Skyward Sword Rant #1: Locations

Skyward Sword…oh, Skyward Sword. Me and you, we have issues. While I will not deny the hours of entertainment you have provided, I cannot ignore the sour, rotten Deku Nut-esque taste I have in my mouth. To commence this bitching, I would like to start with one of your most annoying flaws.

THE REPETITIVE LOCATIONS NEED TO DIE

This can't be all!

One of my biggest gripes about Dragon Age 2 was the lack of unique scenery throughout the game. It was extremely frustrating because it felt like the developers half-assed the level creation by coming up with four or five different layouts and recycled them during the 40+ hour experience. Perhaps this scenario sounds familiar to those of you balls-deep in Skyward Sword?

The lack of new and innovative locations to explore in this game makes me want to yank out every strand of hair on my body. I’ve seen enough of the forest. I’ve seen enough of the volcano, and for the love of God, I’ve seen enough of the desert. So when I finally reached the Gate of Time within the woods I was thrilled that I might finally be whooshed off into a fresh setting to adventure in. I fantasized about exploring an ancient land filled with new monsters, locations and races to discover.

Unfortunately that fantasy was short-lived. As soon as I walked through the Gate of Time and was immersed into the past I found I couldn’t leave the Sealed Temple, let alone the generic area of the woods. Within five minutes I was instructed to go back to my original time, back to Skyloft (the most boring and stagnant town ever) and it was there that I learned I needed to go back to the woods (for the third time, I might add).

Now that I’ve spent my third freakin’ tour in these effin’ woods it has become evident I won’t be getting that new location in Skyward Sword I’ve been hoping for. Nope. Instead I’ll spend the majority of the remainder of the game in locations I’ve already spent the majority of the game in.

Sigh.

Ocarina of Time may have set the bar far too high for other Zelda titles. I find myself constantly comparing the two, and I know it’s not fair, but I can’t help it. Within Ocarina of Time you could explore Kokiri Forest, Lake Hylia, Death Mountain, Kakariko Village, Zora’s Domain, Goron City, Lon Lon Ranch, Gerudo Valley and the entirety of Hyrule field. In Skyward Sword you have—drumroll please—Skyloft, Pumpkin Landing, those goddamn woods, a volcano area, a desert and, let’s not forget, a sky that feels barren and empty.

And no, each little label doesn’t count as a separate area. As far as I’m concerned Lake Floria is just a part of the woods, as is everything else. These locations do not stand out enough on their own to be considered their own big freakin’ deal. So, what gives? Why not give the Kikwi a village of their own I can explore? What about the Gorons? I’ve seen them in the game, and they seem far more civilized than the Kikwis, so HEY, where do they hang out? Would it really have been too hard to give them a little cave or something?! GAH.

I suppose I should clarify that I have not finished Skyward Sword, so I’m not entirely sure of what awaits me or what I should expect. However I will say that I have read the player’s guide so I know what NOT to expect, if you nah’msayin. Like fishing. I am not expecting fishing.

But I digress, that’s for another rant. ;)

 <3 Britt

12 Comments

  1. Oh Ocarina of time how I miss your Nintendo 64 goodness.
    I think I wore out two controllers on the N64 exploring every corner.
    I think with every new generation each game seems to get shorter and more dumbed down. Oddly enough its when a game make a line that the games seem rushed in content just to get it out. I remember waiting years upon years for a new Zelda came out before Ocarina of time. When I got it I watched the opening movie for about a good half hour. I was amazed that the little rpg on the Nintendo and Super had evolved into a bad ass 3d world that watching Epona run around was priceless. All that time just sitting there doing nothing, and that was all just the beginning, Then I started playing the game and that’s when it really got interesting. That’s not counting the countless hours, finding every corner of that world. After that game however not counting handhelds. Each one has gotten shorter and less puzzling. Even the puzzles got easy-er. Enough to the point where I haven’t bought the new games.
    That’s why I play FFXI online, massive lands to explore, you can chill with the Humes, Elvens, Galkas, Mithra, and the Tarutaru. Past and present worlds. Now you have me digressing. =P

  2. I’m guessing you and I are gonna have very different opinions of this game. Exploration has never been an important part of Zelda to me so I’m guessing this won’t be an issue for me. But! I’m only 1 dungeon in so far so we’ll see.

Leave a Reply to Luis Santacruz Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.


*