The Official Legend of Zelda Thread: Echoes of Wisdom Out Now

[Asriel]

I'd be really interested in Skyward Sword HD. I thought it had beautiful visuals, a stunning soundtrack, a superb narrative, some very memorable characters, excellent dungeons and some really fun boss-fights. On the downside, there was too much repetition of content, far too much hand-holding, some really poor/boring mechanics (dowsing! the harp), and off-pacing.

I expect a HD remaster won't be able to make drastic changes, such as an option for 'traditional' controls, because too much of the game - whether it's combat, items or puzzles - are built around motion controls. With a game like Skyward Sword, it has to be about trimming the fat. I'd hope for better lighting and textures along side the resolution bump; an option to play in 'veteran' mode, which reduces the length of the tutorial (I don't need an explanation of how to pick things up, Z-target or auto-jump, Nintendo), removes the hint videos, and drastically reduces Fi's hand-holding; dowsing to be removed and 'find x item' segments made shorter, e.g. have fewer collectibles in the Silent Realm, have fewer notes to collect in the flooded Faron woods section; collectible reminders removed (I know what a blue rupee is, dammit); the second Imprisoned fight removed (the first one is an introduction to it, the third is actually interesting); the harp controls modified so it's not utter garbage.

It looks a lot, but it's nips & tucks rather than the complete overhaul traditional controls would require. I think with the fat trimmed, Skyward Sword could find an appreciative audience. That being said, motion controls and the fact it's the last Zelda in the 'Ocarina' mold means SS will always struggle in terms of its reception. It has some real high points and makes for a great linear adventure, but there are so many obtuse wrinkles and fluff that simply don't need to be there. Hopefully Nintendo (or whoever has handled this, if it's real) take the time to cut down on the fluff.