Skyward Sword art style is so generic
Let me start by saying that I’m a huge fan of the Legend of Zelda franchise and to this day, Ocarina of Time is still the best experience I have ever had playing a videogame. If you have asked me before E3 2010 what is the game I’m looking forward to the most, my answer would have been the new Zelda for Wii. So with the next Zelda game has been officially unveiled for the first time during Nintendo’s press conference at E3, there was something I hated about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: The new art style.
There were a lot of Zelda fans that hated the cel shaded look of Wind Waker, but I wasn’t in the same boat. Wind Waker art style was and still to this day unique and very attractive. On the other hand, Skyward Sword looks like an average PS2 or Wii game because of the so generic art style. It’s good to see a game full of colors in these days, but the truth to be told, Skyward Sword looks empty and lifeless and there isn’t a single stand point in its visual style that distinguishes the newest Zelda game from other videogames in the market, unlike the previous games in the series.
If you look closely at games such as Okami and the two previous major Zelda titles that have been released in the last eight years (Wind Waker and Twilight Princess), Skyward Sword looks artistically dated in comparison. I know that Nintendo’s console (the Wii) isn’t a technical powerhouse like the PS3 and Xbox360, but Skyward Sword also disappoint from a technical stand point. After seeing Super Mario Galaxy 2, I don’t know why Skyward Sword doesn’t look at least, as good as Mario’s latest adventure.
There is no doubt that Skyward Sword is going to be a high quality videogame. I was very hyped for this game before its official unveiling, but this is the first time I’m not super excited and slightly disappointed about a brand new Zelda game because of its generic look. What do you think? Do you feel the same way? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
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Simply put the game still has a whole year of development. That said it’ll probably look the same when it launches since this year will be spent clearing out bugs.
Posted on June 21st, 2010 at 10:55 pm
@Lord_Sloth stating the obvious are we? yeah since the game has a whole year of development left, it’ll prob play the same as the demo too……………… see how that sounds?
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 11:57 am
I agree with the first two comments, about the 1 year of development. That may be where some of the emptiness gets filled up. But I have to disagree, I think this game looks great. It is 100% classic in style. Alot of nintendo games have been working of the flavor of nostalgia, and this is not one to dismiss. This looks like it goes straight back to the roots of Legend of Zelda, and again it could change quite a bit in a year–Miyamoto is crazy…his mind works in amazing ways….he will not disappoint…that will be promised.
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 2:16 pm
i have to agree with eric, i mean really, this game looks pretty good artistically, i mean, i still think that wind waker looks better than this or twilight princess, however, thats only because wind waker looked amazing. also would like to point out that miyamoto said if it wasn’t for the art style changing from twilight princess, the game would already be finished, which proves that they have and will spend alot of time on the art style for this game, i think it will mainly look the same by release, however, it will probably be more refined. you also can’t forget shiggsy also said that with the placement of your attacks being so precise, (i.e. you have to hit them in specific ways) the art style had to be somewhat over-exaggerated, so you could see clearly where and when you need to attack your opponents.
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
People said this about Wind Waker. Calm down. I personally think that it has a sort of Link to the Past vibe. Doesn’t it? With the colorful, but not too colorful graphics. I like this style a lot. I also think that Wind Waker has the best graphics for a Zelda (seriously, look at it now. It still looks good 7 years later), but this is awesome, too.
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Come on, man. You’ve seen a handful of videos and screenshots of a game that isn’t even going to be released for another year.
Going around saying you already don’t like it is ridiculous. Give it a minute. When has a Zelda release ever been bad? I mean, I can go along with certain ones are better than others, but when has Nintendo ever made a truly crappy Zelda game, visuals included?
Wait until you can at least play it before you knock it. I think it’s pure folly to judge a game — even visuals — until you get a chance with it. It all comes together to make one package and until you’ve tried it, so shut up.
I really get tired of how much people complain in this industry.
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
@ irritated:
I said it in the article and I will say it again: I’m pretty sure that Skyward Sword is going to be a great game. Here I’m talking about the game’s art style. If you don’t agree with me, it’s ok. I wrote an article last year titled: How can the next Zelda game dethrone Ocarina of Time? http://www.vgarabia.com/2009/08/21/how-can-the-next-zelda-game-dethrone-ocarina-of-time/ and as a fan of the series, I listed what I want from the next big Zelda game for Wii. I wanted a darker Zelda, but instead I got the exact opposite. That’s fine. If I’m not getting what I want, at least give me a unique and one of its kind art style. Skyward Sword art style is average and I don’t think that Zelda fans expected this art style from the next Zelda. Don’t fool yourself
Posted on June 22nd, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Every Zelda game that was ever made had a change in its format every time! Ocarina of time was a great game, but so wasnt every other one made before that. I’ve played them all and enjoyed each one! I hope they keep coming and changing! I cant wait for the release of Skyward sword
Posted on June 27th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
@coolman229
I agree that it has the same kind of graphics as Link to the Past, and it looks great. Twilight Princess was great graphics but it didn’t really suit the cartoony fantasy world of Zelda. This art style, however suits the Zelda series perfectly and it looks really good. Its kind of a mix between Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.
I’m sure this game will be fantastic when it comes out because it is a Zelda game after all! =P
Posted on July 15th, 2010 at 3:55 am
Just read my rants on this site: http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/16/zelda-skyward-sword-trailer-is-eye-meltingly-colorful/2#comments
Posted on July 26th, 2010 at 11:34 am
ı ve played zelda since a link to the past time. it is the best franchise out there. each zelda game is uniqe i think. but twilight princess is my best because of its more realistic, more mature and darker style. i wish they used this style in new game and even made it more mature and darker than twilight princess. but this is zelda; there is no doubt it will be an awesome game.
Posted on August 18th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
@Ahmad Dajani
You’re right, I did not expect this art style for Skyward Sword. I did not know what style they would go with. I suspected it would differ from both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, and was right about that. What I did expect was a more colourful game that brings the game into a new era while at the same time taking it back to its roots. The time just felt right for Nintendo to make that move. And the moment I saw the game’s style, I loved it. It’s my favourite style for a Zelda game so far, and reminds me of A Link to the Past, which is awesome. I have never been this excited for a Zelda game (Wind Waker came close, though).
Posted on October 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 am
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