The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

[Ezekiel Rage]

im on you there. games like crysis or killzone just dont have the appeal that nitnendo games have. i use my wii almsot daily, from full blown games to old classics. currently, im in a zelda and spider-man fever, so i play wind waker, web of shadows, ultimate spider-man and twilight princess while building my personal zelda shrine. im glad my girl agrees with this XD it is a nice sight, having an original copy of the very first NES zelda in gold complete with the maps and hints, manual and cardboard package, all original. very nice. also reminds me how cheap games were in the day. this one cost 600 "schillings" that would be around 40 euros. over here, a ps3 game costs 60-65 euros (that equals roughly 80 us dollars) however, consoles were cheaper. i bought the first gameboy including tetris for 1000 schilling (75 euro)

anyway, im not even sure i want an origin of the sword. in fact, it was always pretty clear to me that the sword was created by some ancient guys to kill some ancient bad guy. getting a new origin kinda ruins that, but maybe im wrong and this one is good, like the picori blade becomes four sword. whatever happened to the four sword anyway?

[motherbra1n]

i cant wait to play this game, i know itll be great but i have a few concerns.

ever since phantom hourglass the overworld has disappeared and from what im hearing it doesnt sound like itll be back because they keep going on and on and about puzzle solving and sword fighting in this game but there i just havent heard "thisll be a massive game with a huge overworld full of interactions"

maybe they just havent mentioned it, i dunno. also i loved the wind waker and i love the artstyle of this game, but i do also want to hear from miyamoto "skyward sword is a zelda game with a nice colourful atmosphere,we will make sure the next console zelda will have an atmosphere as dark as twilight princess"

anyway, cant wait to play this

[tweb1984]

im on you there. games like crysis or killzone just dont have the appeal that nitnendo games have. i use my wii almsot daily, from full blown games to old classics.

Well, in general, I find games like Zelda, Mario, Smash Bros., Muramasa, Little King's Story, A Boy and His Blob, etc., more appealing than your average Assassin's Creed, Halo, Uncharted, etc. Which would likely be why I play my Wii far more than my PS3, even though, it must be said, I really do like the last PoP game (the new storyline one), and Batman is pretty bad ass. I am really looking forward to actually seeing what The Last Guardian is all about, and 3D Dot Heroes was also a fairly awesome concept. And even though I don't consider it a Castlevania title in the least, Lords of Shadow looks like it could be fun, if the story is decent and plays well (unlike the PS2 ones).

But overall, I certainly am looking forward to Metroid, DKC, Zelda, Epic Mickey, etc., far more than I am pretty much anything else. I do think Goldeneye might have fun multiplayer, if it's anything like the old one, but I'll just let my friend buy that, and go over to his house to kick his ass. lol

I... found a home... =]

I've never met so many like minded people when it comes to video game tastes.

@Devil_Rising: I don't even have friend's that have a Wii and like it enough to play them. You're lucky you have a friend that owns a Wii and actually buys games for it. I have nobody to borrow from or really hang out and play Wii with. Although all of my ps3 and Xbox owning friends do all love Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Speaking of old classics, before I let it slip sometime, I just wanna know beforehand, do you guys get crazy angry at the mentioning of emulating systems such as the SNES or something with a computer? Because I know some people get mad when that's brought up because I guess some people think it's breaking some code of honor if you play a game without actually paying for it and buying it. If you are against talk of it, I respect that, but please don't textually destroy me for bringing it up. =]

[TYFIGHTER]

Speaking of old classics, before I let it slip sometime, I just wanna know beforehand, do you guys get crazy angry at the mentioning of emulating systems such as the SNES or something with a computer? Because I know some people get mad when that's brought up because I guess some people think it's breaking some code of honor if you play a game without actually paying for it and buying it. If you are against talk of it, I respect that, but please don't textually destroy me for bringing it up. =]

Well, its legal as long as you own a copy of the original game... But hey, there are some old and fantastic games that are really hard to come by. Im not endorsing emulation, but its a convenient way to play some classics you might have missed.

But back on topic, I cant stop drooling over Skyward Sword's graphics. Its so beautiful! I absolutely love the direction they took. I actually prefer the WW/SS style for the series over the semi-realistic OoT/MM/TP. It suits the series really well.

[Ezekiel Rage]

ive always been a strong supporter of toon shading. this impressionistic style fits my taste rather well. i do like it.

for those seeking an overworld:
well, i think this game will be smaller in scale, at least hyrule will be smaller from what i gather, but more dense and action paced.

what i miss from 3D zelda (TP was a step in the right direction though) was the things to do in the overworld.
you ahd this vast but barren and empty landscape. three was just nothing to do or see in those worlds. but from what i saw, this dungeon that was actually more of a forest and less of a dungeon, was quite nice and detailed, with a few momarable landmarks. and i do hope this zelda goes back to the less scale more stuff approach minish cap or alttp had.

spekaing of minish cap, i really hope music from that game returns one day to the zelda series. or the items. i mean seriously, minish cap had an exceptional music and item set

[wiiarebrothers]

I can't wait for them to talk about the overworld, the dungeons, sidequests and exploration.

They said they had a problem of scale with TP, that the world was huge, but they didn't had the right density of things to do, it was a bit empty. Also, the overworld was a bit linear, and many regrets the non-talking NPCs, especially in Hyrule town.
TP was a great game, but that "living and breathing" world of Zelda was missing and I really hope they'll fix that.
But they mostly talked about controls unfortunately.

[Devil_Rising]

I... found a home... =]

I've never met so many like minded people when it comes to video game tastes.

@Devil_Rising: I don't even have friend's that have a Wii and like it enough to play them. You're lucky you have a friend that owns a Wii and actually buys games for it. I have nobody to borrow from or really hang out and play Wii with. Although all of my ps3 and Xbox owning friends do all love Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Speaking of old classics, before I let it slip sometime, I just wanna know beforehand, do you guys get crazy angry at the mentioning of emulating systems such as the SNES or something with a computer? Because I know some people get mad when that's brought up because I guess some people think it's breaking some code of honor if you play a game without actually paying for it and buying it. If you are against talk of it, I respect that, but please don't textually destroy me for bringing it up. =]

Well welcome aboard friend. We don't all always get along here at GoNintendo, but we try our best, lol.


As for emulation, I don't mind at all. I'll openly admit that I have a rather robust collection of roms on my PC. However, they're all older, classic titles. I do, in fact, own many of the games as physical copies. As a MATTER of fact, for whatever dumb reason, there are even several games that I own physically, have on rom, AND downloaded on VC. Figure that out, lol.

But no, there's nothing wrong with it. I'm pretty sure most in have have at least PLAYED an emulator before, and quite frankly, I see absolutely nothing wrong with emulation, so long as it's older games. The only problem I have, is when people are downloading brand new games, for current systems. But for NES and SNES especially, considering how hard it is to actually get your hands on so many rare titles out there, some we may have never even gotten to try (Europe, Japan only titles, very very rare titles, etc.), I think it's a great thing. I like to think of it as keeping the classics alive.

VC is great for that too, of course. But while I think people should download games they like on VC, to show it support, fact is, a lot of games they're just never going to have.


P.S. Just for the sake of being on topic, I personally prefer the art style of Twilight Princess. It wasn't really that "realistic", it was more surreal, just in it's own way. And I certainly would have loved to have seen that same style, just with full Wii power behind it. But, having said that, the new style looks fine. I like it much better than straight "toon shading" like WW. I never have liked that look, personally. And some people are right, I suppose it does kind of hearken back to A Link to the Past. I'm still more concerned with whether or not it plays well, which I'm sure it will.

[mariomaniac45213]

I agree with Devil_Rising I really wanted TP art style back. TP was my first Zelda and I loved the dark atmosphere and realistic art style. I think that fits Zelda the best. This new art style a mixture of cel shading and normal style is okay it reminds me of Sunshine. Because Mario Sunshine also had normal graphics with cel shading thrown in.

[Gulshog]

I tend to like bright, colorful, unique worlds more than gritty and dark ones. All have their place, it's just that the gritty look has been so overused lately across all three consoles, that it's something I want to see sparingly used.

I really like Skyward Sword, and it's look. Some of Link's movements look odd to me, but that could be the M+ kicking in, and moving the model in odd ways whenever the player even slightly moves the remote.

Anyway, they have at least 6 months if not more to work on the game. They won't release it until it looks perfect, so I'm not worried about some of the animation.

[Golbez]

Speaking of old classics, before I let it slip sometime, I just wanna know beforehand, do you guys get crazy angry at the mentioning of emulating systems such as the SNES or something with a computer? Because I know some people get mad when that's brought up because I guess some people think it's breaking some code of honor if you play a game without actually paying for it and buying it. If you are against talk of it, I respect that, but please don't textually destroy me for bringing it up. =]

Well, its legal as long as you own a copy of the original game... But hey, there are some old and fantastic games that are really hard to come by. Im not endorsing emulation, but its a convenient way to play some classics you might have missed.

But back on topic, I cant stop drooling over Skyward Sword's graphics. Its so beautiful! I absolutely love the direction they took. I actually prefer the WW/SS style for the series over the semi-realistic OoT/MM/TP. It suits the series really well.

Actually, no, ROMs are not legal. Not in the U.S., anyway, even if you own a legal copy of the game. You must be quoting some old abandonware-style made-up internet laws

Welcome aboard, tweb1984. I think the general policy here is that simply mentioning emulation isn't going to get you banned or anything, but it's best to not discuss it in detail.

[tweb1984]

I tend to like bright, colorful, unique worlds more than gritty and dark ones. All have their place, it's just that the gritty look has been so overused lately across all three consoles, that it's something I want to see sparingly used.

Hi-Five, my friend. That's the exact reason why I started liking Marvel over DC. DC was always trying to hard to be gritty. While Marvel proved people could be colorful and awesome!

[cortjezter]

i think the visual style is genius.

it's a smart mix of the 'realism' of TP, yet more stylised graphics of WW, and i personally loved both games' art styles. the thing that's hard to get from flat screens is how much more alive this game feels, partially thanks to the brighter palette of french impressionist/fauvism art style, but also due to lots of little details in the environment, like trees in the background with leaves subtly waving in the breeze, etc.

the art style definitely contributes to this... how many of you are familiar with impressionist art...like monet, cezanne, or van gogh? monet is a good example....if you look at many of his paintings from a distance they look very good; realistic even. but as you get closer, you see crude blobs of paint and brush strokes. that's a bit how Skyward Sword looks. things rendered further away from the camera get that effect...less detailed and like blobs of paint, but not only does this help focus your eye and attention, but at the same time, that loss of detail looks normal (not blurry) out of the corner of your eyes. it's a very artsy version of camera focus, i guess. absolutely gorgeous.

if you take this information/idea and go back to look at the trailer or screens, if you haven't already, maybe you can start to see what i and other e3 attendees were experiencing!

[Ezekiel Rage]

I tend to like bright, colorful, unique worlds more than gritty and dark ones. All have their place, it's just that the gritty look has been so overused lately across all three consoles, that it's something I want to see sparingly used.

Hi-Five, my friend. That's the exact reason why I started liking Marvel over DC. DC was always trying to hard to be gritty. While Marvel proved people could be colorful and awesome!

i already like you...

anyway, for a more focused talk here, i for once am happy about ONE statement by aonuma. ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.
there I said it. aonuma had myamoto by his balls. he had to agree. please, please please bring in orchestral music.
and a good guidebook this time. hardcover people. you know you want it, you dont need it but you want it.

[Gulshog]

anyway, for a more focused talk here, i for once am happy about ONE statement by aonuma. ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.

I love orchestral music, and would love to have a level/dungeon with some variation, or exact copy, of Gregorian Chant. That would be awesome, and beautiful. Heck, even the whole game done this way would be amazing.

For those who do not know what Gregorian Chant is:

[Golbez]

I love orchestral music, and would love to have a level/dungeon with some variation, or exact copy, of Gregorian Chant. That would be awesome, and beautiful. Heck, even the whole game done this way would be amazing.

Would work for a sacred temple or some such place, but a whole game? I dunno about that. Unless it were a really avant-garde take on Zelda. I'm generally not a fan of Gregorian chant.

However, I am pretty excited about this series FINALLY getting an orchestral score (even if it's only partial). I never would have thought that a Mario game would get an orchestral soundtrack before a Zelda game, but maybe Nintendo will make up for lost time.... Twilight Princess was just begging for a booming orchestral score, and instead we got MIDI.

[LuigiGBA]

I love orchestral music, and would love to have a level/dungeon with some variation, or exact copy, of Gregorian Chant. That would be awesome, and beautiful. Heck, even the whole game done this way would be amazing.

Would work for a sacred temple or some such place, but a whole game? I dunno about that. Unless it were a really avant-garde take on Zelda. I'm generally not a fan of Gregorian chant.

However, I am pretty excited about this series FINALLY getting an orchestral score (even if it's only partial). I never would have thought that a Mario game would get an orchestral soundtrack before a Zelda game, but maybe Nintendo will make up for lost time.... Twilight Princess was just begging for a booming orchestral score, and instead we got MIDI.

Yeah that was ridiculous, I was actually never upset about any of that till i played Galaxy 2 and realized how amazing playing along to an orchestra is. If anyone has heard of the fanproject Zelda Reorchestrated, that's a good example of how amazing such a soundtrack could be.

[mariomaniac45213]

Link needs a dragon as transportation in this one. Then here comes a Darknaut That challenges Link to 1:1 duel in the sky dodging walls and obstacles in the sky while flying.

[Skooter]

I love orchestral music, and would love to have a level/dungeon with some variation, or exact copy, of Gregorian Chant. That would be awesome, and beautiful. Heck, even the whole game done this way would be amazing.

I once spent three days in a Gregorian abbey <3. /OT
I would love this, but only for a small portion of the game. If it was just a church or maybe one dungeon, I would LOVE that.

[LuigiGBA]

I love orchestral music, and would love to have a level/dungeon with some variation, or exact copy, of Gregorian Chant. That would be awesome, and beautiful. Heck, even the whole game done this way would be amazing.

I once spent three days in a Gregorian abbey <3. /OT
I would love this, but only for a small portion of the game. If it was just a church or maybe one dungeon, I would LOVE that.

I feel like it would have fit perfectly in TP's Temple of Time.

[Ezekiel Rage]

well last time they used a chant, even if it was just one tone pitched up and down, some people complained it hurts their feelings. but some people always complain.

i am for chanting as i like chanting, there is this band called gregorian that does that. electronical ambient, very well made, with a soft female voice and for the main parts a chanting choir. i reccomend them.

as for the score, please dont use ZREO as example. tehy are good and all but all they do is insutrmentalize midis with some quality samples and WAY too much reverb.

there are a few zelda live orchestra sequences on youtube. use those for an example. tehy rock so hard its not even funny anymore.

oh and by the way, since the minish cap director does this, and the game is already completed gameplay wise, i think we are in for a blast. they have six months just for finetuning. SIX MONTHS. activision throws out another game in this time. still, i wonder why they screwed phantom hourglass so badly. probably because it was their first take on DS zelda, seing that spirit tracks was tons better...

still, bring back minish cap music and features...

[Golbez]

there are a few zelda live orchestra sequences on youtube. use those for an example. tehy rock so hard its not even funny anymore.

I highly recommend this cd for anyone who's interested in orchestrated Zelda music.

they have six months just for finetuning. SIX MONTHS. activision throws out another game in this time.

Bioware craps out another lame Dragon Age DLC in less time than that! =D

[Yukikoua]

The character design actually fits the setting quite well.

Link is from Skyloft, an apparently peaceful place. He descends to Hyrule, a land notably marked by war. ("Shadow Temple... Here is gathered Hyrule's bloody history of greed and hatred...") Just Link's design screams about this parallel. The Twilight Princess Link has a sense of practicality that no Link had previously had, designed from living in such a world, although Ordon is a bit out of the way. Meanwhile, the Skyward Sword Link has a more clean look.

I would like to see an idea from Zelda Universe, in which Skyloft and Hyrule are not just set apart in scenery, but in style. Skyloft in the cheery colors presented at the E3 demonstration, while Hyrule would be more drab.

[AndyTheZombie]

For some reason I'm not as excited for Zelda as a lot of people are. There so many games coming out that I can't focus just on that one game. Kirby Epic Yarn. Donkey Kong Country Returns, Goldeneye, Metroid Other M, Sin And Punishment 2 Etc, I mean there are so many games I might have to take a loan out to buy all of these games lol.


Don't get me wrong I can't wait for Skyward sword it looks very good and it has nice art style but it really looks like twilight princess but just colorful and cell shaded.

[Ezekiel Rage]

and whats wrong with that?

i mean sure, im waiting for a great many other games aswell. Metroid, Spider-Man, Kirby, GoldenEye and Donkey Kong to name a few, but they are all released THIS yeat and zelda is released next year. Case closed XD

[Gulshog]

Don't get me wrong I can't wait for Skyward sword it looks very good and it has nice art style but it really looks like twilight princess but just colorful and cell shaded.

Check out some of the gameplay examples more closely...it's going to be very different. I don't know if it will be better or worse, as only hands on time with the game will tell me that, but it's definitely a different experience from TP.