Support NeoGAF

[ShockingAlberto]

This is the best part of no longer working for sites that have, like, business plans. And make money. Okay, that last part is pretty good.

But I mean just agreeing with the other people that scores are stupid and we're not going to have them.

 

[Medalion]

Run boy...they comin for blood

 

[Nirolak]

Anyway, it seems no more reviews are coming in for a while and I'm only here to update the OP, so I will check back in a few hours.

 

[Feep]

I have Feep's home address and have kept a detailed log of his daily schedule over a month. I wonder how much this will fetch on Craigslist.

My personal information is EASILY Googlable. Joke's on you, sucker!

Which review is yours, again?

G4TV

 

[FatCat]

For those wondering about street date being broken in Switzerland, just called up a local shop and they are indeed selling the game. Only the game though....no bundle with controller until next week.

And hurrah for the flurry of reviews! Doesn't get much better than this

 

[KefkaTaran]

To be fair - the two most influential scores that matter in the mainstream (though I don't personally agree they should be - I am more of a Giant Bomb guy) - IGN (is the highest viewed online gaming site) and Game Informer (the highest subscription print magazine) have both given it a perfect.

I both like and fear being called influential.

 

[Erethian]

While I agree with everything that was said in this post, I do find it hard to swallow that people in the press are going to be so shallow and obvious about looking down on great software despite the platform.

As said this isn't the first case but when it infects reviews as greatly and bluntly as it has I don't feel right just turning the other cheek and acting like it's cool.

Great software is great software damn it.

I wouldn't say shallow is exactly the right way to put it.

But these days a Wii game is as likely to win a GOTY award as a handheld game.

 

[Thoraxes]

This is why Feep gave out Sequence earlier.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

hyduK, out of curiosity

If someone reviewed, say, Gears 3 and docked it points for not being a Kinect game, that would also apply, correct?

 

[cajunator]

Think of it this way, all these 8's will help us lower our expectations so we can really enjoy this game because the hype for this game was suddenly getting way outta control

Speak for yourself. My hype for this game is sky high.

 

[Feep]

This is why Feep gave out Sequence earlier.

All part of the plan.

 

[Suzzopher]

Nintendo-Universe
http://www.nintendo-universe.co.uk/2011/11/11/review-the-legend-of-zelda-skyward-sword/
98%

 

[Thunder Monkey]

an event that leaves him speechless.

Finally an explanation on why all Links are mute!

Hey!

A game I might like got a lot of good scores!

I hope I like it.

I'm glad most of you are being sane. Makes me feel the warm fuzzies.

 

[Jzero]

My self-worth has been shattered

Thankfully i'm not a reviewer, i can't take all the hate.

 

[MasterShotgun]

As long as the fetch quests aren't as bad the Triforce hunt in WW (probably the only weak part in that game), then I think I will be fine.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

It's interesting to compare the opening paragraphs of IGN's reviews for SS and TP.

Skyward Sword:

"The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years. The game has once again raised the bar and forged new territory for an iconic and innovative franchise. It's not enough that it finally establishes a powerful, stirring origin story or that it features near-perfect pacing. What puts Skyward Sword over the top is its layered, dense, absolutely perfect gameplay that manages to not only nail motion-controlled combat but remarkably offers a stunning level of diversity.

10/10​

Twilight Princess:

Ocarina, your time is up. It took Nintendo almost a decade to do it, but the publisher has finally created a new Zelda game that is so well-designed and so epic that it deserves to be crowned the best in its class. Twilight Princess spent four years in development by one of the most talented teams in the world. The game, helmed by Eiji Aonuma (Majora's Mask, Wind Waker) is every bit the culmination of the franchise and also a true spiritual sequel to the Big N's 1998 N64 classic. This is much larger, darker and more difficult adventure than GameCube's Wind Waker, which is sure to please purists. It is also a title that is best on Wii thanks to exclusive gesture-based controls and some added display functionality. But is it perfect? Keep reading to find out.

9.5/10​

 

[HylianScribe]

Don't go into specifics, but, is it good? How does it stack up to the other games, particularly WW and TP? And does it "feel" different/more immersive from the other games? (As I have read somewhere.)

I liked it when it had its moments, and I liked the finale to an extent. However, here is my biggest complaint about the in-game plot. It's all about selfish reasons - Link wanting something for himself, technically. Or somebody else wanting something for themselves. That whole thing about you helping the world, helping others, it kinda lost on this game.

I know I said timeline stuff wasn't a serious criticism of mine in this game, but the fanboy inside of me wants to scream at some of the stuff in this game. That's a whole other tale for a later time.

 

[Gambit]

Personally I cannot wait to play Skyward Sword and have very high hopes, so one would assume I'd be disappointed by the scores. However, the opposite is true.

I am pleasantly surprised by reviews like the one from 1up. Actual criticism on what works and what doesn't is always welcome, even if that means a game I consider a GOTY-contender is getting less than an A.

I put much higher stock in such reviews than I do in all the perfect Uncharted 3 scores, when it is very clear that the game objectively has flaws. Flaws that go completely unmentioned in many a review.

So, a B+ by a reviewer that seems to have properly thought about a game hypes me a lot more than knee-jerk As that neglect to mention any gameplay shortcomings.

 

[Truth101]

I both like and fear being called influential.

Hey Kefka,

How do you feel about some of the criticisms other reviewers have given the game, considering you gave it a 10.

Would like Nintendo to expand upon this new Zelda formula for their next console title?

 

[Suzzopher]

Seems America is scoring lower than Europe on average.

 

[Diprosalic]

This is why Feep gave out Sequence earlier.

it's a 4/5.

 

[Feep]

Spoiler

Last two questions for now: Do the 2 dungeons in each area differ greatly in theme/style/gameplay mechanics? I'd assume yes.

And how would you respond to TSA's opinion to backtracking? True?

"Backtracking in General
Most of you hated the Temple of the Ocean King. Revisiting the same dungeon, having to go through the same areas you already completed, only to get to the new stuff. Well, that's what Skyward Sword's overworld is. You go to these zones, complete your objectives, move on, only to come back later - at least two more times each. And most of the time, you have to cross the same areas again just to get to the new parts. You see, in previous Zelda games, you went to new zone, and you usually didn't leave it until you had made your way through the entire thing. Sure, sometimes it meant going back somewhere to get an item before you go go ahead, but you weren't going to new areas until you completed that zone. This ties into that density argument, too."

Note for people curious about these spoilers in my past few posts: I asked if the game has a sense of scope and takes you to many different areas. He responded without giving away any locations. We also discussed how many dungeons there are, how they are placed within the world, and also backtracking. It's generally pretty spoiler free imo (and i've been on a media blackout since the tgs miyamoto demo) but they're still tagged for safety. Just letting you guys know incase you are curious about highlighting

Spoiler

It kind of sucks, but I didn't mind it as much as he did. The areas you revisit are often drastically changed in some way.
The themes of the two dungeons in an area are a bit different, but still pretty close.

 

[Mistle]

Speak for yourself. My hype for this game is sky high.

Ditto. Most of the cons so far don't really bother me, and in every review, there are far more positives. The game has ranked 8-10, with the dominance on 10.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

I basically started my career by lambasting Game Informer's review structure because of their Paper Mario 2 review.

It seems weird to see, years later, reviews that I do not find offensive.

 

[AzaK]

While I agree with everything that was said in this post, I do find it hard to swallow that people in the press are going to be so shallow and obvious about looking down on great software despite the platform.

As said this isn't the first case but when it infects reviews as greatly and bluntly as it has I don't feel right just turning the other cheek and acting like it's cool.

Great software is great software damn it.

This gen things changed. It seemed that after the first little while on the new systems, as the nicer HD games came out the Wii got marginalised by a few sites. It almost became a running joke.

Not saying SS doesn't deserve its scores, I don't really care as I preordered yonks ago, but this gen has pissed me off a bit with the way the Wii's been handled by some sites. It's probably hard to get hyped for motion controls on an SD system with poor online when they are playing Uncharted, Skyrim, Batman, Gears and games of that ilk.

 

[Lord Ghirahim]

So it sounds like you're very likely the worst villain to ever grace the Zelda series. How does that make you feel?

I'll take "the worst villain" as a compliment ;//

 

[pramath]

Metascore still at 96, now with 16 reviews... Hmmm, did we overreact and panic too early?

 

[BY2K]

I know I said timeline stuff wasn't a serious criticism of mine in this game, but the fanboy inside of me wants to scream at some of the stuff in this game. That's a whole other tale for a later time.

I'll see you in the spoiler thread after the game's release.

 

[Instro]

All part of the plan.

All part of the squidvasion.

 

[cajunator]

I have Feep's home address and have kept a detailed log of his daily schedule over a month. I wonder how much this will fetch on Craigslist.

Hey, if it means I can steal his copy that's all I'm really after.

 

[Kai]

Update:

93.26 Average

100 - IGN
100 - Game Informer
100 - Edge
100 - Wired
100 - Guardian
100 - Metro GameCentral
100 - CCC
100 - Nintendo World Report

98 - Nintendo - Universe
98 - Computer and Video Games
98 - ONM UK
90 - Games Radar
90 - Gameblog.fr
90 - Games(TM)

85 - EGM
83 - 1up
80 - Gamepro
80 - Giant Bomb
80 - G4TV

 

[GC|Simon]

1Up - 83%
Giant Bomb - 80%

From the funny picture thread:

 

[Sn4ke_911]

It's interesting to compare the opening paragraphs of IGN's reviews for SS and TP.

Skyward Sword:

"The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is the greatest Zelda game ever created. It's the best game for Wii and one of the finest video game accomplishments of the past 10 years. The game has once again raised the bar and forged new territory for an iconic and innovative franchise. It's not enough that it finally establishes a powerful, stirring origin story or that it features near-perfect pacing. What puts Skyward Sword over the top is its layered, dense, absolutely perfect gameplay that manages to not only nail motion-controlled combat but remarkably offers a stunning level of diversity.

10/10​

Twilight Princess:

Ocarina, your time is up. It took Nintendo almost a decade to do it, but the publisher has finally created a new Zelda game that is so well-designed and so epic that it deserves to be crowned the best in its class. Twilight Princess spent four years in development by one of the most talented teams in the world. The game, helmed by Eiji Aonuma (Majora's Mask, Wind Waker) is every bit the culmination of the franchise and also a true spiritual sequel to the Big N's 1998 N64 classic. This is much larger, darker and more difficult adventure than GameCube's Wind Waker, which is sure to please purists. It is also a title that is best on Wii thanks to exclusive gesture-based controls and some added display functionality. But is it perfect? Keep reading to find out.

9.5/10​

Different Reviewer.

 

[ThatObviousUser]

I liked it when it had its moments, and I liked the finale to an extent. However, here is my biggest complaint about the in-game plot. It's all about selfish reasons - Link wanting something for himself, technically. Or somebody else wanting something for themselves. That whole thing about you helping the world, helping others, it kinda lost on this game.

I know I said timeline stuff wasn't a serious criticism of mine in this game, but the fanboy inside of me wants to scream at some of the stuff in this game. That's a whole other tale for a later time.

Ah, okiedoke. Looking forward to playing it for myself then.

Different Reviewer.

No duh.

 

[Mistle]

Spoiler

The themes of the two dungeons in an area are a bit different, but still pretty close.

So far, out of all the cons said in reviews, this (along with and mainly having only

Spoiler

3 areas.

) is what is bothering me the most, :S

EDIT: And I'll say this again for those curious:
"Note for people curious about these spoilers in my past few posts: I asked if the game has a sense of scope and takes you to many different areas. He responded without giving away any locations. We also discussed how many dungeons there are, how they are placed within the world, and also backtracking. It's generally pretty spoiler free imo (and i've been on a media blackout since the tgs miyamoto demo) but they're still tagged for safety. Just letting you guys know incase you are curious about highlighting"

 

[Orayn]

Metascore still at 96, now with 16 reviews... Hmmm, did we overreact and panic too early?

It'll get pulled down when we get a bunch of 90's from medium-weighted sources. My guess is 93 when all is said and done.

 

[EatChildren]

Hey, if it means I can steal his copy that's all I'm really after.

Fun fact according to my logs Feep never even played the game he doesn't even own an Wii, thus his review is biased and wrong 10/10 best Zelda ever.

 

[scitek]

Even gamefaqs posters are smart enough to realize they can't hold up much of an argument of 'klepek is fat'.

I run several times a week and although he runs less than I do overall, he absolutely shames me in distance and speed per run.

 

[Dark Schala]

http://i.imgur.com/CWxEq.gif[IMG]

oh god[/QUOTE]
They're also probably planning to get the same voice actors for NPCs.

 

[Truth101]

1Up - 83%
Giant Bomb - 80%

From the funny picture thread:

Too big of an image... =/

 

[Medalion]

Ditto. Most of the cons so far don't really bother me, and in every review, there are far more positives. The game has ranked 8-10, with the dominance on 10.

I think you should still be very hyped for the game, I'm just talking so that these scores don't raise anymore hype, but keep them in check at whatever levels they were before these scores came out

 

[Nirolak]

Metascore still at 96, now with 16 reviews... Hmmm, did we overreact and panic too early?

35-40 reviews is the first stabilization point usually. Before then singular reviews can make it fluctuate multiple points.

Got the last Nintendo Universe review in, and actually heading out now.

 

[Ragus]

This 5 point scale is so fucking dumb. So, there are games with 80% score, and right after we can only see 100%?

 

[Cygnus X-1]

I liked it when it had its moments, and I liked the finale to an extent. However, here is my biggest complaint about the in-game plot. It's all about selfish reasons - Link wanting something for himself, technically. Or somebody else wanting something for themselves. That whole thing about you helping the world, helping others, it kinda lost on this game.

I know I said timeline stuff wasn't a serious criticism of mine in this game, but the fanboy inside of me wants to scream at some of the stuff in this game. That's a whole other tale for a later time.

This is the worst thing they could do. Horrible. But I already noticed it a bit with TP. Who is the idiot that is handling the plot?????

 

[Thunder Monkey]

Fun fact according to my logs Feep never even played the game he doesn't even own an Wii, thus his review is biased and wrong 10/10 best Zelda ever.

Hard to argue with such impeccable logic.

 

[cajunator]

I liked it when it had its moments, and I liked the finale to an extent. However, here is my biggest complaint about the in-game plot. It's all about selfish reasons - Link wanting something for himself, technically. Or somebody else wanting something for themselves. That whole thing about you helping the world, helping others, it kinda lost on this game.

I know I said timeline stuff wasn't a serious criticism of mine in this game, but the fanboy inside of me wants to scream at some of the stuff in this game. That's a whole other tale for a later time.

Can I have your copy since you didnt really like it? Please? I WANT IT.
I'll buy you some beer or something.

 

[EatChildren]

Hard to argue with such impeccable logic.

I'm the authority on all things Zelda. Trust me.

 

[Mistle]

I think you should still be very hyped for the game, I'm just talking so that these scores don't raise anymore hype, but keep them in check at whatever levels they were before these scores came out

Sure, I agree with you. I was just agreeing with being hyped for the game, not so much the "speak for yourself" part

 

[pramath]

It'll get pulled down when we get a bunch of 90's from medium-weighted sources. My guess is 93 when all is said and done.

I'm rooting for 94

EDIT
Also, it's 95 with 17 reviews now

 

[Instro]

Fun fact according to my logs Feep never even played the game he doesn't even own an Wii, thus his review is biased and wrong 10/10 best Zelda ever.

I am filling his pm box with hate mail right now.