Skyward Sword has a lot to prove. Is Nintendo still relevant for adults? Is the Wii Remote a viable input device for an RPG? Personally, I need this Zelda to be more than Wind Waker or Twilight Princess. It needs to be the beat in the series and make me excited for the Wii U. After 2 hours and 18 minutes, I’m finally in my traditional green garb with sword and shield in hand.
While everything appears to be the same as previous entries, subtle differences scream: this ain’t your daddy’s Zelda. Starting with presentation, Skyward offers a more directed set of commands and slightly more dialogue. For new players this is an excellent tutorial. For players returning to the franchise, you’ll find yourself holding A a lot as you speed through familiar conversations: “let me tell you how to open your map.” Something new in the series, outside of true motion control, is the ability to tweak the interface. This is worth mentioning as the default view would appear busy to advanced players.
I’ll know more about the combat as I approach hours 3 and 4. Right now I feel like the formalities are behind me and the true game begins. Time to rescue Zelda!