Things to look forward to revisiting in Skyward Sword HD

As part of The Legend of Zelda’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, it was announced that Skyward Sword would be making a return on July 16th, this time as an HD port to Nintendo Switch. 

Zelda players have had mixed feelings about this release announcement, as well as some divided opinions about the game itself. Skyward Sword takes place at the very beginning of the timeline before Hyrule is established and Link, Zelda, and Ganon become locked into their cycle of reincarnation. While this gave it an intricate storyline, some players were frustrated with its strictly linear nature. Fans also showed disdain toward the motion controls and other gameplay features, such as the limiting stamina wheel and interruptions from Fi.

Previous HD versions of Zelda games, such as Twilight Princess HD and Wind Waker HD, were well-received and welcomed back by the community. It seems Skyward Sword HD may have to work a little harder to prove itself, but many newer Zelda fans are prepared to give the game a chance for the first time with its Switch port. There are also plenty of older fans who enjoyed the original release and are excited to play again.

In this spirit of positivity, we’re going to be examining some of the most popular elements of Skyward Sword to help build excitement toward the re-release. Whether you’re here as an old player looking for a nostalgia trip or a new player trying to figure out if this game is for you, let’s take a look at some of the things we can look forward to in Skyward Sword HD.

Creatures

There is one species in Skyward Sword that inspired this piece: the Kikwis. These are shy but friendly creatures who dwell in Faron Woods, blending into the trees with their leafy features. If you think they sound familiar, you’re not alone — there are several theories on how they might tie into the evolutionary chain of the Kokiri and Koroks, though other evidence suggests that they simply became extinct. Still, many hold out hope that Kikwis may resurface in a future game after developing an affection for their cute nature.

Loftwings are another species that has not appeared (at least physically) in any other Zelda games. These creatures are a core element to the Sky Era; they are the only mode of transportation between the floating islands, not to mention their cultural importance to the people of Skyloft. Again, they are thought to have either become extinct or evolved into something else, though their symbolism lives on throughout the foundation of Hyrule. 

In Breath of the Wild, Link comes across three sets of Leviathan bones. There are some solid theories that these are what’s left of creatures we have previously met in older Zelda games. The set of bones found in the Eldin Region are assumed to be the remains of Levias, a whale-like Sky Spirit who resides in the Thunderhead. Much like Naydra in Breath of the Wild, when we first meet Levias, he has been corrupted by a malicious force and must be freed.

While many creatures do manage to make it beyond Skyward Sword and avoid extinction, others are tied directly into the Sky Era and, unfortunately, do not have a place further down the timeline. Therefore, revisiting Skyward Sword will be our only opportunity to reunite with them and reconnect with the distant history of Hyrule.

Characters

Please note that this section contains spoilers regarding character arcs.

Though he begins the game as a bully and minor antagonist, Groose became a firm favorite for many Skyward Sword players. Perhaps it was his redemption arc, his attachment to the Old Lady, or maybe even his sharp hairstyle that stands taller than Breath of the Wild Link’s entire body. Groose probably developed the most as a character out of all the sky dwellers. We see his arrogance in trying to forcibly take control of the rescue mission for Zelda, disregarding Link’s efforts, before gradually coming to accept that the hero is not his part to play. Nevertheless, he still fights alongside Link in the battle against the Imprisoned, even coming up with a plan to turn the tide once things start looking hopeless. Despite his disagreeable personality in the beginning, if not for Groose and his eventual courage, Hyrule could have fallen to Demise before it was even born.

Controversial features aside, Fi is another comforting figure for many players. Though inevitable, her being sealed away into the Master Sword left many heartbroken. She was a loyal companion to Link and, despite some gameplay faults, brought a lot of beauty to the game. Those who played Skyward Sword even received some small Easter eggs in Breath of the Wild, as Fi made a handful of subtle appearances from within the sword. The attention to these continuity details throughout the timeline and across decades of releases, however small, is an integral part of The Legend of Zelda series. Almost every incarnation of each character is different, yet the world around them holds onto history.

This game also introduces us to the sword spirit that resides within Demise’s sword: Ghirahim. Flamboyant and expressive, sometimes violently so, he is quite the opposite to Fi. Though his qualities are fun and characterful on the surface, as the game progresses, they eventually become darker, unsettling, and threatening. Players enjoyed his character and were suitably haunted by his villainous motives. Demise goes on to be reincarnated as Ganon, but it is unknown whether Ghirahim was resummoned with him, as the sword was destroyed in the final battle. It seems unlikely that we will see him again, but we can’t know for sure. Nevertheless, many new players are soon to be introduced to all three of these characters, while older players will be happy to be returning to them once again.  

Music

As the 25th anniversary release, Skyward Sword came alongside an anniversary orchestral soundtrack, including some of the most iconic tracks across the series. The soundtrack closes with the “Ballad of the Goddess,” first heard in Skyward Sword. Following this, the only mainstream Zelda game it has appeared in is A Link Between Worlds. 

While the game also paid tribute to many old favorites, such as the appearance of “Great Fairy’s Fountain Theme” on the main menu screen, a whole host of new pieces were arranged for the game. From Fi’s gentle, moving leitmotif to Groose’s clumsy, inelegant theme, Skyward Sword did not fall short of living up to previously released Zelda tracks. 

Skyward Sword is undoubtedly a heavily story-driven game. The music that accompanies this tale only enhances what we see on-screen — the trials Link must face, the losses along the way, the quirks of and qualms with the people he meets, and, ultimately, the victory he accomplishes. While these tracks are beautiful to listen to alone, having them accompany the gameplay is an experience deserving of its own feature. 

The History of Hyrule

As we know, Nintendo does not release Zelda games in chronological order. Therefore, much of the lore from Skyward Sword had to work backward from previous games. As the very first game in the timeline, Skyward Sword has a huge role to play in the history of Hyrule.

This game gives us the incredibly rare opportunity to meet Link and Zelda when they are normal teenagers and before their destiny is realized. Link is a knight-in-training and Zelda is simply the daughter of a headmaster. We experience their shift from normality to legend firsthand, as it is revealed that Zelda is the mortal incarnation of Hylia and Link is her Chosen Hero. 

Referred to only as The Surface, a large section of the map shows players different regions of what will eventually become Hyrule, including Lanayru Desert, Faron Woods, and Eldin Volcano. Traversing across these areas introduces the player to ancient spirits, Silent Realms, and plenty of temples and dungeons that foreshadow the future of the land.  

Remnants of Skyward Sword’s impact are scattered across the resultant timelines. Perhaps the most consistent is the likeness of a Loftwing within the Hylian Crest and embossed on each Hylian Shield. Games further down the timeline reference the events of Skyward Sword, speaking of those who lived among the clouds.

Returning to the game means players can relive the events that other games speak of as legend. Its story is vital to a full understanding of The Legend of Zelda timeline and is the birthplace of much of the lore. Whether you’re playing the game as a standalone story, looking to expand your knowledge of Hyrule’s foundation, or wanting to revisit the game to brush up on your Zelda trivia, Skyward Sword HD will deliver on all three for players old and new.

For those of us who will be returning to Skyloft, there is much to look forward to with the remastering of Skyward Sword. Creatures unique to the early days of The Surface, characters with thoughtful development, an artfully crafted soundtrack, and the very beginnings of the Zelda timeline await players, whether they already know the story or are experiencing it for the first time. While this title may not be to everyone’s taste, Skyward Sword has a huge amount to offer the Zelda series. Perhaps July 16th will be the second chance this game deserves.