The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Common Sense Media ( )

Visually speaking, Skyward Sword is the best-looking Zelda game to date but anyone who spends time gaming on an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or PC will no doubt feel the graphics are outdated. Also, be prepared for quite a bit of dialogue. It's often repetitive, too, so younger gamers may grow tired of reading all the text (and no, these lines aren't spoken aloud). Despite its few shortcomings, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an extraordinary adventure, whether you're new to the franchise or a longtime fan. It cleverly fuses multiple play mechanics together -- action, exploration, platforming, flying, puzzle-solving, and some role-playing -- all wrapped in a lengthy, enchanting tale.

N-Europe (10 out of 10)

An exhilarating journey in every sense. Skyloft is an area you'll want to explore and Skyward Sword is well worth the wait. Prepare to be amazed.

Nintendo Enthusiast (10 out of 10)

Ultimately, Skyward Sword represents different hopes and ideas regarding the game industry. Taken at face value, Skyward Sword is an impressive game, wildly excelling in many key areas that more than make up for a few annoyances that come from some of Nintendo’s apologetic or simply strange design choices. Compared to the franchise it belongs to, Skyward Sword is a crowning achievement in regards to the sense of adventuring that has been the focus of all Zelda games since Ocarina of Time, but it also doesn’t bring back any of the non-linearity and wild exploration of A Link to the Past or Link’s Awakening. How much of an issue this continuing non-linearity will be to different gamers is entirely subjective, but at worst this lack of non-linearity can be a slight disappointment that keeps the game only from being a truly timeless masterpiece.

411mania.com (10 out of 10)

Ultimately, a review is a recommendation on how you should spend your hard earned money. In the case of Skyward Sword, I can only give this game the highest possible recommendation. A perfect score does not mean that a game is perfect, and indeed Skyward Sword has a few flaws, mainly due to its limited hardware. A perfect score means that I recommend this game with no qualifications, no reservations, and no hesitation. Do you have a Wii? Do you have fifty dollars? If your answer to both of these questions is yes, then you should pick up this game. If you haven’t taken the Wii plunge yet, Skyward Sword is the most compelling reason to own the system.

NintendoWorldReport (10 out of 10)

Not only is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword the ultimate Zelda game, it’s also the ultimate Wii game. You can see bits and pieces of nearly every other Zelda game and any game Nintendo has worked on with motion controls, from Super Mario Galaxy and Wii Sports Resort to Wii Music and Animal Crossing. If you bought a Wii, you owe it to yourself to get this game right away. After all, isn’t one-to-one swordplay what made us all excited about the Wii in the first place?

Wiiloveit (30 out of 30)

Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword comes together to become an amazing, well-rounded package that was well worth the five-year development process. It was called the biggest game Nintendo has ever made, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. This game feels like everything that the Wii has been building up to over the last four years, and it, without a doubt, does not disappoint. This is the best Zelda game ever. This is the best Wii game ever. This may very well be the best video game ever. It is as close to perfect as I have ever seen achieved.

Cubed3 (10 out of 10)

The beauty of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is that it extracts the key core elements that make the series so impressive in the first place and brings along a large dose of familiarity, but then goes on to mix in a whole host of newly-styled dungeons, brand new puzzles that appeal to a broad audience, as well as superb 1:1 sword control that actually needs to be mastered for progression rather than being added as a gimmick or just for show and a twist on the normal storyline. Nintendo has taken on-board the feedback from fans and critics alike following Twilight Princess’ release and used it to create one of the best Zelda games ever, if not the best.

God is a Geek (10 out of 10)

The game design itself is mind-blowing. The new inclusions feel as natural as breathing. The story is spectacular. Cinematic is an appropriate description – with lashings of romance, a wonderful cast of characters and a truly beautiful world to explore, this is arguably the greatest Zelda adventure yet, transcending even the brilliance of the revered Ocarina of Time. If you own a Wii, then this is the reason it was invented, the game that finally realises the unreal potential of the console. Nintendo are going to have to pull off something approaching a miracle to top this when they bring Link to their next generation console.

Tech-Gaming (A)

Making good on the potential exhibited when the Wii was unveiled during the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the console’s consummate title. Flawlessly flaunting immersive motion control, as well as a design which incorporates classic design tropes with an influx of imaginative new ideas, the title brilliantly lives up to its lofty heritage. For players who have ever been awash in elation at the defeat of a temple boss or can recall the ‘a-ha’ moment when a gadget allows access to a previously impenetrable path, Skyward deserves a spot in your library.

Cheat Code Central (5 out of 5)

Skyward Sword is a game that delivers on the promises made before its release, but it also makes good on several promises five years old. Simply put, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is why you bought a Wii in the first place. So if you hid away your Wii, sold it, or whatever, it's time to reclaim it and prepare yourself for an adventure in Hyrule unlike any you have experienced before.

Game industry News (GiN) ( )

Although Skyward Sword is perfect in nearly every way, it does have a few small issues, mainly minor camera problems and Wii Remote quirks such as calibration and sometimes becoming off-centered, but these are easily outweighed by its strengths. Overall, Skyward Sword is very polished, an absolute delight to play and worthy of a full 5 GiN Gems.

IGN (10 out of 10)

It's fitting that Skyward Sword arrives on Zelda's 25th anniversary, because it truly pulls from the franchise's entire history, even addressing the winding narrative directly within its story. It captures a grandness and scope we haven't seen since the 2D era. It advances combat and control in the most significant way since Ocarina of Time. It finds a tonal and visual harmony between Wind Waker and Twilight Princess. And, most importantly, it leaves a mark on the franchise that future installments will no doubt draw inspiration from for years to come. This is the Wii game we've been waiting for. Through all of the mini-games and odd sports collections, many wondered if and when Nintendo would ever find a way to deliver a deeper experience that still fulfilled on Wii's limitless potential. Skyward Sword makes good on that promise.

Retroage (10 out of 10)

Osobiście twierdze iż owa Zelda spełnia wszelkie kryteria nie tylko na tytuł roku lecz również na najlepszą grę tej generacji. Zróżnicowane bogactwo gameplay’u, przepiękna pastelowa grafika, urzekający soundtrack zagrany przez żywą orkiestrę symfoniczną oraz intuicyjne i dopracowane sterowanie sprawiają, że nie ma się do czego przyczepić. Fani serii na każdym kroku odnajdywać będą wszelakie smaczki z poprzednich odsłon, a dla tych najbardziej wytrwałych po jedno krotnym skończeniu gry, czeka „Hero mode” w którym poziom trudności znacząco wzrasta. Podsumowując The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword to ukoronowanie pięknych 25 lat z chłopcem w zielonym kubraczku jakie mogło zaoferować nam Nintendo i tylko fanboy konkurencyjnej platformy mógłby stwierdzić iż ten tytuł jest nie grywalny lub nudny. Innym zaś tą produkcje szczerze polecam i stanowczo stwierdzam iż warto było czekać na nią 5 lat.

Darkstation (10 out of 10)

If there was ever any doubt about the quality of Skyward Sword, perhaps you were forgetting what franchise it was in. Or you were forgetting who it was being developed by. Nintendo’s core franchises get some of the best games amongst all three of the console manufacturers, and Skyward Sword is another stellar addition to a fantastic family of games. It establishes a new direction for combat, and even justifies motion controls- something that’s been a long time coming. The only question left is where it can go from here, but if it’s only half as good as Skyward Sword, it would still be a phenomenal game.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (10 out of 10)

Maybe you've played enough Zelda games by now that even that won't be enough to cleanse your palate. That would be a fair response, but if it's so, this game wasn't made for you. Like a tale told from one generation to the next, the point is to keep the tradition alive for others - and for them, Skyward Sword will surely be the greatest adventure money can buy.

NintendoWorldReport (10 out of 10)

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is bound to impress all but the most skeptical of Nintendo and Zelda fans. It is a game that ties the last five years of Nintendo philosophy and development into a (massive, sprawling, epic) neat little bow. Skyward Sword is, quite simply, one of the best video games to come out of Nintendo this year.

Cheat Happens (10 out of 10)

When Nintendo introduced the Wii, and motion control to the world, it made some hefty promises. Now, nearly six years later, with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, those promises have been delivered on. This isn't just the best Zelda game or the best Wii game, it's also the first game that makes motion controls make sense. With its incredible production values, new gameplay ideas and most importantly heart, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is simply one of the best games I've ever played.

Gamereactor (Spain) (10 out of 10)

Skyward Sword no es perfecto. Skyward Sword no es el juego definitivo. Skyword Sword es no tener miedo a saltar al vacío, confiando que haya alguien abajo que nos sujete. Es meterlo en tu Wii sabiendo sin la menor sombra de duda que es lo más grande que vas a jugar en años. Skyward Sword no es el mejor Zelda de la historia. Es, solamente, el mejor juego que puede hacerse.

Switch Brasil / Wii Brasil (100 out of 100)

Skyward Sword agrega o que há de melhor em toda a série. Atinge qualidade imensurável, porque não foi desenvolvido apenas durante cinco anos. A nova aventura de Link é muito mais. Parafraseando Robin Williams no mais recente comercial do game, Skyward Sword é o resultado de um projeto desenvolvido nos últimos 25 anos e a clara confirmação de que somente a experiência de um quarto de século é capaz de transformar um jogo em uma lenda.

D+PAD Magazine ( )

So, there you have it: a bite sized breakdown of twenty-four glorious hours spent in the wonderful world of The Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword. The series is now twenty-five years old, and that it is still managing to deliver such rich, involving and innovative experiences bodes well for the series’ next quarter of a century. Pure Nintendo magic.

Eurogamer.pt (10 out of 10)

Quando se podia pensar que há limites que se abeiram do poço criativo da Nintendo, a resposta nunca peca por tardia e The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword é um produto revelador dessa transposição de fronteiras e imaginação. Sinal inequívoco da Nintendo em congregar o clássico com a inovação, este jogo vem entregar aos fãs tudo aquilo que podiam desejar para uma Nintendo Wii que sempre teve como acento tónico o controlo por movimentos. Skyward Sword combina tudo o que se quer nos videojogos. Suculento em termos interativos, nunca deixa o jogador só. Link conduz o grito de revolta e a espada, a Master Sword, representa o símbolo máximo do seu poder graças a um manuseio da espada levado a limites nunca antes atingidos. Demanda épica, Skyward Sword é um prazer em cada instante. A Nintendo repõe o herói na consola mais vendida da geração e que o justifica.

Edge (10 out of 10)

How apt that this ultimate tale of hero-making should see Nintendo’s hardware become the console it was always meant to be.

The Escapist ( )

It's difficult to know exactly how to handle a new installment in a franchise that's been around as long as The Legend of Zelda. Stick to what made the series great, and you risk feeling stale, but break too far away from expectations and long-time fans may feel betrayed. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the perfect tribute to its impressive lineage, honoring its predecessors while maintaining its own identity. If you're a long-time fan of the franchise, you'll love it. If you're brand new to Link and Zelda, you'll love it. Even if you've felt like the series had become tired and stale, you'll love it. It will make you believe the Legend will continue for another 25 years.

Nintendo Life ( )

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a game of stunning creativity: the work of master craftsmen and women, it's a breathtaking technical achievement in many ways, with subtly beautiful visuals and audio blending with rampantly imaginative design. It's as good a Zelda game as we've ever played, and one that fully delivers on the revolution Nintendo promised back in 2005.

Gamereactor (Denmark) (10 out of 10)

Skyward Sword er ikke perfekt. Det er ikke det ultimative spil. Men når du sætter det i din Wii skal du vide, udover enhver tvivl, at dette er det bedste spil, du kommer til at spille i mange år. Det kan diskuteres om det er det bedste Zelda nogensinde, men det er det bedste spil, der kunne skabes lige nu.

Gamereactor (Norway) (10 out of 10)

Man kan trygt si at Wii-eiere ikke har hatt mye glede av konsollen sin så langt i år (med unntak av Xenoblade Chronicles). Men med The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword er alt glemt og Nintendo tilgitt. Spillet minner oss på hvorfor vi elsker Zelda, og at 25 år er ingen pensjonsalder for denne livskraftige serien. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword entrer min bok som Wiis beste spill, årets spill 2011 og det beste Zelda-eventyret siden The Wind Waker.

The A.V. Club (A)

No, Skyward Sword isn’t better than Ocarina Of Time. But of all the Zeldas to be released over the last 13 years, it comes closest. The game’s greatest achievement is that it never stops aspiring to be more than it is. It never stops reaching for emotional moments, going full-tilt for players’ hearts. Before Skyward Sword’s final battle, Zelda turns to Link and says “You’ve come so far.” Those four words may not sound like much out of context, but within the game, they’re enough to make even the most jaded gamers reach for the Kleenex.

COGConnected / Canadian Online Gamers Network (98 out of 100)

Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a solid game. It not only retains the fun, action and adventure the previous games held, it adds innovation through the use of the controls and some customization that make it appealing to both fans of the franchise and to those who have not played before. Not only did Nintendo continue with the solid action/adventure style which makes the series so good but they enhanced it and added some nice features that make it enjoyable for those who wanted something more than before.

Official Nintendo Magazine (98 out of 100)

We'll say it upfront: Skyward Sword is the best Zelda game ever made. It's a constantly surprising adventure that progresses at breakneck pace, guiding you through unexpected and original locations, presenting you with breathtaking, inspiring vistas and introducing you to charming, funny and memorable characters. It's an absolute masterpiece from start to finish and a contender for the crown of best game on Wii.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (9.8 out of 10)

A huge departure for Zelda and a proper arrival for Wii's motion controls. Link's latest is rule-breaking, dream-weaving, tech-loving, heart-soaring stuff. If it Wii's last hurrah, they don't come more impassioned than this.

RPGFan (98 out of 100)

A gorgeous, fun, engrossing experience, and one of the finest games to ever come out of Nintendo.

Retro Gamer (97 out of 100)

Skyward Sword is a fitting tribute to Zelda's past, but an exciting promise of things to come. Here's to the next 25 years.

OMGN: Online Multiplayer Games Network (9.5 out of 10)

I loved everything about this game. The controls are some of the best of this generation, motion-controlled or otherwise. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an instant classic in a series full of them.

BeefJack (9.5 out of 10)

Skyward Sword is one heck of a birthday celebration, one to remember for years to come as one of the greatest Legend of Zelda adventures of all time – but, perhaps more ceremoniously, as the game that finally managed to deliver on the Wii’s promises.

GamerGen (19 out of 20)

En sortant un épisode sur le commencement de la légende de Zelda, Nintendo frappe un grand coup dans toute l'histoire de la série et il ne nous a pas déçu. Espérons que les prochaines sorties seront tout aussi magiques que ce soit sur Nintendo 3DS ou sur la prochaine Wii U. En attendant les prochaines actualités, profitons de ce nouveau Zelda et partons créer une nouvelle légende de nos mains ! Que la (Tri)force soit avec vous !

Power Unlimited (95 out of 100)

Door de schilderachtige stijl is het sprookjesachtige gevoel sterker dan ooit aanwezig in deze Zelda, terwijl de wapperbesturing de zwaardgevechten zeer interessant en uitdagend maakt. En dan zijn daar nog de vollere buitenplaatsen, het sprinten, de Beetle, de RPG-trekjes en de lekker hoge moeilijkheidsgraad; genoeg nieuws om verliefd op te worden.

Consoles Plus (19 out of 20)

Sans se désolidariser de la ligne de conduite de ses ancêtres (le plaisir de jeu avant tout !), Skyward Sword surprend, innove, tente des choses et ce, sans jamais se vautrer. Indispensable.

Jeux Vidéo Network (19 out of 20)

Skyward Sword est un grand Zelda. Long, beau et riche, le titre ne réinvente pas la série mais apporte suffisamment de changements pour nous offrir une aventure grandiose et véritablement unique dans le paysage vidéoludique actuel. Plus que jamais, Nintendo dispose avec Zelda d’une des plus grandes séries de l’histoire.

GamesCollection (9.5 out of 10)

Nintendo ci ha consegnato finalmente il degno erede di Ocarina of Time. Ed è ironico che sia stato proprio Eiji Aonuma, Director della serie da Wind Waker in avanti, ad esserci riuscito: dopo aver sperimentato artisticamente con Wind Waker, e aver accontentato i fans con Twilight Princess, l'allievo di Miyamoto ha, in qualche modo, superato il maestro. No, non Miyamoto. Ma Ocarina, quello sì, e adesso sappiamo che la Leggenda non ha ancora esaurito tutte le storie che ha da raccontarci.

Jeuxpo.com (9.5 out of 10)

The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword est un titre étonnant. Après un début assez lent faisant presque office de tutoriel, l'intrigue s'accélère et nous livre l'une des aventures les plus réussies depuis dix ans. La réalisation technique est d'une rare beauté pour un titre Wii, la jouabilité à la Wiimote Plus est excellente, et l'intrigue nous tient en haleine jusqu'au bout. Bref, Zelda frappe fort, une nouvelle fois.

Gaming Age (A-)

So yeah, you should buy Skyward Sword. There’s a good chance you were going to anyways, but if you had any doubts coming out of Twilight Princess or the even the DS titles, you can put them to rest. This is a fantastic entry into the pantheon of Zelda titles, and a pretty great swan song for the Wii.

Computer Bild Spiele (1.5 out of 6)

Selbst für treue Fans der Serie hält Links aktuelles Abenteuer erfrischende Neuerungen bereit – allen voran die ebenso originelle wie präzise Steuerung. Die eigentlich nette Story dagegen wird viel zu dröge erzählt. Bis das Spiel so richtig in Gang kommt, vergehen gut 120 Minuten. Doch in den restlichen 18 Stunden brennt das Spiel dann zum Glück ein beeindruckendes Ideenfeuerwerk ab. Ein absolut großartiges Spiel, das nicht nur kampferprobte Zelda-Haudegen begeistern wird. Auch für Gelegenheitsspieler ist gesorgt, denn: Sollten Sie wirklich einmal stecken bleiben, erscheint das Geistwesen Phai und hilft Ihnen mit wertvollen Tipps weiter – die eigentliche Aufgabe müssen Sie dann aber schon selbst lösen.

Gameplay (Benelux) (90 out of 100)

Skyward Sword combineert het beste uit The Wind Waker met Twilight Princess en gooit de volle kracht van de Wii MotionPlus in de strijd. De allerlaatste knaller van Nintendo op de Wii?

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

Skyward Sword passe très près du véritable chef d'oeuvre absolu. En effet, alors que les premières heures de jeu nous laissent dubitatifs, le titre prend son envol dans une deuxième partie absolument magistrale, notamment grâce à des donjons magnifiques et inspirés, témoins de scènes d'anthologie. Malgré quelques petites imprécisions de temps en temps, le maniement au Wii MotionPlus est certainement le meilleur jamais vu. Quoiqu'il en soit, Link nous livre une prestation d'adieu à la Wii fort touchante, qui plaira aux gamers grâce à des énigmes soignées et des combats épiques. Si vous avez oublié ce que pouvait être le génie créatif au service du jeu vidéo, ce n'est pas la peine de chercher plus loin.

Jeuxvideo.fr (9 out of 10)

The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword ne se contente pas de remanier habilement un système de combat qui n'avait pas changé depuis Ocarina du Temps. Après un démarrage en demi-teinte, la progression enchaîne une succession de moments d'anthologie qui semblent ne jamais vouloir finir. De temples dantesques en phases d'approches mémorables, Skyward Sword se joue des conventions de sa propre série pour mieux surprendre et émerveiller, instillant une exaltation de la découverte que l'on n'avait pas ressentie à ce niveau depuis bien longtemps dans un Zelda. Incontournable, tout simplement.

Gamereactor (Sweden) (9 out of 10)

Alla briljanta detaljer och den där svårdefinierade skopan magi gör alltså detta till en av de bästa titlarna, denna stekheta spelhöst. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword är ett spel som susat från himlen och landat i nästintill perfekt skick.

TheSixthAxis (9 out of 10)

For 90% of the time Skyward Sword is an absolute revelation, with perfect puzzles and well-designed locations. It also provides characters you can care about, and genuinely want to help. The motion controls also hold up well for the most part, although it will still be a sticking point for many gamers. Unfortunately it’s that final 10% that really does disappoint. After sampling some of Nintendo’s finest work, to suddenly find yourself taking part in some extremely uninteresting, generic quests is a bitter pill to swallow. Still, push on through and you’ll still find one of 2011′s best games.

GNT - Generation Nouvelles Technologies (9 out of 10)

C'est encore une belle aventure que nous livre Nintendo pour sa franchise Zelda. A chaque nouvel opus, l'enthousiasme demeure, la magie se réalise. Les développeurs créent un univers enchanteur dans lequel les joueurs aiment évoluer sans jamais éprouver aucune lassitude. Les nouveautés font leur travail et Link gagne encore en profondeur dans une aventure inédite. Un excellent épisode à explorer.

Thunderbolt Games (9 out of 10)

We have waited a long time for a true, Wii Zelda game. Skyward Sword clearly represents the pinnacle of the Wii’s capabilities both graphically and in terms of motion controls. Unfortunately neither works perfectly. The improved mechanics as well as the fantastically told story certainly make up for the system’s shortcomings. You can easily overlook occasionally frustrating controls and early 2000s graphics when the adventure itself consistently motivates you to want more and more for all of the nearly 60 hours it takes to complete. Skyward Sword isn’t perfect, but it absolutely is not a game that should be missed by fans of the series. It easily warrants dusting off the Wii, finding some AA batteries, and getting your waggle on for one last hurrah.

newbreview.com (4.5 out of 5)

If Skyward Sword had been released a few years ago then there would never have been any doubts about the capabilities of “proper” motion controlled adventure games. This is easily one of the best games of the year. Fans of old school adventure games should not miss this.

Console Obsession (9 out of 10)

Skyward Sword, whilst not the most intricate of the series, is as carefully and cleverly designed as always, but those that have long been seeking a dramatic reconstruction of Zelda will once again come away disappointed, though will perhaps be encouraged that it’s the most daring Nintendo has been with the series for quite some time, granting new twists to old conventions and perhaps, at the same time, offering a glimpse at the future of the long cherished franchise, but at this point in time, this is a glorious send off for the Wii, as well as being one of the strongest Zelda games built – but shaking things up a bit – on the existing framework, and that’s no small praise.

GamezGeneration (9 out of 10)

Wow. Skyward Sword hat mich einfach umgehauen, allen voran wegen der hervorragenden Steuerung und dem orchestralen Soundtrack. Das neuste Abenteuer von Link und Zelda ist cineastischer inszeniert als alle Teile zuvor, weist aber dennoch einige Alterspuren auf, über die sich aber hinwegsehen lässt. Wer einmal Motion Control in seiner Höchstform erleben möchte oder einfach nur mal wieder ein komplett durchdachtes und durchdesigntes Abenteuer erleben möchte, den lade ich ein in die Welt von Skyward Sword. Ein würdiges Spiel zum 25. Geburtstag, welches sich kein Fan der Reihe entgehen lassen sollte.

@Gamer ( )

Yes! Another big dose of Zelda goodness - and just when Wii owners could use a good reason to dust their systems off,

Games TM (9 out of 10)

Buffed and polished to a perfect point, Zelda Skyward Sword is one in the eye of the naysayers, and a spectacular return to form for its developer, a solemn reminder that, when it comes to crafting worlds, nobody does it quite like Nintendo.

GBase - The Gamer's Base (8.5 out of 10)

Für den ganz grossen Hit reicht es für mich aber leider nicht. Die Ranelle-Wüste gibt sich als triste und lieblos umgesetzte Umgebung zu erkennen, und Phai als ständige Begleiterin nervt mit seelenlosen Prozentangaben und über weite Strecken gefühlskalter Art. Zweifellos ein sehr gutes Zelda, aber nicht das beste.

JeuxVideoPC.com (17 out of 20)

Loin d'être un mauvais jeu, et possédant même de nombreux atouts, ce Skyward Sword livre une partition plaisante, malgré quelques fausses notes. L’on appréciera ainsi le côté plus humain de Link, grâce à la jauge d’endurance, et sa réactivité grâce à une maîtrise parfaite du Wii Motion Plus. L’univers, toujours aussi enchanteur, constitue lui aussi, indéniablement, un des gros avantages du jeu. On pourra néanmoins regretter, par moment, les faiblesses de la Wii, ainsi que les quelques erreurs qui se sont glissées dans un casting par ailleurs réussi.. Après vingt cinq années de bons et loyaux services, il est normal que la qualité s’en ressente un peu, même si de nombreuses bonnes idées, comme l’amélioration des équipements, ou certaines phases de gameplay véritablement originales, viennent équilibrer la balance.

4Players.de (84 out of 100)

Nach 25 Jahren Zelda ist dieses Abenteuer eine Ernüchterung. Für mich ist Skyward Sword der bisher schwächste Teil der so erfolgreichen Saga – man hat in den ersten sechs Stunden fast das Gefühl, dass es für Kleinkinder und Senioren entwickelt wurde, die man langsam an das Thema Videospiele heran führen will. Mal abgesehen von der banalen Story und der linearen Struktur mit ihren Wiederholungen: Als Kenner der Serie wird man erst angesprochen, als es in der Vulkan- und vor allem in der Wüstenwelt endlich anspruchsvoller und komplexer wird, als man sich wie in alten Zeiten mit sehr viel Spaß durch die vertrackten Dungeons bis hin zum Boss kämpft. Auch der atmosphärische Wechsel hin zum Schleichen wertet das umfangreiche, weit über zwanzig Stunden währende Abenteuer im letzten Drittel nochmal auf. Das Spiel hat tolle Momente, bietet tolle Musik, aber man vermisst immer wieder das Besondere hinsichtlich Artdesign und Ablauf.

The Video Game Critic (B+)

The overall design of the game is extremely clever, and I like how easy it is to travel between Skyloft and the various ground locations. The dungeons incorporate a lot of original ideas but some rely on subtle visual cues like cracks in walls that are really hard to see. I often found myself wishing there was an "on the fly" camera control, which might have prevented me from walking into lava so much. Skyward Sword takes a while to gain traction, so you need to invest a few hours before that classic Zelda "magic" kicks in. Save points come in the form of ubiquitous bird statues. Skyward Sword can be a little slow at times, but it's such a well-constructed adventure that you'll want to stick with it.

neXGam (8.3 out of 10)

Es existieren nicht viele Spiele, bei denen die Bewegungssteuerung derart innovativ eingesetzt wird, wie es bei The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword der Fall ist. Zack & Wiki: Der Schatz von Barbaros zählt zu diesen Ausnahme-Titeln. Summa summarum liefert Nintendo mit Skyward Sword ein überaus einsteigerfreundliches Zelda-Abenteuer ab, was sich insbesondere in der Linearität und im Aufbau bemerkbar macht. Qualitativ ein gutes Stück hinter Ocarina of Time und Twilight Princess angesiedelt, unterhielt mich das Action-Adventure zum größten Teil vorzüglich - trotz der angesprochenen Kritikpunkte.

Gameblog.fr ( )

C'est certain, The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword divisera. Ses qualités nombreuses de dépaysement et d'inventivité sur les puzzles lui permettent d'offrir une quête dense gorgée de moments forts, mais certaines approximations et longueurs l'empêcheront de devenir le nouveau flamboyant chevalier qu'attendait la série. Car si la jouabilité au Wii MotionPlus fait franchir une nouvelle étape dans l'immersion, elle exige une rigueur de manipulation et engendrera quelques frustrations lors de (rares) ratés. Reste une bien belle aventure, fière manière de fêter les 25 ans de Link, Zelda & co… mais pas suffisamment éblouissante pour éclipser l'infinie magie des Ocarina of Time ou Link to the Past.

JeuxActu (16 out of 20)

Non, The Legend of Zelda : Skyward Sword ne sera pas un mythe comme son illustre prédécesseur Twilight Princess. La barre était visiblement trop haute pour qu'il fasse mieux, ce qui ne l’empêche pas pour autant de disposer d’un gameplay en béton armé qui fait honneur au Wii MotionPlus, ainsi que d’une ambiance musicale convaincante et d’un univers collant parfaitement à la direction artistique. Sans oublier l’excellente durée de vie qui répond aux exigences des fans, même en rushant. Mais, avec le recul, on a cette désagréable impression que le jeu n'est pas fini, comme si Nintendo tenait absolument à développer un Zelda sur Wii avant, vraisemblement, de passer à autre chose sur Wii U. Ils ont quand même travaillé cinq ans dessus, et certaines imperfections sont difficilement compréhensibles. Le Célestrier par exemple, clairement sous-exploité et relégué au rang de faire-valoir, alors qu'il semblait avoir les ailes suffisamment larges pour assumer un combat face à un boss.

Legendra ( )

Zelda Wii est là, le vrai, celui qui tire profit des capacités de la console, qui en use tout le potentiel, technique comme interactif. À la fois authentique et intelligent, Skyward Sword a su faire preuve d'habileté pour réintégrer la touche Zelda à un cocktail très hétérogène d'idées. L'ambiance, le level-design, la bande-son, autant d'éléments qui ont manifestement bénéficié d'un soin et d'un peaufinage tout particulier. Même s'il pêche sur quelques aspects et fait quelques choix discutables, il ne fallait pas plus à ce Legend of Zelda pour contenter les joueurs en mal d'un opus sur console de salon. Fly, Link.

WiiDSFrance (8 out of 10)

Chaque Zelda trouve son public, et encore une fois, ce test est des plus subjectif. Cependant, l'équilibre global du jeu me pousse à mettre en garde les potentiels acheteurs : ils seront soit déçus s'ils ne sont pas patients, ou devront l'être pour ne pas rater une énorme deuxième partie, avec des passages justes épiques à souhait. En bref, persévérez, et vous ne le regretterez pas. Ceci dit, ce passage à vide entre la fin de la première heure (en gros quand vous quittez Célesbourg) jusqu'à la dixième heure de jeu est assez inhabituel pour être souligné et on ne peut qu'espérer qu'il ne s'agit pas là d'un signe du déclin d'une série extraordinaire.

Gamekult (8 out of 10)

Synthétisant le savoir-faire acquis par Nintendo avec la Wii, Skyward Sword est un jeu-somme qui concentre et réinterprète à sa façon les codes d'une série née il y a un quart de siècle. Cet épisode n'explore peut-être pas l'ensemble des idées de gameplay offertes par la Wiimote en configuration MotionPlus, mais sa prise en main est sans véritable faille et offre de très bonnes sensations de jeu. On lui reprochera évidemment sa langue trop pendue, deux personnages centraux manquant de charisme, son parti pris graphique ne fonctionnant vraiment que sur de vieux écrans et une petite tendance à allonger la sauce. Mais il contient également des trésors d'inventivité. Construit de manière aussi savante qu'accessible, cet opus anniversaire est une sorte de baroud d'honneur autant adressé aux fans de Zelda qu'au nouveau public attiré par les sirènes du motion gaming.

Snackbar-Games.com (4 out of 5)

Skyward Sword is the best Zelda game I have ever played. There just happens to be a lot of filler surrounding it. I don’t know who decided that Skyward Sword needed to be longer, but there are much better ways to add length than making me retrace my steps and re-fight the same bosses. It’s a great game full of life and polish, and the elements that keep it from being a perfect 5 stick out because everything else is executed so expertly.

Giant Bomb ( )

Skyward Sword is simultaneously a very good Zelda game and a rather great adventure game. It has some of the most inventive dungeons the series has ever known, sports the most impactful changes to the combat since Z-targeting, introduces wrinkles to the Zelda mythology that will force fans to rethink the entire series, and will have you gawking at it constantly, 480p 'n all. But the series finds itself facing an identity crisis, as it flirts with expanding what has defined the series without abandoning its charming but waning simplicity. Zelda doesn’t need to become something else to maintain relevance, but at a certain point, when “a brand-new great Zelda game” isn’t enough, there’s reason to pause.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10)

The good elements do outweigh the bad in Skyward Sword, creating another engrossing experience in this venerable franchise. Strong visual design meshes the cartoony world of Wind Waker with the more realistic approach offered by Twilight Princess, and the riveting orchestral soundtrack brings back many classic tracks while offering a few tasty new ones. However, the formula is beginning to show its age. There just aren't enough new ideas to separate Skyward Sword from its predecessors, and the few additions come with mixed results. Even with many bright spots, Skyward Sword still feels like a nostalgic retread. Those yearning for something new will be disappointed, but anyone thirsty for another exciting adventure will find plenty to enjoy here.

Games.cz (7 out of 10)

Skyward Sword je v mnoha ohledech překrásný: obrazem, hudbou, nostalgií, atmosférou, souboji s úhlavními nepřáteli, leckterými nástrahami dungeonů, emotivním pohádkovým příběhem, v němž Zelda plní svou jedinečnou úlohu. Jenomže tu jsou rovněž zástupy šotků, jež se nedají přehlédnout a jež prudí a naotravují se, že to kolikrát zmůže i samotného Linka. Věrní fanoušci bez mrknutí oka vytrvají nebo si šotků ani nevšimnou – zbytek nechť se obrní železnými nervy. Protože nebýt oněch zbytečných chyb a útlocitného opečovávání jedné kultovní legendy, mohla z toho skutečně vzejít další vysoká známka letošního podzimu.

Gaming since 198x (2 out of 5)

Difficile d'aimer ce Skyward Sword, même avec les meilleures intentions du monde. Pas aidé il est vrai par le motion gaming, c'est toutefois dans son design et sa construction que le jeu pêche, n'offrant qu'une longue série répétitive d'objectifs pas passionnants dans des environnements beaucoup trop disjoints pour donner à l'univers une vraie personnalité. Soixante heures d'ennui et de frustration, c'est cher payé pour quelques trop rares moments de grâce.

OMGN: Online Multiplayer Games Network (4 out of 10)

It's still a Zelda game. It still has its charm for all its overall lack of identity. There are still moments that elicit a smile, a laugh, a gasp -- or even a baffled head shake. I’ll still beat it, although I probably won’t revisit it. And I'll still buy the next one and get giddy over it. It's clearly not an utter failure, but finding the gems are a lot harder than finding the faults.