If you’re any kind of Zelda fan, the massive marketing push behind Lord Ghirahim and conspicuous absence of Ganon from all Skyward Sword media already had you suspecting this one. But now it’s official: Ganondorf (and his pig alter-ego, Ganon) will not be in Link’s upcoming game. During an interview appearing in the latest issue of Nintendo Power, Eiji Aonomua responded thusly when asked if Ganon would not be appearing in SS:
Yes, that’s right. Ganon typically appears in a Zelda game when the story is centered around the Triforce. This time around, the Triforce sort of takes on a different meaning and plays a different role in the story. So because of that, Ganon will not appear.
In his place will be, you guessed it, the David Bowie-Gene Simmons (Seriously, what is up with that tongue?) mash-up, Lord Ghirahim. When confronted about the creepy Ghirahim’s resemblance to the somehow-even-creepier rocker and Labrynth star, Aonomua laughed. “I can certainly see that. One of the things that relates to what I said about contrasting Ganon is that he does have a sort of unisex-like, genderless feel to him,” he said. “I can certainly see the resemblance there.” Must have been the diamond-print outfits that gave it away. Or the purple makeup. Or the collagen-injected lips. Or the gaudy ’80s earrings. Or the… Actually, I’m just going to stop there before this just gets silly.
Ghirahim jabs and Ganon disappearing acts aside, Aonuma-san also dished out some other intriguing info about Skyward Sword. For instance, the game will indeed take place prior to Ocarina of Time, but is not necessarily the first game in the series as was previously believed. The designer refused to anoint it as such, expressing a desire to avoid feeling boxed in as a result of such a move. He also detailed how the game’s narrative flow will be a bit of a departure from past series outings.
As far as the story itself is concerned, one big point that makes it a very different experience is that in most Zelda games, the Master Sword has been something that Link seeks out, finds, and uses to destroy Gannon. This time around, it’s more centered on the creation of the Master Sword–the way it was born, so to speak. Link kind of forges it along the way. It’s more centered on that, which is a different pattern than we have had in a lot of ways.
As great as it is to find three mystical stones, grab the Master Sword, plow through the “real” dungeons and then square off against Ganondorf, this Zelda fan is thankful that the team at EAD is trying something new. But what does the rest of the fan-base think? Are you mad about Ganon’s no-show? Intrigued about the Master Sword crafting? Looking forward to Ghirahim’s next single? Leave us one in the comments.
[Source: Nintendo Charged]
