The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Ifrit, I take my hat off to you I also love the music, hence my score. A lot of people disagree, though, clearly!

Wii U can use Wii Remotes alongside the tablet, by the way

I had a listen to Gamespot's "The Hotspot" last night to hear Tom McShea's views on the game. I feel quite sorry for him, after all the abuse he's got off people for what are perfectly understandable points he made.

A lot of the points he made are the same as the ones I found when playing the game. The "padding" at the latter half of the game is something I picked up on myself, with the tedious and unneeded fetch quests (though I did think the sneaking one was pretty good).

The point he made about the lack of populated islands in the sky is also one I agree with. Something I was expecting in the sky was more islands, which were bigger and had people on. So when I finally got to play, it was slightly disappointing that most of them where tiny and only fit a treasure on them. Some where so small I had trouble even landing on them.

I can't remember the other points he mentioned, but those two stuck out. Of course, there was some parts I disagreed with, but overall I actually think his review is one of the better reviews for the game.

It seemed like everyone just jumped on him for the controls, when apart from that he actually has some good and valid opinions on the game.

In another one of those podcasts, he basically said that his review of Skyward Sword is the only one that's right and that all those other websites, although he didn't mention any names, praising the game and giving it 'perfect scores' are wrong and based on nostalgia for the series. He also went on to say that even if it had perfectly working analog controls, the score would still have been the same which is ridiculous. How are apparently 'broken' controls and perfect controls in no way affecting the score? That's just destroying his integrity as a reviewer in general.

A couple of valid opinions on the game don't make up for the stuff he was saying about the controls, especially not when he comes out and starts accusing other reviewers of giving it scores based on nostalgia alone.

I'd agree with the two of his points you posted too, but they're so minor and certainly don't justify the score he gave the game when apparently the controls didn't affect it anyway.

I think this was the same podcast I watched.

There are problems with the controls though, they are not perfect. I sort of agree with him about other reviews being wrong, to be honest, though I obviously don't agree about the nostalgia stuff. That's a bit of a silly claim to make.

Sure the controls not affecting the score is lame, but either way, the game itself has some dull parts and not everything was done good. Some of the things could have been improved on further or done differently.

It just seems like nitpicking to me, for what are generally valid points he made. Call him a crap reviewer, but at least he pointed out the not so good bits instead of glazing over them and lying to people. I'm glad he expressed his honest opinions (even if they are considered wrong, by most people).

( Edited 26.11.2011 11:10 by Marzy )

I agree with comments saying that it's not the perfect game - it certainly isn't - but it is the best Zelda game in the series, definitely.

I would have given it a set of solid 9s across the board methinks, perhaps an 8 for sound. Controls are the main issue for me - the need to centre all aiming items and the dousing mechanism a fair bit, plus the swordplay not being quite as reliable as the ol' button press. Then again, I simply can't imagine another Zelda game in any other gameplay style - it's very solidly built and despite the niggles, works just as well as proud Miyamoto said it would.

Graphics are the highlight for me - I love, love, love the art direction - it's the perfect mould of the adorable Wind Waker and the gritty Twilight Princess. I hope Nintendo sticks with this look for the Wii U Zelda, it would be ace!

Another issue, but not game-breaking, is still the lack of real character development. Whilst the script is solid and I love the extra NPC involvement, it still feels very dated and linear - I'm not expecting thousands of lines per character, but some dynamic and morel life-like roles would have been better. Skyloft also needs more involvement - there's barely anyone out and when there is they say the same old thing. Infact it really hasn't advanced much since Zelda II for the NES. That's one of the biggest disappointments for me in Zelda games, and whilst better in Skyward Sword, it still doesn't feel quite up to scratch NPC wise.

NPCs aside, the story and flow I definitely like more than say TP or even Wind Waker for that matter - it all fits together without losing significance or drive to keep playing.

It's still a fantastic game with a lot more content than other recently released titles - 30+ Hours is exceptional especially in this day and age, I just wished Nintendo played equal importance in the NPC roles (including some more basic voice acting) to make it that bit more real.

Ifrit, Nintendo have said they can't see themselves not using motion control for future Zelda now. And since 1:1 control won't be able to be replicated using buttons, I doubt you'll be able to use the Wii U controller to play it. Unless they add in some feature whereby you can have the pad connected and to be used for other ideas as well.

I thought one of the big things with Wii U is that the current crop of Wii controllers can be used with it, no? Like in the promo trailer from E3 where the tablet is on the floor showing a bunker with a golf ball in it, and the user swings what appeared to be a Wii Remote Plus over the top of it.

It does make me wonder how M+ games would work if playing on the tablet alone, though, since the other key idea is meant to be how play can be transferred from the big screen to the tablet...Seems quite an awkward set-up when thinking about it too much!

Best Zelda game i played yet!!!
Wonder how WiiU Zelda gonna top this master piece