Guide to ensure Skyward Sword’s success
So after years of rumors, speculation, and fanboy whining, the new Zelda game was finally revealed at E3 last week.
The reception? More mixed when compared to the universal praise we’re used to seeing from an average Zelda unveiling (well besides The Wind Waker’s. That felt more like a maternity ward than a reveal). It was not the talk of the show like Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker before it. After seeing and playing Skyward Sword in person, I was left with an overall positive reception despite the negatives the demo showcased. Nintendo has never screwed up a Zelda game before, so I doubt they would start now with such a long development time. But just to make sure they don’t, here’s a quick guide for Nintendo to follow that will guarantee Skyward Sword a smooth entry into the pantheon of high quality Zelda games.
Take your time, a late 2011 release isn’t the end of the world
For some reason that I can’t fathom, Miyamoto acted like gamers were being starved out of a new Zelda game, almost apologizing for not getting the game out this year at Nintendo’s press conference. Did he forget that Twilight Princess was released only three and a half years ago, and did he also forget the two incredible handheld Zelda titles that have come out in the interim? We’re not starving man, we’re actually quite content.
Look, it’s about to have been four years since the last major Zelda release. By this point, one more year of waiting is not going to kill anyone. In fact, take all the time you need. A late 2011/early 2012 Skyward Sword release is actually preferred. For a game that has supposably been in development since the Wii’s controls were configured, what was shown at E3 felt way too alpha for it to blown away anyone. That’s why you can’t rush this. Please, take your time. No one is not going to buy a new Zelda game because it took too long to come out.
The new art style’s a start: now finish it
There is absolutely nothing wrong with cel-shading. In fact, anyone who has a problem with cel-shading on the basis that it’s not “realistic” should be castrated. Your stupidity strips you of your right to reproduce.
There were times when the Skyward Sword demo looked absolutely gorgeous. The game’s sky has this beautiful paint like texture to it that I have never before seen in any game. Playing Skyward Sword often felt like playing through a reimagining of Okami (which is a great, great thing).
Except it just wasn’t quite as beautiful as Okami. Like I said, the Skyward Sword demo definitely had its moments (the sky, the enemies, Link himself), but there were too many grainy textures and ugly moments to leave unnoticed. In order for Skyward Sword’s art to truly blow me away, Nintendo must fill the world with the cartoony beauty that they portrayed in the Super Mario Galaxy games and The Wind Waker. It’s not there yet, and I’m willing to give the game’s development some time. But the beauty better be there come its release.
Less dungeons, more exploration
There was a point in Twilight Princess when it felt like Nintendo just gave up trying. The last twenty hours of the game abandoned all themes of character development, exploration, and adventure in favor of dungeons. Now don’t get me wrong, I love dungeons. There is nothing wrong with a great Zelda dungeon. But having an overload of them without proper barriers of gameplay can transform dungeons from being challenges and into monotonous chores.
Also, dungeons aren’t necessarily “fun.” They are insanely satisfying to overcome, and require great concentration to defeat. Zelda players most enjoy the time spent outside of dungeons. The chances to explore new lands, meet new races, and uncover the world’s secrets are all greater draws to Zelda players. Ocarina of Time, The Wind Waker, and Majora’s Mask all put as much emphasis on “adventure” as they did dungeon raiding. The last couple of Zelda titles, despite being great games, have slightly lost that sense of adventure. If Nintendo wants to make sure Skyward Sword doesn’t come off as stale, they’ll have to bring Link out of the dark cellars and into the beautiful world they are creating for him. But that also requires…
More story and character development. Pronto.
I’m sick of playing Zelda games in a world filled with mutes. Since Twilight Princess’ release, I’ve played a lot of Oblivion, Fallout, Uncharted, and Mass Effect. Enough to confidently say that if there is no spoke dialogue in the game, Skyward Sword’s Hyrule will feel more dead than France’s World Cup dreams.
Zelda needs true character development, some real story twists, and a world that truly feels organic for the franchise to become up to date. As I have illustrated before, Majora’s Mask is the only Zelda game that feels modern. It includes real time world changes, interactive gameplay, and an organic world like no other in gaming. I’m not saying Skyward Sword needs a giant impending moon of destruction to bring the Zelda franchise up to speed, but characters that convey realistic emotions would be a fine start.
Or just look at Midna for inspiration.
As far as story goes, Nintendo always finds a way to offer Zelda tales that feel truly immersing. Ocarina of Time blew me away, Majora’s Mask tore my emotions to shreds, The Wind Waker lifted up my spirits, and the first twenty hours of Twilight Princess completely succumbed me. But once you got past its outer shell of mystery, Twilight Princess felt extremely hollow. Skyward Sword needs to keep up the momentum, allowing the world to breathe and live on after you free each quadrant of it. If it does that, then Hyrule will once again be able to inundate me like it used to.
There’s no series with a better track record than the Legend of Zelda. None. The only other franchise that could possibly contend with Zelda’s consistency is Half-Life. But the Half-Life franchise has been evolving emotionally since it spawned one of the best games of all-time in Half-Life 2. That’s what made Episode 2 so engaging, and that’s what players have been yearning to come out of the Zelda franchise since Majora’s Mask. Maybe looking at Valve’s success post-Half-Life 2 wouldn’t do Eiji Aonuma or Miyamoto any harm (he is a very humble person after all).
Nintendo, you got the gameplay down, and Wii Motion Plus is going to make the core Zelda experience even better. Now just give us the world. Creating an immersive and expansive land is the only way you will be able to separate The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword from its eminent predecessors.
Oh, and make New Link’s pants tighter. The baggy pants look like they were taken straight out of The Goofy Movie. Just doesn’t look right.
***For more Nintendo rants, musings, and listings, check back every Monday for more editions of The Nintendo Dude.***
About the Author
Steve Bogda
Steve is the primary owner of The DamnLag. He currently attends New York University, where he studies Film, History and Politics. When he is not writing about Nintendo, Steve runs the day to day operations of The DamnLag, as its Editor-in-Chief.
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