Of course, this being a first party Nintendo game, motion controls play a huge part. Skyward Sword relies on Wii Motion Plus rather than a normal Wiimote, and as such accuracy is increased tenfold. Links arm follows yours as you angle attacks, and enemies react by blocking and parrying, forcing you to find an opening.
When you have time to set up an attack it works very well, but deteriorates somewhat when youre in a rush. For example, if you spy an enemy up ahead you can approach it; sword angled how you want it. If youre caught off guard, however, it becomes a mad scramble to try and attack, which can confuse the Wiimote into performing a move you werent intending to use.
The same can be said for using equipment. When things are at a leisurely pace you can select and aim various gadgets very smoothly; its great stuff. The opposite is true when youre under attack. Dont get me wrong; Skyward Sword is a good example of how to do a fully motion controlled game, but there were times when I yearned for Classic Controller support a la Xenoblade Chronicles.