Jump to content

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Replaced content with 'Was the BEst game in history. Nuff said.'
Tag: blanking
m Reverting possible vandalism by 24.242.0.252 to version by Sergecross73. False positive? Report it. Thanks, ClueBot NG. (946268) (Bot)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox video game
Was the BEst game in history. Nuff said.
|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
|image=[[File:Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword boxart.png|250px]]
|caption= North American box art
|developer=[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development|Nintendo EAD]] <br> [[Monolith Soft]]
|publisher=[[Nintendo]]
|director=[[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]]<ref name="ignE3int" />
|producer=[[Eiji Aonuma]]<br/>[[Shigeru Miyamoto]]<br/>[[Satoru Iwata]]
|designer=Yoshiyuki Oyama
|composer=Hajime Wakai<ref name="osvint" /><br/>Shiho Fujii<br/>Mahito Yokota<br/>Takeshi Hama<br/>[[Koji Kondo]]<ref name="osvint" />
|series=''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
|platforms=[[Wii]]
|released={{vgrelease new|EU|November 18, 2011<ref name="europe date"/>|NA|November 20, 2011<ref name="US date"/>|JP|November 23, 2011<ref name="JP date">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/souj/ |title=ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=13 September 2011}}</ref>|AU|November 24, 2011<ref name="AUS date">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=43&prod_id=21076&pageID=4 |title=Nintendo Games - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword-Nintendo Games - Nintendo.com.au: |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=29 September 2011}}</ref>}}
|genre=[[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]
|modes=[[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
|ratings={{vgratings|ACB=M<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classification.gov.au/www/cob/find.nsf/3ee9cf339ddee09eca2575ca000be1e3/15c4a278a26950f0ca257912005d6835?OpenDocument |title=Classification Database - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (M) |date=21 September 2011}}</ref>|CERO=A|ESRB=E10+|PEGI=12}}
}}

{{nihongo|'''''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'''''|ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード|Zeruda no Densetsu: Sukaiwōdo Sōdo}} is an [[action-adventure game]] for the [[Wii]] console and the sixteenth entry in the [[The Legend of Zelda|''Legend of Zelda'' series]]. Developed by [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development]] with the help of [[Monolith Soft]], it was released in all regions in November 2011. The game makes use of the [[Wii MotionPlus]] peripheral for sword-fighting, with a revised [[Wii Remote]] pointing system used for targeting.<ref name="andriasang">{{cite web |url=http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/02/03/zelda_motion_plus_and_playable_at_e3/ |title=Wii Motion Plus Exclusive Zelda Playable at E3 |author=Gantayat, Anoop |date=February 3, 2010 |work=Andriasang |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/091030qa/index.html |title=Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Semi-annual Financial Results Briefing Q & A |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |date=October 30, 2009 |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref> A limited edition bundle featuring a golden Wii Remote Plus was sold coinciding with the game's launch, and the first run of both the standard game and the limited edition bundled included a CD containing orchestrated tracks of iconic music from the franchise in celebration of the franchise's 25th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii: The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword Gold Wii Remote Bundle Detailed Plus Free CD!|url=http://mynintendonews.com/2011/08/29/nintendo-wii-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-gold-wii-remote-bundle-detailed-plus-free-cd/|publisher=My Nintendo News |date=August 29, 2011}}</ref>

The game's storyline is the earliest in ''Zelda'' continuity, preceding ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]''.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5869993/this-might-actually-be-the-official-zelda-timeline |title=Official Zelda timeline released by Nintendo |date=December 21, 2011 |accessdate=December 21, 2011}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' follows an incarnation of the series protagonist [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] who was raised in a society above the clouds known as Skyloft. After his closest childhood friend, [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], is swept into the [[Hyrule|land below the clouds]] by demonic forces, Link does whatever it takes to save her, traveling between Skyloft and the surface below while battling the dark forces of the self proclaimed "Demon Lord", Ghirahim.

Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from at least 30 publications,<ref name=metacritic>{{cite web |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword reviews |url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword |accessdate=December 30, 2011}}</ref><ref name=gamerankings>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/960633-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/index.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword reviews |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |accessdate=February 15, 2012}}</ref> including ''[[IGN]]'', ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'', ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'', ''[[Famitsu]]'', ''[[Eurogamer]]'', ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'', and ''[[Game Informer]]''. Much of the praise was directed at the game's intuitive motion-based swordplay and the changes it brought to the ''Zelda'' franchise. The game was a major commercial success as well, having sold over 3.42 million units worldwide as of December 2011, just one month after its initial release.<ref name="nintendo_dec11"/><ref name="gspot_sales"/>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Zeldaskywardsword2010E3.png|thumb|left|200px|''Skyward Sword'' uses graphics that resemble [[Impressionism|impressionist art]]. The style allows for more exaggerated enemy designs, which emphasize their attacks and weaknesses.]]
''Skyward Sword'' is an [[action-adventure game]] with [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]] and [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]] elements. The player controls the protagonist [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] from a third-person perspective, in a three-dimensional space. Link primarily engages in combat with enemies using a [[sword]] and [[shield]], but many other weapons, such as a [[bow and arrow]], clawshots, and bombs, become available as the player progresses. Link also obtains a series of new items, such as a [[whip]], and a mechanical flying beetle, which allow him to reach previously unaccessible areas.

Link's adventures consist of travelling between Skyloft, a community based on [[Floating island (fiction)|floating island]]s in the sky that act as the game's main [[Overworld#Platform games|hub]], and [[Hyrule]], which is located directly below on the Earth. Skyloft contains a [[bazaar]] where the player can purchase or [[Experience point|upgrade]] potions, shields, and weapons.<ref name="UpgradeTrailer">{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/videos/2011/09/13/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-upgrade-system-trailer |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Upgrade System Trailer |work=[[Ign]]}}</ref> Initially, access to Hyrule is sealed off by a "cloud barrier," but portals through the clouds to each of the three provinces of Hyrule (forest, volcano, and desert) open as the game progresses. The player flies upon Link's giant bird, Loftwing, to travel and [[Parachuting|skydive]] into the portals or travel between the multiple islands of Skyloft. Bird statues, which are abundantly placed in both Hyrule and Skyloft, act as [[Saved game|save point]]s and allow the player to transport back to the sky from Hyrule.

''Skyward Sword'' retains the traditional ''Legend of Zelda'' gameplay of exploring the different regions of Hyrule (the [[overworld]]) and then exploring the [[Dungeon crawl|dungeon]]s contained within. Link navigates these dungeons and fights a [[boss (video gaming)|boss]] at the end to obtain an item or otherwise advance the plot. ''Skyward Sword'' has seven unique dungeons, two in each of the provinces of Hyrule and the remaining one located in Skyloft. Notably, ''Skyward Sword'' integrates the two modes of exploration more than other games in the series.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Details on Next Zelda |author=Robinson, Martin |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=November 19, 2009 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1047583p1.html |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref> Puzzle solving is not confined to the game's dungeons and is carried over into the overworld, a facet which has helped label the gameplay of ''Skyword Sword'' as more dense than any other ''Zelda'' title.{{cn|date=February 2012}}

The player controls Link using the [[Wii Remote]] and [[Wii Remote#Nunchuk|Nunchuk]] configuration. Link retains many of his abilities from previous games, such as context-sensitive actions and Z-targeting, though he now possesses the ability to run and dash up walls. However, Link also has a [[Endurance|Stamina]] Meter that quickly decreases while these moves are performed. When the Stamina Meter is fully depleted Link will tire out and will be unable to perform any actions until the meter replenishes itself. This meter also decreases while climbing, performing powerful attacks (such as spin attacks and somersaults) and other strenuous activities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/252203/previews/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-gameplay-preview/ |title=E3 2010: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword gameplay preview |author=Jackson, Mike |date=June 17, 2010 |work=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |accessdate=August 13, 2010}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' heavily utilizes the controllers' motion-sensing abilities and also requires the [[Wii MotionPlus]] accessory, a device that allows the Wii Remote to detect movement more accurately. The most prominent application of Wii MotionPlus technology is in swordplay: when the player swings the Wii Remote from any particular angle, Link will slash the sword at precisely the same angle.<ref name="gspothandsone3">{{cite web |url=http://e3.gamespot.com/story/6265854/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-hands-on |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Hands-On |author=Watters, Chris |date=June 15, 2010 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive Inc]] |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> In contrast to earlier installments of the ''[[Legend of Zelda]]'' series, battles do not focus solely on timing attacks, but also on their target, such as the direction in which enemies are hit.<ref name="ignE3int">{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/109/1099435p1.html |title=E3 2010: Eiji Aonuma's "Trapped in the Zelda Cage" |author=Harris, Craig |date=June 16, 2010 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> A Wii MotionPlus-based [[Pointing device|pointing system]] is also used to navigate the game menus and control some of the additional weapons, such as aiming the bow and slingshot items.

The main sword used in ''Skyward Sword'' is the Goddess Sword, given to Link near the beginning of the game that, as the game progresses, becomes strengthened and eventually becomes the [[Master Sword]].<ref>http://uk.ign.com/wikis/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/Goddess_Sword</ref> Inside the sword rests a spirit called Fi, who accompanies and aids the player, giving hints and tips throughout the game. Early in the game, the player learns to perform an ability called "Dowsing", which allows him to locate nearby objects. While Dowsing, the perspective shifts to a [[First-person (video games)|first-person]] view and the Goddess Sword begins to act as a [[homing]] device. The player then moves and points the sword in the direction of the object, indicated by the signals the sword generates. Dowsing is initially used to locate the missing [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], but is eventually used to also find treasures and other items.

==Plot==
<!-- Removing the plot (for spoiler reasons) or adding a "Spoiler Warning" is against WP:Spoiler and will be treated as Vandalism. -->
In the [[The Legend of Zelda#Chronology|chronology of the series]], ''Skyward Sword'' is officially the earliest point in the Zelda Timeline, and elaborates on the origins of the [[Universe of The Legend of Zelda#Master Sword|Master Sword]] and [[Ganon]].<ref name="onmjuly10">{{cite journal |author=Long, Neil; Scullion, Chris |title=Game On – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword |journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |issue=July 2010 |pages=49–55}}</ref><ref name="Origins">{{cite web |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/63HheZULX |archivedate=November 15, 2011 |url=http://www.1up.com/news/eiji-aonuma-wraps-zelda-skyward |title=Eiji Aonuma Wraps Up Zelda: Skyward Sword's E3 Showing |author=Gifford, Kevin |date=June 29, 2011 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |accessdate=July 2, 2011}}</ref> According to legend, after the creation of Hyrule, the Triforce was entrusted by the [[Characters in The Legend of Zelda series#Golden Goddesses|Golden Goddesses]] Din, Farore and Nayru to the goddess known as Hylia. However, the Demon King Demise gathered an army to take the Triforce for his own evil intent. Using her power to create the floating islands called Skyloft to keep the Hylians and the Triforce safe, Hylia and the remaining tribes—the Ancient Robots, the Parella, the Kikwis, the Gorons, and the Mogmas—battled Demise's horde before the demon was defeated.

The plot begins many years after the prologue and follows an incarnation of the protagonist [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]], who was born and raised in Skyloft. He begins to have dreams of a strange figure. Woken up by his childhood friend [[Princess Zelda|Zelda]], Link prepares for the Wing Ceremony, a tradition to acknowledge one as knight. Link completes the ceremony after overcoming the attempts of his classmate {{nihongo|Groose|バド|Bado}} to sabotage him. Link and Zelda take their Loftwings out for a flight to celebrate, but encounter a storm which sucks Zelda down to the still demon-infested Hyrule. Soon after, Link learns that the figure from his dream is {{nihongo|Fi|ファイ|Fai}}, the spirit of the Goddess Sword, which Hylia created in case the evil she defeated was to stir again. She tells him that Link must descend to the surface of Hyrule to find Zelda. With guidance from an elderly woman in the Sealed Shrine near Faron Woods, Link pursues Zelda to the Skyview Spring where he encounters the Demon Lord Ghirahim, who is responsible for Zelda's predicament. However, after tracking her down to the Earth Spring, Link learns that Zelda is being protected from Ghirahim by a mysterious woman named [[Characters in The Legend of Zelda series#Impa|Impa]]. Link then tracks Zelda to the ancient Temple of Time, which he can only enter through the Lanayru Mining Facility. Upon entering the temple, Link finds Zelda about to enter the Gate of Time, just as Ghirahim arrives to capture her. Link fends off Ghirahim, allowing Zelda and Impa time to escape through the Gate before it is destroyed. Before leaving, Zelda gives Link her Goddess Harp.

The elderly woman in the Sealed Shrine informs Link that there is a second Gate of Time, which she has been guarding within the temple for years. Link must seek out the three sacred flames of the Golden Goddesses, to temper and increase the power of his sword and open the gate. During his journey for the flames, he also strengthens his spirit through the trials set by the three Goddesses. Once all three flames are infused within it, the Goddess Sword transforms into the Master Sword, and he is able to enter the Gate of Time.

Link arrives in the time period where Demise was just recently sealed away by the Goddess Hylia, and discovers Zelda waiting in the Sealed Shrine (which in the past was known as Hylia's Temple). Zelda reveals she is the [[reincarnation]] of Hylia herself; her trip to the Springs meant to restore her past life's memory. She tells Link that she had to travel back in time to keep Demise's seal active in the past, so that The Imprisoned, Demise's cursed form, cannot break free in the future. She must do this by entering a deep sleep, from which Link will awaken her in the present. She tasks Link to search for the [[Triforce]] hidden in Skyloft, to lock The Imprisoned within the Sealed Grounds forever. Once acquiring the complete Triforce in the present, Link uses its power to crush The Imprisoned under the descending Isle of the Goddess. Soon after, Zelda awakens from her slumber and is reunited with Link. However, the reunion is cut short by Ghirahim as he kidnaps Zelda before entering the Gate of Time, intending to resurrect Demise in the past.

Link follows Ghirahim through the gate, but despite his attempts to stop him, Ghirahim succeeds in sacrificing Zelda's life force to The Imprisoned. It reverts into Demise, who reveals Ghirahim to be his weapon: a sword. He challenges Link to battle, impressed with the youth's bravery. Link manages to mortally wound Demise in their epic battle, giving Zelda back her soul in the process. In his final words, Demise swears that [[Ganon|his hatred will be reborn]] and will haunt the descendants of Link and Zelda [[The Legend of Zelda|for all time]], before he disperses into a mist which is then absorbed by the Master Sword. With her mission complete, Fi asks Link to place the Master Sword into the shrine's pedestal while she falls into an eternal sleep. Link and Zelda also say their goodbyes to Impa, who is revealed to be of this time and must watch over the Master Sword to ensure Demise's destruction. Link, Zelda, and Groose return to the present, where the elderly woman reveals herself to be Impa before she finally vanishes after fulfilling her duty.

After saying their goodbyes to Groose, Zelda admits to Link that she wishes to stay in Hyrule and asks him what he will do, while both of their Loftwings fly off in the distance.

==Development==
[[File:Zelda Legend 2010.jpg|thumb|left|200px|At the E3 2009 trade show, Nintendo released a piece of concept art that raised speculation about the story of ''Skyward Sword''.]]
[[File:Gold Wii Remote Plus.jpg|thumb|200px|right|The limited edition comes bundled with an exclusive gold-colored Wii Remote Plus]]
In April 2008, game designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] confirmed the ''Zelda'' team to be "forming again to work on new games".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/news/miyamoto-wii-fit-hardcore-gamers |title=Miyamoto on Wii Fit, Hardcore Gamers |author=Parish, Jeremy |date=April 17, 2008 |work=[[1UP.com]] |publisher=[[UGO Entertainment, Inc]] |accessdate=July 16, 2008}}</ref> He later clarified at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] 2008 trade show that the staff members had been working on a new installment in the series for the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/890/890200p1.html |title=E3 2008: Miyamoto Says New Zelda for Wii Progressing |author=Casamassina, Matt |date=July 15, 2008 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=July 16, 2008}}</ref> The development of ''Skyward Sword'' started between the production cycles of the two ''The Legend of Zelda'' games for the [[Nintendo DS]]: it began after the completion of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'' and before the development of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]''.<ref name="ignE3int" /> Director [[Hidemaro Fujibayashi]] and his team developed ''Skyward Sword'' and ''Spirit Tracks'' simultaneously until the latter was completed and all staff was transferred to work solely on the Wii game.<ref name="ignE3int" /> A report of ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' pointed out that the developers were still in the planning stages in November 2008, and that a first screening at [[E3 2009]] was considered an optimistic prediction.<ref>{{cite journal |date=November 2008 |journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]]}}</ref>

While the implementation of the graphics was not advanced enough to present actual footage at the 2009 trade show,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/06/shigeru-miyamoto-interview/ |title=Q&A: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto on Mario, Zelda, Project Natal and More |author=Kohler, Chris |date=June 12, 2009 |work=[[Wired News|Wired: GameLife]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast Digital]] |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref> the story of the game was almost completed,<ref name="roundtable">{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/109/1098500p1.html |title=E3 2010: Nintendo Developer Roundtable Live Blog |author=Harris, Craig |date=June 15, 2010 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> and a single piece of concept art was revealed to a select group of journalists.<ref name="e3talk09">{{cite web |title=E3 2009: Miyamoto Talks Next Zelda |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=June 2, 2009 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/990/990149p1.html |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref> The image was released to the public a few days later, and showed a near-adult Link with a shield in his left hand, a mysterious female figure standing at his back.<ref name="e3miya09">{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/991/991714p1.html |title=E3 2009: What Happened to Link's Sword? |author=Casamassina, Matt |date=June 4, 2009 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref> During an interview, Miyamoto gave a hint on the story by pointing out that Link does not hold a sword in the illustration.<ref name="e3miya09" /> The comment raised speculation about the mysterious female being a personification of the Master Sword.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/992/992063p1.html |title=E3 2009: First Look at New Zelda |author=Robinson, Martin; Nix |date=June 5, 2009 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=July 26, 2009}}</ref>

Miyamoto also announced utilization of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for integral parts of the gameplay, such as sword-fighting.<ref name="e3talk09" /> Support for this feature was dropped for several months because producer [[Eiji Aonuma]] did not feel it was effective enough.<ref name="ignE3int" /><ref name="iwatajpe3" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Zelda: Skyward Sword Almost Dropped Wii MotionPlus |author=Drake, Audrey |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=June 15, 2011 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/117/1176717p1.html |accessdate=June 28, 2011}}</ref> However, the decision was eventually reversed when Miyamoto told game designer [[Katsuya Eguchi]] to challenge Aonuma with creating swordplay similar in quality to that in ''[[Wii Sports Resort]]''.<ref name="iwatajpe3">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/e3_2010/iwataasks/index.html#zelda_skyward_sword |title=社長が訊く E3特別篇 『The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword』 |language=Japanese |date=June 16, 2010 |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |accessdate=June 28, 2011}}</ref> This turn of events also resulted in ''Skyward Sword'' borrowing some of its technology from the sports game.<ref name="ignE3int" /> Aonuma later confirmed Wii MotionPlus to be mandatory, and described aforementioned swordplay as feeling very natural, as if Link's sword and the player's controller became one.<ref name="andriasang" /> Instead of developing ''Skyward Sword'' around [[cutscene]]s, the team focused on the gameplay mechanics first.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingmedia.de/videos,id335,shigeru-miyamoto.html |title=Videos: Shigeru Miyamoto interview |author=Lindig, Steffen |date=May 14, 2010 |publisher=Gaming Media |accessdate=June 8, 2010 |language=German |quote=Normalerweise haben wir zuerst die Videosequenzen, und diese Sequenzen werden zu dem fertigen Produkt erweitert. Aber dieses Mal haben wir uns zuerst mit dem Spielaufbau beschäftigt. Und danach mit den Videosequenzen. Also war es diesmal umgekehrt. / Normally, we have the cutscenes first and we expand those scenes to a finished product. But this time, we concentrated on the game mechanisms first. And then on the cutscenes. So it was the opposite this time.}}</ref> The game was intended to correct the flaw of too big and vacant areas in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', while maintaining and improving on the realism it portrayed.<ref name="iwatajpe3" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Nintendo: Twilight Princess 'Starting Point' for New Zelda |author=Casamassina, Matt |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=December 8, 2009 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/105/1053034p1.html |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Aonuma's Regrets For Twilight Princess |work=Edge Online |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |date=December 22, 2009 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100102020329/http://edge-online.com/news/aonumas-regrets-for-twilight-princess |archivedate=January 20, 2010}}</ref> Nintendo president [[Satoru Iwata]] revealed plans to release the game by the end of 2010,<ref>{{cite web |title=Zelda Sequel Confirmed For 2010 |author=Gantayat, Anoop |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=January 6, 2010 |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/105/1058479p1.html |accessdate=January 6, 2010}}</ref> and mentioned that it would debut at [[E3 2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/library/events/100129/07.html |title=Third Quarter Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2010: Presentation by the President |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd]] |date=January 29, 2009 |accessdate=June 8, 2010}}</ref>

At Nintendo's press conference coinciding with the trade show in June 2010, it was announced that the subtitle of the Wii ''Zelda'' was ''Skyward Sword'', and that the game would be delayed until 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/109/1097860p1.html |title=E3 2010: The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword Announced |author=Reilly, Jim |date=June 15, 2010 |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=June 15, 2010}}</ref> The presentation also revealed a hybrid of graphics from ''Twilight Princess'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' resembling a painting come to life, similar to the graphics of ''[[Okami]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.gamespy.com/wii/the-legend-of-zelda-wii/1098682p1.html |title=E3 2010: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Preview |author=Ryan, Scott; Neigher, Eric |date=June 15, 2010 |work=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |accessdate=June 16, 2010}}</ref> The art style has been described as resembling the work of [[Impressionism|impressionist]] painters like [[Paul Cézanne|Cézanne]] and was chosen based on the designers' desire to tell a fantasy story.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2011/nov/09/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword?newsfeed=true |title=Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – interview |author=Cowen, Nick |date=November 9, 2011 |work=[[guardian.com]] |publisher=Guardian, Inc |accessdate=June 15, 2010 |location=London}}</ref> One of the reasons fully realistic visuals were dropped was to allow for more exaggerated character designs, emphasizing the enemies' attacks and weaknesses.<ref name="roundtable" /> The game's soundtrack was primarily composed by Hajime Wakai, and long-standing series musician [[Koji Kondo]] provided additional compositions.<ref name="osvint">{{cite web |url=http://www.originalsoundversion.com/koji-kondo-talks-ocarina-of-time-gives-details-on-skyward-sword/ |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5zdCAJDVF |archivedate=June 22, 2011 |title=Koji Kondo Talks Ocarina of Time, Gives Details on Skyward Sword |date=June 21, 2011 |author=Napolitano, Jayson |work=Original Sound Version |accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref> Staff members expressed their wish to include [[orchestral music]] in ''Skyward Sword'', but Miyamoto initially intervened because he felt its inclusion was not yet necessary for a presentation that focused on gameplay.<ref name="ignE3int" /><ref name="roundtable" /><ref name="orchestraia" /> After the summer break of 2010, however, it was decided that there would be orchestra recordings, and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' composer Mahito Yokota joined the development team as [[orchestration]] director.<ref name="orchestraia">{{cite web |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/3ds/zelda-ocarina-of-time/0/0 |title=Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS – The Everchanging Music of Hyrule Field |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America, Inc]] |date=May 26, 2011 |accessdate=June 2, 2011}}</ref> At [[E3 2011]], it was announced that ''Skyward Sword'' would be released in Q4 2011.<ref name="release2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2011/1686.html |title=E3 2011: Nintendo Reveals Zelda Anniversary Plans, Skyward Sword Release Date |author=Salbato, Mike |date=June 7, 2011 |work=RPGFan |accessdate=June 9, 2011}}</ref> On August 17, 2011, ''Skyward Sword'' was announced to be released in Europe on November 18, 2011, and in North America on November 20, 2011.<ref name="europe date">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/29626/new-nintendo-wii-release-schedule/ |title=New Nintendo Wii release schedule |publisher=''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' |date=17 August 2011 |author=East, Thomas}}</ref><ref name="US date">{{cite web |url=http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=31536 |title=Adventure in the Desert Awaits Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii |date=4 November 2011}}</ref> The game was released as both a standard edition and a limited deluxe edition that includes a gold Wii Remote Plus. For the initial production of the game, an anniversary CD was included with both editions of the game containing orchestrated music of iconic music of the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/119/1191301p1.html |date=August 29, 2011 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Box Art, Bundle Revealed |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |author=George, Richard}}</ref>

===Marketing===
Skyward Sword was available as a demo at the Australian Nintendo Connection Tour 2011 at selected Westfield stores and was the central theme of the event, attracting vast amounts of attention and praise. Actor/comedian and series fan [[Robin Williams]], and his daughter [[Zelda Williams|Zelda]], have starred in TV commercials promoting the game. A short comic based on the game was published weekly in five parts on Nintendo's official ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' website, written and illustrated by [[Jerry Holkins]] and [[Mike Krahulik]] under their ''[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)#Penny Arcade Presents|Penny Arcade Presents]]'' series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5859631/nintendos-skyward-sword-push-includes-penny-arcade-zelda-comic-early-sales-this-saturday|title=Nintendo’s Skyward Sword Push Includes Penny Arcade Zelda Comic, Early Sales This Saturday|publisher=[[Kotaku]]|first=Evan|last=Narcisse|date=2011-11-15}}</ref> The story is narrated by Gaepora, Zelda's father.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://penny-arcade.com/2011/11/21/zelda-page-2|title=Zelda page 2|publisher=Penny-Arcade.com|first=Mike|last=Krahulik|date=2011-11-22}}</ref>

===Technical issue===
During the game there is a technical issue that can prevent the player progressing further in the game. Save files can be sent to Nintendo to be fixed or the "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Save Data Update Channel" can be downloaded for free to fix the issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?pageID=448 |title=Attention: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - About the Song of the Hero Quest after meeting Levias |publisher=[[Nintendo Australia]] |accessdate=22 December 2011}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
|MC= 93 / 100<ref name=metacritic/>
|GR= 93.34%<ref name=gamerankings/>
|agg1 = [[GameStats]]
|agg1Score = 9.8 / 10<ref name="gamestats_skyward"/>
|CVG = 9.8 / 10<ref name=gamerankings/>
|Edge= 10/10<ref name=EdgeRev/>
|EGM= 8.5<ref name=EgmRev/>
|EuroG = 10/10<ref name=EuroGRev/><ref name=metacritic/>
|Fam= 40/40<ref name=Fam/>
|G4TV = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=G4TV>[http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/63180/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/review/</ref>
|Game Crunch = 9.8/10<ref name=GameCrunch>http://gamecrunch.co/2011/11/24/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''[[G4TV]]''</ref>
|GameRev = A<ref name=gamerankings/>
|GI= 10/10<ref name=GI/>
|GMaster = 96%<ref name=gamerankings/>
|GSpot = 7.5/10<ref name="GamespotReview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-6345839|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=November 17, 2011}}</ref>
|GTM= 9/10<ref name=GTM/>
|IGN= 10/10<ref name=IGN/>
|GSpot= 7.5/10<ref name=GameSpot>[http://www.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/platform/wii Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review]{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-6345839?tag=summary%3Bread-review |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review |author=Mc Shea, Tom |work=[[GameSpot.com]] |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |date=November 15, 2011}}</ref>
|GRadar=9/10<ref name=GRadar/>
|NP= 9.5/10<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=[[Nintendo Power]]|title=The Last Word on Skyward Sword|volume=274|month=December|year=2011|first= Chris|last=Hoffman|pages=&nbsp;82–85}}</ref>
|NWR=10/10<ref name = NWR>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/28400/ |publisher=[[Nintendo World Report]] |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review |date=November 11, 2011 |author=Ronaghan, Neal}}</ref>
|ONM = 98%<ref>[http://www.computerandvideogames.com/323103/zelda-skyward-sword-review-worlds-first-is-98-heralds-best-zelda-ever Zelda: Skyward Sword review - World's first is 98%, heralds 'best Zelda ever']</ref>
|ONMUK = 98%<ref name=gamerankings/>
|XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Wishnov |first=Jason |url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/63180/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/review/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review for Wii |publisher=G4tv |date= |accessdate=2011-12-10}}</ref>
|rev1 = [[Destructoid]]
|rev1Score = 9.5/10<ref name=DestructoidReview>{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/review-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-215659.phtml|title=Review: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword}}</ref>
|rev2 = [[Machinima.com|Machinima]]
|rev2Score = 9.5/10<ref name=MachinimaReview>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2011/11/11/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review| date=November 15, 2011}}</ref>
|NL = 10/10<ref name=NL>[http://wii.nintendolife.com/reviews/2011/11/legend_of_zelda_skyward_sword_wii Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''Nintendo Life''</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]''
|rev3Score = 10/10<ref name=WiredReview>{{cite news |url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/11/skyward-sword-review/all/1 |title=Review: Skyward Sword Slashes Zelda’s Sacred Cows - Game Life - Wired| publisher=[[Wired (magazine)]] |date=November 11, 2011 |first=Chris |last=Kohler}}</ref>
|1UP=B+<ref name=1up/>
|GT = 9.1/10<ref name=GameTrailers>[http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-zelda-skyward/723945 Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''GameTrailers''</ref>
|rev4 = [[Joystiq]]
|rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=JoystiqReview>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review: Such great heights - Joystiq| publisher=[[Joystiq]] |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
|rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="TelegraphReview">{{Cite news|author=Hoggins, Tom |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/video-game-reviews/8883138/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-Sword-review.html <nowiki>|</nowiki> | date = November 17, 2011 |Game Review | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]| accessdate=November 19, 2011}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]''
|rev6Score = 10/10<ref name="metro_skyward"/>
|rev7 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev7Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GuardianReview"/>
|award1 = [[Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]]
|award1Pub = ''[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="bdt_top"/> ''[[Click Online|Click]]'',<ref name="clock_goty"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'',<ref name="edge_awards"/> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'',<ref name="egm_camron"/> [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]],<ref name="g4_deathmatch"/><ref name="g4_winner"/> ''[[Gamereactor]]'',<ref name="gamereactor_es"/><ref name="gamereactor_it"/> IGN's People's Choice,<ref name="ign_overall"/> ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'',<ref name="metro_top"/> [[MMGN]],<ref name="mmgn_goty"/> [[Nintendojo]],<ref name="nintendojo_best"/> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]],<ref name="eurog_developers"/> ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref name="mercurynews_games"/> [[ScrewAttack]],<ref name="screwattack_top"/> ''[[The Washington Examiner|Washington Examiner]]''<ref name="washingtonexaminer_games"/>
|award2 = Wii Game of the Year
|award2Pub = [[GameSpot]],<ref name="gspot_awards"/> [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards"/> [[IGN]],<ref name="ign_wii"/> [[GameZone]],<ref name="gamezone_platform"/> [[Metacritic]],<ref name="mc_best"/> ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'',<ref name="metro_top"/> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> [[Spike Video Game Awards]],<ref name="spike_vga"/> [[UGO Networks]]<ref name="ugo_wii_goty"/>
|award3 = Best Action/Adventure Game
|award3Pub = [[Digital Trends]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Fleming|first=Ryan|title=Digital Trends Best of 2011 Awards: Video Games|url=http://news.yahoo.com/digital-trends-best-2011-awards-video-games-144556343.html|work=[[Digital Trends]]|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|accessdate=2 January 2012|year=Dec 27, 2011}}</ref> [[IGN]],<ref name="ign_overall"/> [[MMGN]]<ref name="mmgn_goty"/>
|award4 = Best Motion Game
|award4Pub = [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards"/> [[Spike Video Game Awards]]<ref name="spike_vga"/>
}}

''Skyward Sword'' has received critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from at least 30 publications,<ref name=metacritic/><ref name=gamerankings/> with an average rating of 93.34% on [[GameRankings]] based on 56 reviews,<ref name=gamerankings/> 93 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] based on 80 reviews,<ref name=metacritic/> and 9.8 out of 10 on [[GameStats]].<ref name="gamestats_skyward">{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.gamestats.com/objects/872/872155/|publisher=[[GameStats]]|accessdate=7 December 2011}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'''s first review, from ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine|ONM]]'' on October 20, scored 98%, praising the title as the "best Zelda game ever made".<ref>[http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/31573/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-98-in-onm Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''Nintendo Magazine''</ref> A day later, ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' gave the game 10/10. Edge's review said "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be", describing it as "a game made for Christmas Day, released an agonizing six weeks before".<ref name=EdgeRev>[http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/legend-zelda-skyward-sword-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''Nextgen''</ref> ''[[GamesTM]]'' gave the game a 9/10, and said "Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates."<ref name=GTM>[http://nintendoeverything.com/76640/gamestm-115-scores-skyward-sword-super-mario-3d-land-reviews GamesTM 115 scores – Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land reviews] ''Nintendo Everything''</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' said "Skyward Sword is one of those rare treasures, a 10/10 game."<ref name=GI>[http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/11/04/a-sneak-preview-of-our-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review.aspx Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword sneak preview] </ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' 's review stated, "nobody could argue that it's anything less than a masterclass in the art of crafting video games."<ref name="GuardianReview">{{Cite news|author=Boxer, Steve |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/nov/11/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review?newsfeed=true|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – review <nowiki>|</nowiki> | date = 2011-11-11 |Game Review | work=[[The Guardian]]| accessdate=2011-11-11 | location=London}}</ref>

[[IGN]] awarded the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. In regard to motion controls, IGN's reviewer Richard George praised them for their integral implementation into the gameplay, stating: "After slashing enemies with 1:1 sword movement, I never want to go back." He considered ''Skyward Sword'' to be "the purest, most perfect realization of Nintendo's ambitious goals for motion-controlled gaming", going on to say it "is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years."<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1212220p1.html |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review |author=George, Richard |work=[[IGN.com]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> Game Informer praised the controls as the best in any Zelda game, writing that "when the correct method to defeat each foe finally clicked, I felt a sense of satisfaction that repeatedly tapping the A button never provided."<ref name=GI/> [[GamesRadar]] however felt that "though we still prefer traditional button inputs, we have to admit that the Wii MotionPlus really does work well here overall, and while the detractions are there, they're relatively small."<ref name=GRadar>[http://www.gamesradar.com/legend-zelda-skyward-sword-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''GamesRaider''</ref> [[Eurogamer]] called the motion controls "as integral to this game as the analogue stick was to ''[[Mario 64]]''." [[Eurogamer]]'s reviewer stated that the MotionPlus controls "perfectly" track movement "without requiring energetic gestures" and give players a "more direct link to Link."<ref name=EuroGRev>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-11-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''Eurogamer''</ref> In contrast to most reviews, ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly|EGM]]'''s reviewer Ray Carsillo felt that the MotionPlus controls follow the player "too well." He preferred the simpler motion controls found in the Wii version of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' stating, "...this could’ve been one of the greatest Zelda games yet had the controls just worked" and ended by saying, "Even with cruddy controls, [the game] is still an epic adventure worthy of the franchise—and it should absolutely be played by all fans of the series."<ref name=EgmRev>[http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/egm-review-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword EGM Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''EGM Now''</ref>

[[1UP.com|1UP]] particularly noted the dungeons, a staple of the series, that "consistently stand as the most brilliant element of the Zelda formula, and Skyward Sword sends you exploring through catacombs on par with some of the best in the series", that "the developer has artfully crafted intelligently designed spaces that utilize your entire skill set". They were however less pleased with the quests outside of the main story, such as the "fetch quests" that they felt "start to feel more like filler material than inspired game design".<ref name=1up>[http://www.1up.com/reviews/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-wii Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''1UP.com''</ref> [[Joystiq]] echoed this view feeling that some side quests did "nothing but stuff a few more insubstantial hours". However, they still praised the overall length of the game that "without them, would still be 25 to 30 hours long", going on to state "Skyward Sword is given plenty of time to shine through its excess, and when it does, it will completely consume you."<ref name=JoystiqReview>{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review: Such great heights - Joystiq|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review/|work=[[Joystiq]]|accessdate=November 11, 2011|date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> In contrast, ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' commented on what they felt was "tons of content that doesn’t get repetitive", while also noting that "you don’t have to do any of these things to complete the game, but they are good substantial rewards for going the extra mile".<ref name=WiredReview>{{cite news|title=Review: Skyward Sword Slashes Zelda’s Sacred Cows - Game Life - Wired|url=http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/11/skyward-sword-review/all/1|work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|accessdate=November 11, 2011|date=November 11, 2011|first=Chris|last=Kohler}}</ref> ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] [[GameCentral]]'' gave the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10, describing the game as a "revolution" that will "not only change the way you think about ''Zelda'' but also the whole concept of motion controls."<ref name="metro_skyward">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/881408-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-hyrulian-revolution |title=The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword review - Hyrulian revolution |first=David |last=Jenkins |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>

''Skyward Sword'' received positive critical acclaim in Japan as well. ''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine gave ''Skyward Sword'' a perfect 40/40 score making it only the sixteenth game in the publication's history to receive the rating and is also the third Zelda game to receive the honor.<ref name=Fam>[http://andriasang.com/comyyf Zelda Skyward Sword Rated Perfect in Famitsu] ''Andriasang''</ref> [[ScrewAttack]] gave this game a 9.5 out of 10.<ref>[http://n4g.com/news/897715/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-screwattack-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''N4G''</ref> [[Giant Bomb]] gave the game a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.<ref name=GBomb>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/61-26934/reviews/ |title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Reviews |author=Klepek, Patrick |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>

[[GameSpot]] however gave the game a comparatively lower score of 7.5/10, mainly criticizing its motion controls, linear progression and formulaic gameplay. GameSpot critic Tom Mc Shea states in his opening paragraph, "Nintendo has kept the elements that have hung like an acidic cloud over past iterations while crafting a new control system to keep it from feeling like the same old game. Inconsistent controls continually torment poor Link, and the predictable structure does little to distract you from these faults."<ref>[http://asia.gamespot.com/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/reviews/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review-6345839?tag=topslot;read;5 Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] ''GameSpot''</ref> Shortly thereafter, GameSpot added an [[addendum]] to the review, stating that it incorrectly described the [[Wii Remote]]'s infrared sensor as being responsible for aiming in the game and that the review had been edited accordingly. Mc Shea later explained that although there was some misinformation regarding the controls, the other faults of the game still remain.

===Awards===
''Skyward Sword'' has won numerous awards, including [[Game of the Year]] awards from organizations and publications such as ''Edge'',<ref name="edge_awards">{{cite web|title=2011 EDGE awards – Game of the Year and more|url=http://gamingeverything.com/13089/2011-edge-awards-game-of-the-year-and-more/|publisher=Gaming Everything|accessdate=21 December 2011|author=Valay|date=December 17, 2011}}</ref> ''Metro GameCentral'',<ref name="metro_top">{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/games/885639-gamecentral-video-game-top-20-of-2011-games-of-the-year |title=GameCentral Video Game Top 20 of 2011 - Games of the Year |work=[[GameCentral]] |publisher=''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' |date=22 December 2011 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards">{{cite web|last=Newton|first=James|title=Game of the Year: Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/12/game_of_the_year_nintendo_life_staff_awards_2011|work=Nintendo Life|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[Click Online|Click]]'',<ref name="clock_goty">{{cite web|last=Nelis|first=Peter|title=Click Game of the Year 2011 Part 3|url=http://www.clickonline.com/games/click-game-of-the-year-2011-part-3/5461/|work=[[Click Online|Click]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'',<ref name="mercurynews_games">{{cite web|last=Cacho|first=Gieson|title=Best video games of 2011|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment-headlines/ci_19621246|work=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=12/29/2011}}</ref> [[MMGN]],<ref name="mmgn_goty">{{cite web|title=Game of the Year 2011 Winners|url=http://ps3.mmgn.com/Articles/Game-of-the-Year-2011-Winners|publisher=[[MMGN]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=25/11/2011}}</ref> ''[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="bdt_top">{{cite news|last=Dennis|first=Justin|title=This year's top 10 video games|url=http://bdtonline.com/lifestyles/x1760885543/This-years-top-10-video-games-with-holiday-savings|accessdate=31 December 2011|newspaper=[[Bluefield Daily Telegraph]]|date=December 1, 2011}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Examiner]]'',<ref name="washingtonexaminer_games">{{cite news|title=Top 10 video games of 2011|url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/2011/12/top-10-video-games-2011/2015366|accessdate=31 December 2011|newspaper=[[The Washington Examiner]]|date=12/18/11|author=Greg Prince|author2=Ryan Vogt}}</ref> ''[[Gamereactor]]'',<ref name="gamereactor_es">{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.gamereactor.es/juegodelano11/juego+del+a%F1o/?pos=1&sid=51b01804d3b606678c17f0139f640e76|work=[[Gamereactor]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}} ([http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?act=url&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=es&tl=en&twu=1&u=http://www.gamereactor.es/juegodelano11/juego%2Bdel%2Ba%25F1o/%3Fpos%3D1%26sid%3Dce763fb4e315076955b008e00b59a7a2&usg=ALkJrhj1h7tjQQvZkyNV_SepJSAPJ0d64g Translation])</ref><ref name="gamereactor_it">{{cite web|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.gamereactor.it/giocodellanno11/gioco+dell%27anno/?pos=1&sid=51b01804d3b606678c17f0139f640e76|work=[[Gamereactor]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}} ([http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?sl=it&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http://www.gamereactor.it/giocodellanno11/gioco+dell%27anno/?pos=1&sid=51b01804d3b606678c17f0139f640e76 Translation])</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' (Editor's Choice),<ref name="egm_camron">{{cite web|last=Camron|first=Marc|title=EGM’S BEST OF 2011: MARC CAMRON’S PICKS|url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/egms-best-of-2011-marc-camrons-picks/|work=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|accessdate=7 January 2012|date=December 21, 2011}}</ref> [[Rare Ltd.|Rare]] (Developers Choice),<ref name="eurog_developers">{{cite web|title=Developers' Games of 2011|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-02-developers-games-of-2011-article|publisher=[[Eurogamer]]|accessdate=7 January 2012|date=2 January 2012}}</ref> [[Nintendojo]],<ref name="nintendojo_best">{{cite web|last=Sorice|first=Adam|title=The Best Games Overall of 2011|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/features/specials/the-best-games-overall-of-2011|publisher=[[Nintendojo]]|accessdate=10 January 2012|date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]]<ref name="g4_deathmatch">{{cite web|title=Best Game 2011 - Videogame Deathmatch|url=http://www.g4tv.com/vgdm/best-game-2011/|publisher=[[G4 (TV channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=21 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> where it won a poll consisting of over 500,000 votes in total,<ref name="g4_winner">{{cite web|title=Best of 2011: Videogame Deathmatch Best of 2011 Winner|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/56655/best-of-2011-videogame-deathmatch-best-of-2011-winner/|publisher=[[G4 (TV Channel){{!}}G4]]|accessdate=22 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> and [[IGN]] where it won the People's Choice award for Game of the Year<ref name="ign_overall"/> in its "Best of 2011" awards that involved 300,000 votes in total.<ref>{{cite web|title=IGN readers name The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword their game of 2011|url=http://gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/82001/IGN_readers_name_The_Legend_of_Zelda_Skyward_Sword_theirgame_of_2011.php|publisher=[[Gamasutra]]|accessdate=26 January 2012|date=01/18/2012}}</ref> ScrewAttack,<ref name="screwattack_top">{{cite web|title=Top 10 Games of 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-10-screwattack/725346|work=[[ScrewAttack]]|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 24, 2011}}</ref> The game also won Wii Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as the [[Spike Video Game Awards]],<ref name="spike_vga">{{cite web|title=Spike TV Video Game Awards 2011|publisher=[[Spike TV]]|date=December 10, 2011|url=http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/game-of-the-year|accessdate=December 11, 2011}}</ref> [[UGO Networks]],<ref name="ugo_wii_goty">{{cite web|title=Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/video-game-of-the-year-awards-2011-nintendo-wii-game-of-the-year|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> IGN,<ref name="ign_wii">{{cite web|title=Wii|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Wii|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=26 December 2011|month=December|year=2011}}</ref> [[GameTrailers]],<ref name="gt_awards">{{cite web|title=GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2011|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/game/game-of-the-year-awards-2011/15923|publisher=[[GameTrailers]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|year=2011}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> GameSpot (Readers' Choice),<ref name="gspot_awards">{{cite web|title=The Best of 2011 Awards|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2011-awards/|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=30 December 2011}}</ref> Metacritic,<ref name="mc_best">{{cite web|last=Dietz|first=Jason|title=The Best Videogames of 2011 (Wii)|url=http://www.metacritic.com/feature/best-video-games-of-2011?tag=supplementary-nav%3Barticle%3B1&page=1|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|accessdate=10 January 2012|date=December 23, 2011}}</ref> and [[GameZone]].<ref name="gamezone_platform">{{cite web|last=Splechta|first=Mike|title=GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 4: Platform Awards|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/gamezone-s-game-of-the-year-awards-day-4-platform-awards|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=31 December 2011|date=December 30, 2011}}</ref>

GameTrailers also gave it the "Best Motion Controls" award and nominated it for the "Most Innovative" and "Best Action Adventure" awards.<ref name="gt_awards"/> IGN also gave it the awards for "Best Wii Graphics", "Best Wii Sound", "Best Wii Story",<ref name="ign_wii"/> "Best Adventure Game" (People's Choice), "Best Sound" (People's Choice), and "Best Story" (People's Choice), while also nominating it for the "Best Graphics" award.<ref name="ign_overall">{{cite web|title=Overall|url=http://ign.com/wikis/best-of-2011/Overall|work=Best of 2011|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=January 17, 2011|accessdate=20 January 2011}}</ref> It has also received awards such as the GameZone award for "Best Original Soundtrack",<ref>{{cite web|last=Splechta|first=Mike|title=GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 2: Technical Awards|url=http://www.gamezone.com/editorials/gamezone-s-game-of-the-year-awards-day-2-technical-awards|publisher=[[GameZone]]|accessdate=30 December 2011|date=December 28, 2011}}</ref> the ''Nintendo Life'' award for "Best Audio",<ref name="nintendolife_awards"/> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' awards for "Best Level Design" and "Best Developer" (Nintendo EAD),<ref name="telegraph_awards">{{cite news|title=Telegraph video game awards 2011|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8974993/Telegraph-video-game-awards-2011.html|work=[[The Daily Telegraph{{!}}The Telegraph]]|accessdate=29 December 2011|date=27 December 2011|location=London}}</ref> and the ''Edge'' award for "Publisher of the Year" (Nintendo).<ref name="edge_awards"/>

===Sales===
In Japan, roughly 195,000 copies were sold in its first week.<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/38874/Skyward_Sword_Tops_Japanese_Charts_While_3DS_Sales_Continue_To_Rise.php Skyward Sword Tops Japanese Charts, While 3DS Sales Continue To Rise] ''Gamasutra''</ref> This added up to a total first week sales of 919,119. According to Nintendo of America president [[Reggie Fils-Aime]], ''Skyward Sword'' is the fastest selling title in the [[Legend of Zelda series|''Legend of Zelda'' series]].<ref>[http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/225341/skyward-sword-is-the-fastest-selling-zelda-title-ever-thanks-to-black-friday/ Skyward Sword is the Fastest Selling Zelda Title Ever Thanks to Black Friday] ''[[GamePro]]''</ref>

As of December 2011, the game has recorded 3.42 million units of sales worldwide.<ref name="nintendo_dec11">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2012/120127e.pdf#page=7|title=Financial Results Brieging for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 2011|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2012-01-27|format=pdf|accessdate=2012-02-08|page=6}}</ref><ref name="gspot_sales">[http://www.gamespot.com/news/super-mario-3d-land-sells-5-million-skyward-sword-34-million-6349326 Super Mario 3D Land sells 5 million, Skyward Sword 3.4 million] ''GameSpot''</ref> 380,000 of these units were sold in Japan while 3.04 million units were sold overseas.<ref name="nintendo_dec11"/>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Portalbox|The Legend of Zelda|Video games|Nintendo}}
* [http://e3.nintendo.com/games/detail/#/wii/zeldass ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' at the E3 2011 Nintendo Network]
* [http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/wii/the_legend_of_zelda_skyward_sword_18226.html ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' Official Europe website]
* [http://www.zelda.com/skywardsword/ ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' Official North America website]
* [http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/souj/ ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' Official Japan website]
* [http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/zelda-skyward-sword/en_AU/index.php ''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword'' Official Australian website]
* {{MusicBrainz release|id=a586d48b-a07b-4284-bdbd-aea4aa766b6c|name=The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD}}
* {{imdb title|id=2090679}}

{{Zelda}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword}}
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:The Legend of Zelda games|Skyward Sword]]
[[Category:New game plus video games]]
[[Category:Time travel video games]]
[[Category:Video games with cel-shaded graphics]]
[[Category:2011 video games]]
[[Category:Wii games]]
[[Category:Wii-only games]]
[[Category:Wii MotionPlus games]]

[[ar:ذا ليجند أوف زيلدا: سكايورد سورد]]
[[da:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[de:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[es:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[eu:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[fr:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[ko:젤다의 전설 스카이워드 소드]]
[[it:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[nl:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[ja:ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード]]
[[no:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[nn:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[pt:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[ru:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[simple:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[fi:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[sv:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword]]
[[zh:薩爾達傳說:Skyward Sword]]

Revision as of 22:58, 10 March 2012

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
North American box art
Developer(s)Nintendo EAD
Monolith Soft
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Hidemaro Fujibayashi[5]
Producer(s)Eiji Aonuma
Shigeru Miyamoto
Satoru Iwata
Designer(s)Yoshiyuki Oyama
Composer(s)Hajime Wakai[6]
Shiho Fujii
Mahito Yokota
Takeshi Hama
Koji Kondo[6]
SeriesThe Legend of Zelda
Platform(s)Wii
Release
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード, Zeruda no Densetsu: Sukaiwōdo Sōdo) is an action-adventure game for the Wii console and the sixteenth entry in the Legend of Zelda series. Developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis and Development with the help of Monolith Soft, it was released in all regions in November 2011. The game makes use of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for sword-fighting, with a revised Wii Remote pointing system used for targeting.[7][8] A limited edition bundle featuring a golden Wii Remote Plus was sold coinciding with the game's launch, and the first run of both the standard game and the limited edition bundled included a CD containing orchestrated tracks of iconic music from the franchise in celebration of the franchise's 25th anniversary.[9]

The game's storyline is the earliest in Zelda continuity, preceding The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.[10] Skyward Sword follows an incarnation of the series protagonist Link who was raised in a society above the clouds known as Skyloft. After his closest childhood friend, Zelda, is swept into the land below the clouds by demonic forces, Link does whatever it takes to save her, traveling between Skyloft and the surface below while battling the dark forces of the self proclaimed "Demon Lord", Ghirahim.

Upon release, the game received critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from at least 30 publications,[11][12] including IGN, Wired, Edge, Famitsu, Eurogamer, Metro GameCentral, and Game Informer. Much of the praise was directed at the game's intuitive motion-based swordplay and the changes it brought to the Zelda franchise. The game was a major commercial success as well, having sold over 3.42 million units worldwide as of December 2011, just one month after its initial release.[13][14]

Gameplay

File:Zeldaskywardsword2010E3.png
Skyward Sword uses graphics that resemble impressionist art. The style allows for more exaggerated enemy designs, which emphasize their attacks and weaknesses.

Skyward Sword is an action-adventure game with role-playing and puzzle elements. The player controls the protagonist Link from a third-person perspective, in a three-dimensional space. Link primarily engages in combat with enemies using a sword and shield, but many other weapons, such as a bow and arrow, clawshots, and bombs, become available as the player progresses. Link also obtains a series of new items, such as a whip, and a mechanical flying beetle, which allow him to reach previously unaccessible areas.

Link's adventures consist of travelling between Skyloft, a community based on floating islands in the sky that act as the game's main hub, and Hyrule, which is located directly below on the Earth. Skyloft contains a bazaar where the player can purchase or upgrade potions, shields, and weapons.[15] Initially, access to Hyrule is sealed off by a "cloud barrier," but portals through the clouds to each of the three provinces of Hyrule (forest, volcano, and desert) open as the game progresses. The player flies upon Link's giant bird, Loftwing, to travel and skydive into the portals or travel between the multiple islands of Skyloft. Bird statues, which are abundantly placed in both Hyrule and Skyloft, act as save points and allow the player to transport back to the sky from Hyrule.

Skyward Sword retains the traditional Legend of Zelda gameplay of exploring the different regions of Hyrule (the overworld) and then exploring the dungeons contained within. Link navigates these dungeons and fights a boss at the end to obtain an item or otherwise advance the plot. Skyward Sword has seven unique dungeons, two in each of the provinces of Hyrule and the remaining one located in Skyloft. Notably, Skyward Sword integrates the two modes of exploration more than other games in the series.[16] Puzzle solving is not confined to the game's dungeons and is carried over into the overworld, a facet which has helped label the gameplay of Skyword Sword as more dense than any other Zelda title.[citation needed]

The player controls Link using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk configuration. Link retains many of his abilities from previous games, such as context-sensitive actions and Z-targeting, though he now possesses the ability to run and dash up walls. However, Link also has a Stamina Meter that quickly decreases while these moves are performed. When the Stamina Meter is fully depleted Link will tire out and will be unable to perform any actions until the meter replenishes itself. This meter also decreases while climbing, performing powerful attacks (such as spin attacks and somersaults) and other strenuous activities.[17] Skyward Sword heavily utilizes the controllers' motion-sensing abilities and also requires the Wii MotionPlus accessory, a device that allows the Wii Remote to detect movement more accurately. The most prominent application of Wii MotionPlus technology is in swordplay: when the player swings the Wii Remote from any particular angle, Link will slash the sword at precisely the same angle.[18] In contrast to earlier installments of the Legend of Zelda series, battles do not focus solely on timing attacks, but also on their target, such as the direction in which enemies are hit.[5] A Wii MotionPlus-based pointing system is also used to navigate the game menus and control some of the additional weapons, such as aiming the bow and slingshot items.

The main sword used in Skyward Sword is the Goddess Sword, given to Link near the beginning of the game that, as the game progresses, becomes strengthened and eventually becomes the Master Sword.[19] Inside the sword rests a spirit called Fi, who accompanies and aids the player, giving hints and tips throughout the game. Early in the game, the player learns to perform an ability called "Dowsing", which allows him to locate nearby objects. While Dowsing, the perspective shifts to a first-person view and the Goddess Sword begins to act as a homing device. The player then moves and points the sword in the direction of the object, indicated by the signals the sword generates. Dowsing is initially used to locate the missing Zelda, but is eventually used to also find treasures and other items.

Plot

In the chronology of the series, Skyward Sword is officially the earliest point in the Zelda Timeline, and elaborates on the origins of the Master Sword and Ganon.[20][21] According to legend, after the creation of Hyrule, the Triforce was entrusted by the Golden Goddesses Din, Farore and Nayru to the goddess known as Hylia. However, the Demon King Demise gathered an army to take the Triforce for his own evil intent. Using her power to create the floating islands called Skyloft to keep the Hylians and the Triforce safe, Hylia and the remaining tribes—the Ancient Robots, the Parella, the Kikwis, the Gorons, and the Mogmas—battled Demise's horde before the demon was defeated.

The plot begins many years after the prologue and follows an incarnation of the protagonist Link, who was born and raised in Skyloft. He begins to have dreams of a strange figure. Woken up by his childhood friend Zelda, Link prepares for the Wing Ceremony, a tradition to acknowledge one as knight. Link completes the ceremony after overcoming the attempts of his classmate Groose (バド, Bado) to sabotage him. Link and Zelda take their Loftwings out for a flight to celebrate, but encounter a storm which sucks Zelda down to the still demon-infested Hyrule. Soon after, Link learns that the figure from his dream is Fi (ファイ, Fai), the spirit of the Goddess Sword, which Hylia created in case the evil she defeated was to stir again. She tells him that Link must descend to the surface of Hyrule to find Zelda. With guidance from an elderly woman in the Sealed Shrine near Faron Woods, Link pursues Zelda to the Skyview Spring where he encounters the Demon Lord Ghirahim, who is responsible for Zelda's predicament. However, after tracking her down to the Earth Spring, Link learns that Zelda is being protected from Ghirahim by a mysterious woman named Impa. Link then tracks Zelda to the ancient Temple of Time, which he can only enter through the Lanayru Mining Facility. Upon entering the temple, Link finds Zelda about to enter the Gate of Time, just as Ghirahim arrives to capture her. Link fends off Ghirahim, allowing Zelda and Impa time to escape through the Gate before it is destroyed. Before leaving, Zelda gives Link her Goddess Harp.

The elderly woman in the Sealed Shrine informs Link that there is a second Gate of Time, which she has been guarding within the temple for years. Link must seek out the three sacred flames of the Golden Goddesses, to temper and increase the power of his sword and open the gate. During his journey for the flames, he also strengthens his spirit through the trials set by the three Goddesses. Once all three flames are infused within it, the Goddess Sword transforms into the Master Sword, and he is able to enter the Gate of Time.

Link arrives in the time period where Demise was just recently sealed away by the Goddess Hylia, and discovers Zelda waiting in the Sealed Shrine (which in the past was known as Hylia's Temple). Zelda reveals she is the reincarnation of Hylia herself; her trip to the Springs meant to restore her past life's memory. She tells Link that she had to travel back in time to keep Demise's seal active in the past, so that The Imprisoned, Demise's cursed form, cannot break free in the future. She must do this by entering a deep sleep, from which Link will awaken her in the present. She tasks Link to search for the Triforce hidden in Skyloft, to lock The Imprisoned within the Sealed Grounds forever. Once acquiring the complete Triforce in the present, Link uses its power to crush The Imprisoned under the descending Isle of the Goddess. Soon after, Zelda awakens from her slumber and is reunited with Link. However, the reunion is cut short by Ghirahim as he kidnaps Zelda before entering the Gate of Time, intending to resurrect Demise in the past.

Link follows Ghirahim through the gate, but despite his attempts to stop him, Ghirahim succeeds in sacrificing Zelda's life force to The Imprisoned. It reverts into Demise, who reveals Ghirahim to be his weapon: a sword. He challenges Link to battle, impressed with the youth's bravery. Link manages to mortally wound Demise in their epic battle, giving Zelda back her soul in the process. In his final words, Demise swears that his hatred will be reborn and will haunt the descendants of Link and Zelda for all time, before he disperses into a mist which is then absorbed by the Master Sword. With her mission complete, Fi asks Link to place the Master Sword into the shrine's pedestal while she falls into an eternal sleep. Link and Zelda also say their goodbyes to Impa, who is revealed to be of this time and must watch over the Master Sword to ensure Demise's destruction. Link, Zelda, and Groose return to the present, where the elderly woman reveals herself to be Impa before she finally vanishes after fulfilling her duty.

After saying their goodbyes to Groose, Zelda admits to Link that she wishes to stay in Hyrule and asks him what he will do, while both of their Loftwings fly off in the distance.

Development

File:Zelda Legend 2010.jpg
At the E3 2009 trade show, Nintendo released a piece of concept art that raised speculation about the story of Skyward Sword.
The limited edition comes bundled with an exclusive gold-colored Wii Remote Plus

In April 2008, game designer Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the Zelda team to be "forming again to work on new games".[22] He later clarified at the E3 2008 trade show that the staff members had been working on a new installment in the series for the Wii.[23] The development of Skyward Sword started between the production cycles of the two The Legend of Zelda games for the Nintendo DS: it began after the completion of Phantom Hourglass and before the development of Spirit Tracks.[5] Director Hidemaro Fujibayashi and his team developed Skyward Sword and Spirit Tracks simultaneously until the latter was completed and all staff was transferred to work solely on the Wii game.[5] A report of Official Nintendo Magazine pointed out that the developers were still in the planning stages in November 2008, and that a first screening at E3 2009 was considered an optimistic prediction.[24]

While the implementation of the graphics was not advanced enough to present actual footage at the 2009 trade show,[25] the story of the game was almost completed,[26] and a single piece of concept art was revealed to a select group of journalists.[27] The image was released to the public a few days later, and showed a near-adult Link with a shield in his left hand, a mysterious female figure standing at his back.[28] During an interview, Miyamoto gave a hint on the story by pointing out that Link does not hold a sword in the illustration.[28] The comment raised speculation about the mysterious female being a personification of the Master Sword.[29]

Miyamoto also announced utilization of the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for integral parts of the gameplay, such as sword-fighting.[27] Support for this feature was dropped for several months because producer Eiji Aonuma did not feel it was effective enough.[5][30][31] However, the decision was eventually reversed when Miyamoto told game designer Katsuya Eguchi to challenge Aonuma with creating swordplay similar in quality to that in Wii Sports Resort.[30] This turn of events also resulted in Skyward Sword borrowing some of its technology from the sports game.[5] Aonuma later confirmed Wii MotionPlus to be mandatory, and described aforementioned swordplay as feeling very natural, as if Link's sword and the player's controller became one.[7] Instead of developing Skyward Sword around cutscenes, the team focused on the gameplay mechanics first.[32] The game was intended to correct the flaw of too big and vacant areas in Twilight Princess, while maintaining and improving on the realism it portrayed.[30][33][34] Nintendo president Satoru Iwata revealed plans to release the game by the end of 2010,[35] and mentioned that it would debut at E3 2010.[36]

At Nintendo's press conference coinciding with the trade show in June 2010, it was announced that the subtitle of the Wii Zelda was Skyward Sword, and that the game would be delayed until 2011.[37] The presentation also revealed a hybrid of graphics from Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker resembling a painting come to life, similar to the graphics of Okami.[38] The art style has been described as resembling the work of impressionist painters like Cézanne and was chosen based on the designers' desire to tell a fantasy story.[39] One of the reasons fully realistic visuals were dropped was to allow for more exaggerated character designs, emphasizing the enemies' attacks and weaknesses.[26] The game's soundtrack was primarily composed by Hajime Wakai, and long-standing series musician Koji Kondo provided additional compositions.[6] Staff members expressed their wish to include orchestral music in Skyward Sword, but Miyamoto initially intervened because he felt its inclusion was not yet necessary for a presentation that focused on gameplay.[5][26][40] After the summer break of 2010, however, it was decided that there would be orchestra recordings, and Super Mario Galaxy composer Mahito Yokota joined the development team as orchestration director.[40] At E3 2011, it was announced that Skyward Sword would be released in Q4 2011.[41] On August 17, 2011, Skyward Sword was announced to be released in Europe on November 18, 2011, and in North America on November 20, 2011.[2][1] The game was released as both a standard edition and a limited deluxe edition that includes a gold Wii Remote Plus. For the initial production of the game, an anniversary CD was included with both editions of the game containing orchestrated music of iconic music of the series.[42]

Marketing

Skyward Sword was available as a demo at the Australian Nintendo Connection Tour 2011 at selected Westfield stores and was the central theme of the event, attracting vast amounts of attention and praise. Actor/comedian and series fan Robin Williams, and his daughter Zelda, have starred in TV commercials promoting the game. A short comic based on the game was published weekly in five parts on Nintendo's official The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword website, written and illustrated by Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik under their Penny Arcade Presents series.[43] The story is narrated by Gaepora, Zelda's father.[44]

Technical issue

During the game there is a technical issue that can prevent the player progressing further in the game. Save files can be sent to Nintendo to be fixed or the "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Save Data Update Channel" can be downloaded for free to fix the issue.[45]

Reception

Skyward Sword has received critical acclaim, receiving perfect scores from at least 30 publications,[11][12] with an average rating of 93.34% on GameRankings based on 56 reviews,[12] 93 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 80 reviews,[11] and 9.8 out of 10 on GameStats.[46] Skyward Sword's first review, from ONM on October 20, scored 98%, praising the title as the "best Zelda game ever made".[97] A day later, Edge gave the game 10/10. Edge's review said "How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be", describing it as "a game made for Christmas Day, released an agonizing six weeks before".[47] GamesTM gave the game a 9/10, and said "Spellbinding, dramatic and absolutely epic in both the world it paints and the story it tells, Zelda: Skyward Sword is a hugely important event for the Wii, for Nintendo, and for anyone with even a passing love for the venerable series it celebrates."[55] Game Informer said "Skyward Sword is one of those rare treasures, a 10/10 game."[53] The Guardian 's review stated, "nobody could argue that it's anything less than a masterclass in the art of crafting video games."[71]

IGN awarded the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10. In regard to motion controls, IGN's reviewer Richard George praised them for their integral implementation into the gameplay, stating: "After slashing enemies with 1:1 sword movement, I never want to go back." He considered Skyward Sword to be "the purest, most perfect realization of Nintendo's ambitious goals for motion-controlled gaming", going on to say it "is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years."[56] Game Informer praised the controls as the best in any Zelda game, writing that "when the correct method to defeat each foe finally clicked, I felt a sense of satisfaction that repeatedly tapping the A button never provided."[53] GamesRadar however felt that "though we still prefer traditional button inputs, we have to admit that the Wii MotionPlus really does work well here overall, and while the detractions are there, they're relatively small."[57] Eurogamer called the motion controls "as integral to this game as the analogue stick was to Mario 64." Eurogamer's reviewer stated that the MotionPlus controls "perfectly" track movement "without requiring energetic gestures" and give players a "more direct link to Link."[49] In contrast to most reviews, EGM's reviewer Ray Carsillo felt that the MotionPlus controls follow the player "too well." He preferred the simpler motion controls found in the Wii version of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess stating, "...this could’ve been one of the greatest Zelda games yet had the controls just worked" and ended by saying, "Even with cruddy controls, [the game] is still an epic adventure worthy of the franchise—and it should absolutely be played by all fans of the series."[48]

1UP particularly noted the dungeons, a staple of the series, that "consistently stand as the most brilliant element of the Zelda formula, and Skyward Sword sends you exploring through catacombs on par with some of the best in the series", that "the developer has artfully crafted intelligently designed spaces that utilize your entire skill set". They were however less pleased with the quests outside of the main story, such as the "fetch quests" that they felt "start to feel more like filler material than inspired game design".[66] Joystiq echoed this view feeling that some side quests did "nothing but stuff a few more insubstantial hours". However, they still praised the overall length of the game that "without them, would still be 25 to 30 hours long", going on to state "Skyward Sword is given plenty of time to shine through its excess, and when it does, it will completely consume you."[68] In contrast, Wired commented on what they felt was "tons of content that doesn’t get repetitive", while also noting that "you don’t have to do any of these things to complete the game, but they are good substantial rewards for going the extra mile".[65] Metro GameCentral gave the game a perfect score of 10 out of 10, describing the game as a "revolution" that will "not only change the way you think about Zelda but also the whole concept of motion controls."[70]

Skyward Sword received positive critical acclaim in Japan as well. Famitsu magazine gave Skyward Sword a perfect 40/40 score making it only the sixteenth game in the publication's history to receive the rating and is also the third Zelda game to receive the honor.[50] ScrewAttack gave this game a 9.5 out of 10.[98] Giant Bomb gave the game a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.[99]

GameSpot however gave the game a comparatively lower score of 7.5/10, mainly criticizing its motion controls, linear progression and formulaic gameplay. GameSpot critic Tom Mc Shea states in his opening paragraph, "Nintendo has kept the elements that have hung like an acidic cloud over past iterations while crafting a new control system to keep it from feeling like the same old game. Inconsistent controls continually torment poor Link, and the predictable structure does little to distract you from these faults."[100] Shortly thereafter, GameSpot added an addendum to the review, stating that it incorrectly described the Wii Remote's infrared sensor as being responsible for aiming in the game and that the review had been edited accordingly. Mc Shea later explained that although there was some misinformation regarding the controls, the other faults of the game still remain.

Awards

Skyward Sword has won numerous awards, including Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as Edge,[74] Metro GameCentral,[81] Nintendo Life,[84] Click,[73] San Jose Mercury News,[86] MMGN,[82] Bluefield Daily Telegraph,[72] The Washington Examiner,[88] Gamereactor,[78][79] Electronic Gaming Monthly (Editor's Choice),[75] Rare (Developers Choice),[85] Nintendojo,[83] G4[76] where it won a poll consisting of over 500,000 votes in total,[77] and IGN where it won the People's Choice award for Game of the Year[80] in its "Best of 2011" awards that involved 300,000 votes in total.[101] ScrewAttack,[87] The game also won Wii Game of the Year awards from organizations and publications such as the Spike Video Game Awards,[94] UGO Networks,[95] IGN,[91] GameTrailers,[90] Nintendo Life,[84] GameSpot (Readers' Choice),[89] Metacritic,[93] and GameZone.[92]

GameTrailers also gave it the "Best Motion Controls" award and nominated it for the "Most Innovative" and "Best Action Adventure" awards.[90] IGN also gave it the awards for "Best Wii Graphics", "Best Wii Sound", "Best Wii Story",[91] "Best Adventure Game" (People's Choice), "Best Sound" (People's Choice), and "Best Story" (People's Choice), while also nominating it for the "Best Graphics" award.[80] It has also received awards such as the GameZone award for "Best Original Soundtrack",[102] the Nintendo Life award for "Best Audio",[84] The Daily Telegraph awards for "Best Level Design" and "Best Developer" (Nintendo EAD),[103] and the Edge award for "Publisher of the Year" (Nintendo).[74]

Sales

In Japan, roughly 195,000 copies were sold in its first week.[104] This added up to a total first week sales of 919,119. According to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, Skyward Sword is the fastest selling title in the Legend of Zelda series.[105]

As of December 2011, the game has recorded 3.42 million units of sales worldwide.[13][14] 380,000 of these units were sold in Japan while 3.04 million units were sold overseas.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b "Adventure in the Desert Awaits Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii". 4 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b East, Thomas (17 August 2011). "New Nintendo Wii release schedule". Official Nintendo Magazine. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード". Nintendo. 13 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Nintendo Games - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword-Nintendo Games - Nintendo.com.au:". Nintendo. 29 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Harris, Craig (June 16, 2010). "E3 2010: Eiji Aonuma's "Trapped in the Zelda Cage"". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  6. ^ a b c Napolitano, Jayson (June 21, 2011). "Koji Kondo Talks Ocarina of Time, Gives Details on Skyward Sword". Original Sound Version. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Gantayat, Anoop (February 3, 2010). "Wii Motion Plus Exclusive Zelda Playable at E3". Andriasang. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  8. ^ "Corporate Management Policy Briefing / Semi-annual Financial Results Briefing Q & A". Nintendo Co., Ltd. October 30, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  9. ^ "Nintendo Wii: The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword Gold Wii Remote Bundle Detailed Plus Free CD!". My Nintendo News. August 29, 2011.
  10. ^ "Official Zelda timeline released by Nintendo". December 21, 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d e "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  13. ^ a b c "Financial Results Brieging for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 2011" (pdf). Nintendo. 2012-01-27. p. 6. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  14. ^ a b Super Mario 3D Land sells 5 million, Skyward Sword 3.4 million GameSpot
  15. ^ "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Upgrade System Trailer". Ign.
  16. ^ Robinson, Martin (November 19, 2009). "New Details on Next Zelda". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  17. ^ Jackson, Mike (June 17, 2010). "E3 2010: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword gameplay preview". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
  18. ^ Watters, Chris (June 15, 2010). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Hands-On". GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  19. ^ http://uk.ign.com/wikis/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/Goddess_Sword
  20. ^ Long, Neil; Scullion, Chris. "Game On – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". Official Nintendo Magazine (July 2010). Future Publishing Limited: 49–55.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Gifford, Kevin (June 29, 2011). "Eiji Aonuma Wraps Up Zelda: Skyward Sword's E3 Showing". 1UP.com. UGO Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  22. ^ Parish, Jeremy (April 17, 2008). "Miyamoto on Wii Fit, Hardcore Gamers". 1UP.com. UGO Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  23. ^ Casamassina, Matt (July 15, 2008). "E3 2008: Miyamoto Says New Zelda for Wii Progressing". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
  24. ^ Official Nintendo Magazine. Future Publishing Limited. November 2008. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ Kohler, Chris (June 12, 2009). "Q&A: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto on Mario, Zelda, Project Natal and More". Wired: GameLife. Condé Nast Digital. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  26. ^ a b c Harris, Craig (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: Nintendo Developer Roundtable Live Blog". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  27. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (June 2, 2009). "E3 2009: Miyamoto Talks Next Zelda". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  28. ^ a b Casamassina, Matt (June 4, 2009). "E3 2009: What Happened to Link's Sword?". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  29. ^ Robinson, Martin; Nix (June 5, 2009). "E3 2009: First Look at New Zelda". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved July 26, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ a b c "社長が訊く E3特別篇 『The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword』" (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. June 16, 2010. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  31. ^ Drake, Audrey (June 15, 2011). "Zelda: Skyward Sword Almost Dropped Wii MotionPlus". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  32. ^ Lindig, Steffen (May 14, 2010). "Videos: Shigeru Miyamoto interview" (in German). Gaming Media. Retrieved June 8, 2010. Normalerweise haben wir zuerst die Videosequenzen, und diese Sequenzen werden zu dem fertigen Produkt erweitert. Aber dieses Mal haben wir uns zuerst mit dem Spielaufbau beschäftigt. Und danach mit den Videosequenzen. Also war es diesmal umgekehrt. / Normally, we have the cutscenes first and we expand those scenes to a finished product. But this time, we concentrated on the game mechanisms first. And then on the cutscenes. So it was the opposite this time.
  33. ^ Casamassina, Matt (December 8, 2009). "Nintendo: Twilight Princess 'Starting Point' for New Zelda". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  34. ^ "Aonuma's Regrets For Twilight Princess". Edge Online. Future Publishing Limited. December 22, 2009. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; January 2, 2010 suggested (help); |archive-url= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  35. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (January 6, 2010). "Zelda Sequel Confirmed For 2010". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  36. ^ "Third Quarter Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2010: Presentation by the President". Nintendo Co., Ltd. January 29, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2010.
  37. ^ Reilly, Jim (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword Announced". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  38. ^ Ryan, Scott; Neigher, Eric (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Preview". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ Cowen, Nick (November 9, 2011). "Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – interview". guardian.com. London: Guardian, Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  40. ^ a b "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS – The Everchanging Music of Hyrule Field". Nintendo of America, Inc. May 26, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  41. ^ Salbato, Mike (June 7, 2011). "E3 2011: Nintendo Reveals Zelda Anniversary Plans, Skyward Sword Release Date". RPGFan. Retrieved June 9, 2011.
  42. ^ George, Richard (August 29, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Box Art, Bundle Revealed". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc.
  43. ^ Narcisse, Evan (2011-11-15). "Nintendo's Skyward Sword Push Includes Penny Arcade Zelda Comic, Early Sales This Saturday". Kotaku.
  44. ^ Krahulik, Mike (2011-11-22). "Zelda page 2". Penny-Arcade.com.
  45. ^ "Attention: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - About the Song of the Hero Quest after meeting Levias". Nintendo Australia. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  46. ^ a b "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". GameStats. Retrieved 7 December 2011.
  47. ^ a b Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review Nextgen
  48. ^ a b EGM Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review EGM Now
  49. ^ a b Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review Eurogamer
  50. ^ a b Zelda Skyward Sword Rated Perfect in Famitsu Andriasang
  51. ^ [http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/63180/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/review/
  52. ^ http://gamecrunch.co/2011/11/24/legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-review Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review] G4TV
  53. ^ a b c Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword sneak preview
  54. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword reviewMc Shea, Tom (November 15, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review". GameSpot.com. CBS Interactive Inc.
  55. ^ a b GamesTM 115 scores – Skyward Sword, Super Mario 3D Land reviews Nintendo Everything
  56. ^ a b George, Richard (November 11, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc.
  57. ^ a b Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review GamesRaider
  58. ^ Hoffman, Chris (2011). "The Last Word on Skyward Sword". Nintendo Power. 274: 82–85. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  59. ^ Ronaghan, Neal (November 11, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review". Nintendo World Report.
  60. ^ Zelda: Skyward Sword review - World's first is 98%, heralds 'best Zelda ever'
  61. ^ Wishnov, Jason. "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review for Wii". G4tv. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  62. ^ "Review: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword".
  63. ^ "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Review". November 15, 2011.
  64. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review Nintendo Life
  65. ^ a b Kohler, Chris (November 11, 2011). "Review: Skyward Sword Slashes Zelda's Sacred Cows - Game Life - Wired". Wired (magazine). Cite error: The named reference "WiredReview" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  66. ^ a b Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review 1UP.com
  67. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review GameTrailers
  68. ^ a b "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword review: Such great heights - Joystiq". Joystiq. November 11, 2011. Cite error: The named reference "JoystiqReview" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  69. ^ Hoggins, Tom (November 17, 2011). The Daily Telegraph | http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/video-game-reviews/8883138/The-Legend-of-Zelda-Skyward-Sword-review.html |. Retrieved November 19, 2011. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Text "Game Review" ignored (help)
  70. ^ a b Jenkins, David (November 11, 2011). "The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword review - Hyrulian revolution". GameCentral. Metro. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  71. ^ a b Boxer, Steve (2011-11-11). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – review |". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2011-11-11. {{cite news}}: Text "Game Review" ignored (help)
  72. ^ a b Dennis, Justin (December 1, 2011). "This year's top 10 video games". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  73. ^ a b Nelis, Peter (30 December 2011). "Click Game of the Year 2011 Part 3". Click. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  74. ^ a b c Valay (December 17, 2011). "2011 EDGE awards – Game of the Year and more". Gaming Everything. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  75. ^ a b Camron, Marc (December 21, 2011). "EGM'S BEST OF 2011: MARC CAMRON'S PICKS". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  76. ^ a b "Best Game 2011 - Videogame Deathmatch". G4. 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  77. ^ a b "Best of 2011: Videogame Deathmatch Best of 2011 Winner". G4. 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  78. ^ a b "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". Gamereactor. 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) (Translation)
  79. ^ a b "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". Gamereactor. 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help) (Translation)
  80. ^ a b c d "Overall". Best of 2011. IGN. January 17, 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  81. ^ a b c "GameCentral Video Game Top 20 of 2011 - Games of the Year". GameCentral. Metro. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  82. ^ a b c "Game of the Year 2011 Winners". MMGN. 25/11/2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  83. ^ a b Sorice, Adam (January 7, 2012). "The Best Games Overall of 2011". Nintendojo. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  84. ^ a b c d e Newton, James (30 December 2011). "Game of the Year: Nintendo Life Staff Awards 2011". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  85. ^ a b "Developers' Games of 2011". Eurogamer. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
  86. ^ a b Cacho, Gieson (12/29/2011). "Best video games of 2011". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 31 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  87. ^ a b "Top 10 Games of 2011". ScrewAttack. GameTrailers. December 24, 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  88. ^ a b Greg Prince; Ryan Vogt (12/18/11). "Top 10 video games of 2011". The Washington Examiner. Retrieved 31 December 2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  89. ^ a b "The Best of 2011 Awards". GameSpot. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  90. ^ a b c d "GameTrailers Game of the Year Awards 2011". GameTrailers. 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  91. ^ a b c "Wii". Best of 2011. IGN. 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  92. ^ a b Splechta, Mike (December 30, 2011). "GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 4: Platform Awards". GameZone. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
  93. ^ a b Dietz, Jason (December 23, 2011). "The Best Videogames of 2011 (Wii)". Metacritic. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  94. ^ a b c "Spike TV Video Game Awards 2011". Spike TV. December 10, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  95. ^ a b "Nintendo Wii Game Of The Year - The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword". UGO Networks. December 23, 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  96. ^ Fleming, Ryan (Dec 27, 2011). "Digital Trends Best of 2011 Awards: Video Games". Digital Trends. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  97. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review Nintendo Magazine
  98. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review N4G
  99. ^ Klepek, Patrick (November 11, 2011). "The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Reviews". Giant Bomb.
  100. ^ Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword review GameSpot
  101. ^ "IGN readers name The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword their game of 2011". Gamasutra. 01/18/2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  102. ^ Splechta, Mike (December 28, 2011). "GameZone's Game of the Year Awards Day 2: Technical Awards". GameZone. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  103. ^ "Telegraph video game awards 2011". The Telegraph. London. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  104. ^ Skyward Sword Tops Japanese Charts, While 3DS Sales Continue To Rise Gamasutra
  105. ^ Skyward Sword is the Fastest Selling Zelda Title Ever Thanks to Black Friday GamePro

{{{inline}}}