Topic: Aonuma Reveals New Skyward Sword Gameplay Elements

[NWR_Neal]

Link has to go on trials to forge the Master Sword, and can find secrets by dowsing the environment.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26641

Link will enter a new dimension in Skyward Sword, called the Siren Realm, where he will go through trials to forge the Master Sword, according to Nintendo's Eiji Aonuma at the E3 2011 developer presentation.

The Siren Realm appears to be reminiscent of both Twilight Princess and Link's recent DS outings. You must collect tear drops to exit the world and complete the trial. Additionally, you have to avoid powerful guardians that will kill Link in one hit, as he is unarmed in these areas.

Our green tunic-wearing hero also has the ability to dowse areas and look for hidden items. He points his sword at the ground and players use the Wii Remote's pointer to search the area for secrets. Link will later have metal gauntlets that can help him dig up items.

The dowsing segment showed during the presentation was from the second area of the game, which is based around a volcano. The residents of the area, tentatively titled Mogmas, hid five items, and Link has to find them. He is assisted by a spirit, who lives in Link's sword and was present in the game's initial concept art, plays the role of the helper character, much like Midna and Navi.

The demo showed was from the Japanese version, and is not playable on the show floor.

[broodwars]

Ugh, the Siren Realm sounds like forced stealth segments.  When is Nintendo going to learn that no one likes these in Zelda games?

[Kairon]

Well, personally, I loved it in PH.

But yeah, it's interesting to see that alternative gameplay segments have become formalized and structuralized in the latest Zelda games. Zelda OoT had stealth segments, but they were one-offs that were not a part of the essential gameplay. Even LttP had some stealth segments (Bunny Link had no weapons!), but they were unique and not hard-inserted into the game's formal structure. In contrast, TP had linearly designated "Wolf" gameplay segments, PH had the reiterative Maze segments, (which, again, I loved) and this blurb sounds like a possibility for similarly prominent Siren Realm segments in SS.

However, I'd like to know more about the depth and scope of gameplay in the Siren realm. For example, previous comments have suggested that the Siren realms would be revisited by players as they got more familiar with the environment, something that is very Zelda-esque and would make the Siren realm a more natural extension of the Zelda overworld puzzle/exploration experience if true.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Ugh, the Siren Realm sounds like forced stealth segments.  When is Nintendo going to learn that no one likes these in Zelda games?

I hate to say this, but I agree. This worries me, sounds like the terrible Temple of the Ocean King in PH, a dungeon made specifically to artificially extend play time.

[King Bowser Koopa]

What? Sneaking into Castle Hyrule in OOT was one of my *favorite parts* in the whole game. Same as hiding in a barrel in Wind Waker to slip past the patrolling Moblins.
Nobody liked those parts? Am I really in the minority here?

Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

[Ceric]

...
Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

Approved.  Something needs to top the OoT Great Fairies.

[MaryJane]

What? Sneaking into Castle Hyrule in OOT was one of my *favorite parts* in the whole game. Same as hiding in a barrel in Wind Waker to slip past the patrolling Moblins.
Nobody liked those parts? Am I really in the minority here?

Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

You may be in the minority, but I'm with you. It was frustrating, especially in WW, but I still loved it.

[Ceric]

What? Sneaking into Castle Hyrule in OOT was one of my *favorite parts* in the whole game. Same as hiding in a barrel in Wind Waker to slip past the patrolling Moblins.
Nobody liked those parts? Am I really in the minority here?

Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

You may be in the minority, but I'm with you. It was frustrating, especially in WW, but I still loved it.

I didn't find the first dungeon sneaking annoying as much as the dungeons design.

[Caterkiller]

What? Sneaking into Castle Hyrule in OOT was one of my *favorite parts* in the whole game. Same as hiding in a barrel in Wind Waker to slip past the patrolling Moblins.
Nobody liked those parts? Am I really in the minority here?

Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

I'm with you, I loved it. I like that we can dig again! I loved looking for buried treasure in Zelda!

[Ian Sane]

  Ugh, the Siren Realm sounds like forced stealth segments.  When is Nintendo going to learn that no one likes these in Zelda games?

When is every developer going to learn that no one likes stealth elements in non-stealth games?  MGS?  Splinter Cell?  Bring on the stealth!  But everything else?  Ugh.
 
One thing that I rarely think about but I realize is that both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess take FOREVER to get going.  Seriously if you're not in the first dungeon within ten minutes of starting the game, the intro is too damn long.  And it is probably Aonuma's fault.  Ocarina of Time goes right to the Deku Tree.  Everything since then takes a hundred years before it feels like a damn Zelda game.
 
Anything inspired by Phantom Hourglass is a huge turnoff.  That game was like if you specifically designed a Zelda game to turn me off of the series.  It is Zelda's Other M.

[Stogi]

What? Sneaking into Castle Hyrule in OOT was one of my *favorite parts* in the whole game. Same as hiding in a barrel in Wind Waker to slip past the patrolling Moblins.
Nobody liked those parts? Am I really in the minority here?

Also, I hope by "sirens" they mean "female harpy-like demonesses of hawtness".

I absolutely loved sneaking around in OOT. I made sure to rob them blind of all their jewels too. It was easily one of the most memorable parts of the game, especially once you meet Zelda in the courtyard for the first time.

[Ceric]

I would like the Stealth in Zelda if it came later and was more optional. Not totally but if you think you can handle it you could do a lot less of it.

[Stogi]

All good adventurers require the ability to sneak around.