Nintendo E3 2010: Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda Wii title just received its name: Skyward Sword. With Skyward Sword, players return to Hyrule as Link. The graphics and style of the game look similar to the Twilight Princess. Skyward Sword is the first Zelda title to use the Wii Motion Plus. The release date has pushed back to 2011.

Zelda Skyward Sword with the Motion Plus
Ever since the Wii was released in 2004, Zelda fans have been wondering if we could swing the sword around realistically. Shigeru Miyamoto demonstrated how the Motion Plus lets players swing the sword with the Wii remote. With the nunchuk, players will control the shield. Players also have to use a proper stance, just like how Link stands when holding his shield and sword. By holding your remote skyward, the sword charges up. To defeat some enemies, like Deku Babas, players will need to slice at the correct angle. By moving the sword, Link can confuse eyeballs on locked doors. There was a small glitch during the demo were the arrow wasn't able to be shown properly. The problem was said to be caused by wifi interference.

Zelda Skyward Swords Controls
Beyond using the remote and nuncuk for slicing and defense, the items menu is suppose to be much simpler to acess. By pressing B, the item menu screen pops up. Moving the Wii remote around the circle menu, it seems easy and quick to pick an item. Also, there's suppose to be no need to point the remote directly at the screen.

The Z button targets enemies. The A button is used to jump while in battle. With the Motion Plus, Link can roll and throw bombs, shoot arrows, and unleash a new item called the Beetle. The Beetle, when launched, can fly around, speed up, slow down, and grab dropped items. Another Zelda item is the whip. By moving the remote, players can control the length of the strike, pull things, and pick up items on the ground. The whip can cut the grass as well. Link also has the ability to run and jump up small cliffs.

While there was no information given about a plot, Zelda fans will probably be saving the Princess one way or another. There was also no talk of temples, although a big scorpion type boss, like Gohma, made an appearance in the demo. It's a pretty safe bet the game will include Fire, Forest, Earth, Snow and Sky temples like in previous Zelda titles. The demo also shows Link rolling on a boulder in a lava pit and fighting enemies in a forest. Eve though Skyward Sword has been delayed until 2011, I have faith that Nintendo will make the game worth the wait.

Sources:

E3 Spotlight on Nintendo June 15, 2010

Zelda demo on wired.com