The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD - A New Control Scheme for a Classic

The Legend of Zelda series has always been known for its innovative control schemes, and Skyward Sword HD is no exception. The game features a new control scheme that allows players to play without motion controls, which can be toggled on or off at any point from the options menu.

Some items and actions actually benefit from the new control scheme. For instance, Link's adventure in Skyward Sword will take him to perilous dungeons filled with tricky obstacles. The button-only controls map Link's sword arm to the right stick, requiring players to hold the L button down to swing the camera around or rely on pressing the ZL button to constantly recenter the camera behind Link.

However, because the motion controls are enabled, you can freely adjust the camera using the right stick - a marked improvement over the original game, as the Wii lacked dual analog sticks. The camera also becomes more cumbersome to control while using the button-only scheme. As a result, even simple actions feel more convoluted to execute.

The biggest change in Skyward Sword HD is the addition of button-only controls. This new control scheme can be toggled on or off at any point from the options menu and allows players to play the game without motion controls. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that well.

One of the most significant changes to Skyward Sword HD is the adjustments made to Fi, the spirit who dwells within your sword. Now, much of her dialogue is optional, which makes her less bothersome and improves the game's overall pacing. Her constant interruptions made her one of the most grating aspects of the original game, especially as the 'insights' she offered were often glaringly obvious.

Overall, Skyward Sword HD offers a new control scheme that can be toggled on or off, allowing players to play with motion controls or without. While it may take some getting used to, the button-only controls offer a fresh and exciting way to experience this classic Zelda game.

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