Although every one is different and some will appeal to you more than others, it is almost a given that console based The Legend of Zelda games will be a contender for Game of the Year. Skyward Sword is no different in that. It is different to other 3D Zelda games in many ways, but not in fundamental formula, gameplay quality and that elusive atmosphere factor.

The game starts in Skyloft, a town floating on an island above the clouds. Link is learning to be a knight – an order of citizens who patrol the skies on their Loftwings, protecting Skyloft from enemies. Everything is idyllic for a while, but soon enough some bad things happen and Link finds himself on a path to find someone dear to him, exploring all corners of the land under the clouds – the surface. Find a sword, buy a shield, head out into the great wide world on an adventure of epic proportions – classic Zelda stuff. There is quite a lot of story exposition in Skyward Sword which at times can be a little tiresome, but it mostly happens in the beginning to set up the new context and create some sympathetic characters, so it’s understandable.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword only works with a MotionPlus controller and its controls are all geared around this controller. If you’re swordfighting Link responds to the direction of your slash and his sword follows the same motion. It’s not exactly one to one, but close enough with eight different directions you can slash in as well as the jab. When using other items MotionPlus is also used intensively. Aiming, for example, uses the accelerometers instead of using the pointer technology used in Twilight Princess. This allows the game to respond even if you’re pointing to the side of your screen, but it also means you have to recalibrate the sensors quite often or you’ll be pointing in some odd direction to maintain straight aiming. Recalibration is as easy as pressing the down arrow on the D-pad so this isn’t a problem.

I won’t give away any of the items you find, but they’re clearly inspired by what the MotionPlus can do and use it in a variety of ways. Even well known Zelda archetypes like the bomb flower have been given an overhaul – you can now throw them or roll them, each using the appropriate movement of the Wii Remote. The controls are fantastic and allow for many new interactions, especially in dealing with enemies, but concerns of arms getting tired are valid ones and multi-hour play sessions are going to lead to some arm strain.

The standard structure of a modern 3D Zelda game is not changed too much, but there are differences. The actual dungeons are much smaller than in Twilight Princess, but the lead up to them is bigger and a little more linear than normal. Because of this it feels like the dungeon instead begins when you enter an area, not when you reach the final building where the boss resides. It also means the actual overworld feels a lot smaller than in recent console Zelda games, being limited to the sky and the islands found in it. There is less exploration in the world of Skyward Sword, which might be unfortunate for some, but it makes for more focus in the above-ground action.

There might be less exploration, but there is far more finding of rare treasures and collecting things. You can collect various resources which can be used to upgrade potions or weapons or to sell, and you can also collect bugs as you travel around the world. There are a lot more different items and upgrades you can get in Skyward Sword and most of them you get in obvious places like the central Bazaar in Skyloft or in Beadle’s flying shop (also in Skyloft). This makes previously arduous tasks like upgrading your wallet to a bigger size a lot easier, which is very welcome. Preparing for moving on to the next new area on the surface is simpler than before – do a few things in Skyloft, buy a few items, perhaps visit a few islands scattered around the sky (of which there are only a few interesting ones), and then fly on to new area. There are many optional quests that you can embark on in Skyloft and the sky which are a wonderful change of pace from the long intensity of the surface areas.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is constantly inventive with its puzzles, never repeating the same puzzle twice in the same way, always adding a new twist to things. The pacing in this is perfect – introduce a concept, expand on the concept, introduce a new concept, expand, expand on the previous one, combine the two concepts, expand, and so on. If you do find yourself stuck in a puzzle there is a Sheikah Stone in Skyloft that will show you a little video of snippets indicating what you need to do (assuming there is a video for your spot), so you’re never without help as to how to move forward. New items and abilities are added what feels like constantly, (but in effect is every hour or so) keeping gameplay feeling fresh all the way through its many hours. Skyward Sword is a big game, as big as Twilight Princess, if not bigger, and even seasoned Zelda players who skip all the wandering around like I do will take over 30 hours to complete it.

The world in Skyward Sword is rendered in bright colours and bold shading with a storybook look which reminds me of Disney’s Tangled. It’s always great to look at and feels very much alive. The music reprises a lot of old themes, and while the new themes are not as memorable as the old ones they always fit the atmosphere of the place you’re in. The overall effect of sound, music and graphics create a vibrant atmosphere, especially within Skyloft town, which is the most interesting town I’ve seen in a Zelda game.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will unfortunately not reach its full potential audience because it is a late game on a console that has all but run its course. Those gamers who pass over it because of this will be missing out on a fantastic adventure, one that is both familiar and fresh at the same time. If you haven’t played a Zelda game this is a great one to start with – being both accessible and challenging and using the full extent of motion controls. If you’re a regular player of the series you don’t need much convincing: it’s a Zelda game with some small twists on the formula but most importantly with its heart intact.

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