I feel like discussing Skyward Sword a bit more, so I'll just do it here. Note that there are spoilers in this, so note that if you haven't beaten the game yet. I'll prolly write more about its strengths and shortcomings later, I'm just thunderstruck about the narrative at the moment as it's just now sinking in for me.
Skyward Sword is an interesting game. Not because it's a 3D Zelda and they're all phenomenal games in their own right, but because it is the most mixed bag I have ever seen in the history of the series. It does an extraordinary amount of things right, yet at the same time it has just as many flaws to act as a counter to what it excels at.
The story and characters are magnificent. I'd even go as far as to say they're the best in the whole series. Every character is endearing in their own right (except maybe Fi BUT THAT'S FOR LATER). I became really attached to Groose, Zelda (...'s face), and the rest of the Skyloft gang even though I sparsely saw them. Every encounter in SS is a valuable thing because you barely ever see the cast outside of sidequests and really, really important main story events that don't happen very often.
What I was most impressed at in terms of characterization was the amount of depth Link (er, Frag for me) displayed throughout the game. You wouldn't think that a silent character would be able to portray such a thing, but Nintendo makes it work brilliantly. The emotions conveyed on his face alone are beautiful things and let the player draw their own interpretation of the thoughts that go on in Link's head. After all, both the player and Link are one in the same, so shouldn't they share the same perspective? SS Link becomes the most expressive incarnation of our titular hero since TWW's, and it works very well. We the player really feel the motivation to keep playing and to explore more of the world below Skyloft and beyond in the surrounding clouds.
The other characters are obviously outstanding too. Groose is the manliest badass to ever grace the Zelda series, initially appearing as a selfish bully vying for unrequited love. By the end, he transforms from such a pathetic state to the ultimate unsung hero of the story, selflessly doing what he can to protect the world and finally acknowledging his close friendship with Link. Friendship can and will be born out of rivalry - Groose accepts romantic defeat and acquiesces Zelda to Link, once again accepting his minor role. Such a minor role actually turns out to be even more major than the "true" hero's, Link. Without Groose, Link would have never succeeded in his journey. Groose is a reflection of all the unsung heroes in the world today, doing what they can for the betterment of others and striving to find happiness in the most perilous of situations.
And who can forget our main heroine, Zelda herself? She rarely ever appears in front of the player, a seemingly unattainable ideal. She first appears quite often at the beginning of the game, letting the player barely grasp at what her personality is and what makes her tick. She turns out to be charismatic and endearing, making it all the more tragic when she's taken cruelly from Link's side. As the player progresses, the few moments we reunite with her are full of joy yet tragic, for both characters walk parallel but different paths. Every meeting is a treasure though, reminding us that the simple purpose of our journey is merely to save this girl bound to fate. Unlike past games, we really become acquainted with Zelda despite the seldom reunions, motivating us to continue in stride despite the hardships of the surface world. The game ends with her rescue and the momentary triumph over evil, signaling that the ideal we've been fighting for has finally come to fruition.
Unlike other Zelda games though, SS has the most bittersweet ending of all the series. Evil still exists. Human greed is merely at bay. Darkness will return yet again. But a momentary respite pervades Skyloft and the surface world, making it all the more satisfying for us. Skyward Sword, you may have your annoying forced motion controls, unintuitive item system, fetch quest padding, limited number of diverse areas, and the widespread usage of a hand-holding sidekick that treats the player like a stillborn infant, but no doubt you transcend these flaws and establish your right as one of the best in the Zelda series. And that's why I continue to love The Legend Of Zelda - because I can forgive it for the flaws it has and learn to embrace the majesty of what it does spectacularly.
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