The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

 Wii
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2628 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,980 out of 2628
  2. Mixed: 360 out of 2628
  3. Negative: 288 out of 2628
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  1. PlayGreatGame
    Sep 4, 2014
    10
    This was the first Zelda game i played in my life, and it became the best game that i have ever played. Clearing the dungeons was very interesting and fun. Ending was emotional and music was awesome. the bad thing i felt about this game was that sometimes the control doesn't go as what i expected. and it was annoying fighting with tower-like monsters and some with electric weapons. butThis was the first Zelda game i played in my life, and it became the best game that i have ever played. Clearing the dungeons was very interesting and fun. Ending was emotional and music was awesome. the bad thing i felt about this game was that sometimes the control doesn't go as what i expected. and it was annoying fighting with tower-like monsters and some with electric weapons. but overall, i spent 50 hours of unforgettable adventures, and the wii is worth its money just for this game. 10/10.… Expand
  2. Oreogamer
    Sep 6, 2014
    8
    A great game! One thing i didnt like, was the art style. I mean it was cool, but i think it wasnt good enough. That beeing said, its a really good zelda game!
  3. PAOerfulone
    Sep 11, 2014
    10
    My first 100% playthrough of the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, was an experience I will never forget, for all the right reasons. This game is simply beautiful in just about every aspect that it's trying to do. I loved it so much that I did a 2nd 100% playthrough just a few months afterwards. #3 is right around the corner. The motion controls are the best that the Wii has to offer and itMy first 100% playthrough of the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, was an experience I will never forget, for all the right reasons. This game is simply beautiful in just about every aspect that it's trying to do. I loved it so much that I did a 2nd 100% playthrough just a few months afterwards. #3 is right around the corner. The motion controls are the best that the Wii has to offer and it executes perfectly your WiiMotePlus movements and Link's sword movements are a perfect 1:1 relationship. The dungeons are the best that the series has to offer, everyone of them is a joy to travel trough and none of them were a chore, tedious, or down-right frustrating. (OOT: Water and Forest Temple, MM: Great Bay Temple, TP: City in the Sky) It's linear design will turn off the explorative type of player, and Fi (your partner) can get a little annoying every now and then, but those are very small negatives from what is overall a masterpiece!
    This, in my view, is the best 3D Zelda game ever made!    … Expand
  4. Steeldude
    Oct 13, 2014
    9
    The controls easily turn this game into a must-play. There is nothing more satisfying other than using the Wiimote as a real sword and fighting the enemies in this game. There are equipment upgrades as well as many sidequests, definitely a lot of content. Nevertheless, the story is quite bland, which is a shame for a Zelda games. Also, boss fights seem to be re-used way too much in thisThe controls easily turn this game into a must-play. There is nothing more satisfying other than using the Wiimote as a real sword and fighting the enemies in this game. There are equipment upgrades as well as many sidequests, definitely a lot of content. Nevertheless, the story is quite bland, which is a shame for a Zelda games. Also, boss fights seem to be re-used way too much in this game. Still, it's a game that has to be experienced by everyone.… Expand
  5. Coolcaspar
    Jan 22, 2015
    10
    Skyward sword a fantasitic game:

    I just need to say the controls in skyward sword were not bad guys they were actually very responsive and the combat was really cool cause it meant that every fight was like a chess game reacting to what the enemy did and reacting upon the action your enemy took. i reallyyyyyyyy like the combat that also made the bossfights very cool i especilly liked    Skyward sword a fantasitic game:

    I just need to say the controls in skyward sword were not bad guys they were actually very responsive and the combat was really cool cause it meant that every fight was like a chess game reacting to what the enemy did and reacting upon the action your enemy took. i reallyyyyyyyy like the combat that also made the bossfights very cool i especilly liked the giantrobot which named has escaped my head right now.

    I agree tht t took som getting use to but when you or at least when i did i truly felt that i was the great hero who was send on a questwielding the skyward sword in my hand. i know some might think that this game had no exploration which might be true i didnt really bother me cause i was so driven by chaacters cool gameplay and a fatastic story. Also i think that the way they made the game by not only focussing on dungeons but also the land sorrunding them was fantastic and made me explore a far more great area than just a dungeon.

    I also really liked the side mission which made me learn a lot more about some of the best charecters the zelda series had to offer while taking me on quest which were generally exciting and made me explore.

    The puzzels in this are also fantastic made so they're not cheap (so you ge stuck and) but stil quite interestin/demanding of the player.

    The places you wentwere also amazing and place were unique which made you feel like you were treversing great distances and added to the feeling that you were and a epic journe.

    It always felt like i was on an adventure which is what i want from a zelda game and i never felt frustrated in this game it always made me want to keep going because of all the things i ave listed. I really love this game and i get a feeling playing this game which none other can recreate. I even like this game more than ocarina of time a lot more actually, this game is truly a masterpiece.

    Ps: shooting with bow and arrow in this game is the best thing ever espesially when you snipe an enemy from a long distance :3    … Expand
  6. dugmate
    Oct 28, 2014
    10
    Fantastic game. The Wiimote control aspect is intuitive and adds to the gameplay experience. Overall I found the controls fluid and responsive, just like a Zelda game should. Enemies are designed around this mechanic, each one with their own particular system, a mini-game within a game. The puzzles are engaging but not too difficult. The graphics are commendable considering the limitationsFantastic game. The Wiimote control aspect is intuitive and adds to the gameplay experience. Overall I found the controls fluid and responsive, just like a Zelda game should. Enemies are designed around this mechanic, each one with their own particular system, a mini-game within a game. The puzzles are engaging but not too difficult. The graphics are commendable considering the limitations of the Wii. Sure, the lack of anti-aliasing is fairly obvious, overall, I am willing to overlook this because everything looks so darn beautiful. More importantly, the art direction is fantastic. The sound is what you come to expect from the big N, perfect. It gets better and better with each generation. Some really nice orchestral pieces really add to the atmosphere. The story is fairly well written and serves as the linchpin for the entire series, good twist at the end too! I struggle to understand how you could rate this game a zero. I am admittedly a fanboy of the series so I am biased, but I think that it is a disservice to assign this game such a low score. I give Skyward Sword 9.6 out of 10.… Expand
  7. brendansands
    Oct 31, 2014
    10
    This was the first Zelda game I ever played. I was amazed by how fun it was. When I first got the wii, I remember playing wii sports resort fencing, and saying that I wish there was an entire game based off this mechanic. On Christmas my brother got this game and it just sat there. One day I played it and had a ton of fun. the motion controls worked fine I have no idea why people dislikeThis was the first Zelda game I ever played. I was amazed by how fun it was. When I first got the wii, I remember playing wii sports resort fencing, and saying that I wish there was an entire game based off this mechanic. On Christmas my brother got this game and it just sat there. One day I played it and had a ton of fun. the motion controls worked fine I have no idea why people dislike them. it is like no other game. Now I love the Zelda series. I have played almost every game in the series and this is still one of my favorites. A must play.… Expand
  8. KeyboredMonkey
    Nov 2, 2014
    10
    This is a Wii game everyone must have! It's amazing in every single aspect. I'm talking plot, graphics, atmosphere, bosses, and Kikwis!
    Well done Miyamoto, Nintendo!
    Oh and Warning: Be prepared for Kolotos!
  9. TheBlondeNerd
    Dec 7, 2014
    10
    Controls are awesome. Visuals and story are best in the series. Sure it's a little more linear but I think it a change for the best. Stop reading this review and go buy it, it's not very expensive on half.com or Amazon.
  10. DjChainsaw24
    Dec 27, 2014
    10
    The game is perfect. The controls are great,the story was awesome,the art style was beautiful, and everything else was great a awesome game. The one bad thing Fi but only during the first part. Still i love the game as much or more than Ocarina of Time.
  11. CaptainFalco
    Jan 11, 2015
    10
    Skyward Sword is a fantastic game, and my personal favorite in the series. The elegant and engaging control system is what makes this game my most cherished in the series. The dungeon and puzzle designs are top notch, and the boss fights are thrilling. The art style is beautiful and unique. There are some minor flaws such as the occasional control hiccup, a general lack of meatySkyward Sword is a fantastic game, and my personal favorite in the series. The elegant and engaging control system is what makes this game my most cherished in the series. The dungeon and puzzle designs are top notch, and the boss fights are thrilling. The art style is beautiful and unique. There are some minor flaws such as the occasional control hiccup, a general lack of meaty exploration (likely due to the limitations of Wii hardware), unpolished graphics in some places and some backtracking, but overall the game is a masterpiece. 11/10.… Expand
  12. Sploin
    Jan 18, 2015
    9
    I really liked the motion control this game offered. It made me feel much more immersed into the game.
    A blast game to try it out!! The story, plot are so well written. A master piece.
    I truly like it that you can upgrade your items by collecting materials that are spread out in the world. It makes me feel upgrading myself all time by upgrading.

    A master piece.
  13. Vataro
    Mar 16, 2015
    9
    Die Steuerung war zwar gewöhnungsbedürftig , auch die Grafik , aber der Soundtrack (Orchestral *.*) , die Dungeons und die Bosse + Ideen waren überragend , auch Ghirahim konnte ich etwas abgewinnen ^-^
  14. starraider
    Mar 13, 2015
    9
    To everybody who hates on this game for being linear and having motion controls really make it worth giving a 0. If you want to see what a zero looks like check out Big Rigs over the Road racing. This game is not perfect but it does so much right at the same time that it can be forgiven. First of all the motion controls for me worked 95% of the time. I don't know why some people had such aTo everybody who hates on this game for being linear and having motion controls really make it worth giving a 0. If you want to see what a zero looks like check out Big Rigs over the Road racing. This game is not perfect but it does so much right at the same time that it can be forgiven. First of all the motion controls for me worked 95% of the time. I don't know why some people had such a problem getting them to work properly. The only real flaw that this game has is the companion Fi. She is just so annoying spouting exposition and pointing out the painfully obvious. But story wise she works great… Expand
  15. DailySalesman
    Mar 22, 2015
    10
    I've never played a game with such fantastic controls and gameplay as this. Skyward Sword amazed me at every turn from its thrilling story to its shocking plot twists (does that count as a spoiler?) and its Wind Waker-esque art style. Skyward Sword takes the best from all the Zelda games (except for the three-day cycle, that is) and makes it bigger and better than ever before. The combatI've never played a game with such fantastic controls and gameplay as this. Skyward Sword amazed me at every turn from its thrilling story to its shocking plot twists (does that count as a spoiler?) and its Wind Waker-esque art style. Skyward Sword takes the best from all the Zelda games (except for the three-day cycle, that is) and makes it bigger and better than ever before. The combat is improved and the motion controls add new life to an already great franchise. Skyward Sword is one word: outstanding.… Expand
  16. Haz3theFaz3
    Apr 1, 2015
    10
    The fact that this game has a 7.9 user rating suprises me. I am not a veteran Zelda player, skyward sword was my first Zelda game, so I have no idea how it compares to other in the series. That being said, this game is amazing. The story, the characters, the pacing are all perfect, however the gameplay is where it shines the most. Using the motion controls of the Wii, skyward sword makesThe fact that this game has a 7.9 user rating suprises me. I am not a veteran Zelda player, skyward sword was my first Zelda game, so I have no idea how it compares to other in the series. That being said, this game is amazing. The story, the characters, the pacing are all perfect, however the gameplay is where it shines the most. Using the motion controls of the Wii, skyward sword makes you feel like you are actually swinging a sword, using a bow, controlling objects and many other things. This game is the best game I have ever played.… Expand
  17. weskergamer
    Dec 19, 2019
    8
    skyward sword es un genial juego de Zelda. Es un poco mas de accion y un poco mas facil. Pero eso se debe a el intento de usar lo mayor posible las opciones del WII y lo hace super bien. El juego tiene una gran historia, la mejor historia en la saga y una excelente jugabilidad
  18. CamyVero
    Jun 8, 2020
    8
    New installment of one of Nintendo's flagship series. Normally these games are compulsory to play, few games can surpass the development of 'The Legend of Zelda' and in this case we find a new iteration with the usual mechanics of the saga: exploration, puzzle solving, object recovery and third person combat.

    The game is beautiful, with a graphic finish reminiscent of a watercolor. We    New installment of one of Nintendo's flagship series. Normally these games are compulsory to play, few games can surpass the development of 'The Legend of Zelda' and in this case we find a new iteration with the usual mechanics of the saga: exploration, puzzle solving, object recovery and third person combat.

    The game is beautiful, with a graphic finish reminiscent of a watercolor. We will explore different worlds with the usual scenarios of the saga, forests, volcanoes, ice, intricate dungeons ... so far so good, a game of outstanding, but it has an important ballast from which you can not get rid ... control

    With the new idea of the Wii control, nintendo forces you to play with the motion plus features, if you don't have it by default in the wiimote you must buy it. Personally, I'm too classical a player and I think this adventure would gain a lot of ground with a controller like the ones we've had all our lives. It's a real shame that you're forced to pretend you're holding a sword or a shield in order to enjoy this great game, so the note is no greater.

    Nintendo should at least give the player a choice. Not force him to play the way the company wants him to.    … Expand
  19. EdwardG
    Oct 26, 2019
    8
    Skyward Sword is a great Zelda game - it has some really beautiful moments, a bunch of memorable dungeons and boss fights, an excellent art style and soundtrack, as well as a good story with well developed characters.

    I really liked the implementation of motion controls here, as it makes all the fights feel like little puzzles that require more thought and perhaps more skill than is    Skyward Sword is a great Zelda game - it has some really beautiful moments, a bunch of memorable dungeons and boss fights, an excellent art style and soundtrack, as well as a good story with well developed characters.

    I really liked the implementation of motion controls here, as it makes all the fights feel like little puzzles that require more thought and perhaps more skill than is normally required in combat.

    My main issue with Skyward Sword is it's pacing - too much of the game feels formulaic and almost like a chore. Its structure is too rigid at times, and the backtracking doesn't help the flow of the game. Thankfully, BOTW avoids this game's pacing issues in my eyes by doing away with the restrictive linearity that hurt Skyward Sword. So, even if it is an issue here, it's good to know that the developers went in a different direction for the next 3D Zelda.

    Despite the pacing and some filler content, there's a lot to love here. Zelda, Groose, Fi and Impa are all great characters and I was pleasantly surprised to see them go through character arcs that really fleshed them out. Ghirahim is an entertaining villain, and getting to see Demise and the beginning of the Zelda mythology is a treat. There's some really good music too, like Fi's Gratitude, Ballad of the Goddess and Ghirahim's Theme.

    Other than the motion controls, the gameplay is pretty standard fare for a Zelda game, so although Skyward Sword doesn't radically improve on the Zelda formula, it is still very fun on the whole. If you've played and enjoyed a Zelda game before, there's a good chance you'll like this one too.

    Skyward Sword is a must play for Zelda fans, and a great game overall. It has a couple of drawbacks, but they don't stop it from being a fun and memorable experience.    … Expand
  20. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    6
    This game started off so strong. I thought it was going to be favorite Zelda game. Then it started to recycle the same areas over and over again in a way that made them feel really stale. Then the 'magic' of the motion controls started to wear off, and I just grew tired of them. It all just came crashing down. It was so close. One bit of praise I can give to this game though is that thisThis game started off so strong. I thought it was going to be favorite Zelda game. Then it started to recycle the same areas over and over again in a way that made them feel really stale. Then the 'magic' of the motion controls started to wear off, and I just grew tired of them. It all just came crashing down. It was so close. One bit of praise I can give to this game though is that this game easily has the best story and characters of any Zelda game. Groose is a champ.… Expand
  21. Kratosine
    May 18, 2023
    10
    De las mejores experiencias que tuve en la adolescencia, las mecánicas que involucran el movimiento son demasiado brillantes y bien planteadas.
  22. wescrigg48
    Apr 22, 2019
    7
    good game but the motion controls sometimes dont allways do what you want they usaly work but they strugle with charging skyward srike and doing a foreward thrust
  23. giannis2001
    Sep 4, 2022
    8
    Skyward Sword is a great game. Despite the controversy, I really enjoyed the gameplay with the motion controls. They were working incredibly well. As for the story, it's one of the best in the series and the first on the timeline. The world is amazing with ineresting characters,very greatly desinged dungeons and a lot of secrets to uncover. It's one of the best games on Wii for sure.
  24. LionStormito
    May 26, 2019
    10
    Belos gráficos, estilo artístico incrível,bons controles,melhor história da série, missões paralelas divertidas e eu nem vou comentar sobre a fofura dos kikwis.
  25. Mahmus
    Oct 20, 2020
    8
    While definitely a little too linear, it nonetheless gives the player a fantastic story and motion controls way more responsive that its detractor might led you to believe.
  26. Sepferod
    Jun 20, 2020
    9
    Отличная игра с интересной задумкой,все выглядит замечательно исходя из технических ограничений nintendo wii,жалко что нельзя играть без wii remote + из за чего пришлось ждать пока придет нужный датчик чтобы поиграть,прошел всю за 80 часов,очень понравилось,жду ремейк для nintendo switch.Отличная игра с интересной задумкой,все выглядит замечательно исходя из технических ограничений nintendo wii,жалко что нельзя играть без wii remote + из за чего пришлось ждать пока придет нужный датчик чтобы поиграть,прошел всю за 80 часов,очень понравилось,жду ремейк для nintendo switch.
  27. Dylan99199
    Apr 5, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is an amazing game with beautiful locations and an amazing art style. Skyward Sword has an amazing story which focuses on the creation of the master sword and the origins of the Zelda series. The game is linear yet what the game gives you to explore is very excellent and colourful. The temples in this game are also top-notch with the Ancient Cistern and the Sandship considered by many to be some of the best in the series. The game has a great rivalry between Link and Giriham who is the main villain you will see throughout the game. He is a character with a great personality. The game has unique controls that are very fun once you get the hang of them. Most complaints about this game are usually focused on your partner Fi, who can be annoying yet helpful for new players. Another popular complaint is that the game is repetitive. While I won't disagree that you have to go to the same areas multiple times or fight a certain boss (the imprisoned) many times I think the game handles this well apart from the imprisoned battles which can be annoying. Each time you return to one of the three provinces you will be doing something different. For example, in the forest, you will have to first find and rescue a group of plant-like creatures before getting allowed into the temple. The next time you come back you will have to go in search of special water to heal the dragon that guards the next temple. When looking for the dragon, a new part of the forest will be unlocked, while in the same area, it will be in a waterfall instead of the woods. The final time you return to the forest you will need to search the flooded woods for tadpoles to learn part of the song needed to unlock the final temple. I understand why some people do not like the game's repetitive nature but I think it shows your progress throughout the game. One tip I will give for people struggling with the final complaint most people have is to make sure to use your wrist for the motion controls. If you overdo it and pretend it is an actual sword it will not work and you will have problems. The game is filled with amazing npcs, great villains and enemies and the world as a whole feels vibrant with all the colours and the four severely different areas. This game is one of the most unique in the series and I would give it a shot if you've never played it before or even if you have played it and didn't like it give it a 2nd shot with an open mind.

    The HD version on Switch also fixes pretty much every problem people had with the game that could've been solved without completely changing the game into something completely different. I think I'll probably come back to the Wii version to play it now and again but the HD version is a massive improvement over the original. For example, a fair criticism of the original game was the length of the tutorial. In the original, it takes 1-2 hours just to get out of the tutorial and into the first proper area but in the remaster you can make it there in 15-20 minutes if you know where to go.    … Expand
  28. MatthewDavisMed
    Sep 22, 2020
    9
    Skyward Sword might not be the best in the series compared to many others, but it's an absolutely unique entry with controls that for the most part work well. Not to mention it's one of the best looking games for the console and has one of if not the best relationship between Link and Zelda.
  29. Fiercevinegar
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    hands down the best zelda game ever made, best dungeons best music best sidequests best combat, everything is the best
  30. Fry_Bot
    Jun 8, 2020
    10
    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a masterpiece, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have flaws. Take a shot everytime i say "controls", "control" or "controller". The main enemy in this game is not Ghirahim or The Demise, it is the controls. This game probably has the worst controls out of any game i've ever played, they are incredibly inconsistant. I'm perfectly fine with uniqueThe Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a masterpiece, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have flaws. Take a shot everytime i say "controls", "control" or "controller". The main enemy in this game is not Ghirahim or The Demise, it is the controls. This game probably has the worst controls out of any game i've ever played, they are incredibly inconsistant. I'm perfectly fine with unique controls, but when those unique controls don't work, i have a problem with them. Another flaw but not really a flaw, is this game probably has my least favorite graphics out of any Zelda game since the CD-i Zelda games. The reason i say it's not really a flaw is because the graphics are still great, i just don't like the way the humans look in it. The story is arguably the best out of any Zelda game ever made, it knows how to make you hate, it knows how to make you sad and it knows how to make you smile. That is all i will say about the story, because i don't want to spoil it, despite me having a lot to say about it. The dungeons in this game are great, besides the ones that use the timeshift stones, i'm not a big fan of those, they are fun to use the first few times but they get very repetitive. The dungeons have clever puzzles and great bosses, just like almost every other Zelda game. Each dungeon is incredibly different, but are all at a slightly hard difficulty. They are definetly easier than the dungeons in Link to the Past, but are still tricky... because of the controls. This game would be incredibly easy if i could control it with a regular controller, i understand that they would have to redesign a lot of the bosses and enemies but it would just be so much easier and smoother to play. Despite me saying that, about 6 and a half hours after i started playing, i got used the controls and realised that this games controls were bad to make the game more difficult, you are always doing something. Which i can praise it for, you can make any movement with the controller and it correlates with the game, which even though it is unnecessary, it is impressive. I know i seemed hard on this game because i just ranted about the controls, but i truely loved it. It is definetly not my favorite Zelda game, but without any doubt in my mind it is the best Wii game i have ever played. Everything that wasn't the controls was truely great, this game has it all. This game keeps you thinking throughout the whole game, whether it's the puzzles, bosses or just the controls, you will always be thinking. This game is a strong 10/10, when i first started it i did not like it purely because of the controls but once i got used to them i absolutely loved it. If you started this game but quit because you didn't like the controls, try it again, you will not be dissapointed. Alright now take 15 shots, if you haven't already!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Wii Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Discussed Wii Game of 2011
1
#1 Most Shared Wii Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 81 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 81
  3. Negative: 0 out of 81
  1. Armchair Empire
    Feb 6, 2012
    100
    Overall, this is the best experience I've had playing a Zelda game since Ocarina of Time and I'd have to say they are pretty equal in my opinion. Either way, you won't be disappointed getting this game, it's a masterpiece.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 19, 2012
    90
    New Zelda is the best game of whole series since the groundbreaking Ocarina of Time. It is a true masterpiece with uncompromising playability. [Christmas 2011]
  3. PALGN
    Jan 19, 2012
    95
    A magnificent homage for the 25th anniversary of one the biggest franchises in gaming, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword provides a compelling gaming and artistic showcase for the indefatigable potential of the medium as a whole, and a reason to have gaming as a hobby.
    Read full review
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