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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review

The first and last Wii exclusive Zelda strikes the perfect balance of nostalgia and novelty

Words: on November 11, 2011
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105 comments

  • shawksta - November 11, 2011 3:13 p.m.

    I feel as to apologize for my past concerns for this review that seems to attract negetivity. I seem to be misunderstood on what i expected from this review, but thats probably because I was used to Brett's reviews and just seeing it by caroline it didnt consider the differences. With that said, Awesome review, This game is no doubt gonna be one of the best Zelda's out there and i seriously cant wait to play it, Besides i need an adjustment to see Colorful and Cartoony since i played so much Batman, Rage,MW3 and so on.

  • Pruman - November 11, 2011 2:20 p.m.

    Whoops - you guys did that already. I am a dumbass.

  • Pruman - November 11, 2011 2:19 p.m.

    "The thing is, Zelda is a rare example of a series that has never had a serious misstep to tarnish its record. Every Zelda is someone's favorite Zelda, and there's a legitimate argument for why each Zelda is the 'best' Zelda." Sounds like it's time for a "Why every Zelda game is both the best (and worst) in the series" feature! The Final Fantasy one was awesome, and I've been hoping for one done on another series ever since!

  • talleyXIV - November 11, 2011 1:37 p.m.

    I hate when you guys say "This game is awesome, This game is awesome, This game is awesome. Final verdict: 9." This game truly deserves a 10, I can tell from screenshots. I am not even a Zelda fanboy and I can say that this getting a 9 and Saint's Row 3 getting a 10 is pretty silly.

  • TheKey - November 11, 2011 1:56 p.m.

    I thought you had a valid point until you said "This game deserves a 10, I can tell from the screenshots." that's when I disagreed, simply because that's such a flimsy argument.

  • Cyberninja - November 11, 2011 1:14 p.m.

    Honestly i think sometimes people forget games journalists are people with their own opinions, which is why Carolyn says WW is the best 3d Zelda and other people like another game in the series. so i say the best thing to do is shut up and buy the game yourselves then judge if its better or worse than another game in series. also a 9 is a great score which is why a lot of the new games coming out are 9s and 10s. also we all know Brett would have given the game a ten so there is no need to ask about that.

  • KolbitosFruitJuice - November 11, 2011 1:09 p.m.

    Great score, great game. Like Carolyn said, everyone will have a different favorite Zelda game. At the end of the article, she states that the game isn't objectively superior to Windwaker and TP. Which is her opinion. Being a Zelda fan herself, she can't really claim that statement is objective. But you know what? It really doesn't matter. Because this game will be fantastic, and I know I will love it. Will it be my favorite? No, because I am unable to place a single Zelda game in the #1 spot. They are all magical, and do some things better than the other titles of the series. For me it doesn't really matter which one is the best. They are all fantastic. Great review

  • Stridefizzel - November 11, 2011 12:57 p.m.

    I gotta say, I'm a little disappointed with this review. Not the score FYI, a 9 is an awesome score, but just the review itself felt very... off. I usually come to Gamesradar to read a good, quality review with insight into the game that you just don't really find at other sites. This review just felt as if the reviewer had something against the game in a way, the tone was weird. And I think I might know why. I'm sorry, but Wind Waker is the best 3d zelda ever! Are you crazy! That game was good, but it didn't HOLD A CANDLE to ocarina of time! The crappy cartoon graphics were childish, the sailing got REALLY OLD towards the end... sorry to rant but no, just no. OoT is the best, twilight princess and majora's mask are kind of a tie for 2nd and 3rd, it depends on your style with those two games, and WW sits squarely at 4th.

  • TheSatur9 - November 11, 2011 12:43 p.m.

    People seem to be forgetting that WW also received a 9/10.Yet it's almost always referred to as the best 3D Zelda on this site.

  • Zepaw - November 11, 2011 12:39 p.m.

    Twilight Princess still ranks as my favorite Nintendo game. This still seems like a strong game I would love to play through.

  • Ariaka - November 11, 2011 11:54 a.m.

    Not a bad job. Made me really want to delve into a new Zelda, though, and I don't have Skyward Sword preordered. Wind Waker is a favorite of mine, as well, I found the boating kind of fun and it puts a huge emphasis on exploration and the unknown. So is Majora's Mask, because of its uniqueness to the series, and the first step for Eiji to show how he differs from Miyamato in style, and it was a great change in pace. Ocarina of Time was a great first 3D Zelda game, and it will always be remembered for it, but its successors were much more innovative. I accidentally nuked my Twilight Princess save some years ago, so guess I'll pull out the Gamecube and just play the GCN version. Don't have patience for wiggle controls right now XD

  • Ravenbom - November 11, 2011 11:48 a.m.

    WHOA!!! Ms Gudmundson! You lost some personal points with me by claiming Wind Waker the best Zelda! It might be more timeless but the GC controller Zelda makes a strong argument for a N64 3D Zelda for one. I hate both those controllers but the N64 controller is still the best controller for 3D Zeldas. Besides that, Wind Waker loses all it's steam in the final act when it becomes fetch quest time on a mostly featureless expanse of water. Even that wouldn't have been so bad if you didn't have to stop to use the Wind Waker. It would have been excusable if you could just change the wind with the c-stick by that point in the game. I seriously bet 5% of the overall gameplay is in the Wind Waker animation. I still heart you but not as much now.

  • IceBlueKirby - November 11, 2011 11:37 a.m.

    Glad I pre-ordered this, can't wait to grab it.

  • MyCoolWhiteLies - November 11, 2011 11:28 a.m.

    Great review. I skimmed it a bit (trying to avoid knowing much about the game beforehand) but I think I gleaned just enough.

  • marioman50 - November 11, 2011 11:21 a.m.

    "Ghirahim, because he's evil" Oh Carolyn, you so silly!

  • MetroidPrimeRib - November 11, 2011 11:17 a.m.

    This game is better then Skyrim.

  • BladedFalcon - November 11, 2011 11:27 a.m.

    Obvious troll is obvious.

  • MetroidPrimeRib - November 11, 2011 11:51 a.m.

    HURRR YOU DISAGREE WITH MY OPINION YOU MUST BE TROLLING RIGHT GUISE

  • BladedFalcon - November 11, 2011 12:12 p.m.

    Talking like a retard doesn't really help you in any way you know. Even if you're trying to do it ironically :P

  • shawksta - November 11, 2011 1:53 p.m.

    I would say Both Skyrim and Skyward Sword are top contenders for GOTY, they play very differently in their own levels.

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Excellent
YOU'LL LOVE
  • Great swordplay and environmental puzzles
  • Seeing the beginning of the timeline
  • Bonus soundtrack!
YOU'LL HATE
  • Sometimes fiddly motion controls
  • Ghirahim, because he's evil
  • Waiting for a truly HD Zelda
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More Info

Release date: US
Nov 20 2011 (Wii)
Expected release date: UK
TBA (Wii)
Available Platforms: Wii
Genre: Adventure
Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Franchise: Legend of Zelda
ESRB Rating:
Everyone 10+: Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence
PEGI Rating:
Rating Pending
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