Spoiler NoA Press Release and New Screenshots!

[Yonatesf]

POTIONS, LAKES AND LINK'S WHIP AMONG REVEALED ELEMENTS IN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD

Oct. 14, 2011
Nintendo has revealed another set of details about the fascinating areas, items and game play in the upcoming The Legend of Zelda™: Skyward Sword game, which will launch exclusively for the Wii™ system on Nov. 20. Following last week's unveiling of new information about the Faron Woods area of the game, fans can now glimpse additional details about this and other areas, plus a sneak peek at how players can maneuver Link™ through watery environments and help him wield a whip using the Wii Remote™ Plus controller. Newly revealed game elements include the following:

• Lake Floria and the Parella Tribe: Later in his quest, Link must make his way to an as-yet-undiscovered section of the Faron Woods that is home to Lake Floria. The lake is inhabited by the squid-like Parella tribe, which makes its first appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Even when revisiting past areas like Faron Woods, players will make new discoveries and, occasionally, find drastic changes to the environment that require them to explore these areas in entirely different ways.

• Swimming: As one might expect, getting to and exploring Lake Floria requires Link to swim. The intuitive motion control of the Wii Remote Plus gives players a natural way to control Link as he swims across the lake's surface or into its watery depths.

• Insects and Potions: Throughout the game, Link travels back and forth between the surface and Skyloft. Players can collect bugs in the various areas they visit, and these insects can be used to infuse new ingredients into the variety of different potions available for purchase at the bazaar in Skyloft, giving the potions powerful new effects. Players can experiment with different potions and insects to find the concoctions that best meet their needs.

• Fun Fun Island: Also new in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is Fun Fun Island, one of the small islands that float above the clouds near Link's hometown. As the name suggests, there's a lot of fun to be had there, but before Link can enjoy everything the island has to offer, he must find a way to fulfill the request of its lone inhabitant.

• Whip: Players can use the Wii Remote Plus to lash Link's whip at enemies and objects. The whip also can be used to grab items and is integral to solving certain puzzles. Link's items can be selected in real time without pausing the game when he is on the ground, making it easier to switch between a sword and other items.

Nintendo will continue to regularly provide fans with select details and information about the game prior to its Nov. 20 launch. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be available as a standalone game or as part of a limited-edition bundle that also includes a gold-colored Wii Remote Plus controller. Additionally, every copy in the initial production runs of the game will come packaged with a special music CD containing orchestral arrangements of select songs that will be performed at the upcoming The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is now available for pre-order at major retailers throughout North America. A deposit may be required for pre-orders. See individual retailers for details. For more information about the game, visit http://www.zelda.com/skywardsword.

New screenshots:

Zelda Informer

Screenshots include Scattershot (upgraded Slingshot), a Goron, and some new Ancient Cister shots.

 

[Ronin]

The swimming is a lot like Zora Link's from Majora's Mask. I'm impressed with that addition and how it is being used with the Wii Motion+. Typically I'm a casual gamer, but Skyward Sword is really requiring us to plan out our next actions.

 

[vcdomith]

In the pics we can see the upgraded slingshot(it looks like a eagle), the goron viewing/selling a map and a CLOWN!!!

 

[Xinnamin]

• Lake Floria and the Parella Tribe: Later in his quest, Link must make his way to an as-yet-undiscovered section of the Faron Woods that is home to Lake Floria. The lake is inhabited by the squid-like Parella tribe, which makes its first appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Even when revisiting past areas like Faron Woods, players will make new discoveries and, occasionally, find drastic changes to the environment that require them to explore these areas in entirely different ways.

The drastic changes mentioned here probably refer to the flooding of Faron Woods that we have seen in previous videos. The wording suggests that this isn't going to be the only case in the game where environmental changes are going to affect exploration, which could imply other areas of the overworld will also have changes that allow further explorability. Should this be the case, the overworld for the game will likely be one of the best we've ever had. I'm already looking forward to swimming through a forest; can't wait to see what else they throw at us.

On another note, one of the screenshots gives us a better look at the Water Dragon, full body:

He seems to be sitting in some sort of throne. The thing is, every time I look at him, I am reminded more and more of Lanayru, so his affiliation with Faron confuses me more and more.

 

[Mastik]

the new character name is Faron! he might be the spirit of the province? what if every province has a spirit like Faron?

 

[AgentPerry]

Very nice news! The Scattershot is lookin' slick and that whip can reach very far! .....a clown.....

 

[Dio]

Those are beautiful.This game just keeps looking better and better art style wise. I find it is certainly the prettiest Zelda so far.

 

[basement24]

I'm a bit confused that the Whip is being "revealed" here since it was originally a part of what I believe was the first screenshot gallery we ever got for the game. This was back in June of 2010 (at least according to saved files I have from those images, which I dated "June 15th, 2010"). I suppose someone over at Nintendo forgot that it was already shown and known to be in the game. I can see where they might want to feature it more since it was never really discussed, but it's hardly a new reveal as such.

 

[JohnFC]

Well we haven't seen it since the debut trailer. I guess it serves as a reconfirmation.

Is there a clip of Link speaking to the water dragon? We may be able to glean some details from something the creature says.