That’s what makes the release of Skyward Sword HD for Nintendo Switch so fascinating. Nintendo hopes that they can use quality-of-life improvements to fix most of the mechanical complaints people had about the original version of Skyward Sword and give fans a reason to reevaluate a game that some say deserved so much more the first time around. Did they succeed? Well, we of course know that the final word on Skyward Sword will still be written by the fans, but here’s what some critics are saying about this long-awaited remaster and one of the Nintendo Switch’s biggest games of 2021: Dave Aubrey, The Gamer: Score: 4/5 Chris Scullion, VGC: “While even an excellent remaster such as this can’t make Skyward Sword a perfect Zelda game, this is such a drastically improved version of one of the most overlooked entries in the series, and Switch owners simply mustn’t overlook it a second time around.” Score: 5/5 Josh West, GamesRadar: Score: 4/5 Jordan Minor, PCMag: “The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD doesn’t fix all of the original game’s faults, since some are just baked into the fundamental design. Still, it fixes many of them, and adds a fresh HD coat of paint. This remaster reminded me of all the things I enjoyed in the original title, before the game’s legacy became consumed by fan disappointment. Breath of the Wild is an exponentially better video game than Skyward Sword in just about every way, but if you’ve already sunk hundreds of hours into that game and need something to do until the sequel drops, Skyward Sword HD is an entertaining enough link to Zelda’s past.” Score: 3.5/5 Ben Reeves, Game Informer: Score: 8/10 Kevin Knezevic, GameSpot: “Despite these flaws, Skyward Sword is also filled with many genuinely magical moments. The soundtrack, notable for being Zelda‘s first fully orchestrated score, is still delightful, and the story is one of the most touching tales the series has ever woven, shedding light on the origins of Hyrule and other elements that have become hallmarks of the franchise. The game’s dungeons are a highlight, as well, filled with clever puzzles that test your observation and lateral thinking. After Breath of the Wild excised classic-style dungeons, Skyward Sword‘s feel especially fresh and satisfying to explore, and the boss battles that await within are among the most fun encounters in the series. These elements outweigh the game’s flaws and make it a worthwhile adventure. The various quality-of-life tweaks that Nintendo has implemented here, welcome as they are, don’t fix Skyward Sword‘s biggest issues, and it remains the most uneven 3D entry in the Zelda series. Even so, the improvements in this Switch remaster make the overall experience more enjoyable, and the characteristic Zelda magic ultimately outshines the game’s faults.” Score: 7/10
