Released in the US on November 20th, 2011, Skyward Sword was the first Zelda title built from the ground-up for the Nintendo Wii. Designed to make use of the Wii MotionPlus, much of the combat and Link's arsenal require a variety of creative and precise motion controls. This was met with mixed reception from players. On the one hand, it made every enemy a more interesting puzzle to defeat, finding the appropriate angles to strike and recognizing patterns they use to block. But then this also made combat much more drawn out, with repeated encounters with enemies become tiring affairs, especially when requiring the precise nature of motion controls which weren't always so cooperative. Still, the game is commended for making use of the Wii hardware and making a unique Zelda experience.
Other new ideas include the addition of more RPG elements, which we can see the series lean more heavily on now in Breath of the Wild. Players now have stamina meters which adds a strategic element when traversing terrains. Inventory now needs to be managed for shields, potions, and the like. On top of that, your equipment and gear can be upgraded provided you gather the necessary materials. These elements help add a sense of growth and give the player more personal investment into the world in which they are exploring. Speaking of which, the world is filled with a rich and enchanting atmosphere with its unique art style inspired by impressionist painters such as Paul Cezanne.
Skyward Sword also had great ambitions for delivering a grand story of new proportions. You'll notice more attention is given to the camera work and animation in the game's many cinematics, of which this game boasts over 120 minutes of cinematics. Set as the prequel to all games in the Zelda series, players start with a unique and memorable friendship between Link and Zelda in the Skyloft Academy. However, as a growing evil threatens the lands below and pulls Zelda with it, Link will venture below in what becomes a grand quest and origin to the Master Sword and the creation of Hyrule. All of this is heightened more so with use of a live orchestral soundtrack, a first for the Zelda series.
While Skyward Sword may be a bit of a black sheep in the Zelda series for its confrontational motion controls and linear design, it cannot be denied for being a fun and memorable experience all the same. And through its faults, the developers now seem to be taking feedback and applying those lessons learned to grow the series in ways never before imagined. So special thanks for Skyward Sword for leading us to games like Breath of the Wild, and for raising the bar of epic adventures ever more skyward.
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