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"The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword" is a game that, despite some frustrating moments, is a title that features some of the greatest experiences in any recent game or the venerable Zelda franchise.

This is the second part of a review I wrote based upon my first impressions of Skyward Sword. After completing the main quest, and then spending considerable time trying to decide what, exactly, I should write about the game, I find that many of more initial impressions remain unchanged.

In short, that means Skyward Sword is an excellent, if imperfect, game that should entertain any Zelda fan. Its successes, however, are largely built upon a foundation of previous Zelda titles. Although Nintendo's promotion of the Wii's motion controls can be considered a bold attempt to change the way players approach games, I can't help but feel the Zelda series is needs a major shake-up when its time for the next chapter.

Tech-Out conducted a highly unscientific poll of its team of contributors to name 2011's best game, and "Batman: Arkham City" took the top prize.




Current and former staffers for The Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers comprised the majority of our panel. We don't get to cover games full time (I spend most of my days as a business reporter), but we like games and like to share our opinions on which titles are worth playing . As for Arkham City, here's what contributor Reggie Carolipio, who also reviewed the title, had to say:

Arkham Asylum resurrected the Dark Knight's career in gaming in much the same way that Christopher Nolan's Batman resurrected his onscreen legend, and Arkham City delivered even more high-flying crimebusting and street-level beat downs than its predecessor. Squeeze in a who's who of bad guys ranging from the Penguin to Two-Face, a host of storied side missions, the Riddler, and Arkham City isn't so much of a sequel as it is a new chapter in the Caped Crusader's career.

We liked other games, too. The runners up are after the jump.

Rayman Origins is one of the best games of 2011, and it's a shame that so few people have bothered to notice it.

The game, a 2D platformer, succeeds in its absolute refusal to be anything like most of this year's most popular games, while staying true to the traditions laid down by many a classic from the 8- and 16-bit eras. Rayman Origins is a game in which nothing has to make sense, but everything is supposed to be fun.

The title also earns distinction as one of the most beautiful releases for the current or any generation of console games. Rayman Origins' rich, painterly character designs and layouts are as vibrant as the sights one may see in the best animated films. Indeed, playing the game is like playing a cartoon.

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Nintendo Wii is a worthy addition to the beloved Zelda franchise. In some in some ways, especially its emphasis on motion controls, release is one of 2011's most ambitious games, although other elements of the title show Nintendo is not keeping up with current trends in game design.

The game's positive aspects far outweigh its minor disappointments. At its best, Skyward Sword is a triumph of visual design and a game that delivers the most visceral combat experiences of any Zelda title. What causes the game to fall just short of greatness, at least in its early parts, are moments of outdated gameplay and occasional frustrations with the Nintendo Wii's motion controls.

This review covers the experience of playing the opening stages of Skyward Sword. This reviewer will write a second review after completing the storyline.

NBA 2K12 is a testament, in video game form, to America's love of professional basketball. Perhaps more than any other sports video game*, 2K Sports' latest offering shows a respect and love for its source material that most other titles do not match.

And given the labor troubles afflicting the NBA this season, NBA 2K12 may be the only way basketball fans will be able to enjoy the professional game for a long time. That makes it a little harder to decide if NBA 2K12 is a "must buy" for the fan and his or her hard-earned $60.

On the "pro" side, NBA 2K12 offers a quality single-player experience and by featuring a dozens of NBA legends in its "NBA's Greatest" mode, 2K Sports offers a worthy successor to 2K11's "Jordan Challenge" feature and thus has probably done more than any other developer to make annual sports titles feel like a worthwhile experience.

On the "con" side, real-life business issues mean consumers may not be able to use this year's game as a mirror for the real-life NBA for several weeks, if at all.

A die-hard NBA fan who is most interested in the opportunity to play as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or any of the other all-time greats featured in the game will probably get his or her money's worth from NBA 2K12. But someone who wants to play online matchups with current NBA rosters will be disappointed. It may not be fair that a real-life labor dispute between NBA players and owners may reduce the game's value, but that's life.

Nintendo released a couple new videos today showing Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword hero Link in action in the game's Lanayru Desert and Lanayru mining facilities.

First impressions: The footage showing how the game will employ motion controls while Link rides a mine cart Indiana Jones-style was an interesting surprise. The sequences showing Link using a leaf-blower like device as weapon were another surprise.

The presence of a Gohma-like boss was not a surprise, however, since a version of the giant arachnid has appeared in many Zelda titles.

Here is the first clip, the second is after the jump:


Skyward Sword is scheduled to be released Nov. 20 for Nintendo Wii.

Here are two trailers and a sword fighting tutorial for Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, scheduled for Nov. 20 release for Nintendo Wii.


The other two are after the jump: