Some gamers still believe that studios bribe critics en masse in exchange for good reviews.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Swords controversial legacy can be traced back to its acclaim.
In 2011, following a troubled five-year development cycle,Skyward Swordfinally graced Wii consoles all over the world.
How do you not feel like your emotional investment into the game has been vindicated?
In the case ofSkyward Sword, the harvest was particularly bountiful.
No flaw drew more scorn thanSkyward Swords use of motion controls.
As many Wii owners will no doubt remember, the consoles motion detection sensors were often temperamental.
Others found themselves flailing wildly as Link responded with the occasional misplaced strike.
Nintendos idea was forSkyward Swordto utilize an exploration method similar to the one featured in theMetroidseries.
What was missing was the feeling that you were organically exploring and discovering the games world.
The experience offered few moments equal to riding Epona across Hyrule Field.
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Links constant companion inSkyward Sword, Fi, was somehow an even more annoying version ofOcarina of Times Navi.
When she wasnt repeating the known, she was ruining the discovery of the unknown with her prophetic advice.
The bird players flew between destinations was seen as a poor substitute forWind Wakers boat.
EvenSkyward Swords harp was portrayed as a poorly orchestrated replacement for previous musical instruments.
The complaints go on, as they so often do.
Some criticizedSkyward Swords soundtrack, for instance, while others found fault in its inventory management and filler quests.
All other issues are symptoms of that disease.
And what a demoralizing disease it is.
You should never feel the obligation to love the game, but it is time to forgive it.
Skyward Swordintentionally invokes the inherent charms of theZeldafranchise more than any other installment in the series.
Chief among these qualities are the games bosses and dungeons.
WithSkyward Sword, Nintendo made a genuine effort to advance the franchises placeholder storytelling and pedestrian combat.
Its methods may be different, but its ideology is roughly the game.
Skyward Swordis also theZeldagame that dared to expose the shortcomings of the franchises traditional storytelling formula.
Thats the thing aboutSkyward Swordwhich makes it so difficult to hate all these years later.
Breath of the Wilds arrival shouldnt elevateSkyward Swordnor allow for nostalgia to blind us to the games obvious shortcomings.
In short, theZeldafranchise is special because of games likeSkyward Swordand not in spite of them.
Matthew Byrd is a staff writer.
