Monday, December 12, 2011

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Zelda is my mistress.

I haven't finished all of the Legend of Zelda games. I never owned a Nintendo console until the Nintendo 64 came out, so Ocarina of Time was the first game in the franchise that I owned and finished.

The expansion into 3D was a real eye opener for me. Until Ocarina of Time I had only played Legend of Zelda games in the top down game format, and only on a friend's console. So my experience was limited to brief periods of play, usually the game was just demoed for me on the way to play something more multi-player oriented: Like Tecmo Bowl, or Donkey Kong Country. Once I owned Ocarina I was hooked, and I've owned every Zelda game since. I have not finished them all, and I haven't loved them all equally. I still harbor a huge grudge towards Wind Waker. I got stuck on one puzzle after days of game play. Finally after repeated attempts to solve it (I even resorted to a walk through) I gave up. I still would have not changed a thing, because up until that point I was really enjoying the game.

All of this should help to support my credibility when I say that The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, is the best Zelda game since Ocarina of Time. It might be the best game on the Wii, to date!

A lot of hardcore gamers laugh at the lack of hi def graphics on the Wii, but even if the graphics are not on the same level of a PS3 or XBox360, who cares! It's should be about gameplay, and Skyward has the best game mechanics using the Wii MotionPlus that I've ever experienced. You can't just "waggle" the wiimote and hope for the best or you will fail...miserably. You must show determination when wielding your sword. Deliberately using the visual cues on the screen to hack and slash away at your enemies. I'ts not easy to get used to, but when you get it, the payoff is awesome.

There are some things that are definitely different this time around. You aren't limited to the opening world as long as in other games. The last Legend of Zelda, Twilight Princess, if felt like it took forever to actually get out on a quest! Not in Skyward Sword. After 30 minutes of gameplay I was on a quest. There is a tutorial, but after you complete it, you are in a cave attempting to complete your first mission.
The game is not easy, but it's one of those experiences that makes it totally worthwhile.

If you own a Nintendo Wii, this game is a must have.

And don't tell my wife that I have a mistress, although I suspect she already knows.