Skyward Sword Impressions: Bow and Arrow, Enemy Strategy

The folks over at Nintendo World Report were in attendance at Gamescom last week to play through the Skyward Sword Demo. While there wasn’t anything entirely brand new about what they had to say, there were a few things that they mentioned that I’d like to bring to center stage. The first of which revolves around the Bow and Arrow. Nintendo World Report had this to say about the item.

Now this might not seem like much at all and in fact, the part he is referring to in the demo can be completed much easier by using the beetle. However, he makes what I think is a significant observation with the Bow and Arrow. It appears that the days of rapid fire use of the Bow and Arrow might be done away with. However… this could actually be a good thing in a way. Think back to Twilight Princess. One of the early weapons in the game that Link got was the Slingshot. Yet, by the time Link was in the 2nd dungeon, he got the Bow and Arrow, making the Slingshot virtually useless. The Slingshot was a 100% obsolete item that you likely never even touched once you picked up the bow and arrow.

This time around with Skyward Sword, the slingshot and bow and arrow are once again both in the game. However, they control significantly different from one another. The slingshot works by pointing at the screen and clicking, while the bow and arrow works just as it did in Wii Sports Resort, requiring you to use precise aiming with the Wiimote and Nunchuck. What we have here is two items that use to be exactly the same, but are now significantly different to each other because of the way they control. The slingshot can be used for simple enemies and can be shot with rapid fire. The Bow and Arrow is for use against stronger enemies, but requires precise aiming. A consequence of the Wii Motion of Plus is that we took what use to be two very similar items and now have two distinct items which will likely make for fun alternative strategies to use. Good job Nintendo.

I have read and seen conflicting reports on this and it seems that it will certainly vary depending on the particular enemy. When Skyward Sword was played by Jimmy Fallon, he just swung the Wiimote back and forth as quickly as possible and easily made waste of a stalfos mini-boss. However, based on the observation made by Nintendo World Report, using that same strategy against an easier skulltula enemy will never be successful.

I’m fairly certain that this will vary depending on the enemy, but I’m still a bit weary. If there are enemies out there that you can swing randomly and defeat… I would have much rather had those particular enemies acted like enemies in past Zelda games where Wii Motion Plus wasn’t important. Basically, if you are going to implement Wii Motion Plus and have certain enemies defend certain areas of their body at specific times, make sure it’s not easy enough to swing the Wiimote randomly to kill them. Players should have to use strategies in order to defeat them.

You can read the full article over at Nintendo World Report to read all of their impressions but there isn’t much else that stood out. They did have good things to say all around about Skyward Sword which is great. Be sure to check back here at Zelda Dungeon for all the latest news and articles regarding Skyward Sword and be sure to bookmark our Skyward Sword Walkthrough. Until then, feel free to post your thoughts about the Bow and Arrow and Enemy Strategy analysis.

Source: Nintendo World Report via GoNintendo

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