Lots of New Skyward Sword Info (Medals, A New Race and More)

The following information comes from a ton of Skyward Sword previews that have surfaced lately. It is the second round of previews since Nintendo let the media go hands on with Skyward Sword for many hours. I would expect another round of previews before the game's release. Without a doubt there will be some info here that many will consider to be in spoiler territory, so read on with that in mind:

SPOILERS

G4TV Preview

• Meet the Kikwis in Faron woods, assist them and the king will give you the slingshot
• Use the slingshot on vines to create a means to swing across gaps
• Skyview Temple is full of translucent plants, some give hearts and Deku Seeds
• Puzzles may stump Zelda vets
• Beetle is found in the first dungeon
• Ghirahim is also looking for Zelda

Kotaku Preview

• Kotaku is claiming that Zelda can be called an RPG again
• A Tri-headed beast is in the Skyview Temple
• Water level has to be raise in this temple along with some swimming
• Fi can analyze the current items you have and provide a percentage based on suitability for the area in which you are exploring. Essentially you can find out if the items in your pouch are balanced for the area
• This Fi menu also has a "Rumors" option. During a poke around by Kotaku, Fi kindly let them in on a medals feature that hasn't been talked about until now. Fi explained that equipping different medals will have different benefits for the wearer
• One medal that was described was a potion medal, which will extend the duration of a potion's effect on Link

Destructoid Preview

• After obtaining the "Skyward Sword" the game allows you to explore at your own pace (sidequests, general exploration, etc.)
• Your first shield is really weak making Link much more vulnerable this time around
• As confirmed by trailers and previews before, Link's shield will deteriorate during usage. Losing your shield will force you to approach combat differently
• Dowsing is First Person as we know and acts as a compass. It will beep and vibrate telling you there's something nearby
• Enemies pay attention to what you're doing at all times and adds a nice challenge to the game. They shift their weapons and shields to change things up 
• Holes will shoot steam that will send you flying when using your Sailcloth
• Skulltulas are harder this time around, especially when on the ground
• As we know the compass is gone, but the Map provides you with everything you need to know, and you will definitely need the map according to Destructoid
• Lots of different bugs to catch in Skyward Sword that play a role in the game's economy (more in a later preview)
• Ghirahim will switch tactics when battling him, defeating him is all about switching up your own tactics
• Defeating a boss will give you a heat container and a shard that fits in the Goddess Statue

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Intro (Now in English)

Don't watch this unless you want to be spoiled!

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Two New Skyward Sword Trailers - Dowsing and First Dungeon Trailers

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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Full Intro Video + Translation (Spoilers Ahead)

More Skyward Sword information has popped up today, this time we have the full intro video for the game itself! It is in Japanese, but there is a rough translation available for those who want to look at it. I, myself will not watch this video or read the translation, but I will post it after the break for those whom need to get their weekly dose of Skyward Sword:

SPOILERS

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Translation:

...This is a story recited and passed down by you, humans...

...It was an unprecedented war so terrifying and vehement that its likes would never be seen again...
All of a sudden the earth split, and evil beings made their appearance...
They stole away the smiles of all those living on the ground
These evil beings burned the forests, dried the lakes and murdered the people in their path

Their objective was what was protected by that lady... The "almighty power" protected by the goddess
The almighty power... That was
A heritage from the gods, said to grant any wish or desire
The ultimate power, inherited by the goddess from the forefathers of ancient times...
In order to protect the almighty power from the evil beings
She took the surviving humans on board and raised the land to the heavens...
To a place far from where the hands of evil can reach... On the other side of the sea of clouds, to the high limits of the sky
And so the goddess and the others wagered their lives, fighting in order to seal the evil...
The land once more regained its days of stillness...

This is a story recited and passed down by you, humans...
However inside of this story, numerous legends lay hidden
And now, the door of a new legend about to be spun is waiting to be opened, ...by your hands...

Source

Two New The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Location Videos

I would suggest that you don't watch these videos if you're bothered by spoilers, otherwise have at it!

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New The Legend Of Zelda Skyward Sword Spoilers from CVG

Click below to read the...

SPOILERS

• The ideas offered to the Zelda formula in Skyward Sword have "never been better."
• Forest beasts need to have their shields cut down before you can strike at their weak points.
• Mechanical Beamos and floating attack drones need to be cut along seams of energy.
• Multiple ways to battle most enemies: evasive play, aggressive play, and strategic play.
• Shield bash works as a nice parry against some enemies.
• Some Stalfos attacks can chip away three of Link's hearts.
• Potions are selected from a real-time radial inventory, and enemies won't wait for you to down your drinks.
• Skyloft "apes" Clock Town, and is overflowing with sidequests and characters.
• Scavenging for items is reminiscent of resource-gathering in Monster Hunter.
• Link may have to return to old dungeons to nab additional loot and possibly previously-hidden items as well.
• Phi analyzes items and enemies, much like Navi from Ocarina of Time, but does so with robotic detachment. A comparison is made to Metroid's scan visor.
• Puzzles in the overworld are compared to the Shadow Bug hunting in Twilight Princess. It doesn't seem as bad as it sounds, though - the previewer is talking about that level of investigation of and attention to your environment.
• Silent Realm is described as a parkour obstacle course. No items to grapple with, just you versus the world... and the invincible monsters in it. Stunning guardians is a strategic process.
• Reiteration that surface world is made of self-contained areas.
• Storm clouds prevent you from flying too far away in the early stages of the game.
• Skyward Sword's world described as a "best of" Hyrule. (Dey be stealin' my words!)
• Sky Temple interior reminds this previewer of Tomb Raider.
• Malfunctioning minecarts in a later level are powered up by "rainbow energy." At first you'll have to strike mystical stones to unleash this energy - but perhaps you'll be able to produce it yourself later on...
• Fujibayashi's story really shines this time and takes major leaps in terms of ambition and scope, just like Spirit Tracks did by more directly involving Zelda in the story.

Source: Zelda Informer via CVG

Even More The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Spoilers from G4TV

I don't know how I could possibly pick out more info from what seems to be the same preview again, but there are a few details/spoilers here that you may want to read. As always, just in case that is...

SPOILERS

• Link can whistle and his bird will come
• The pet you are forced to find is Zelda's pet and is called Ming
• This preview says you start off with six hearts instead of three (but I bet it's for the preview only)
• If i haven't mentioned it yet then I will now. Racing is completely controlled with the Wii Remote Plus
• Zelda pushes you from the Statue and you have to use the sailcloth to glide to safety. Sailcoth will used a lot in the game and will stay equipped, press B to whip it out
• Fi sounds similar to GLaDOS of Portal fame
• Fi was created to guide the wielder of the Goddess Sword in a journey to stop the apocalypse
• Townspeople say you should get a potion before going to the land below, and what do you know you get a free one when you talk to the potion lady in the bazaar
• One clerk in the bazaar will store items for you

Source

More The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Spoilers from Destructoid

So by now I'm sure you are all aware that some journalists got to spend some time with Skyward Sword recently and that tons of new info has been pouring in today. Well here is the next round from Destructoid! I will try to post stuff that is new, so that I'm not wasting your time. Here goes nothing...

SPOILERS

• Link is actually waken from a disturbing dream in which he is running away from an "enormous world-eating darkness with a snarling fanged mouth and furious red eyes"
• Link and classmates go through Knight Academy to become the flying defenders of Skyloft
• The colorful and engaging characters and art of Skyward Sword is impressive
• Green bulbs of sorts will replenish the stamina meter
• A professor will ask for your help to catch a cat-like creature. Run across rooftops and climb around to find it
• Zelda thinks Link is lazy, while Gaepora sees potential in Link because of his connection with his Loftbird (or Loftwing whatever the hell they're called) he also believes Link will win the upcoming race
• Zelda pushes you off the ledge and her and her father talk about how Link's bird isn't saving him... Zelda eventually saves you
• The sword instructor lets you keep the sword after training for a bit
• You can skewer pumpkins with your sword and fling them around, this actually sounds like a lot of fun
• Motion Plus is 1:1, satisfying and not just tacked on as a gimmick
• Enter a cave by cutting the ropes from the wood keeping it blocked
• Keese and Chu Chus have to be attacked in the right direction with accurate swipes
• Raise the Wii Remote and drop to gain speed during the bird race
• Groose and lackeys will try to stop you from winning by throwing bombs at you
• Win the race by grabbing an item from the talons of a bird
• This item is some sort of artifact that fits into the Goddess Statue
• Zelda presents you with the Sailcloth after winning the race
• Follow Fi into a secret area beneath the Goddess Statue to find the "Goddess Sword/Master Sword" and now you are the sworn hero

Source

New The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword Spoilers from IGN

IGN has just posted their new preview for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Here are the details/spoilers:

SPOILERS

• Skyward Sword opens with Link sleeping in his bed (ALTTP?), a Crimson Loftwing startles Link and wakes him
• Skyward Sword then throws you in to a bunch of tutorials (in between story and character development) to learn the new Wii Motion Plus controls and game mechanics
• Your health bar will suffer if you attempt to "waggle" through the game
• The uniforms for graduation have a unique characteristic; Its color denotes the year of graduation. Link's class is Green of course
• Link is tasked with an errand of bringing a barrel of food to the kitchen. Lessons early on will show you how much you will be using motion plus such as rolling and throwing
• Other basic abilities are quickly covered: Z-targeting, dashing, climbing, auto-jumping and save points
• Save Points are now crucial to your progress. Sounds like there is no more saving when you feel like it
• Link's stamina bar will deplete depending on the activity. Climbing a wall will slowly deplete it while jumping up the wall will take more from Link. Special Attacks and Dashing also deplete stamina (I thought some of this was supposed to be new?)
• IGN thinks the stamina meter was cleverly implemented to keep Link from being overpowered
• Zelda forces Link to complete a flying tutorial 
• Groose steals Link's Loftwing and Link has to save it; He gains a sword and shield in the process
• Groose is likened to Biff Tannen from Back to the Future
• A sword tutorial will also happen during this period that showcases Motion Plus capability
• Link will fight through a small cave filled with Chu Chus and Keese on his journey to save his Loftwing companion
• After saving the Loftwing you will then take part in the race we've known about for awhile
• Zelda then gets swallowed by a tornado
• Fi wakes Link after this happens and leads him to a secret chamber where he is presented with the Goddess Sword and some direction to find Zelda
• Gaepora visits and reveals that he knew about the Goddess Sword and hands Link his green tunic
• A graveyard and lake can also be found in Skyloft

I'm a little disappointing with some of these "new" details, but there are a few interesting tidbits that I've never seen until now.

Source

More The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword Spoilers

NGamer has some new information about Skyward Sword in their latest issue, and lucky for us it has reached the Internet (surprise). Below you will find that very information! Most everything is new, except for the bit about the Silent Realm, that was revealed by Game Informer in their earlier coverage. As always...

SPOILERS

• Stalfos can come in groups of four
• NGamer says it’s the toughest Zelda yet
• Mogmas patrol the volcanic area
• Mogmas are the ones who split and bury the key
• Phi has an icy demeanour
• There seems to be some puzzle in which you’ll have to roll a bomb down a sandbank
• Grabbing light balls in the Silent Realm stun the guardians
• NGamer says that the sky realm is the true overworld while Hyrule is made up of self-contained hubs
• One dungeon has a mine cart
• Mine cart tracks powered up by rainbow energy
• Hit mystical stones and color will light up the area so the cart can continue on
• “What starts as airy school drama – the other boys can’t stand out [our] elfin hero – evolves into a daring chase movie, with Link skydiving through the clouds to do repeat battle with a scenery-chewing demon lord”

Source: Nintendo Everything via NGamer

Leaked The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Intro

A video has surfaced that shows off the intro for Skyward Sword, it is in Spanish, but Zelda Informer has translated it into English. This video will include spoilers, so it will be shown after the break. Zelda Informer also has an additional video that shows some gameplay leading up to and including some of the first dungeon.

SPOILERS

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Tons of The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword Spoilers

In the latest issue of Nintendo Power you will find a butt load of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword spoilers. You can also find them here at Play Nintendo. I would suggest that you only read on if you don't mind being spoiled, otherwise don't read the rest of this story:

SPOILER ALERT

• The Skyward Sword has an official name; It is being called the "Goddess Sword" and Link acquires it before getting his "Hero's Garb"
• Link has premonitions of the creature that swallows Zelda
• A red-headed rival of Link's is named Groose and has a crush on Zelda. He also has lackeys (which I think is hilarious) named Cawlin and Stritch
• Zelda's father is named "Gaepora" and is the headmaster of the Knights Academy. He has an owl sounding laugh
• A character named "Pipin" is the Island's bird expert and another character named "Fledge" is a wimp
• Skyloft is said to be HUGE with a full residential quarter, the bazaar, a plaza area which holds the "Goddess Statue", a bath house and apparently there is also a toilet
• Link and Zelda have a trusting relationship. She wakes him to show him a dress and even pushes him off the Island to force him to practice flying. This stuff happens early in the game
• Zelda is about to tell Link something that she has been holding in for awhile, but then Ghirahim's tornado appears and she falls to the surface while Link is saved by his bird
• "Fi" is the correct spelling of "Phi"; seems to be musical related
• Fi is a spirit created by the goddess to guide Link. She appears when Skyloft gets attacked and Link has to chase her down
• Skyward Sword has a day/night system. It doesn't occur in real time, however. Link has to go to bed in the game to access the night. New creatures come out at night including Keese, Slime, and demonic cat-like creatures
• Three HUD options are available including a Standard (E3 2010 Demo), Light (E3 2011 Demo) and Pro (practically invisible)
• Like in Wind Waker you can knock a lot of background objects over (I haven't played Wind Waker in some time, so I'm not sure what this means)
• The blocks that unlock treasures in the Sky are called "Goddess Cubes" and the sword beam that unlocks them is called the "Skyward Strike"
• Sheikah Stones from OOT 3D return as the game's hint system
• You do have to save at save statues, but you will start at that location instead of the beginning of an area. You can also return to any activated save statue on the surface when in the Sky
• The second dungeon is the "Earth Dungeon" while it was previously thought to be the "Fire Dungeon" (Eldin Volcano Dungeon)
• Scaldera's official boss name is "Pyroclastic Fiend Spaldera"
• Ghirahim is seeking to revive his master. Nintendo Power thinks this is related to the giant Fused Shadow like creature
• Link has to raid a Bokoblin Camp to rid the Eldin Volcano of their presence. Mogma's reward Link with the Digging Gloves and Bomb Bag for his good deed
• Nintendo Power also confirms that the Sheikah like woman from the latest trailer is very "ninja-like"

There you have it, lots of spoilers to ruin the first couple hours of Skyward Sword. I will not viewing video content when the game is released, therefore I will not be posting any of it. I will be too busy playing the game! Expect some sort of blog-like feature (in addition to the First Four Hours Of...) to arrive when the game is released.

Source: Zelda Informer via Nintendo Power