I know it's an uncommon opinion to call Skyward Sword my favorite Zelda game. But here we are. Rather than rehash the entire game, there are a few key things that really mean the most to me when it comes to this beautiful game.
~ ~ Home ~ ~
I love me a good Zelda hometown. The people, atmosphere, music, side-quests, etc. all make me feel at home and like I belong there. While the Zelda series is absolutely about the adventure, I always value that adventure more when it's contrasted with the Hobbit-like comforts of home. Skyward Sword excels at this, as Skyloft is undoubtedly the best home in the franchise.
Kokiri Village is a beautiful introduction to Ocarina of Time, but you're really not going to spend much time there unless you're 9-year-old me and have no idea how to get out in the first place. Outset Island is similarly charming, but not exactly a focal point of Wind Waker. Ordon Village is in the same boat. Skyloft is different because you will constantly be returning throughout the game, interacting in meaningful ways with the townsfolk. Majora's Mask's Clock Town is my second favorite specifically because it's as busy as Skyloft.
This floating town is where you meet wonderful characters (more on that later), engage in continuing side-quests, upgrade your equipment (a brilliant mechanic that I hope returns soon), and it's also where many of the game's most important story beats take place. And it's just so pretty! The peaceful island floating above the clouds is a locale I'm always happy to see.
~ ~ Characters ~ ~
While Skyward Sword has the most fleshed-out story of any Zelda title, I feel that it only works because of its endearing characters. This is the first "Princess" Zelda that we really got to know, and we see her and Link (and Impa, for that matter) develop as characters throughout the game. Side characters are memorable and delightfully designed, with many standouts.
- Beedle, always pedaling his flying store, angrily dropping you through the trap door if you don't buy anything.
- Pumm, the frustrated owner of the Lumpy Pumpkin, one of the first Zelda NPCs to actually react when you break stuff in his house. ("WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?")
- Batreaux, who is the biggest softie despite his appearance.
- Fledge, who effectively plays the role of your little brother who just needs some confidence.
- Sparrot, who's just a friggin' weirdo.
- The Kikwis, who I can not get enough of.
- GROOSE.
And I'll just say it. Ghirahim is the best villain in the franchise. You really learn to hate him, but he's undeniably entertaining whenever he pops up. Bring back Ghirahim!!
~ ~ Control ~ ~
Okay yeah, Link looks like an absolute idiot running around with his sword awkwardly pointed in whatever direction you happen to be positioning your controller. But having gotten used to that, I have never felt so in control of a Zelda game. Once I found that sweet spot of how hard/far to swing the Wii Motion Plus remote, I was completely enamored with the controls.
I've played countless games where you mash A to attack. Instead of that, Skyward Sword makes each enemy encounter a puzzle. It requires you to pause for a second, take account of the enemy and their positioning, and then attack from the right angle at the right time. It's a vastly more nuanced and engaging way to do Zelda combat, and I would love nothing more than for BotW2 to let me do this with my Joy-Cons.
(Or they could just give me Skyward Sword HD already)
EDIT 2/17/2021: HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE
~ ~ Closing ~ ~
In the end, Skyward Sword feels like a Zelda game that was custom made for me. It checks nearly every box on my "Dream Zelda game" list, but I'm fully aware that it's not for everyone. Skyward Sword is like Super Mario Sunshine, or even The Last Jedi. It makes some bold choices, and that puts a lot of people off. But I personally couldn't be happier with the end result.
~ ~ Home ~ ~
I love me a good Zelda hometown. The people, atmosphere, music, side-quests, etc. all make me feel at home and like I belong there. While the Zelda series is absolutely about the adventure, I always value that adventure more when it's contrasted with the Hobbit-like comforts of home. Skyward Sword excels at this, as Skyloft is undoubtedly the best home in the franchise.
Kokiri Village is a beautiful introduction to Ocarina of Time, but you're really not going to spend much time there unless you're 9-year-old me and have no idea how to get out in the first place. Outset Island is similarly charming, but not exactly a focal point of Wind Waker. Ordon Village is in the same boat. Skyloft is different because you will constantly be returning throughout the game, interacting in meaningful ways with the townsfolk. Majora's Mask's Clock Town is my second favorite specifically because it's as busy as Skyloft.
This floating town is where you meet wonderful characters (more on that later), engage in continuing side-quests, upgrade your equipment (a brilliant mechanic that I hope returns soon), and it's also where many of the game's most important story beats take place. And it's just so pretty! The peaceful island floating above the clouds is a locale I'm always happy to see.
~ ~ Characters ~ ~
While Skyward Sword has the most fleshed-out story of any Zelda title, I feel that it only works because of its endearing characters. This is the first "Princess" Zelda that we really got to know, and we see her and Link (and Impa, for that matter) develop as characters throughout the game. Side characters are memorable and delightfully designed, with many standouts.
- Beedle, always pedaling his flying store, angrily dropping you through the trap door if you don't buy anything.
- Pumm, the frustrated owner of the Lumpy Pumpkin, one of the first Zelda NPCs to actually react when you break stuff in his house. ("WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?")
- Batreaux, who is the biggest softie despite his appearance.
- Fledge, who effectively plays the role of your little brother who just needs some confidence.
- Sparrot, who's just a friggin' weirdo.
- The Kikwis, who I can not get enough of.
- GROOSE.
And I'll just say it. Ghirahim is the best villain in the franchise. You really learn to hate him, but he's undeniably entertaining whenever he pops up. Bring back Ghirahim!!
~ ~ Control ~ ~
Okay yeah, Link looks like an absolute idiot running around with his sword awkwardly pointed in whatever direction you happen to be positioning your controller. But having gotten used to that, I have never felt so in control of a Zelda game. Once I found that sweet spot of how hard/far to swing the Wii Motion Plus remote, I was completely enamored with the controls.
I've played countless games where you mash A to attack. Instead of that, Skyward Sword makes each enemy encounter a puzzle. It requires you to pause for a second, take account of the enemy and their positioning, and then attack from the right angle at the right time. It's a vastly more nuanced and engaging way to do Zelda combat, and I would love nothing more than for BotW2 to let me do this with my Joy-Cons.
(Or they could just give me Skyward Sword HD already)
EDIT 2/17/2021: HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE
~ ~ Closing ~ ~
In the end, Skyward Sword feels like a Zelda game that was custom made for me. It checks nearly every box on my "Dream Zelda game" list, but I'm fully aware that it's not for everyone. Skyward Sword is like Super Mario Sunshine, or even The Last Jedi. It makes some bold choices, and that puts a lot of people off. But I personally couldn't be happier with the end result.