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- E10+
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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
Released On: Jul 16, 2021
81
7.4
Where to Buy
Where to Buy
All Platforms
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 111 Critic Reviews
81
80% Positive
89 Reviews
89 Reviews
14% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
1% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 111 Critic Reviews
81
80% Positive
89 Reviews
89 Reviews
14% Mixed
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
1% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD improves on the original in every conceivable way. The visual and performance upgrades make it feel like a new game, and the motion controls feel much more responsive, thanks to the Switch’s Joy-Cons. But the new button controls are the biggest improvement; instead of fighting against the motion controls, players can now savor the satisfying combat and genius level design. What was once the outcast of the 3D Zelda games now stands tall as one of the best in the series.
If you did not play the original version on Wii we would say that the purchase is practically mandatory. The story of the game and its development of levels are at the highest possible standard and will delight players during the 25-30 hours that the main campaign lasts.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 763 User Ratings
7.4
68% Positive
516 Ratings
516 Ratings
16% Mixed
119 Ratings
119 Ratings
17% Negative
128 Ratings
128 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 763 User Ratings
7.4
68% Positive
516 Ratings
516 Ratings
16% Mixed
119 Ratings
119 Ratings
17% Negative
128 Ratings
128 Ratings
Originally a Wii title and I never got a chance to play it since my Wii U was damaged. I finally got a used copy on sale and was so shocked. My experience with Skyward Sword gave me old feelings from the 64 days and I had a blast with Skyward Sword. However do I think it's a perfect Switch port..sadly no. As I'm saying this it's not a bad port just feels like some of the frustration of the controls were just hard to adjust. Too many buttons to hit for moving the camera in 360° is just frustrating. This game is meant for motion controls it was just built that way. However thatdidn't take my experience away I fully love Skyward Sword. Lore, music and characters are among the best in Skyward Sword..gameplay is straightforward despite the frustrating controls but overall I 100% Skyward Sword and completely went over 50+ hours for finding everything thing in this game has to offer. My score is a 10..Zelda games have never disappoint me.
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Nintendo Switch
This is my first zelda game and I absolutely loved **** story was so good and lengthy. Sometimes it bored me but nonetheless i loved the journey.
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Nintendo Switch
What Skyward Sword HD does best is make a 3D Zelda once thought limited to a unique console playable in perpetuity (hopefully). Along the way, enough changes and tweaks are made to improve the adventure, whether it’s streamlined tutorials or satisfactory button controls. It wasn’t known at the time, but this represents the final chapter of Nintendo’s 3D Zelda design that started with Ocarina of Time. With hindsight, Skyward Sword HD serves an interesting coda that paved the way for Breath of the Wild. The linear ebb and flow of Link’s earliest chronological story might be rooted in the past, but it’s still an engaging and cozy adventure in the present that’s well worth playing or revisiting.
While not every design choice has aged as gracefully as its gorgeous art style and incredible dungeons, the implementation of a wide range of improvements ensures The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD remains a memorable adventure worth experiencing on the Nintendo Switch.
While Skyward Sword HD’s visuals breathe new life into the decade-old title, the quality of life improvements aren’t quite enough to make this instalment in the Zelda franchise soar to new heights. However, its strong cast of characters, hallmark dungeon designs and excellent storytelling keeps it afloat comfortably above the clouds, offering an experience that’s hard to forget.
Though it may be one of the weaker Zelda games, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a good adventure in its own right.
No reviewer on earth enjoys scathing a Zelda-game. More often than not they are grand cru-games players are willing to wait years for. Ever since BOTW we’ve been given crumbs while waiting for the much awaited sequel through remasters and remakes. ‘Link’s Awakening’ scratched that itch. Skyward Sword HD does not. Spoler alert: in the year 2021 motion controls are still horrible.
So much fun! Many people didn't like the motion controls, I for one like it, you just need to learn to reset the gyro, it's kinda strange at first, but the moment you get the hang of it becomes a nice enjoyable ride. I think would be a 7-ish game, but I'm having so much fun that I'm can't help myself but to give it a 10, because the point is have fun while playing games, right?!
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Nintendo Switch
A lot of people say that Skyward Sword is underrated or even a masterpiece and I struggle to understand why. It has a lot of boring filler content that there isn't enough to justify how long it takes. And, god, the art style. The graphics of games like Wind Waker, Breath of the Wild, and the Link's Awakening remake are suited perfectly to the tone of the game without feeling silly, just captivating. Skyward Sword does not do that. Sure, it allows for some very cinematic moments but also some moments in which everything just looks dumb and silly. The enemies in this game look goofy as hell. And for my last major nitpick, the dungeons are not quite as good as people say they are. Skyview, Ancient Cistern, Sandship, and the Sky Keep are all really good (Sandship is probably the best part of the game), but Earth, Fire, and Lanayru are all either mediocre or just straight up bad (especially the Earth Temple, ugh). Generally, it's achingly slowly paced with some mediocre sections.
Ok, I'm done with my major nitpicks. Notice how I didn't mention the motion controls? Yeah, they are not as bad as they are made out to be, and while they can be kind of annoying it's definitely decent at best. Finally, on to the positives. That took a while!
This game has a high amount of problems, but what it does right, it does right. The story is fantastic (not the best Zelda story, but Top 4), the good dungeons (the ones I mentioned earlier) are amazing, and the music, aside from the chirping, god-awful Skyloft theme, is really good. The characterization of Link, Ghirahim, and Zelda is done really well in this game. The whole intro sequence (this may be an unpopular opinion) is actually really fun and engaging. And probably the best element of this game, it's actually really funny. For example, the way you get the heart piece at the Lumpy Pumpkin (I wont spoil it), is hilarious. The graphics, while occasionally bad, genuinely made me laugh a few times. Some of the characters are total oddballs which is amazing.
But the very best part of this game, without a doubt, is Groose. In my opinion, he is the best character in the Zelda franchise. I love his hair, he has fantastic character development (which can be rare in Nintendo video games), and he is hilarious. I just love Groose, man.
All in all, in Skyward Sword, the good outweighs the bad, but not by much. I would say there are at least 10 better Zelda games that you should play instead.
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Nintendo Switch
Much better than the Wii counterpart. Enjoyable story and decent dungeons
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Nintendo Switch
the game is a lot of fun, and it's an improvement on the original in many ways. however, for a game that's selling point is a controls overhaul, the new controls are disappointingly dysfunctional. also, quite a lot of the late game content, especially our third or fourth repetition of any given area, is simply obnoxious and unfinished, a way of padding the game out without adding more content.
many segments are glaringly just an upscaled reskin of the original game, which is not really acceptable. this said, SSHD is fully playable with some frustration, dysfunction, imbalance, and unresponsiveness. the game has some of the best dungeons in 3d zelda, and the motion controls make for a great arcade feeling to the gameplay.
still, you will find yourself forced to use the button controls in far too many situations, as the motion controls seem to have a mind of their own. the buttons are practically obligatory for any boss fight besides moldarach, as it's basically impossible to get the joycons to register the directional hits you want, and any melee combat is reduced to waving the controller around randomly in the hopes that a hit lands. this is especially problematic if the enemy punishes you for missing or parries your attacks. it's also a problem throughout the most narratively climactic battles of the game, so there's a definite sour note here.
combine this with an often questionably designed overworld that you have to trudge through over and over again with a stamina meter that can't be upgraded, and i'm left hard pressed to give this one a great rating. yes, it's good. yes, it's fun. however, the further into the game you get, the more you will lose faith in nintendo's willingness to deliver a finished product on their remasters. if you are a zelda fan and you want to play skyward sword in it's optimal state, this is the one to get. just think about buying it used or at a discount.
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Nintendo Switch
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Nintendo Switch
Summary Take to the skies, draw your sword, and experience the earliest story in the Legend of Zelda series. Join Link in his high-flying quest to save Zelda, a childhood friend who must confront her destiny. Soar between floating islands and descend to the treacherous surface world in this updated HD version of the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swor...
Rated E +10
for Everyone +10
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
Initial Release Date: Jul 16, 2021
Developer:
- Nintendo
- Tantalus
Publisher: Nintendo
Genres:
