can be confusing; controls take getting used to.

Nintendo has brought you another thrilling serving of the silent hero Link’s mysterious epic adventures. This time, he travels between two worlds to rescue the lovely Zelda. (The reason it’s called Skyward Sword probably has something to do with the controls. You lift your Wiimote high over your head to the sky to get super sword power.)

RESCUING LOFTWING

Begin your escapade high above the clouds in a fantasy kingdom overseen by a beautiful ancient goddess. There’s an awesome monument high above the town. You must check out the goddess statue and explore its nooks and crannies to move forward in the game. You also meet the quirky townspeople along the way, including kids who want to bully you.

In the first hour or so, your primary goal is to rescue your beloved Loftwing, a giant red bird who is your loyal friend as well. You ride on his back for a competition — but you must free him from a well-hidden dungeon first. Tip: When Zelda comes to help you find Loftwing, don’t leave that green perch on the cliff (like I made the mistake of doing). Just look around there — carefully.

Soon, you’ll jump off a plank into the clouds. Don’t worry; you won’t die. Coming to your rescue is your trusty Loftwing. Take off on his back and fly down, down, down through a hole in the swirling clouds. It’s an exciting ride.

THE CHALLENGES

Skyward Sword comes packed with a soundtrack CD celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Zelda game series. Another package features a special golden Wii Motion Plus remote. You need the precision of Motion Plus to, say, aim your sword properly when fighting bosses at the end of levels. But sometimes either your aiming or the device isn’t that precise. That causes you to lose a battle.

Like many of the Zelda games, the puzzles can be difficult, and that’s usually a good thing for the series. With Skyward Sword, Nintendo added a feature that lets you get a hint when you’re stuck. Just press down on the Wiimote’s D-pad.

Beware: The hints can be vague and confusing. At first, they can be more puzzling than the puzzles themselves. Early on, these hints can feel especially useless when you have to rescue a cute Kikwi from a tree. Tip: Roll into the trunk.

DESPITE GLITCHES, AWE-INSPIRING

Once you figure out the ins and outs of the game, the lands that you explore are vast and wondrous ones. Move through a treacherous volcano to get to the eerie Earth Temple where you fight the fiery-mouthed Scaldera. Feel awe when you travel to the Isle of Songs. Halfway through, explore the Ancient Cistern, defeat the six-armed Koloktos and get yourself a very useful whip.

Sure, the Wii is showing its age as far as graphics go (which is why there will be a new Wii next year). While Skyward Sword tries to give you the best graphics ever on the Wii, it still suffers from the jaggies. It’s a credit to the people at Nintendo that the story and game are so compelling, you don’t always notice the problems with displaying the artwork.

Despite its few glitches, Skyward Sword is the Wii game to get this season. With over 40 hours of play, it will keep you magically occupied for weeks on end.

Comments about “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword game review”

  1. Asteck2 says:

    i bought the limited edition bundle i got the most epic wii femote with built in wii motion plus and the most epic wii game ever LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD

  2. 75 says:

    this game is so fun

  3. awsome says:

    i am getting it

  4. ZeldaFan says:

    I pre-ordered it, with the gold Wii Remote, and its amazing! Everyone should get it.

  5. Link skyward says:

    I bet this game is going to be awsomo

  6. Anonymous says:

    My dad rented the game of zelda

  7. bob says:

    i have all zelda games tht come out

  8. loganman says:

    i want it sooooooo bad.

    • Link says:

      Me too Zelda is my favorite thing EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I am waiting till Xmas to see if anyone got me the bundle with gold remote. I am just sooooooo anxious and might get it early.

  9. aruther says:

    i want this game for ever

  10. SpongeBob says:

    I WANT IT!!!!!!

  11. henrypotty2779 says:

    I tried it at Walmart but only for 5 minuetes. The bosses are hard!

  12. KEITH says:

    its an amsome game

  13. dave says:

    im probubly never geting it my famliy dose not have the money to get the game sistum

  14. fun says:

    try the super nintendos mario series.

  15. wertyquest says:

    I pre-orderd it, ITS AWASOME!!!!! but kinda hard

  16. awesomedude says:

    I love that game.

  17. gmath says:

    me to but I dont think i have the monye

  18. You Got Skyd says:

    Mom pre-ordered it!
    Ps.Used to Litwick101

  19. zelda lover says:

    I have been waiting 5 long years for this game

  20. hydrostar says:

    I NEEEEEEEEED that game!

  21. link says:

    i would give my dsi for that game. well not really. but you get the point.

  22. buddy says:

    I really want to get it to see what the big boss is.

  23. rexmaximus says:

    i might get it for christmas

  24. mnouk says:

    you got that right

  25. Netro says:

    Looks pretty good!

  26. cheeseman says:

    My friend has it. He says it’s epic

  27. The Game Master says:

    Same Skyward. I have Twilight Princess and it is so fun!

  28. SkywardScout says:

    I want that game so badly.

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