The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Reviews
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.
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.
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.
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
Link's divisive Wii adventure returns on Switch with some welcome quality-of-life improvements.
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a mostly muted Fi, the classic controls are not easily transposables to a simple controller, and most of the already-outdated game design flaws of the 2011 game are still there.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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are still enough lingering issues with Skyward Sword HD that keep it from being in the same league as the series’ best installments.
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.
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.
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!
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.
A fascinating second look at one of the oddest Zeldas out there.
The remastering of The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD makes it a drastically more accessible game on the Nintendo Switch that offers a wider audience the chance to explore the earliest point within the expansive Legend of Zelda timeline.
Skyward Sword HD’s quality of life improvements made to the game are a step up from the Wii version of the game. No more constant interruptions while you are playing, from Fi the spirit of the sword, that’s a blessing. The controls are better. However, I think it will boil down to how well you gel with the updated control system. I do recommend giving the game a go for those that are on their journey through The Legend of Zelda series of games. As while it isn’t the best of the best in the series it shouldn’t be overlooked completely.