Popularized by Syd Field in the Foundations of Screenwriting, the three-act structure is used often in plays and movies. There’s the Setup, the Confrontation, and the Resolution. Skyward Sword HD may not fit precisely into that structure (although Zelda is big on threes; hello, Triforce), but there’s something about the third visit to the Sealed Grounds that just feels like the start of Act Three, the Resolution, just as the first two visits started major sections of gameplay.
At the close of Act Two (which for the record included plenty of confrontation), our hero had rousted series regular Ghirahim and powered up the Master Sword with the third sacred flame. Link had a costume change, too, with a nifty new symbol on a glove. Or maybe it was a tattoo. (Can we get someone from Wardrobe or Makeup, please?)
Our oft-annoying Director, Fi, provided a recap of the action and sent us on our way to activate the Gate of Time.
In this stage of the show, we’re going to revisit yet again all our old stomping grounds, and more than a few of our old friends, all leading up to the big Throwdown with Demise.
Fade in.
Scene 1: Sealed Grounds
The opening scene in our imagined Act Three begins with Link dropping into the Sealed Grounds, where he encounters the Old One and Groose. Groose is not the same guy who sabotaged Link during the Flight Ceremony, was a poster boy for #metoo in Skyloft, and was last seen running screaming into the Sealed Temple. Nope, new Groose, whom we might now call a Supporting Actor, has grown fond of the Old One, whom he calls Grannie, and second, he wants to be Link’s buddy. To that end, he’s developed a device he calls the Groosenator, which will aid Link when the formerly sealed, then unsealed, then resealed Imprisoned One breaks loose.
And why does the Imprisoned One break loose? Well, now, that’s a story in itself. A prequel, if you will. The Old One suggests that Link sashay up to the Gate of Time and give it a whack. And when he does – oopsie, she was afraid that was going to happen, tsk, but one had to give it a whirl, didn’t one? – the Imprisoned One is roused.
The first part of the battle is the same as the previous fight; you must slice off the Imprisoned’s toes and then drive the sealing spike back into its head. However, this time the (Badly) Imprisoned has burly hairy arms to go along with burly hairy feet, and the arms prevent you from trotting around easily to reach the beast’s head when he’s on his back like a turtle. Instead, you’ll need to drop down a level and take a wind geyser up to the other side of the Imprisoned, where you can slash away at the spike until the beast jumps up, pops the spike out again, and resumes lumbering forward.
With arms, the Imprisoned One will now try to climb the walls in a shortcut to the top. When he does, aim the Groosenator to launch a bomb and stun the beast, which affords you some badly needed quiet time to get at the front toes. (Zelder Tip: Go for the back toes first.) The Groosenator must recharge between shots, so don’t use it too soon lest it not be charged when you really need it.
As the battle progresses – honestly, the Imprisoned One moves so slowly, rather like King Kong on medication, such that it seems unfair to call it a battle, but tell that to poor Link – as the battle progresses, the Imprisoned One will suddenly slither upward quickly, which is disconcerting, to say the least. Be sure the Groosenator is primed for action!
When you’ve driven the spike back into the beast’s head three times, he gives up the fight (for the nonce, anyhow). Afterward, use your sword to seal him away (badly) once again.
With the Imprisoned One resealed, the Old One invites Link to try his hand at the Gate of Time again. This time, the Gate activates beautifully, and Link races through.
On the other side of the time portal, the Sealed Temple is – ta da! – the Temple of Hylia. The audience first sees Impa, recurring guest star, who grabs some screen time to tell Link that the person he’s risked life and limb for is waiting for him. And oh, does she have a Big Reveal.
Turns out that Zelda is none other than the Goddess Hylia, incarnated in human form. And Link, having demonstrated power, wisdom, and courage, is her chosen hero. But hey, she tells him, even though she’s a goddess, she’s still his childhood friend, Zelda. It’s all very romantical, in fact. Er, except for the fact that she’s now going to take a nap while he finishes up finding the Triforce and taking care of the Demon Lord Demise. Wake her when it’s all over, won’t he?
And, scene.
To accompany the start of Skyward Sword, Act 3 – which is really all about old friends, isn’t it? – we recommend our version of an Auld Lang Syne cocktail. Head to the lobby bar and pick up some popcorn while you’re at it: you’ll want it when you see what’s coming up.