The Explaining:
So I have recently brought myself the limited bundle of the
Skyward Sword game. I feel that in this review I may need to explain two reasons as to why I brought this game, firstly I am an avid Zelda fan and secondly because of this video on YouTube...
I know it would be weird to have only watched a spoof
trailer and then based on that decided to buy not only the game but a limited
edition bundle of it and also (out of necessity) HAVE to buy the accompanying console but somehow this funny video fired up in me the desire to buy it, it reminded
me how much I genuinely enjoy the Zelda games.
I should also probably explain why I haven't until now
bothered to buy the Nintendo Wii... I am very much into retro gaming (odd for
someone that likes the idea of augmented reality so much I know) and in my
misguided youth I was adamant that video games were to be played sitting down
with a D-pad style controller! (In fact this belief was why I opted for the
previous Zelda title 'Twilight Princess' on my game cube instead of getting a Wii.)
So naturally it was with a considerable amount of apprehension that I brought
my newest addition to my horde of consoles.
The Wii:
So what do I actually think of the Wii? Well allow me to lay
my nostalgia goggles to the side for a moment... It is fun! Plain and simple,
yes it is gimmicky but so what? I enjoy the gimmick now that I have stopped
griping about it long enough to do so. One
of the things that strikes me about it is just how sociable it is, lots of my
friends have played it with me, including most notably my friends' children who
are around 4ish. It has also on occasions resulted in us laughing together so
hard that we can't breathe! Having said this I am glad that I did not buy one
when they initially were launched! I remember my friends Wii as being very
overrated, mainly because of the utter lack of sensitivity in the motion
sensors. This problem seems have to have been solved with the new Wii-motes as
mine not only actually respond (something my friends first ever Wii failed to
do on a regular basis) but they respond brilliantly, Also I think a noteworthy
addition to the Wii-motes are the new rubber grip sleeves; Nintendo obviously
learned from the number of Wii-mote related accidents and injuries that happened on
first release.
So on to Zelda!
Graphics:
As far a graphics go this one is a winner for me right from
the get go. The art is a wonderful fusion of the Wind Waker's cell shading and
Twilight Princess's more adult style. The blending of the two styles gives it a
very rich painterly feel that is not to childish and not too serious but very
visually pleasing. Also the water looks lovely! (Yes I judge games on water graphics...)
Sound:
Sound wise I have rarely ever been able to fault a Zelda
game since Ocarina of Time since in terms of sound this game set a high
benchmark that has always been upheld. It sounds like a Legend of Zelda game
should and that is generally adventurous and altogether epic! It is beautifully
scored like I expected it to be.
Game play:
Game play wise they have mixed things up a fair amount.
Starting with six hearts instead of the normal three made me instantly worried
that they had made the game far too easy, however to my complete relief this
was not the case and the extra hearts came in handy as I clumsily hacked at
Moblins. The controls were new to me and although strange were instantly smooth
and terribly satisfying for something I had always held to be gimmicky. Cutting
down enemies is so much more satisfying when you are physically swinging for
them and the 'flailing' proved to be very intuitive and actually fairly true to
life. The new level of skill this requires personally only heightens the level
of enjoyment for me. I haven't got very far in the game if I am honest because
I can't play it as much as I want too... but I have been pleasantly surprised
so far with the array of items they have included with some brilliant new ones alongside
classic favorites such as the slingshot. The story so far has also been very engaging
and has included (in a good way) a lot of fan service although the main character
reveal was done very quickly making me thing that there will be some dramatic
plot twist somewhere. The world environment of Links home Skyloft is stunning
and swan diving off of it into the clouds is incredible fun. The puzzle element
plays like any other Zelda title apart from the Wii-mote waggling dependent
puzzles (putting a key in a door has so far been THE HARDEST thing in the game I
have ever done!) There are a few familiar faces in the people that inhabit the
game world (good gods Nintendo why inflict Beedle on us AGAIN!? ;p) but mainly the
people are original to this title which is nice.
So overall this game is a fantastic game if you're a fan of
Zelda, if you're not objectively I would say it's a very nice game to start
with. (Nostalgia goggles in place I would demand you start with Ocarina of Time)
It is a good solid Zelda title that proves to be enjoyable and involving.
About the Special Addition Extras:
Included in the bundle was the Golden Wii-mote and the 25th
Anniversary Special Orchestra CD. The CD is awesome and not what I expected at
all. It has a mix of tracks that covers most of the titles where I was thinking
it would just be orchestral versions of the Ocarina songs. The mix is good
enough to appeal any Zelda fan and maybe even some classical music fans to. I
am not sure whether others would like it but I love it! As for the limited
edition Wii-mote (or the Golden Wii-mote of Doom as it has become known) I am
not sure what to say... I am not a fan of the colour Gold overly and consider
it tacky in consoles yet I love my golden Wii-mote of Doom... maybe it's
because its limited I am not sure or maybe just because it appeals to the fan
side of me... the point is it works and it is very nice looking despite my
hatred for gold controllers.
Am I happy I got the limited edition? HELL YES (but I'd have
liked a few stickers or artwork in there too)
