The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Reviews

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
Aug 16, 2021

However, the story of the game continues to be fresh and engaging, and apart from the problems mentioned, you will get a fun and exciting experience.

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Drew Hurley
Top Critic
8 / 10
Aug 9, 2021

The bad rap that Skyward Sword received is evidenced here to be undeserved. Even the worst Zelda game is still a good game, and this is by no means the worst Zelda game. It has some dungeons and experiences that are standing side by side with the very best of the whole franchise. While the controls aren't as good as they could have been, and some of the early annoyances remain, this is absolutely a must-buy. It's not the worst Zelda game, not a bad Zelda game, but a great Zelda game.

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Oyungezer Online
Sabri Erkan Sabancı
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jul 29, 2021

You may have sneered when it was announced, but you will be convinced like me as you play that it is a very logical remaster choice for Switch.

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7.5 / 10.0
Jul 31, 2021

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

7.5 / 10.0
Jul 25, 2021

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

A-
Jul 21, 2021

Skyward Sword HD might lack the freewheeling nature of Breath of the Wild, and it might also be bereft of a seamless overworld, but it does so many things right with narrative, gameplay, and visuals to make up for its shortcomings. There is a ton to see and do here. I found myself transfixed on countless sights—the enormous waterfall outside the entrance of the Ancient Cistern, the fluctuations between sand and sea in Lanayru Desert, and the final battle’s eerie, surreal battleground remain burned into my mind’s eye. Skyward Sword HD is a brilliantly designed game, full of dungeons packed with clever puzzles, numerous plot elements that serve to enrich the franchise’s lore, and a control scheme that is as refreshing now as it was in 2010. This is a must-have for Switch owners on a very long list of must-have games—don’t let that stop you from rushing out to try Skyward Sword HD today.

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Unscored
Jul 20, 2021

All this isn’t to say that the game isn’t worth playing. Whether you are a fan of the original or you are experiencing it for the first time, Skyward Sword HD is a Zelda game worth playing as much as any other. However, it doesn’t wipe away the issues that the original had completely. The various quality of life issues that are implemented in this version only serve to highlight the issues that plagued the original — and the fact that some of those issues require more than a simple “quick fix” provided by a remaster like this to resolve.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2021

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is a solid game that in several respects makes it clear that the original was released 10 years ago. But don't be discouraged – you will experience a decent and rewarding gameplay.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Nintendo News
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2021

While Skyward Sword HD’s visuals breathe new life into the decade-old title, the quality of life improvements aren’t quite enough to make this instalment in the Zelda franchise soar to new heights. However, its strong cast of characters, hallmark dungeon designs and excellent storytelling keeps it afloat comfortably above the clouds, offering an experience that’s hard to forget.

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8 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2021

Another chance to save Zelda in old story, with slightly better movement and better graphics.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2021

What Skyward Sword HD does best is make a 3D Zelda once thought limited to a unique console playable in perpetuity (hopefully). Along the way, enough changes and tweaks are made to improve the adventure, whether it's streamlined tutorials or satisfactory button controls. It wasn't known at the time, but this represents the final chapter of Nintendo's 3D Zelda design that started with Ocarina of Time. With hindsight, Skyward Sword HD serves an interesting coda that paved the way for Breath of the Wild. The linear ebb and flow of Link's earliest chronological story might be rooted in the past, but it's still an engaging and cozy adventure in the present that's well worth playing or revisiting.

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Jul 14, 2021

Skyward Sword has always sat a little apart from the others, because while all other Zelda games give the impression that you're experiencing current events through your Link-avatar, Skyward Sword instead leaves the impression that you're witnessing the retelling of a great legend of antiquity.

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6 / 10.0
Jul 24, 2021

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.

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8.8 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2021

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an absolutely incredible game so if you haven't played it yet, this HD iteration makes for a great excuse to finally give it a go. Those who still own it on Wii might want to hold out, though, because it's surely not a huge step up.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 27, 2021

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is an exciting and unique video game. It seems designed for the Nintendo Switch and was very ahead of its time. It was able to show the versatility and future of the brand from an unexplored point. In which the player takes the role of the hero as before and ventures into an experience that will change the way they feel about video games. A reward for all those who hope to play it at some point.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Sep 27, 2021

While certainly not the greatest Zelda game, Skyward Sword is a wonderful entry that fans of the series would do well to check out.

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7 / 10.0
Aug 5, 2021

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.

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Essential
Aug 11, 2021

A monument in the action-adventure genre, Skyward Sword HD is among the series’ more ambitious entries; a joyride that you won’t be able to put down!

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Aug 2, 2021

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.

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Essential
Jul 24, 2021

Nearly ten years later, Skyward Sword HD on Nintendo Switch flips these criticisms on their heads. This high-definition remaster doesn’t add much by way of all-new content; rather, it introduces a slate of subtle enhancements and improvements that may not sound like much on their own, but add up to make an enormous impact on the core gameplay experience.

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