The Legend of Groose?! Anyways, as promised, here is my (spoiler-free) review of the newest entry into The Legend of Zelda:

Characters

What stood out, above all, for me in this game, when comparing to previous titles, is the characters. From the introductory sequence all the way to the end credits, the characters are filled with such emotion and personality. Below are just a few highlights:

* Zelda has her torn allegiances to her friends and to her duty toward the Hylian people. She huge responsibility brings melancholy and fear into her expressions. Her eyes are always near the verge of tears.

* Link, a slacker-turned-hero, is always in awe at what unfolds around him as he grows. He silently accepts his great task with a nod, but on each step of his journey, he reveals a slight smile and a glow to his eyes as he realizes that he will soon be reunited with his childhood friend.

* Ghirahim is the androgynous (though male) primary villain who licks his lips and grins at the sight of pain and suffering in others. His trickster antics and immense ego easily allow him to surpass Zant as the craziest villain in any Zelda game.

* Groose, the pompadoured high school bully, with his own purpose in Hyrule, acts as the comic relief. His ego gets the best of him at times in which he rants to his minions, only to find out Zelda or Link were standing behind him the whole time.

Visuals

Hyrule and the accompanying sky have the feeling of an impressionistic painting come to life. The colors are vibrant and pastel, and the depth-of-field focus effect push the limits of the aging Wii console. This contrasts with many contemporary games that make use of mainly earth-tones that don't stimulate the eyes' cones. The Lanayru Desert in particular, with its timeshift stones, makes an unintended play on this browns-to-pastels comparison as Link works his way to the Temple of Time.

Music

The compositions push the series to a whole other level. Many of the tracks are orchestrated, while just a few staple jingles and interactive songs contain synthesized elements. One song even features Zelda singing, while playing her harp!

Controls

The WiiMotion Plus controls allow for much more intuitive interacting with link. It's not quite to the level of him being an avatar to the player, but that immersion is closer than any game before it. All in-game pointing makes use of the gyroscopes of WM+, instead of the Sensor Bar. This works out well for slow movements, but quick jolts of the Wii Remote cause resynchronization of the gyroscopes a frequent task, which is simple enough to fix. Still, the WM+ enhancements allow for swordplay to shine above all other games.

Dungeons

One primary staple of Zelda games is the dungeon element. The dungeons and temples of Skyward Sword have some of the best puzzles in the series, from bomb-bowling to timeshifting to rearranging the temple rooms themselves.

Items

Although some items return from previous games in the series, many new ones are introduced that add a level of freshness to the series. Additionally, weapons and general-use items are split onto two menus to quick access without pausing gameplay. This is essential when in the heat of a big battle and in need to a quick heart potion while the boss is swinging a sword at Link.

Storyline

Last but definitely not least, the storyline shines with its depth and progression. Skyward Sword is meant to be the prequel to all Zelda games. Prequels generally fill in the gaps to the backstories, and this one is no exception. Questions answered include:

* Who are the Sheikah tribe?
* Why do new incarnations of Link, Zelda, and Gannon, perpetually meet in the same destiny?
* How is the Master Sword created, and how did it get its name?
* How did Lake Hylia get its name?
* What is the Temple of Time?

Any most importantly:

* What happens to rabid cats when you toss them over cliffs?

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If you have not picked up this game yet, it is worth adding to your collection. If you have picked up this game, when you know the answer to my final question. See you in Hyrule!