The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Reviews
Overall, I can't recommend anyone paying $60 for this version of the game, it's not worth it. While some of QOL fixes are nice, and some of the new control schemes are good, overall I find it hard to recommend. If you like Zelda, you probably already bought this, and I hope you have fun with it, but if you haven't played Skyward Sword yet, this is probably the version to play...so long as you spend $30 or less.
There are still enough lingering issues with Skyward Sword HD that keep it from being in the same league as the series’ best installments.
Skyward Sword HD is enough of a Zelda game that fans of the series will still have a good time playing it. With a strong story and characters that stand out, there is still fun to be had despite the god awful controls that do their best to ruin what would’ve been an outstanding game had it adhered to traditional gameplay mechanics.
The great irony of Skyward Sword is that Nintendo struggled to make it have motion controls as refined as possible and in the end it made it a worse experience. Only when a traditional control scheme was implemented and the game took on a less patronizing game design philosophy is when players can appreciate Skyward Sword‘s finer aspects.
I’d advise caution with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD. It’s a solid title and for a hardcore Zelda fan, I’d recommend it.
While it was largely considered one of the less popular titles in the franchise, Nintendo rereleased Skyward Sword HD for the Nintendo Switch so a new generation of players that can experience what is considered to be the narrative foundation for the series. The result is an adequate entry, but one where its history and original control scheme’s legacy still can influence people’s enjoyment.
Skyward Sword's HD remaster helps sand out some of the game's rough edges, but this is still probably the most flawed mainline Zelda game to date.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD’s upgraded visuals and motion-free control options make this the best way to play the Wii classic, even if the game is firmly stuck in Zelda’s past.
The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD is a constant fight between good and evil : if the game now makes the most of the 60 fps/HD display and a mostly muted Fi, the classic controls are not easily transposables to a simple controller, and most of the already-outdated game design flaws of the 2011 game are still there.
Review in French | Read full review
Link's divisive Wii adventure returns on Switch with some welcome quality-of-life improvements.
In theory, motion control of the Nintendo Switch paired with The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD is a perfect match. What sounds quite conclusive at first has unfortunately not been implemented perfectly in practice. A further complication is the optics, which no longer meet today's standards despite HD. Even the gripping plot, which lays the historical foundation stone of the series, can only offer slight consolation.
Review in German | Read full review
Skyward Sword is one of the more distinct flashpoints on the Legend of Zelda timeline, and this new HD version only draws more attention to that. It’s fascinating in so many ways beyond the usual game evaluating criteria, and while I’m not sure I enjoy playing it I certainly appreciate having that historical gap filled in. Also, that leitmotif utterly slaps.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD isn’t necessarily a massive upgrade over that original experience, but it does clean things up and provides a different look at the fateful connection between Link and Zelda.
There are excellent things about its plot, its level design, and its gameplay choices. But they are equally offset by some terrible design choices in the same segments. The same can be said about this remaster. For every welcoming improvement, such as the fantastic graphics, performance, and being able to ditch motion controls altogether, there is another annoying setback, such as the implementation of said non-motion controls and the bizarre camera movement.
I would not say that Skyward Sword HD radically changes my opinion of the original, although it did let me see in in a new light. It still has a lot to do to keep up with the best installments of The Legend of Zelda since it highs are good, but the lows points lack the quality the franchise is known for.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a great remaster of the weak game - HD-version fixed the most annoying things of the original. However, pacing issues as well as many strange decisions to block the progress are still here, and still prevent player to love this game.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Though it may be one of the weaker Zelda games, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a good adventure in its own right.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a good remaster – it’s obvious that Nintendo put some serious work into it. But remember that this Zelda is a peculiar game that can throw you off – especially because of its huge reliance on motion-sensor controls.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Skyward Sword is still not one of the best Zelda games out there, even after improvements added to this new Switch port, but it deserves to be played thanks to a great cast of characters, a good narrative and some interesting gameplay ideas that Nintendo developed further in Breath of the Wild.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The new control system makes Skyward Sword infinitely more accessible to gamers, and it will appease fans of the franchise who love The Legend of Zelda lore. Its colorful story strays far from the dark world of Twilight Princess, and its crafting mechanics will feel familiar to those who've only tested out Breath of the Wild. And as Nintendo prepares a sequel to Breath of the Wild behind-the-scenes, this HD remaster is filled with tales fans are certain will show up in the next Legend of Zelda game.