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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
- Nintendo Wii
- Price: $49.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Beloved series delivers cleverly crafted adventure.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD is an adventure game that is ideal for tweens (and older) but not little kids as there is a lot of fantasy combat. Hero Link's main weapon is a sword that can hack and slash enemies -- and with the Wii MotionPlus controller is accurately modeled to the player's real movement in front of the TV -- which might concern some parents. There is a small amount of blood seen in the game from fallen baddies, but it disappears with the body.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about solving problems when they become Link, the hero who's on a journey to find and rescue his childhood friend, Zelda. Kids can also learn about physics as they interact with the game's environments. Since this game uses players’ motions (made while holding the Wii Remote) in a direct relationship to Link's actions on the screen, kids can sharpen motor skills as they face off against foes. By reading through this story, kids might reflect upon the meaning of friendship, commitment, and honor. Kids must think critically and use big motions to fight, but learning is limited.
Subjects
- Language & Readingfollowing directions, reading, reading comprehension
- Math
- Scienceenergy, physics
- Social Studies
- Arts
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoninganalyzing evidence, decision-making, solving puzzles
- Creativity
- Self-Direction
- Emotional Developmentempathy, moving beyond obstacles
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitnessfine motor skills, gross motor skills, movement
What's it about?
As with past The Legend of Zelda titles, you play as a young boy named Link, who must rescue his childhood companion Zelda from evil kidnappers. Zelda -- not yet a princess in this prequel to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time -- was snatched from the peaceful floating islands of Skyloft and taken to the dangerous surface world below. To aid in his quest, Link is presented with the magical Skyward Sword, which houses a spiritual aid named Fi; she resides inside the blade when Link needs some guidance. Control and flight are two of the key differences between The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and previous Zelda games. With the former, the game takes advantage of Wii MotionPlus technology to synchronize your real-world movements with the controller and Link's swordplay in the game. Whether you're holding the sword skyward (up) to charge its magic, slicing diagonally, jabbing forward, or performing a spin attack, all the actions are precisely mirrored in the game. Link can also hop on the back of a giant bird, known as a Loftwing, and soar the unfriendly skies.
Is it any good?
Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a huge and ambitious single-player adventure. Much of your time will be spent exploring vast lands (including multiple dungeons, towns, and deserts), bypassing traps and other obstacles, engaging in real-time combat, talking with characters, and amassing an inventory of items that can be used to upgrade weapons and equipment. Visually speaking, Skyward Sword is the best-looking Zelda game to date but anyone who spends time gaming on an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or PC will no doubt feel the graphics are outdated. Also, be prepared for quite a bit of dialogue. It's often repetitive, too, so younger gamers may grow tired of reading all the text (and no, these lines aren't spoken aloud). Despite its few shortcomings, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is an extraordinary adventure, whether you're new to the franchise or a longtime fan. It cleverly fuses multiple play mechanics together -- action, exploration, platforming, flying, puzzle-solving, and some role-playing -- all wrapped in a lengthy, enchanting tale.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the 25 year-old Legend of Zelda series and what makes it so special? Is it the classic good vs. evil premise? The tender relationship between Link and Zelda? The clever combination of action, platforming, puzzle-solving, and exploration?
Families can then talk about whether this latest game still has the magic, and if so, why.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn about solving problems when they become Link, the hero who's on a journey to find and rescue his childhood friend, Zelda. Kids can also learn about physics as they interact with the game's environments. Since this game uses players’ motions (made while holding the Wii Remote) in a direct relationship to Link's actions on the screen, kids can sharpen motor skills as they face off against foes. By reading through this story, kids might reflect upon the meaning of friendship, commitment, and honor. Kids must think critically and use big motions to fight, but learning is limited.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: following directions, reading, reading comprehension
- Math:
- Science: energy, physics
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: analyzing evidence, decision-making, solving puzzles
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction:
- Emotional Development: empathy, moving beyond obstacles
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, movement
How kids will learn
Kids learn by reading text on the screen and taking the appropriate steps to complete the missions at hand. Single-player gameplay stars a hero who's noble and brave, and who must overcome dangers such as enemies and obstacles. The hero uses combat, exploration, and his wits to solve puzzles. Scenarios that help kids see the consequences of their actions are instructive about cause and effect. For example, starting a battle with the enemy brings on more violence than sneaking around them.
How parents can help
- Play board games such as Labyrinth and Connect Four that use logic similar to the game's.
- Make sure kids know that they have to use big motions to control Link.
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- Parents
- Teens & kids
Teen, 13 years old
November 20, 2011
AGE
NEW BEST GAME OF ALL TIME!!!!
This game just knocked "A link to the past" down from the top of my list of best video games ever! The game is perfect for younger youths, but is also really good for older people. I think everybody in our house enjoys the game as much as possible. The new graphical style is gorgeous, crossing "Wind waker's" cell shaded style with "Twilight prinsess's" realistic style. The result is the best graphical style ever! "Outdated graphics!" Seriously? Brainless FPS nerds may care about how good the graphics are, but THIS is about gameplay! The violence is basicly hitting enemies with a sword. Usually they just fall to the ground when beaten, but sometimes some green/purple splat can be seen. There is also an optional attack named the "Fatal blow" wich, as the name suggests, is driving the sword through the enemy while it's knocked out, lying at the ground. Doing so at a certain spider-like enemy named "Skulltula" results in purple liquid spurting out of it. Link (Optional name)is a strong and nice character. You can choose to help a lot of people in trouble, even if it's just a small problem. This always helps you out in your quest as it earns you so called "Gratitude crystals" wich you use to turn a kind demon into a human, wich is his ambition. You must use a lot of logic to solve puzzles, especially in a Dungeon named "Ancient Cistern".
What other families should know:
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Kid, 11 years old
November 24, 2011
AGE
THE greatest game ever!
Awesomeness, plain and simple.
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Adult
November 26, 2011
AGE
As usual with Zelda games.
A continuation of a classic. It is fantastic.
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Parent
December 2, 2011
AGE
Six Stars!
My 12-year-old son thoroughly enjoys this game! I have to agree that of all of the Zelda games he has (and that's a fair number), it is hands down the best balance of challenge, adventure, humor, and all of the other things that make Zelda games universal favorites. There is enough challenge to keep interest level high and enough story to keep you guessing throughout the game. If there were six stars, I'd give them. It's games like this one that Nintendo needs to issue to keep breathing life into the Wii platform. As another poster said, it's all about the game play!
UPDATE: My son is now 13 and he got a lot of good play out of this game. However, he (and some of his friends) have gotten seriously stuck at a certain point in the game and have just given up. To this I say: be persistent! The game can be completed and if your child gets past this sticking point (in the Cistern), it will be very rewarding for them.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 2, 2011
AGE
KEWL
omg im getting these game for X-mas and played a game like it its wonderful for 11 years or more!!!!!
ok maybe its a little violation in it......
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Kid, 12 years old
December 16, 2011
AGE
Great
Nice + 2 The Serise
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Adult
December 17, 2011
AGE
The Legend continues.
The Legend of Zelda is exactly that. A Legend. The series has been around for 25 years now, and Nintendo has decided to celebrate by creating a new adventure. In this game, Link, a young man living high in the sky, must rescue his best friend Zelda after she falls to the evil land below. This takes his on an incredible journey, and turns him from a boy to a man. Link must use a plethora of items and weapons such as Bombs and a Whip to help him get past enemies and puzzles. He also needs to help the other people that live with him in the clouds, and each mission he completes will fill players with a feeling of accomplishment. Link and the player are helped by a young spirit named Fi, who gives helpful hints and clues on what to do next. Link fights his way through the monster infested world to find his friend and discovers a huge secret along the way. In conclusion, it's an epic adventure that people of most ages will enjoy.
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Teen, 14 years old
December 15, 2011
AGE
Zelda is never going down
Zelda is a big franchise. There has never EVER been a bad Nintendo developed game (CDi ones don't count). This game does not break the chain. To say that this game is simply A Masterpeice would be a huge understatement. The game is amazing. Parents, as you might remember Zelda games were MADE for kids. So let your kid play this if you love them
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Kid, 12 years old
December 28, 2011
AGE
My new favorite game!
I absolutely love this game! It's SO much fun! You can control Link's sword with the Wii remote, the sword follows the movement of your hand! I love it!
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Parent
January 3, 2012
AGE
Puzzlicious
It is a great game, though some parts can be a little scary, and many of the puzzles are very difficult, though very fun. 10 & up should be able to play it, and under 10 can play with parents. Don't worry about outgrowing this game, even my 17 year old (who plays more mature games) plays and enjoys this game.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | November 20, 2011 |
| Price: | $49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ for Animated Blood, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence (Nintendo Wii) |
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