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Skyward Sword characters detailed

Plus, new story information.

Dark blue icons of video game controllers on a light blue background
Image credit: Eurogamer

Nintendo has detailed characters, the story and locations in upcoming Wii exclusive The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, a game the Japanese company said has taken 100 staff members over five years to produce.

THERE MAY BE SPOILERS AHEAD.

Skyward Sword begins in Skyloft, an island town suspended in the sky, a day before young Link is to compete in a major bird-flying competition. The winner earns the right to take part in a ceremony with Zelda.

Link and Zelda have been friends since childhood. They share a special bond in the game, and, according to Nintendo, events will add more depth to their relationship.

Groose is Link's nemesis at school. This "bully" threatens Link's chances in the bird-flying competition, and is jealous of Link and Zelda's friendship.

Fi is the spirit of the Goddess Sword. It guides Link on his quest that results in the creation of the Master Sword.

Gaepora is Zelda's father, and the headmaster of Link's school. He's proper smart about ancient things.

Meanwhile, Nintendo has taken the lid off of Faron Woods, one of Skyward Sword's environments.

It is in fact the first location Link visits after leaving Skyloft. From there he enters the Skyview Temple, where Zelda may be being held. Oh, yes, she's been kidnapped. Again.

Nintendo outlined a number of abilities Link will use on his quest. Holding down the A button makes Link run fast and gives him acrobatic abilities, including briefly running up walls to grab onto cliffs. This uses Link's stamina, which replenishes over time. The Spin Attack also uses stamina. When his stamina is depleted, Link moves slower.

Link can search for things through dowsing. In dowsing mode, Link holds out his sword and points it in the direction of his target, which flashes. In Faron Woods, Link uses dowsing to search for Zelda and to find Skyview Temple. Link can also use dowsing to search for cute animal/plant creatures called Kikwi.

One of the first items Link finds is the Slingshot, which is used to stun enemies and trigger objects. You aim the Slingshot by moving the Wii Remote Plus.

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