It’s the First Zelda Game Chronologically
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
Even though Skyward Sword is the sixteenth main series Zelda game, it takes place first chronologically. This means that the events in Skyward Sword happen before any other game in the Zelda series.
In Skyward Sword, we learn the story of how the legend came to be, serving as an origin story for the series. It sets into motion the three holders of the Triforce being reincarnated throughout eternity, and it explains the mystery of how the legendary Master Sword came to be.
If you’ve ever been interested in the Zelda timeline or wanted some detailed storylines and explanations as to why the legends are the way that they are, Skyward Sword explains it in more depth than any other game.
It’s More Linear Than Breath of the Wild Is
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
If Breath of the Wild was your first Zelda game, you might be caught off guard by Skyward Sword HD. In many ways, the games are complete opposites in terms of game mechanics.
Skyward Sword HD is a lot more linear than Breath of the Wild is. You can fly around the open sky, but there’s not a whole lot to do right away until you start unlocking things.
Gameplay progression isn’t open at all; you can’t choose where you go first, you can’t climb anything as you can in Breath of the Wild, and you can’t decide to skip major portions of the game such as dungeons.
Even though you don’t have as much freedom of choice, this linearity isn’t inherently a bad thing. It’s just different, and it’s more of a “traditional” Zelda experience than Breath of the Wild is.
You Can Play With Motion Controls or Traditional Controls
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
When Skyward Sword was originally released on the Wii in 2011, the only way to play it was with motion controls using the Wii remotes. In this newly remastered version, Skyward Sword HD, there are more ways to play.
You can still use motion controls using separated Joy-Con if you choose to. This time, you can also play with traditional button controls using paired Joy-Con, a Pro Controller, or in handheld mode.
This is a huge change since a huge number of puzzles and game mechanics are centered around sword motion. If you choose to use button controls, you move Link’s sword using the right analog stick.
Traditional button controls are a great change for the game not only for people who prefer them but also as an accessibility option for those who physically cannot play with motion controls.
Help and Hints Are Optional This Time
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
One of the biggest criticisms of the original release of Skyward Sword was that Link’s companion, Fi, would interrupt frequently to offer help and advice. This would typically be fine for newer players who needed hints, but it was an annoyance for veterans of the series or people who wanted to figure things out on their own.
In Skyward Sword HD, mandatory hints and interruptions from Fi have been drastically reduced. She still pops up from time to time to offer important information, but for the most part, she stays hidden unless called upon.
If you’re feeling stuck or need to be pointed in the right direction, you can call Fi and ask for advice or information about the area. You’ll hear a sound effect and see your sword start to glow when she has something new to share, and she’ll come out to help if you ask her to.
Side Quests Are Worthwhile
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
It’s easy to run from area to area completing dungeons and main parts of the quest without stopping to do other tasks, but the side quests in Skyward Sword HD are absolutely worth doing. In fact, we really recommend that you take some time to complete a few between each major area of the game.
Unlike in Breath of the Wild, individual heart pieces can be found throughout the world in Skyward Sword, and you’ll need them to increase your maximum health. If you’re new to the game, you might find that only collecting the heart containers after each boss might not give you enough health; late-game enemies do a surprising amount of damage.
Heart pieces can be found by helping other characters, activating and finding treasure chests from Goddess Cubes, and exploring the islands in the sky.
Some side quests will also give you helpful items such as wallet upgrades, which will be crucial for collecting enough Rupees to afford important upgrades.
Amiibo Is Helpful, but Not Game-Changing
Things to Know Before Jumping Into Skyward Sword HD
A beautiful Zelda & Loftwing amiibo figure is launching alongside Skyward Sword HD on July 16, and it can be used in the game in a helpful way. Scanning it while on the surface allows you to quickly return up to the sky no matter where you are; scanning it again returns you to the very spot on the surface where you scanned it before.
Normally, you can only return to the sky when interacting with one of the bird statues scattered across the land. The amiibo lets you do it anywhere, even while deep inside a dungeon. This is helpful if you need to quickly return to the sky for items or potions and come back to the very spot you left.
Honestly, while this is a helpful feature, it’s not incredibly game-changing. There are many bird statues throughout the game, and they’re marked on your map once you find them. There usually isn’t a minute or two of running distance in between each one, so it doesn’t take long to find one if you need it.
The amiibo function will be most helpful when you are deep inside a dungeon. Although there are bird statues inside dungeons too, you can’t normally return to the exact spot after flying up to the sky. The amiibo prevents you from trekking through the dungeon again.
It’s less of a “fast travel” function and more of an “easy mode” travel function. It’s not game-changing by any means, but definitely makes things a bit quicker in some scenarios.
Also, in case you were wondering, the Zelda & Loftwing amiibo is the only one that works with the game. No other amiibo, even other Zelda amiibo, can be scanned in Skyward Sword HD.
