A sky full of lush, fluffy clouds flies by as gentle harp music plays. Wind whistles through the air. The clouds begin to part and reveal a floating piece of land, lush and green. The scene changes to a simple field full of bright green grass, with a young man standing in the middle.
The camera zooms in and the young man opens his eyes, time seeming to slow around him. His eyebrows furrow into a determined expression and, suddenly, he charges forward. He rushes to the edge of the field and jumps, plunging down through the clouds; in complete freefall. He then lets out a high pitched whistle, and a magnificent red bird flies below him to catch him from his fall.
He and the bird soar gracefully through the air. The music crescendos as he and the bird fly into the sunlight.
This is a description of the trailer to the next installment of the famous “Legend of Zelda” series, “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword”. The game is set to release on the Wii on Nov. 20.
“The Legend of Zelda” is a long-lasting series, the first game of the series (titled simply “The Legend of Zelda”) being released on Aug. 22, 1987 in the United States for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since the first game in the 1980s, the series has released more than 14 other titles, from handheld games like “The Minish Cap” to large console titles such as the critically acclaimed “Ocarina of Time”.
The series is hailed as classic, with many fans all over the world. Since the original “Legend of Zelda” for the NES, the series has sold more than 52 million copies of its games.
Most of the games have a consistent gameplay style, consisting of overworld exploration and intermittent dungeon exploration. The dungeons are the main part of the gameplay, usually involving solving puzzles, finding keys, finding a compass and a map, and finding the boss key, which leads to the dungeon’s boss.
Many of the fans like the dungeon exploration gameplay, including an ALHS senior (who preferred to remain anonymous).
“I like that it’s not entirely combat. There’s a puzzle and exploration element to it, unlike most games today,” said the senior.
“Skyward Sword” continues this trend, but the dungeons and the overworld are more intertwined. The main overworld is more like a dungeon in this game, with many hidden elements and treasure chests to find.
The overworld itself consists of two parts- various sky islands, much like the various islands in the oceanic “Wind Waker”, and a surface world, which Link can dive down to from the islands in the sky.
The combat controls of “Skyward Sword” take full advantage of the Wii’s motion system, requiring the Wii MotionPlus to play. The player controls the main character, Link, with the Wiimote and swinging it controls the sword. The game, thanks to the Wii MotionPlus, is very sensitive to subtle movements, and different strokes of the wrist create different sword techniques.
As well as these new elements, the game adds something never seen in the series before- flight. Link now has a mighty bird which he can call upon to fly from island to island.
Chronologically, the game takes place before “Ocarina of Time”. The game is said to have many connections to “Ocarina of Time,” and will explain much about the game, such as the origins of its main antagonist, Ganondorf.
“It’s supposed to connect to ‘Ocarina of Time’, and give the origin of the Master Sword. It sounds very interesting.” Said the ALHS senior.
The entirety of the game’s new elements and plot will remain to be seen until it’s release on Nov. 20. Until then, fans will quiver with anticipation. The countdown has begun.