New trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD details QoL improvements

Nintendo has released a new trailer detailing the quality of life improvements featured in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD.

Despite receiving considerable acclaim on release – it was a rare recipient of an Edge 10 – the reputation of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has diminished over time.

Released for the ageing Wii console, players were more attracted to the groundbreaking free-form experiences offered in Skyrim and Dark Souls than a distinctly linear Zelda adventure that was reliant on motion controls. It’s a shame, as Skyward Sword is quite spectacular on its own terms. It also features some of the best dungeons, character moments and music the series has to offer.

The game also received valid criticism for its often archaic interface, menus, and hand-holding. Thankfully, upcoming Nintendo Switch release The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD fixes some of these minor but persistent irritants, and a new trailer shows exactly how the experience has been improved.

As Nintendo’s press release outlines, players can expect:

Optional help from Fi: Fi only appears in cut-scenes or when necessary and can otherwise be summoned manually to provide advice or guidance.
Enhanced framerate: The game runs at 60 frames per second, resulting in smoother gameplay
Fast-forward dialogue: Text shown on-screen can be fast-forwarded by pressing the B Button
Streamlined item information: Explanations for collectable items, such as insects and materials, only appear the first time the item is collected
Skippable cutscenes: Cutscenes can be skipped by pressing the – Button
Autosave: Game progress will be saved automatically, in addition to the existing manual save option
Skippable tutorial dialogues: The introductory player tutorials have been refined to be less intrusive

The game also supports motion controls using detached Joy-Con controllers and new thumbstick controls for handheld play. Hopefully, these nips, tucks, and updated visuals, will help the game restore its reputation.