The Skyward Sword remaster finds the same sense of purpose in tradition as its characters do. When it released in 2011, it both felt like it was abandoning what made the Zelda series great while holding on too dearly to traditions from later entries in the series. But it also shows now, as it did when it first came out, how rewarding some traditions can be to uphold, and it makes a concerted effort to introduce them to more people, even as it showcases why Zelda had to move on from them.

In 2011, some Zelda fans saw Skyward Sword as the most clear-cut case yet for how the series had lost its way. Zelda games had always been about exploring a world that seemed massive, about uncovering little nooks and caves without being told to. There are also tabs for popular games and retro games, with retro games being defined as older than Gamecube and DS.

In 2011, some Zelda fans saw Skyward Sword as a clear-cut case for how the series had lost its way But as the games entered the 3D space with Ocarina of Time and focused more on grandiose stories and setpiece dungeons, that sense of discovery seemed to take a back seat, with Skyward Sword breaking the series’ focus on exploration altogether. There are Five tabs that link directly to collections based on console and publisher, these include Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Sega, and the PC. Instead of exploring and finding secrets, you’re funneled from section to section, especially in the game’s opening hours.

Skyward Sword’s three major locales - Faron Woods, Eldin Volcano, and Lanayru Desert - are more levels than areas to explore.

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