Zelda: Skyward Sword

[BreakABone]

<div style="width: 480px;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="392"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=101467"/><param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=101467" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" allowFullScreen="true" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="392"></embed> </object><div style="font-size: 10px; font-family: Verdana; text-align: center; width: 480px; padding-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 2px; background-color: black; height: 32px;"><div><a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com" title="GameTrailers.com">Video Games</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/game/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward/11181" title="Zelda: Skyward Sword">Zelda: Skyward Sword</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2010-zelda-skyward/101467" title="E3 2010: Debut Trailer (Stream)">E3 2010: Debut Trailer (Stream)</a></div><div style="padding-top: 3px;"><a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://xbox360.gametrailers.com/" title="XBox 360">XBox 360</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://ps3.gametrailers.com/" title="PS3">Playstation 3</a> | <a style="color:#FFFFFF;" href="http://wii.gametrailers.com/" title="Wii">Nintendo Wii</a></div></div></div>

Had this trailer copied for the other thread.

The game looks nice, but it is rough around the edges when it comes to controls.

And of course, out next year. :(

[Vampyr]

Looks like a weird merge of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker.

Not sure how much I like that yet.

[manasecret]

FYI, they're having some post-conference stuff on e3.nintendo.com. Miyamoto and Iwata and another head guy are talking about the new Zelda now and the decisions they made with the controls.

[Jason1]

e3.nintendo.com has nothing on it for me. Just a message saying wait for the press conference...

[manasecret]

Yeah e3.nintendo.com did that for me, too. But then it finally came up after a couple tries. The Zelda part just ended though. They're on to the 3DS.

[Dyne]

Looks fantastic. Could it be bigger than Twilight Princess? I would be super excited if so.

[Ginkasa]

I think it looks very promising. They've still got time to iron out controls and that's always been Nintendo's strongpoint so I'm not too worried. I love the style. Its perfect, IMO.

[manasecret]

Initial views look good. I just wish there was a huge graphical leap to go with all of the new controls and supposed new dungeon mechanics, to give it that true excitement of a new Zelda game.

[DarkMaster]

Hmm... not uh, not too impressed. Not off the bat, anyway. I'm sure it'll be good, though. Metroid, Donkey Kong, and all the other big titles impressed much more, I thought.

[BreakABone]

http://kotaku.com/5564197/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-video-preview-starring-me

Here's a video showing the controls when there isn't interference. Looks much better.

http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/109/1097928/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-20100615103817344.jpg
http://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/109/1097928/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-20100615103857827.jpghttp://wiimedia.ign.com/wii/image/article/109/1097928/the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword-20100615103844343.jpg

And this game is a sexy, sexy beast.

[Vampyr]

I'm thinking I actually do like the style. It sort of reminds me of the top-down GBA games for some reason.

[BlueFire]

At the moment, I agree with this assessment:

As you can see the graphics are okay, but not overwhelmingly impressive. This style of quasi-realism does not look great on the aging Wii hardware.

[Xantar]

I see that Nintendo has changed with the times and given Link the ability to command drone strikes on his enemies. Very current. :ohreilly:

[BreakABone]

In this Zelda, Link is a little boy born into a land above the clouds called Skyloft.

One day, he learns there is a land below the clouds ruled by evil forces.

However, the revelation prompts a series of events which forces him to go to the land beneath the clouds.

The reason he goes down is in the title--it's the Skyward Sword.

The sword possesses intelligence, and will assume the semi-human form in the teaser poster shown last year.

It's the "master sword."

[Angrist]

The press conf demo was terrible. Controls were supposed to be great, but on stage they didn't work. Stupid SONY hackers.

Anyway, I thought the environments were bland. The moblins look hideous. The art-style is ok I guess.

The items look like they could be awesome. I can't wait to fly around with the beetle. And I'm also hoping Link himself will fly (hinted at at the end of the trailer).

Oh and it's a shame it's not out this year...

BTW could a mod edit BaBs post? The double pictures mess up the layout.

[TheSlyMoogle]

To me it looked like they combined a lot of wii sports into a zelda game. I'm sorry but I've seen this art style, and the controls looked horrid.

[Angrist]

You should really watch the other video. The Miyamoto demo was indeed horrible.

[TheSlyMoogle]

You should really watch the other video. The Miyamoto demo was indeed horrible.

I watched them both.

[Angrist]

How did that look horrid? I already love the sword game in WiiSort, I can't wait to have that (and more/better) in Zelda.

[Vampyr]

I highly doubt the controls will end up being bad in the final version. Games Miyamoto are involved with never have bad controls.

[Typhoid]

It just looks like OoT, but for the Wii.

I'm sure I'll get it, and I'm sure I'll have fun for a while - but I have a feeling it will go the same way as Twilight Princess for me - unfinished and unplayed.

[BreakABone]

It just looks like OoT, but for the Wii.

I'm sure I'll get it, and I'm sure I'll have fun for a while - but I have a feeling it will go the same way as Twilight Princess for me - unfinished and unplayed.

I'm sure this will go on much longer than it has to, but curious, how did you manage that it looks just like OoT from the gameplay and trailer they showed yesterday?

At best, you got 10 minutes of gameplay which shows familiar enemies and some of the usual weapons,

but next to nothing on story and/or flow of the game.

Unless, I'm missing something when you say it looks just like OoT

[Typhoid]

I'm sure this will go on much longer than it has to, but curious, how did you manage that it looks just like OoT from the gameplay and trailer they showed yesterday?


The style of the world, enemies etc.
I never meant that it was a carbon-copy.
But meant in the same sense that if it was cell-shaded I'd say "It just looks like Wind Waker, for the Wii".

how did you manage that it looks just like OoT from the gameplay

And I never said "It looks just like", I said "It just looks like".

but next to nothing on story and/or flow of the game.
I never said the story would be the same. And I never said I thought the story would be the same, or even remotely close.

Simply that to me, it just looks like OoT for the Wii.

Let the over-analyzing of the things I've said begin.

[Ginkasa]

To me it looked like they combined a lot of wii sports into a zelda game. I'm sorry but I've seen this art style, and the controls looked horrid.



Since when does a Zelda game have to have a brand new art style? I agree with Typhoid that it pretty much looks like OoT for the Wii, but I don't see how that's a bad thing. Like I mentioned earlier, I think it looks perfect. Its exactly how I thought a next-gen Zelda game would look... Although by "next-gen" I'm actually referring to "last-gen," but nobody should have expected this Zelda to be the graphical powerhouse of yore.

A personally, I'm excited for the controls. They look a lot better than what I expected. The conference, yes, looked awful, but the floor demo looked great and I'm sure it will play fine by release. The only concern I could imagine is if someone was against motion control on general (and to be honest; I'd prefer "A" rather than "swing arm," but whatever).

Anyway, I'm refusing to get real excited, though. TP was not what I was hoping for and the DS Zelda's have been iffy. This game has to cover some mileage to make up for them.

[Vampyr]

Am I the only one who thinks this doesn't look anything like OoT?

Looks way more similar to Wind Waker to me.

[Xantar]

Am I the only one who thinks this doesn't look anything like OoT?

Looks way more similar to Wind Waker to me.

About the only similarity to OoT (or any previous Zelda game) I see is that Link swings a sword, blocks with a shield, locks on to targets, shoots projectiles, and auto-jumps in a three dimensional environment. I haven't seen any enemies that look similar to the ones in OoT or any previous game, nor does their "style" (whatever that means) remind me of OoT. Meanwhile, we don't know if this game takes place in Hyrule or what this land in the sky has to do with anything. We don't know if there are seven dungeons with fire, water, forest etc. themes. We don't know if he rides any animals or vehicles around (although I did see something that looks like Pegasus Boots). We don't know if the plot has anything to do with Ganon (ok, yeah, I'm pretty sure he's in the game, but we don't know it yet). For all we know, Zelda might become a playable character. And there might be an actual town with an economy going on much like in Majora's Mask. They've been working on this for four years. I hardly think they spent all that time just to make Wii Motion Plus controls and cel shading.

[soccerant]

Anyone who says the controls look like shit are jumping on the bandwagon of people who merely watched the Miyamoto demo.

In case any of you have forgotten, MotionPlus requires occasional calibration which involves pointing the remote at the sensor bar. Chances are, Zelda hides its calibration process whenever an item is chosen, and in a conference that large, mobile devices can and do emit a lot of infrared interference. Yeah, I called bullshit when they told people to turn off their wireless, but think about it. Miyamoto not being able to hit one bug with a slingshot when pointer is involved? Be practical.

I understand if motion fighting isn't your cup of tea. That's fine. But for me, it's a step forward for the combat element of the Zelda franchise when you have to swipe at certain angles to defeat enemies who are defending themselves instead of the waggle-kill process that was present in Twilight Princess. Even so, I will always enjoy the reaction-based combat of Ocarina and Majora. I think both work.

I'll be getting my hands on the demo tomorrow and will return with my own impressions. But from what I've heard, the combat is a hell of a lot more responsive than the conference led it to be. (And damn, that part of the conference was painful to watch.)

[Angrist]

Miyamoto not being able to hit one bug with a slingshot when pointer is involved?The IR pointer wasn't involved. They were bragging about how you don't need to point at the IR sensor bar this time, because all aiming was done through WM+.
I did notice a lack of accuracy.... no smooth analog controls.

I think I'd rather use the IR pointer. In an interview on e3.nintendo.com I think I heard you also have that option if you want.

[Typhoid]

I haven't seen any enemies that look similar to the ones in OoT or any previous game, nor does their "style" (whatever that means)...

The animation style.
I never said the style of the animations for characters, or the carbon-copy of specific enemies.
The look of the world they've presented so far, with the cartoonishness is similar to OoT to me.

[BreakABone]

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Pretty good video that goes into the controls.
And a slightly better look at the graphics.

Like how they use Field of depth

[Bond]

The art style looks great. Not a fan of the motion control.

Thoughts on the chance you'll be able to use a traditional controller? I'm assuming fairly low?

[Xantar]

The art style looks great. Not a fan of the motion control.

Thoughts on the chance you'll be able to use a traditional controller? I'm assuming fairly low?

Zero. Many of the monsters are specifically designed to be defeated by slashes at a particular angle (i.e. vertical or horizontal). You can't do that with a regular controller.

[Ric]

:drool: New Zelda

It's about time I bought myself a Wii to go with all the Wii games I own :lol:

[uber_paddler]

It's really fun, guys. The whip is pretty cool as well, lets you take out multiple keese at once(god damn I hate keese). The bow works really well with Motion+ as well, but the sword controls felt less than stellar for me. I know it's more accurate flailing, but to me it still felt like flailing.

[soccerant]

uber, I'll side with you on the fact that it doesn't feel like real swordplay. And it shouldn't. Red Steel 2 went for that approach where you actually had to get your whole arm into sword swings, and such a tactic would be unnecessary and tiresome for the long play sessions that Zelda provides.

Regarding flailing, I think it's inevitable that people will resort to that. After all, that's what worked so easily in Twilight Princess. But precisely why I'm optimistic about combat. You actually have to think about it now. Enemies in TP practically invited you to kill them. Z-Targeting automatically brought out your shield and you were protected, no questions asked. It seems in Skyward Sword that enemies hold their guard and you have to determine where you will strike and how. Granted, in my playthrough as well, it wasn't 100% accurate, but for the vast majority of the time that it worked, it worked well, and it was fun. Definitely a lot more fun than the waggle-fest that was TP. Bring on this new combat system, I'm pumped for it.

On that note, item selection is a chore. Every item is assigned to the B trigger which frees up the D-Pad (perhaps for camera control?), so when you click the trigger, your selection of items pops up. Choosing is simple and is done in real time (the game doesn't pause as it did in the past, which is a nice touch). However, if you're shooting your bow, see an enemy in front of you and bring out your sword to kill him, pushing B afterwards won't pull out your bow; it'll pull out your item wheel again. Items aren't locked to a specific button anymore (D-Pad in TP; X,Y,Z in GCN); you have to find the one you want each time you push B.

[Angrist]

Selecting items did seem very annoying in the demos I've seen. Hopefully they'll get around it... Or maybe it goes a lot faster with some practice (the 'you remember in which pocket you left the item' thing).

[BreakABone]

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New interview.
The most interesting part (to me anyhow) is the end when he talks about how he wants to blur the line between overworld/dungeon and gives some examples.

[BreakABone]

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New Trailer

[Zen]

Love the art style, boring trailer though.

[Angrist]

Yep, pretty poor trailer. 5 years in development and this is all they can come up with?

[DarkMaster]

Trailer looked really bland. Remaining hopeful.

[Jason1]

Just play the song with this music instead, and suddenly it seems a lot cooler (skip to 2:15)

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[KillerGremlin]

Gameplay looks identical to all the other 3D Zelda games, only the gimmick is the motion controls.

What's the lineage?

OoT > MM > WW (gimmick: OoT lite with Cel Shading) > TP (gimmick: OoT 2)

Fortunately the gameplay from Ocarina was so fucking solid that you can't really fault each of the subsequent releases. I mean Zelda is like the perfect game. I'd say this one looks pretty fun, but it isn't blowing my skirt in the wind.

[Angrist]

I'm getting a bit tired of the dungeon layouts. It's always a building with almost square rooms. Some enemies here, some puzzles there.
What I'd like to see in a dungeon is a more realistic layout. Maybe a huge cave. Or an abandoned creepy mansion. A jungle area.

I'd also like to see some huge overworld areas. I haven't played Shadow of the Colossus, but that world looks very compelling. Although I guess it might get a bit boring if you have to travel back and forth a lot.

[BreakABone]

Gameplay looks identical to all the other 3D Zelda games, only the gimmick is the motion controls.

What's the lineage?

OoT > MM > WW (gimmick: OoT lite with Cel Shading) > TP (gimmick: OoT 2)

Fortunately the gameplay from Ocarina was so fucking solid that you can't really fault each of the subsequent releases. I mean Zelda is like the perfect game. I'd say this one looks pretty fun, but it isn't blowing my skirt in the wind.

I don't get what looks like a more complex and involved combat system looks IDENTICAL to all other Zelda games.

I mean we know for example the shield is used a lot more in this game, even being mapped to its own controls. The sword offers full directional controls, which allows for more than tapping A sword play and enemies.

There's also directional swipes being used in more puzzles and the sorts.

[KillerGremlin]

I don't get what looks like a more complex and involved combat system looks IDENTICAL to all other Zelda games.

I mean we know for example the shield is used a lot more in this game, even being mapped to its own controls. The sword offers full directional controls, which allows for more than tapping A sword play and enemies.

There's also directional swipes being used in more puzzles and the sorts.

Yeah, in truth Wind Waker's combat system improved the gameplay by quite a bit...or made it more easy (and not easier to play, easier on a difficulty gradient).

The integration of dungeons into the natural, flowing environment is always a good thing too.

[Vampyr]

This is probably just my Zelda fan-boy coming through, but I cannot imagine a Zelda game being boring.

This could be exactly like the last one and I would still feel like I had entered a land of eternal bliss while playing it.

[TheSlyMoogle]

This is probably just my Zelda fan-boy coming through, but I cannot imagine a Zelda game being boring.

This could be exactly like the last one and I would still feel like I had entered a land of eternal bliss while playing it.

Totally being a fanboy. Twilight Princess was a yawnfest. From the items that were worthless outside the dungeon, to the super repetitive puzzles and enemies. Boring.

[Angrist]

Logo.

http://www.cubed3.com/media/2011/March/skywardslogo.jpg