25 Years Later - Has Link Still Got It?

25 years after the first in the series, Skyward Sword is the latest instalment in the Legend of Zelda series. Taking a completely different graphic styling and making full use of the Wii Motion Plus sensor, could Skyward Sword be the one to put Wii-Gaming on the map?

Presentation:
Skyward Sword is the 2nd full-on Zelda game to be released on the Wii (3rd if you count Link's Crossbow Training) after Twilight Princess. Fans of the series had been waiting for this one, and in my opinion it surpasses expectations. Bringing back traditional tools such as the Clawshots, plus throwing in some new gadgets like the Beetle, Skyward Sword truly does have a range of features for any level of experience with the series. While the motion controls can be a bit tough to handle at times, and a badly calibrated Motion Plus might have you launching your remote somewhere across the room, you can always swing it wildly and hope for the best in any combat situation. 7.5/10

Graphics:
For the Wii, the graphics here are surprisingly good. I suppose the graphics of games on any console get better as the years fly by, but it has always been difficult to drag the Wii away from bobble-headed characters in one respect or another. Skyward Sword combines the detail from its predecessor (Twilight Princess) with an element of cartoon fun from games such as Windwaker, plus a dash of much needed sunlight, to give yet another whole new angle on Zelda's graphics. Nothing too realistic, but definitely a step in the right direction from Nintendo's graphics squad. 8.5/10

Gameplay:
Set as a prologue to the rest of the series, Skyward Sword begins with Link as a student at a Sky Knight Academy. Following the introduction of childhood friend Zelda, the storyline sets off in a fairly linear fashion. However, this isn't one of those games where you do a quest and have to move straight on; there remains the possibility to explore Skyloft (your home hub) and go back to previous areas to find extra goodies and side quests which you may have missed throughout the storyline. Although some boss fights are slightly repetitive, having to defeat the same giant beast several times, it's not a game you can get easily bored with. Entirely new dungeons and concepts to keep you busy throughout the story make Skyward Sword a welcome addition to the Legend of Zelda collection. Let's see Nintendo top this one! 9/10

Verdict:
Skyward Sword has something for every gamer: whether a hardened fan of the series or a complete novice. Taking full advantage of the tech available, Nintendo have really pulled this out of the bag to give us a gaming experience that properly delivers. With sharp graphics and smooth gaming, it's clear why The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has been flying off the shelves since release in November 2011. 8.5/10

-Rob