I just recently picked up my copy of the game on the 20th, since I pre-ordered.
Played far enough to conquer the two first temples, and I've got to say, I'm VERY satisfied with how it's played out so far. The intro gameplay where you run around completing quests before the main plotline hits was amusing and not at all that boring to me. The rest of the plot has been rather like the rest of the Legend of Zelda games - a bit uneventful. But the true spirit of the game is not in the incredible storytelling - it's in the retelling of the ageless legend, and the addicting puzzle/action gameplay.
So let's get on to that, shall we?
The combat and controls are GREAT, especially considering that the Wii is infamous for it's failure of control. Although the wii remote can be a bit finicky as far as targeting when using ranged weaponry such as the slingshot, all you have to do is aim the remote towards the screen before you prepare an item, and this issue ceases to exist. The sword rights itself automatically in combat, and I rarely noticed any problem with swinging it around. It'll pretty much follow your movements without a hitch.
Using the sword to slay your foes is the best part of the game, though.
Enemies in Skyward Sword are not like most of the beasts you've seen in the older games. In this game, they're less like things that get in your way, and more like foes that you have to defeat. Sure, the bats and the slimes will go down with a few quick swings of your blade, but the creatures that are armed will actively defend themselves from attack. You'll have to find their weakness and exploit it with a few well-aimed slashes to get them to go down.
The puzzles are hard to judge, because everyone has a different experience with them. I got stuck on one of the simpler puzzles for about an hour simply because I wasn't looking well enough. But with a logical mind and a bit of perseverance, I have no doubt that anyone can overcome them without much frustration.
There are
a few other things that make this game stand out as well. Instead of a horse, this time around you'll be riding a Loftwing - a giant bird. The controls are easy to get used to, but the flying is hard to master. In order to catch some of the other fliers in the sky (especially the ones carrying rupees), you'll have to have some serious control and good timing. I'm yet to intercept one of them.
Besides flying around, you'll also want to be landing in different regions to collect the many items and bugs in the game. The collectables you find can be used to upgrade all of your gear - you can turn your little slingshot into a scattershot weapon, or make your shield tougher so it can take more punishment. It seems that almost every special item you collect can be upgraded somehow, which is a very fun prospect.
The bugs that you catch with your handy bug net (once you buy it from Beedle's shop ship), can be used to enhance potions, making them many times more useful than they usually are.
Oh, and did I mention
the visuals are gorgeous? This is, in my opinion, the best looking Legend of Zelda game yet. They seem to have combined the cell-shading style of Wind Waker with the less-toony character models of Twilight Princess, and the results are brilliant. I don't usually hang about and make a big deal out of game graphics, but the folks who do the art for the Legend of Zelda games have really outdone themselves.
All in all, it's a jam-packed, great addition to a legendary series. I hope that any and all Legend of Zelda fans out there enjoy it.
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Topic: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - LoZ fans, anyone? (Read 7731 times)