The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a banger. Playing this game after Zelda 1 was an interesting experience, as it's the complete antithesis of that game's philosophy. In fact, in general, it has some deviations from the "traditional Zelda formula", mainly being how mechanically-focused the game is and the world's been dungefied. Stuff that really adds to this game's strengths.
I'm willing to say that this game probably has the best overall collection of dungeons in the series, maybe tied with Oracle of Ages. They are a lot shorter but they are way more focused. While the first two dungeons may not blow anyone away, the game brings it's S-tier dungeon design from the Lanayru Mining Facility onwards. Lanayru in particular just has the best dungeons because of Timeshift Stones. The Sandship deadass is on par with Stone Tower Temple from Majora's Mask imo, although i'd still give the edge to the latter for music. Speaking of, this is the first game i can say where most of the dungeon themes were actually good. Even Oracle of Ages didn't have this much good songs in it.
Combat is more involved than ever in this game, as this time your precision matters, as opposed to simply slashing away like in the rest of the series. The items are less offensively used but they allow for more utility, which fits in line with how mechanically focused this game is. Beetle an S-tier item.
Skyward Sword also just has a good narrative and i think with the soundtrack, it hits better than most Zelda narratives. Majora's Mask still clears but Skyward Sword managed to put it's story front and center in a way that didn't really bog it down like Twilight Princess did. It may have to do with the fact that Skyward Sword isn't really "traditionally Zelda". I mean maybe in the loosest sense but this is like calling Majora's Mask "traditionally Zelda". Girahim is great. Groose is the GOAT. This game probably has the best incarnation of Zelda? She's really good in this one, Spirit Tracks Zelda may rival her but lol, touch screen controls. Remake that game with actual controls like you did with this one Nintendo.
I will say though, i think the last stretch of the game was definitely padding. You have to make two mandatory revisits to each area. The first revisit has you doing the Silent Realms, which are great, followed by the next dungeon. The third revisit? Ehhhhh the only one that was actually interesting on the third revisit was the Faron Woods, when it gets impossibly flooded. Going back to Lanayru for the Gorge and going up Eldin Volcano a third time (Eldin just drew the short stick) was not great, although i will say that the Imprisoned Fights weren't as bad as people say they were. It's annoying but not terribly so. I'd rather that than hunt bugs in Twilight Princess again.
Idk how to end this one. Skyward Sword is a great game.
.....oh and yeah, i played with the updated button controls. Way better.
I'm willing to say that this game probably has the best overall collection of dungeons in the series, maybe tied with Oracle of Ages. They are a lot shorter but they are way more focused. While the first two dungeons may not blow anyone away, the game brings it's S-tier dungeon design from the Lanayru Mining Facility onwards. Lanayru in particular just has the best dungeons because of Timeshift Stones. The Sandship deadass is on par with Stone Tower Temple from Majora's Mask imo, although i'd still give the edge to the latter for music. Speaking of, this is the first game i can say where most of the dungeon themes were actually good. Even Oracle of Ages didn't have this much good songs in it.
Combat is more involved than ever in this game, as this time your precision matters, as opposed to simply slashing away like in the rest of the series. The items are less offensively used but they allow for more utility, which fits in line with how mechanically focused this game is. Beetle an S-tier item.
Skyward Sword also just has a good narrative and i think with the soundtrack, it hits better than most Zelda narratives. Majora's Mask still clears but Skyward Sword managed to put it's story front and center in a way that didn't really bog it down like Twilight Princess did. It may have to do with the fact that Skyward Sword isn't really "traditionally Zelda". I mean maybe in the loosest sense but this is like calling Majora's Mask "traditionally Zelda". Girahim is great. Groose is the GOAT. This game probably has the best incarnation of Zelda? She's really good in this one, Spirit Tracks Zelda may rival her but lol, touch screen controls. Remake that game with actual controls like you did with this one Nintendo.
I will say though, i think the last stretch of the game was definitely padding. You have to make two mandatory revisits to each area. The first revisit has you doing the Silent Realms, which are great, followed by the next dungeon. The third revisit? Ehhhhh the only one that was actually interesting on the third revisit was the Faron Woods, when it gets impossibly flooded. Going back to Lanayru for the Gorge and going up Eldin Volcano a third time (Eldin just drew the short stick) was not great, although i will say that the Imprisoned Fights weren't as bad as people say they were. It's annoying but not terribly so. I'd rather that than hunt bugs in Twilight Princess again.
Idk how to end this one. Skyward Sword is a great game.
.....oh and yeah, i played with the updated button controls. Way better.