Overall Feeling:
Skyward Sword is the best sum of all of the Zelda parts to-date: It takes advantage of the hardware in unique and interesting ways without feeling tacked on, it features a host of gadgets new and old that all feel awesome to wield, it's story is a grand epic that manages to tie-in with the franchise more directly than most, and the mount (bird) in the game is the best way to get around since Epona. The game features numerous nods and allusions to previous outings in the franchise, and by the end of the game you've had a full-on Zelda experience that brings forwards memories of all your favorites from the franchises long history, while providing an altogether new experience.
The Pros:
+The Wiimote Plus controller is taken full advantage of, allowing unparalleled percision with the controller.
+The game is one of the biggest ever, taking a minimum of 30 hours just to clear the main-story.
+Traversing the world with the game's primary transportation system, a giant bird, feels like it rewards a bit of skill beyond "pointing in the direction you want to go."
+The library of 'gadgets' that Link has this time out is potentially the greatest to date.
+The story connects directly with over-all Zelda series, specifically Ocarina of Time, and it a rarity for the franchise that gives all kinds of nerd-happiness.
+The game adheres to the Zelda formula, but provides the best presentation of each to date.
The Cons:
-The ability to swing a sword in ANY direction still isn't quite there, and instead the game relies on an eight-way axis for the swinging mechanic of the sword's slashes.
While playing through the most recent incarnation of the Zelda franchise, Skyward Sword, I've stumbled upon somewhat of a personal revolution. Zelda, to me, is to video gaming what James Bond is to movies. To be clear, I'm a big fan of the James Bond franchise, and it has several key features that keep me coming back every time there's a new one launched: One-liners, cars, women and gadgets. Zelda works within a similar 'formula' that repeats ad-nauseam, but somehow never gets stale. Where Zelda is concerned though: it's a mount, rather than a vehicle.
