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  • First Impressions: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword


    21/06/2010

    Kicking off his appearance at Nintendo’s E3 2010 Media Briefing with a nostalgic nod, Shigeru Miyamoto appeared on the Nokia Theatre’s screens brandishing a sword and a shield to introduce the audience to The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii, only to appear live on stage moments later wielding a Wii Remote and a Nunchuk. The transition signified a key series innovation, as thanks to Wii MotionPlus and the new play control, Link’s latest adventure synchronises your movements with the actions of Nintendo’s legendary hero.
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    A whip of the Nunchuk lets Link raise his shield, while a forward thrust will make him use it to parry - a move which can deflect a Deku Scrub’s projectile provided you get the timing right. A quick swipe of the Wii Remote unsheathes the sword, which imbued with the required power of Wii MotionPlus now follows the player’s movements 1:1. As a result, sword fights take on a whole new level of skill and strategy. You’ll need to watch your enemies closely to determine whether it takes a forward thrust or a slash in a particular direction to see them off. Molblins will block your attack unless you get the angle of your strike just right, while a Deku Baba’s maws open only along a certain axis.

    You can still use the Z Button to lock-on to any nearby enemy, but you can no longer just rely on getting your timing right to land a successful blow. Among the playable demo’s more menacing opponents is a Stalfos brandishing two blades at various angles, sometimes leaving his flanks unguarded to a horizontal slice from a certain side. Pitted against a giant scorpion, the player must attack its massive pincers from the right angle before taking out its armoured eye with a deftly executed forward thrust.

    The titular sword - which producer Eiji Aonuma revealed will ultimately become the legendary Master Sword – can be held aloft to charge it with the power of the heavens, unleashing a projectile slash. Other moves up Link’s sleeve are a spin attack executed by swinging both controllers horizontally, as well as a vertical spin slice performed by swinging the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together vertically.

    In good Zelda tradition, Link carries a large arsenal of weaponry in his pockets. Hold down the B Button on the Wii Remote to make the item wheel appear and move the cursor in the direction of your preferred item to select it. This new method, which Miyamoto likened to simply digging into Link’s pockets, is an effective way to quickly switch between different weapons on the spot.
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    Wii MotionPlus is further employed to put a new spin on familiar items. Bombs can now be thrown in a forward arc with an overhead flick of the Wii Remote or rolled like a bowling ball with an underhand move. Miyamoto mentioned that good players can even apply some spin to get the bomb right where it needs to be, providing plenty of potential for interesting bomb puzzles ahead.
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    One of the game’s new items is a mechanical beetle that can be launched from Link’s arm. As the beetle takes flight you control its path by twisting and turning the Wii Remote. It’s a thrilling effect to soar through the environment, speeding up at a press of the A Button, picking up bombs to drop off elsewhere or stunning enemies by crashing into them.
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    The whip provides more attack range depending on your swing and proves useful for taking out a small group of the pesky, bat-like Keese in one fell swoop, or snatching up items in the distance.
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    Link’s slingshot and bow also return. The latter should feel familiar to anyone who’s enjoyed Archery in Wii Sports Resort. Ready an arrow with the C Button, pull back on the Nunchuk to draw your bow and release the C Button to shoot.
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    Skyward Sword also brings a brand new art style, influenced by impressionist painters like Paul Cézanne, casting the game world in a lush watercolour palette that at times can feel like a painting brought to life.

    While much of the game’s story and locations remain under wraps, Aonuma explained that this time around Link is actually living in a city called Skyloft floating high above the world and unaware of its existence. One day he is told about the land below and is soon forced to go down there to dispel evil forces with the help of the Skyward Sword. As Miyamoto and Aonuma are putting the finishing touches on what looks to be another spectacular adventure, you can look forward to playing the game next year on Wii.


    Please note that all content, media and artwork are based on The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword as shown during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June 2010. Come back later for the full site!