The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD

 Switch
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 700 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 467 out of 700
  2. Mixed: 104 out of 700
  3. Negative: 129 out of 700
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  1. gamingdork
    Jul 22, 2023
    0
    The gameplay hasn't been updated to use the full potential of switch and graphics wise they just added a bit of anti-aliasing and shadow shaders to the game . Wind waker hd and to some extent twilight princess hd set the examples of zelda remakes done right but skyward sword ain't it.
  2. Dangusse
    May 22, 2023
    4
    the game is a lot of fun, and it's an improvement on the original in many ways. however, for a game that's selling point is a controls overhaul, the new controls are disappointingly dysfunctional. also, quite a lot of the late game content, especially our third or fourth repetition of any given area, is simply obnoxious and unfinished, a way of padding the game out without adding morethe game is a lot of fun, and it's an improvement on the original in many ways. however, for a game that's selling point is a controls overhaul, the new controls are disappointingly dysfunctional. also, quite a lot of the late game content, especially our third or fourth repetition of any given area, is simply obnoxious and unfinished, a way of padding the game out without adding more content.

    many segments are glaringly just an upscaled reskin of the original game, which is not really acceptable. this said, SSHD is fully playable with some frustration, dysfunction, imbalance, and unresponsiveness. the game has some of the best dungeons in 3d zelda, and the motion controls make for a great arcade feeling to the gameplay.

    still, you will find yourself forced to use the button controls in far too many situations, as the motion controls seem to have a mind of their own. the buttons are practically obligatory for any boss fight besides moldarach, as it's basically impossible to get the joycons to register the directional hits you want, and any melee combat is reduced to waving the controller around randomly in the hopes that a hit lands. this is especially problematic if the enemy punishes you for missing or parries your attacks. it's also a problem throughout the most narratively climactic battles of the game, so there's a definite sour note here.

    combine this with an often questionably designed overworld that you have to trudge through over and over again with a stamina meter that can't be upgraded, and i'm left hard pressed to give this one a great rating. yes, it's good. yes, it's fun. however, the further into the game you get, the more you will lose faith in nintendo's willingness to deliver a finished product on their remasters. if you are a zelda fan and you want to play skyward sword in it's optimal state, this is the one to get. just think about buying it used or at a discount.    … Expand
  3. Danikyo-Inverso
    May 19, 2023
    0
    Juego terrible con una historia horrenda, los controles son bastante cómodos al igual que lo fueron en la Wii, pero el juego es demasiado predecible y lineal, y combatir con cada enemigo se siente como un puzzle forzado.
  4. affus
    May 13, 2023
    2
    This was a bad game back in time. The main reason? The very bad motion controls. This is a bad game today. The reason? The motion controls and the adapted controls. They made a traditional control worse than the motion controls... how is it possible? The graphics are ok, but the overall game is mediocre. It was know as the worse Zelda game back in time and it is still the worse Zelda game today.
  5. rexicola
    May 1, 2023
    1
    really a bad playability, it's sad because the story, the character and the level design are good but why on earth do i need to switch between camera mode and sword mode? it's just not funny, play it 2 hours and gave it up as i know that i still need to play this way to end the game
  6. Odindabean
    Apr 19, 2023
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love the Legend of Zelda franchise and own just about all of them but, Skyward Sword is such a sorry excuse of a Zelda game… The puzzles are confusing and annoying, the mini bosses are aggravating, and some of the music is terrible. I can’t get myself to persevere through the Sky Keep and get the Triforce because of the tedious fighting controls for both the button mode and the motion controls in order to beat the pirate captain mini boss. On the bright side, the story and the majority of the music and storytelling are fantastic, but I just can’t bring myself to beat this game nor give it a positive review…… Expand
  7. WiN7Z
    Mar 4, 2023
    3
    Sympas les premières heures et on avance rapidement, on découvre les divers, lieu et on utilise à bon escient les nouvelles mécaniques acquises avec les nouveaux objets récupéré. Puis arrive les deux derniers donjons.
    Deux labyrinthes sans queue ni tête où on passe des heures à tourner en rond.
    Une vraie purge et je ne le finirai même pas. Dommage, plutôt qu'un jeu un peu court qui    Sympas les premières heures et on avance rapidement, on découvre les divers, lieu et on utilise à bon escient les nouvelles mécaniques acquises avec les nouveaux objets récupéré. Puis arrive les deux derniers donjons.
    Deux labyrinthes sans queue ni tête où on passe des heures à tourner en rond.
    Une vraie purge et je ne le finirai même pas.
    Dommage, plutôt qu'un jeu un peu court qui m'aurait laissé une bonne impression, ce sera un jeu avec une durée de vie artificiellement gonflé qui, justement, m'aura gonflé sur la fin.    … Expand
  8. Bagel_Game
    Feb 5, 2023
    4
    Bagel ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
  9. pugach87
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    Messy port with poor controls. It simply doesn’t work. Unbearable, **** camera and joycon tracking. I can’t take it anymore. For full-price release it’s ripoff. Worst Zelda experience ever.
  10. TheLinkgirl
    Dec 24, 2022
    2
    Legendary franchises are expected to maintain some sort of standard with their games. I believe it's fair to say that the Legend of Zelda series is one such series, which is why Skyward Sword feels like such an odd title. Admittedly, I never liked the game when it first released, but I felt it was important to give the game a second shot; perhaps I simply didn't get the game first timeLegendary franchises are expected to maintain some sort of standard with their games. I believe it's fair to say that the Legend of Zelda series is one such series, which is why Skyward Sword feels like such an odd title. Admittedly, I never liked the game when it first released, but I felt it was important to give the game a second shot; perhaps I simply didn't get the game first time around?

    No. If anything, this re-release of Skyward Sword made me re-evaluate my somewhat middling opinion on the game, into one of mostly negativity. In short, the game feels too simple and too experimental. The focus on an almost entirely motion controlled combat system makes every encounter and every item feel exactly the same, from the simplest enemies to the latest bosses, and from the standard sword to the beetle or whip. It makes me realise everything is simply a means to and end, rather than it feeling like a cool and unique idea. While I am also on this topic, I also simply don't find the sword fun to use, and it simply isn't satisfying.

    While I'm not too bothered by the game being relatively linear, I feel that where it fails is the content provided. Many people have expressed that the dungeons are some of the best in the series, to which I say... What? The dungeons, while they do sometimes look pretty, are simply not that well designed. All of the other 3D Zelda games have infinitely better dungeon designs. Simply playing the game really isn't fun.

    While the visuals and music can be nice, Skyward Sword is a vapid void, a fun sponge, and a completely tiring and unfulfilling experience. I have no issue saying this is easily my least favourite Zelda game, and is, in my opinion, a bad game.    … Expand
  11. Elwoodwrap
    Dec 15, 2022
    3
    The story is good and the game play is good. It felt the story dragged on a little with too much going back and forth. Still a must play though.
  12. Dowop2010
    Nov 13, 2022
    2
    I went out of my way to make an account on here to share with you my horrible experience with this horrible game. This was my very first time experiencing Skyward sword. Handheld mode only. I literally broke my joy con right off my switch 6 hours in. The frustration of the worst controls ive ever seen in a game was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Which is a shame considering theI went out of my way to make an account on here to share with you my horrible experience with this horrible game. This was my very first time experiencing Skyward sword. Handheld mode only. I literally broke my joy con right off my switch 6 hours in. The frustration of the worst controls ive ever seen in a game was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Which is a shame considering the story is halfway interesting. But along with below average level design, the combat is tied to adapting to the Wii’s motion controls, leaving you with flicking around the right joystick. The problem with that is you also use this to move the camera as long as you are holding the left bumper. Which can also be a pain when picking up items or trying to fight enemies at all. Its almost unplayable with this control scheme. This is all truly a shame considering its the smoothest running game ive seen on my switch. I got this game on black friday sale for $40. I still dont think it was worth that price tag. For the same money i would have paid someone to kick me in the nuts and run me over with a car then had to ever played this crap. Stay far away from this.… Expand
  13. curry323232
    Aug 7, 2022
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The controls are very bad and the story isn't interesting. You have to revisit the same locations over and over and it become annoying. It just feels as you have to do the same thing over and over.… Expand
  14. obzhora69
    Aug 3, 2022
    3
    Boss battles shouldn't be torture, its pure bad game design. Selling this for 60 is another sin by nintendo. Wont buy anything like that from nintendo from now on
  15. Adrianosousa91
    May 28, 2022
    1
    Motion Control based Gameplay Turn the game unplayable/very frustrating, I ended up avoiding very simple enemies as much as I could... Very Linear, Ugly graphics, "not very exciting dungeons" I am pissed off that Nintendo comercialized this for 60€/$! It was just easy cash for them. If you're craving something Zelda, you'd better Replay botw for the fifth time than buying this
  16. Kaprawiec
    Apr 23, 2022
    4
    Pros + Graphics are nice,
    + better story than in BOTW,
    + atmosphere of fairy tale... Consulting - ...which is very childish - story still suck - controls are really bad, doesnt master if you try motion controls or pro controller, - puzzles at times are annoying, I got stuck a lot, - combat, - swinging on ropes made me fall into pits because of bad movement design, - got reaaaally boring    Pros + Graphics are nice,
    + better story than in BOTW,
    + atmosphere of fairy tale...
    Consulting
    - ...which is very childish
    - story still suck
    - controls are really bad, doesnt master if you try motion controls or pro controller,
    - puzzles at times are annoying, I got stuck a lot,
    - combat,
    - swinging on ropes made me fall into pits because of bad movement design,
    - got reaaaally boring after 5 hours.
    Overall I dont recommend it to well anyone, It has old Tomb Raider vibe to it but controls destroy all fun I could had with this title, dont know what critics see in this one.    … Expand
  17. RhinoVanDam
    Feb 8, 2022
    3
    As a massive Zelda fan this has been the only one in the series I never played, having got rid of the Wii before it came out.
    I am one of a few who didn’t like BOTW, I like my Zelda games the old style dungeon exploring way, so was looking forward to playing this. I was digging it to start with, and using the pro controller I thought I would avoid motion control issues.
    I was wrong.    As a massive Zelda fan this has been the only one in the series I never played, having got rid of the Wii before it came out.
    I am one of a few who didn’t like BOTW, I like my Zelda games the old style dungeon exploring way, so was looking forward to playing this. I was digging it to start with, and using the pro controller I thought I would avoid motion control issues.

    I was wrong.

    Attacking enemies was annoying but doable, however come the first ‘boss’, despite trying pro, switch handheld and motion controls it is just horrific to play. I can’t be bothered to spend hours frustrated by terrible controls, and it is a shame as the world and music etc were looking good, but the controls just aren’t worth the effort. This is the only Zelda game I will never finish.    … Expand
  18. njanjayrp
    Dec 31, 2021
    0
    Absolute piece of garbage. The game’s controls are very clunky and messed up. This time around they decided to make Link re-do stuff like mad and that includes repeating super annoying boss battles until
    You literally want to smash your controller because most of the time you are going to end up in lava as the game simply did not undergo any quality assurance. The more you play the more    Absolute piece of garbage. The game’s controls are very clunky and messed up. This time around they decided to make Link re-do stuff like mad and that includes repeating super annoying boss battles until
    You literally want to smash your controller because most of the time you are going to end up in lava as the game simply did not undergo any quality assurance. The more you play the more frustrating it gets not because of the difficulty l, but due to the fact that the game is simply bad. Don’t be fooled there are really good Zelda games out there, Skyward Sword simply isn’t one.    … Expand
  19. Jose0812
    Dec 3, 2021
    0
    Porqueria de juego y plataforma Denotando una vez más que Nintendo es una compañía aferrada a sus tiempo de gloria en los 90’s sacando contenido para niños de 5 años a lo mucho y siento que me paso en el rango de edades.
  20. Fido
    Nov 26, 2021
    0
    This game is joke, controls awful, i can't play this without hurting my hands or my devices. Level design i o primitive linear claustrophobic behind only first good location sky town, where game is start. Farther you go - more and more primitive and ugly location designs you'l see.
  21. Stupidzelda
    Nov 23, 2021
    0
    This game is so stupid.My bf prefers to play Zelda than to spend time together.Please delete it and save my relationship.He actually became a zombie and he became so dump.Also the graphics are very ugly.You should fire your 3D artist. Have a nice day.
  22. ReaperOfCrows
    Nov 21, 2021
    0
    It's almost impossible to believe this game came from the same studio as Breath of the Wild, and the older Zelda games. It's the absolute opposite in terms of quality and breadth of content. All this talk about how Skyward Sword HD fixes everything and makes it a truly amazing game is mind-blowing, almost as much as this game getting good critical reviews even on the original version!

    -    It's almost impossible to believe this game came from the same studio as Breath of the Wild, and the older Zelda games. It's the absolute opposite in terms of quality and breadth of content. All this talk about how Skyward Sword HD fixes everything and makes it a truly amazing game is mind-blowing, almost as much as this game getting good critical reviews even on the original version!

    - Yes, the motion controls are terrible. I played maybe half way through the game with them before switching to a pro controller. There's a novelty to them, a small spark of joy from mimicking the action in the game, that quickly wears off after doing the same action 2 or 3 times. The sheer unwieldy inaccuracy of them is such a slight against every minute of gameplay it's crazy to think they thought this is how they should ship the game. The fervor around motion controls must have been so high during this time in the studio.

    - The motion controls are only a small fraction of the problems this game has though. And the alternate controls, while better, are still clunky enough to put them below any of the other games in the series.

    - Backtracking, padding, and repetition. Backtracking, padding, and repetition. Backtracking. Padding. Repetition. AHHHH! There are three small zones to explore in the entire game basically. And you explore not once, not twice, not three times, but four times! At least! They shuffle some rocks around and say, "Hey! Doesn't this feel like a whole new area?" No. No it doesn't. You fight the same main boss at least three times, in the same arena, only getting another annoying gimmick each time. And spinning your stick around to perform an action is cute the first 5 times. But it just makes every movement through the world tedious after 20 hours.

    - The **** underwater stuff, especially the tadpole minigame, is just the valley of bad game design. Everyone has always hated underwater levels, so they decided to make one of the biggest most tedious ones possible for their game. Why?

    This whole experience has made me wonder if reviewers actually played through the game, or just wrote a review based on what they thought fans wanted hear about a Zelda title. I'm just dumbfounded.    … Expand
  23. Aldro
    Nov 17, 2021
    0
    El juego esta diseñado para jugarlo con controles con sensores de movimiento. Jugando asi los controles son muy imprecisos y resulta muy frustrante jugar asi. Los controles con el mando convencional estan fatal adaptados. Es muy incomodo el manejo de la camara o el uso de los diferentes objetos. Muchas veces para sacar el arma tenia que aporrear varias veces el Joystick R y acababaEl juego esta diseñado para jugarlo con controles con sensores de movimiento. Jugando asi los controles son muy imprecisos y resulta muy frustrante jugar asi. Los controles con el mando convencional estan fatal adaptados. Es muy incomodo el manejo de la camara o el uso de los diferentes objetos. Muchas veces para sacar el arma tenia que aporrear varias veces el Joystick R y acababa recibiendo daño porque Link no atacaba. Con el uso de los objetos pasa igual. Me he pasado el juego entero y me sigue pareciendo incomodisimos los controles. La historia es aburrido y sencilla. Los enemigos son pocos y se repiten mucho. Los escenarios son pocos y la historia te obliga a pasar por los mismos sitios una y otra vez. Las misiones secundarias son aburridas. El juego es largo porque has de ir a los mismos escenarios 3 veces. El peor zelda que he jugado. Me ha resultado una tortura larga y horrible acabado. Le doy un 0 porque no se puede dar negativo. Porque costando esto 60 euros me parece una estafa.… Expand
  24. bhappenstance
    Nov 12, 2021
    2
    One's enjoyment of SS is almost entirely dependent on how well you adapt to the motion controls. The JoyCons may be a slight improvement over the Wii controllers, but they still constantly slip out of synch with the screen, making it all the more difficult to make precision swings. This becomes an increasingly aggravating burden as the game proceeds. In other words, the controls justOne's enjoyment of SS is almost entirely dependent on how well you adapt to the motion controls. The JoyCons may be a slight improvement over the Wii controllers, but they still constantly slip out of synch with the screen, making it all the more difficult to make precision swings. This becomes an increasingly aggravating burden as the game proceeds. In other words, the controls just *don't* really work. And if the controls don't work, nothing else really matters.… Expand
  25. matthewissound
    Nov 7, 2021
    3
    I'm not a longtime Zelda fan. I beat Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, and Breath of the Wild; I thought maybe this franchise couldn't lose. I read the reviews and thought "surely the motion controls aren't that bad." This game sucks. They went *all* in on motion control; every puzzle, every boss fight, every tool is about motion control. It would be one thing if they worked well, butI'm not a longtime Zelda fan. I beat Link to the Past, Link's Awakening, and Breath of the Wild; I thought maybe this franchise couldn't lose. I read the reviews and thought "surely the motion controls aren't that bad." This game sucks. They went *all* in on motion control; every puzzle, every boss fight, every tool is about motion control. It would be one thing if they worked well, but maybe 30% of the time the controls do what I was trying to do with them. It's so frustrating to know what you need to do, to try what you need to do, and have the game do something else entirely. If this had been my introduction to the Zelda franchise, I'd never play one of their games again.

    To be fair, I'm not going to give it 0. It's a nice world and a lot of what made Breath of the Wild cool is there. But this is the failed game that helped them learn their lesson for BotW. Would not recommend.    … Expand
  26. tgk333
    Nov 7, 2021
    0
    It legitimately makes me feel sick just thinking about it.
    I don't think i've had a more frustrating gaming experience in my life.
    And the frustration continues... seeing people talk about it being "the best in the series" makes me want to burn myself alive.
  27. Johnny_evil2101
    Oct 27, 2021
    0
    10 years later, a full prize remaster. Still no left handed motion controls.
  28. Diellm
    Oct 21, 2021
    3
    boring and with bad controls,empty game few enemies, very easy, boss fight mediocre
  29. Coolpen6
    Oct 17, 2021
    2
    The awful controls and very slow opening killed the experience for me the button controls are not really used all that well and the first few hours are a complete bore with tons of tedious fetch quests and backtracking
  30. geminivi
    Oct 4, 2021
    0
    The gyro controls are awful. I dropped this after 40 minutes when I got to the first bird race.
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Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Switch Game of 2021
4
#4 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 106 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 106
  3. Negative: 1 out of 106
  1. Gamersky
    Dec 20, 2021
    77
    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on NS brought this once masterpiece back to the player's vision. However, its crappy control and a somewhat old-fashioned design make it seem less attractive nowadays.
    Read full review
  2. RPGamer
    Nov 22, 2021
    70
    Skyward Sword HD should be commended for its attempt to improve on the original. Having a new control scheme and making a good deal of Fi’s advice optional make it a more palatable experience. However, the game still suffers from pacing issues that made the original feel too bloated as well as a disappointing deemphasis on exploration. This remaster could have realistically improved upon a lot, yet it would still fall short compared to the series’ strongest entries. There is still enough for those looking for a more traditional 3D Zelda experience on the Switch provided they keep their expectations in check.
    Read full review
  3. JeuxActu
    Oct 16, 2021
    65
    Yes the picture is sharper, yes the game is smoother (60fps), yes there have been some improvements to make the adventure more enjoyable, but damn the gameplay has taken a hell of a beating in the back of the head. It was already painful in 2011, it is even more 10 years later, and it is not the tinkering in classic controls that will sublimate the gameplay of this Zelda : Skyward Sword HD.
    Read full review
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