The latest in Nintendo's long-running action adventure series makes extensive use of the Wii's MotionPlus technology, so when you swing the Wii Remote to slash with Link's sword or take aim with other weapons, Link's onscreen movements will closely mimic your real-life actions. Skyward Sword also features a brand-new art style that seems to sit somewhere between Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, and the game's director, Eiji Aonuma, has said that the traditional Zelda "overworld to dungeon" structure will change, but we're not entirely sure to what extent. At any rate, it has been more than four years since a console Zelda release, so we're eager to see what Skyward Sword has in store.
Table of Contents
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Platform(s): Wii
Release: 2011
87 comments
this graphics looks bad to me i hope the story line is as good as OoT (scare me with true evil) these graphics wont help ..lol i sound lame but i cant explain myself
I'm tired of people in the comments leaving messages about wanting to use a controller rather than the wiimote. Gamespot tested the wii remote and numchuk layout after E3 and said it was responsive, smooth and in most ways better than the controller layout. When I played Twilight Princess on Wii it was so much fun because you could actually move your arm to aim the slingshot and swing the sword. When I played the gamecube version it was a much worse controls layout. The addition of the numchuck as the sheild will take an improved layout and improve it again. LIVE ON, WII! BEST CONSOLE EVER!
I wish they put the same graphics as Twilight Princess. Even though the graphics with twilight princess and wind waker they put together look good I like the twilight princess graphics better.
Game sites like gamespot, g4, and ign tried the game out afterwards and said the controls were great smooth and worked great.
@MSZN It's not that he's not good, it's due to wireless interference. Or maybe not I don't know I wasn't there, but I do know I dont' want this game, because as much as It looks fun, I'm not such a big fan of Zelda, I can always borrow them from some friends. ;-)
They better have a controller option, I like the classic style way better than actually swinging, especially with a non responsive wiimote, I really hope that the game is actually responsive when you play because Zelda is awesome, I've been playing it for years, this one better not let me down.
ok, people are arguing over "cartoony" versus "rough," honestly, if youre a true Zelda/Link fan then this shouldnt matter to you. The Zelda games Miyamoto makes are always awesome no matter how "cartoon" or "serious" Link looks.
@dawnofhero I Still think that Zelda: Ocarina of Time's Graphics are better than cell chaded. Atleast they have true color with what link and the world should look like. Zelda Twilight princess was on the edge of both cell shaded and ocarina but ATLEAST LINK LOOKED GOOD. lol. All in all I think Link and the world needs to have that "roughness" to it to make it look attractive to me
@jesusismyhomie I agree. The art style in this game is just too cartoony to take seriously enough. Reason I don't play the 'Toon Link' games is because Link has this huge bobble head, stubs for feet, and he's a little twerp that fights fruity-looking 'monsters'. I mean, what was wrong with the Ocarina of Time concept art, or even Majora's Mask? What about Twilight Princess, which wasn't even that 'dark' as people say? Skyward Sword looks like Link landed smack dab in the middle of the Hundred Acre Wood that became infested with candy mushrooms from the Wonka factory, retarded enemies, and a very good caretaker that keeps the trees and grass looking neat and trimmed. I mean, what is Link's mission in this game? Rescue Winnie the Pooh and friends? Sorry, Nintendo, but first impressions need to look good and not just play good. (By the way, Link has saggy pants like a Gerudo. Looks kinds dopey on him if you ask me.)
Kind of Embarrassing to watch with the Controls. They really need to work on the sensor and controls before they send this game out. And why are they going back to cell-shading? I think it doesn't look epic enough with all the cartoon-ish art.
Next time they should get someone who speaks english and actually plays video games. Then it wouldn't be such a disastrous demo...
They need an elbow joint sensor. This would make it way less awkward. The sword wouldn't be held straight out all the time.
Not impressed at all. Simple motions looked too difficult to pull off, and the sword never actually moved in the same direction that his hand moved, but the sensor was probably way too far away. This may either be a demo that went bad, or just a game that isn't doing very well. Either way, Nintendo has to tighten up a bit considering what Kinect seems to be doing... you don't even NEED a controller to play.
I know it's gonna be a great Zelda (as usual). I'm not sure about the art design... I don't know.
Looks like Miyamoto is struggling a little bit... the controls don't seem responsive enough... he tried way too hard to kill a plant and he took way too many shots at the spiders, and I actually think pointing at the screen was quite comfortable
LoL, I would be fuming if i was made to demo a game that looked so out of control... you can tell miyamoto dont play games anymore, cause if you lose control with wii motion plus your spose to put it down on a flat surface... another possible conclusion would be that the sensor bar was too far away for the game to be effective... I dont think he made one move which looked like it was his own... Im not sure if this formula is going to work and I hope im proved wrong because I dont want the zelda franchise to be tarnished... the style direction seems they are trying to please everyone, make him an adult but more cartoon based.. this should seem to please both OoT and Wind waker fans alike.. the item menu seems very minimal, It seems they are trying to cut down on items probably because of the casual gamer goal.. if they concentrated on a good plot and story for this series that would be good, I would love to see a final fantasy style story.. one we actually got to know link and understand more about him and the people around hyrule.
A bit disappointed at the persistent Cell-y style, although I suppose it's nice to see adult Link again. Bottom line, I don't care what it looks like so long as they add some meat to it! More things to do, more complicated environment to explore.. and above all, PLEASE give us towns that are bigger than three streets and a courtyard! If there's one impression I've almost always gotten from Zelda (after OoT) it's 'Ghost Town'. The entire realm seems to exist on the backs of about 50 people from all races!
I know this was just a demo but this Zelda is not looking epic enough. But hell, what do I know?
I really like the new tools they showed. I've heard that the motion controls actually work very well and that miyamoto was playing while there was technical difficulties. As for the game, can't wait for it!
@ironscoug All the previews said that the controls work very well, there's no way Nintendo wouldn't bring Zelda to the show if the controls were broken like that. So they work already and the still have like a year to polish them even more. So yeah I have no concerns about that. I'm just anxious to see if they actually changed the pacing, when they were talking about changes last year, they kept talking about the pacing.
I trust them on the control issues. There was probably ALOT of wireless interference just think where they were. Not the mention the distance between Miyamoto and the motion sensor was probably very considerable. Let's not forget how much thought and process has gone into making these controls and how they correspond with the game. I'm sure it'll be amazing when we get our hands on it. It's just a shame it didn't work the first time they demonstrated it, but we will see more demonstrations in the future
i have own every last zelda game on each system and ill keep buying them no matter how many they com out with +
@Monkeynin There are actually no problems with the motion controls. There was some interference with the connection due to some other wireless devices in the room.
if the available items are only those slots shown on the demo (including the empty slots), then it looks like Nintendo is focusing less on quantity of items and more on making sure that each and every item is frequently usable throughout the game. In previous installments, it was common for an item to only be used in the dungeon it was found in. If it's how I'm thinking it is, it looks like Nintendo's cleaned that aspect up and I like that. Less items is slightly a letdown, but if you're constantly using all your items throughout the entire adventure, it's definitely worth it and will make for the best Zelda game yet I think.
Looks awesome, and yeah, there was a lag on the stage demo, that's just how it goes with those a lot of the time. With the floor playable demos, the controls were smooth and responsive. This game's gonna rock.
I don't understand what all the hubbub about the control is about. Miyamoto said there was a interference and I believe him since almost everyone who played the demo on the show floor praised the controls for their smoothness and accuracy... And, seriously guys: do you actually think Nintendo will release a Zelda title with bad controls? Because I sure as heck don't! :D
The game looks to have great potential. I just hope we get some footage of floor demos because of the very glitchy stage demo here. But they still have a year to really fine tune and I'm sure the controls will be the key area they focus on (hopefully).
it doesn't matter there not trying to compare games i'm so sick of people saying that this game is for people who have different interest it doesn't matter whats better.... its not a contest and it never was.... nor will it ever be zelda is in a class of its own for people who love the zelda franchise don't you dare disrespect it by saying it "doesn't compare" the game isn't out yet and it wont be for awhile and the directors and designers are working so hard on it.. so keep your mouth shut.. until u actually played the game because it looks great
This same thing happened at a iPhone representation. When you stuff a hundred Wifi connections in one room the devices start getting lag and all sorts of problems. Everybody who actually played it praised it's controls, even AVGN. :)
No camera control just like the wii version of twilight? bane of that game, played ten times better on GC just because i could spin the camera, having a lock on is alright but doesn't come close in my opinion. The items and swordplay look hmm...interesting, not entirely convinced yet tho.If it's comparable to Red steel two tho, should be just fine.
i pray it was just wireless interference. it was not a very impressive preview. but i'm sure things will be fixed up in time. what do you guys think of the artistic style? it seems like a hybrid of twilight princess and windwaker to me.
Zelda sure lives up to its reputation. Regretable, since it's flipped from Twilight Princess for the Wii, with motion plus, this is something only Nintendo can do. In previous games from Ocarina of Time to Twilight Princes on Gamecube, Link is left handed on sword. So using a sword on the right hand should be more motion crazy and more fun than before. I don't know who's the person speaking japanese but at least he puts on a good show. Nevertheless, this games on my list for Nintendo.
They should make a new type of nun chuck controller in where it has motion sensing like the motion plus, so both controllers have 1:1 movement, then like in Zelda you could move the shield around properly as well as the sword. Would be cool.
Conversation powered by Livefyre
