The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

[MagmarFire]

That's not what I meant. The only thing they were having trouble with was the bow. Recall that's the only thing I was looking forward to.

It seemed to me that they were having trouble with the slingshot and the sword, too. Link's movements did seem rather rigid and unresponsive at the time.

But still, my apologies for the misunderstanding.

Well more power to ya then. It just feels sort of... spoiled to me, if you can understand. I keep thinking about how awesome in general it could be as opposed to how awesome it is.

I think it's only natural to do that. After all, we haven't played the game, and we only have a small peek into the story. Nintendo's only scratched the tip of the iceberg. It's legitimate to feel underwhelmed at this point.

No matter what anyone feels, I'm with Gamefreak at this point when I say that I hope they don't hype it to the heavens like they did with Twilight Princess. For that matter, I hope this is all they're saying about the game until it's released. Like, I hope they don't say anything about the antagonist, either.

Please keep your secrets, Nintendo! I'll understand! :<

[Deku]

You DO realize that the game isn't complete yet, right? These are beta graphics, people. The real deal will look a lot better, you can count on it.

[MagmarFire]

I'm gonna play devil's advocate here and say that when Twilight Princess was showcased at E3 2006 (I think), the graphics changed hardly at all between then and the release.

[HylianHero92]

You DO realize that the game isn't complete yet, right? These are beta graphics, people. The real deal will look a lot better, you can count on it.

When games are only a year away form release, you can count on the final product being the same as it currently is. It takes unprecedented amounts of time and money to make a Zelda game. Not to mention it's been said (at the Nintendo developer's roundtable methinks) that they're just putting on finishing touches. Characters and environment models and textures (meaning detail, of which it lacks) certainly aren't finishing touches.   

[Deku]

You DO realize that the game isn't complete yet, right? These are beta graphics, people. The real deal will look a lot better, you can count on it.

When games are only a year away form release, you can count on the final product being the same as it currently is. It takes unprecedented amounts of time and money to make a Zelda game. Not to mention it's been said (at the Nintendo developer's roundtable methinks) that they're just putting on finishing touches. Characters and environment models and textures (meaning detail, of which it lacks) certainly aren't finishing touches.   

You wanted textures? Well, you're SOL. I really think you're underestimating this game. When I saw the Wind Waker, I was filled with rage. I had waited so long for a Game Cube Zelda game that it infuriated me to see such graphics. Two whole years later, I found a copy of it on sale at Wal-Mart for $20. I decided to give it a shot. It was a Zelda game after all. Right now, It's my favorite Zelda title next to the N64 Zeldas and Link to the Past. Seriously, you're getting all worked up over something so small. You can't say that it didn't look awesome! What I was saying about the graphics being better is that it won't look as choppy and edgy. If you wanted textures, look no further than the Wind Waker. That's probably about all the texture you'll see in the game.

[Gamefreak]

I have to raise a point.

When Wind Waker was unveiled, people raged because it was to cartoonish and demanded a return to the Ocarina of Time style.

When Twilight Princess came out, people raged because it was too similar to Ocarina of Time.

I'm not quite sure what the issue is.  We've raged about graphics before, and both times, we've received top notch Zelda games.  I rarely see an insult directed towards Wind Waker's gameplay.  My only complaint about Twilight Princess was that I was burned out on it by the time it came out from the years of hype and trailers.

I have yet to be disappointed by a Zelda game.  The presentation might not be exactly what we're looking for, but I'm sure it will be a great game nonetheless. 

[MagmarFire]

To all you story lovers out there, including me, I have some...alarming news.

Apparently, this game is going to "focus less on story. . .and more on 'fun.'" While I approve of them focusing on gameplay, which is arguably the most important aspect of a game, I do worry that the story's going to be subpar...especially since, the way things are going now, it would seem that this could finally dethrone Link's Awakening as the most tragic game in the series.

If it doesn't, then...dang. I am disappoint.

[Deku]

...especially since, the way things are going now, it would seem that this could finally dethrone Link's Awakening as the most tragic game in the series.

Seriously?! You too Magmar? The only thing you people know about the game so far is its graphics for christ sake!

I can't believe you're all being so judgmental simply because the game is cell shaded. Now you're trying to say that because of the way the trailer looked that it could be the worst Zelda game of all time? Seriously, it's really disturbing to know that this is what gamers are becoming.

[MagmarFire]

...What.

The games of the past seemed to have focused more on story and dungeons. This game will, rather, focus on "fun."

It was something Aonuma himself said, so of course I'm worried. And by tragic, I meant something like 358/2 Days--with a moving story that brings tears to my eyes.

[The Glamour Nazi]

My god, the fall of video games.

There are enough "fun" games out there, if they don't deliver fans will be pissed and will it buy the next game, meaning a loss of money.

Or at leas I wish the fans would do so, show nintendo we won't take the crap they feed us cause we're fans.

[HylianHero92]

Or at least I wish the fans would do so, show nintendo we won't take the crap they feed us cause we're fans.

Starting to see my point?

This game, not only graphically but as a whole, looks, for lack of a better term, crappy.


And to respond to all those who use the example of Wind Waker to prove what appears to be a valid point, you don't quite understand. I don't hate it because it's cartoony. I actually enjoyed Wind Waker's art style quite a bit.

With Skyward Sword, the models and textures don't fit nicely together. It's been revealed (forget by who, but either Myiamoto or Aonuma) that, like in the teaser poster, they had originally gone with TP-esque art style. Under Myiamoto's "suggestion" (more like command/ threat   ), they changed the art style but not the things it was applied to, resulting a contorted mess.

But, as I've said earlier, we should all hope I eat my words come release day.


We should also hope Satan calls in a snow day and fish join the New York City marathon.  


EDIT: Please look at this pic and tell me you're still impressed:

http://www.zeldauniverse.net/gallery/images/6838/1_RVL_ZeldaSS_08ss14_E3.png

[MagmarFire]

At this point, I only really care most about the story and the gameplay...the former of which is likely taking not only a backseat but on the sidelines.

[Hi no Seijin]

HH92, what flaw am I supposed to see in that screenshot?

[Deku]

HH92, what flaw am I supposed to see in that screenshot?

I think he means that the grass looks pretty bad. This is ONLY a beta area. Is it so hard to understand?

[Hi no Seijin]

Now that I've given myself some time to gather my thoughts on what Mags has reported....

...

The grass?  Is that true, HH92?  You're nitpicking over a trivial detail as the effing grass not looking good enough?  (My apologies if the first word in italics is too close to the word it substitutes.)

I don't know about you all, but to me, video games has become a way to tell a story, and it's very disheartening to hear that Nintendo is going to forsake it just to make a game more fun to pull in new fans.  They already whored out Mario to make money; they don't have to let Zelda suffer.  Granted, gameplay is important; it's one of two factors that I consider dealbreakers when I decide on what games I'd like to play.  But the second factor is story, and it's a tad bit more important because if the story is good enough I'll forgive gameplay.  I doubt I'm as worried as MagmarFire, but I am worried.  Story should be given just as much focus as gameplay, and with a whole team of people working on a single game there should be no excuse to let either one suffer in favor of the other.