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Skyward Sword (Spoilers, but in tags. So please use tags. Thank you.)
2012-01-04 03:24:52
edited 2012-01-04 08:39:02 in General
One foot in front of the other, every day.
Skyward Sword general.
So I had some misgivings at first. After the first two or three dungeons I wasn't particularly impressed, especially with people describing it as "the best Zelda game ever". Since then, though, the game has continued to get stronger and might actually deserve such a reputation. The diversity in dungeons is brilliant, and while all the classic gameplay elements remain, SS adds quite a bit. The next game is going to have a tough time living up to it.
So far, highlights have been in the boss battles, from epic sword duels to strategy battles. While the sword mechanics have their limitations in many ways, they suit the boss battles very nicely, and it seems that this is what they were designed for. One highlight has to be in the fourth dungeon, where the boss is a golem animated by dark magic, wielded six massive swords that you have to turn against it. After the sixth dungeon, there's a moment where you see what might become Ocarina of Time taking shape, from music to visuals.
It's probably got the best characterisation since Majora's Mask, too. There's the obvious contender, Zelda herself, but if you look from the perspective of some of the side characters and do some guesswork, there's a little extra depth to be had as well. It's exactly the sort of implicit narrative that I love in Zelda games. One example, at a guess, is the old lady at the Sealed Temple being Zelda's guardian, her younger self using time travel. All it took to come to that conclusion was a well-chosen camera angle, a look of regret and a stylistic comparison. That's good narrative.
Right now, I'm doing some of the final preparation before the true end game and I'm very impressed. Between the ingenuity in gameplay and design, the progression in character development and the cross-cultural mythological feel, I'm well entranced. Zelda's gone from a European fantasy in its beginnings to something much more, I feel -- Skyloft itself shows me pieces of Middle Eastern, Native American and Japanese influence.
But seriously, game, quit getting in the way of my footwork shenanigans.
So I had some misgivings at first. After the first two or three dungeons I wasn't particularly impressed, especially with people describing it as "the best Zelda game ever". Since then, though, the game has continued to get stronger and might actually deserve such a reputation. The diversity in dungeons is brilliant, and while all the classic gameplay elements remain, SS adds quite a bit. The next game is going to have a tough time living up to it.
So far, highlights have been in the boss battles, from epic sword duels to strategy battles. While the sword mechanics have their limitations in many ways, they suit the boss battles very nicely, and it seems that this is what they were designed for. One highlight has to be in the fourth dungeon, where the boss is a golem animated by dark magic, wielded six massive swords that you have to turn against it. After the sixth dungeon, there's a moment where you see what might become Ocarina of Time taking shape, from music to visuals.
It's probably got the best characterisation since Majora's Mask, too. There's the obvious contender, Zelda herself, but if you look from the perspective of some of the side characters and do some guesswork, there's a little extra depth to be had as well. It's exactly the sort of implicit narrative that I love in Zelda games. One example, at a guess, is the old lady at the Sealed Temple being Zelda's guardian, her younger self using time travel. All it took to come to that conclusion was a well-chosen camera angle, a look of regret and a stylistic comparison. That's good narrative.
Right now, I'm doing some of the final preparation before the true end game and I'm very impressed. Between the ingenuity in gameplay and design, the progression in character development and the cross-cultural mythological feel, I'm well entranced. Zelda's gone from a European fantasy in its beginnings to something much more, I feel -- Skyloft itself shows me pieces of Middle Eastern, Native American and Japanese influence.
But seriously, game, quit getting in the way of my footwork shenanigans.
Comments
If I'm permitted to tell a minor spoiler, you actually have every main item by the end of the fifth dungeon, so all your challenges after that point force you to keep all your options in mind. An excellent progression from the now-predictable Zelda formula, where the importance of an item was directly tied to how close you are to its dungeon. And since the general environments, barring Skyloft, are semi-dungeons in themselves, your entire inventory will remain relevant all game through.
Also, I'm I the only one that felt the final boss was a bit easy? Well,not really "easy",but I mean that once you figure out what to do it's a really short fight. But until you figure it out you'll die a few times,though
One thing I particularly liked was Skyloft itself. Having only one town in the game means you get to know everybody better, and it's quite amusing to see the things they get into.
Swordplay was awesome and it was very satisfying to beat down those lizard things, though I find it lame that many people just shield bash their way through everything.
> Rush back in time.
> Have massive battles with mooks down to the boss fight.
> Defeat the second-in-command.
> BBEG gets resurrected anyway.
> Can't go forward in time.
> No hearts to be found.
> Fuck it, I'll do this battle.
> Tense batle with the true final boss.
> Suddenly, electric sword.
> Fuck.
> Die.
> All that narrative tension replaced with frustration.
y u do dis, gaem?
You can absorb the rays with your sword a la Skyward Strike and use it against him
Zelda's charming and all but stoppit, Christ.
> PUSHED OFF THE TOP OF A HUGE MOTHERFUCKING STATUE
> still go after her
> mfw
> in-game
"This letter was your wake-up alarm, wasn't it?"
>real life
>1pm
"Alex, this phone call was your alarm, wasn't it?"
Fuckin' game writers, how do they know?
Which begs the question.
How did they know back then?
Under the assumption that these games are designed, programmed and produced solely for my benefit."So the third boss fight was pretty disappointing after the fire dungeon's awesome boss fight. The fight against the imprisoned was appropriately engaging and tense, though."
Eh, I felt the reverse, since I thought the later fight was more involving. Not to say the fire dungeon's boss was bad, but it doesn't do much beyond exploit weakness, then hack away. Though I must say, I was expecting the bone dragon, and seeing that thing instead was something. Certainly gets points for creativity.
But the fourth dungeon boss is indeed hella satisfying. If only you got to keep the sword...
As for Zelda, what she does is shown in the end credits.
Gotta say, I really love the creepily cheerful merchant. Visit him at night and you'll see what I mean.
Yeah, the fourth boss is pretty awesome but I just finished the fifth dungeon and that boss fight was probably my favorite. Aiming the bow also isn't anywhere near the pain it was in TP.
Also, I just realized Fi has no arms.
Strangely, I think Stalmaster is one of my favourite bosses, even though it's only a miniboss. Four-armed samurai skeleton, what's not to love? (kind of reminds me of Yoshimitsu, my favourite character in Soul Calibur) And I thought its weapon positioning was random at first, but upon closer YouTube video examination, it seems that it does anticipate the relative position of your sword. Certainly made for one satisfying battle that put my MotionPlus skills to the test, even with shield bash cheesing.
So I just finished the second Ghirahim fight. I found it odd that the second part was much easier than the first, since I have trouble being exact with my sword strikes and after that he starts leaving openings. Considering I found the first fight with him easily the hardest in the game so far, perhaps this means his final form will be total cake.
On another note, this game really hits home how much I want Link to be his own character. I know the idea pushes forward ideas of Other M but treated with proper deference I think Zelda games would benefit from giving Link a voice. Nothing elaborate but just the occasional 'stop, fiend!' and such.
"Am I late?" That was so satisfying to press.
Link will probably never be his own character, or otherwise it won't happen for a long time. Everyone I've ever heard speak on the matter within Nintendo has claimed that they want Link to be both a canvas for the player and be an example of heroic conduct; they want the player to feel as though they, personally, are the traditional hero.
I think pretty much every Zelda game I've played has succeeded on that level for me.