Nice posts, Azp. I agree with many of your criticisms, so being the thickheaded, unreasonable, evil fanboy that I am, I'm going to give my own thoughts while focusing more on what Skyward Sword does well. Foibles there may be!, but I don't think they are severe enough to sully an otherwise outstanding game. And that's what SS is. There is way too much handholding. The inability to skip text and certain cutscenes is frustrating. There are sections - such as the Tadtones quest and at least one of the three Imprisoned fights - which can be skipped altogether. These are definite flaws, and I wish Nintendo would at least address the text and cutscenes when this game is inevitably re-released in HD for the WiiU.
That said
This game has some of the finest level design and funnest gameplay in gaming history, or at least in any game I've ever played. The motion-controlled swordplay brings with it easily the best combat in the series, if not the best combat in the genre. As I've said before, a precise Wii-mote swing to the open area of a guarded Stalfos is so, so, SO much more satisfying than button presses. I'm almost afraid to go back to the older 3D Zeldas after experiencing this swordplay. And yeah, as you said Azp, the bow and clawshots are both at their best here. For me, however, the Beetle stole the show. It was used often throughout the game, and it's now probably my favorite item in Zelda history. I was so skeptical when Miyamoto unveiled it last year, but it blew away my expectations and dominated the game.
Music and visuals are subjective, but I loved this game's visual style and curse Nintendo for the inability to release it in HD, and I'm a big fan of the soundtrack, which I feel is a return to Zelda form after the disappointment of TP's tunes. The game also nails that "Zelda charm" which Liquid Wind has mentioned before, gives us the most beautiful and heartwarming relationship yet between Zelda and Link, and finishes on a much stronger note than Twilight Princess, which really dropped the ball with its final dungeons and boss fights. It also offers seven dungeons without a single stinker. This may be the first Zelda game where I'd consider every dungeon to be at least solid. Earlier titles like Ocarina and Twilight Princess offered some real gems, but they also had crap mired in between. Not so here.
Yes, there are flaws, but for me, the triumphs soar so far beyond them that I'd be lying to myself by not calling it one of the series' best. Like OoT, I actually think this game could use a direct sequel, especially since it ends at what seems to be such a pivotal moment in the Zelda timeline. You can easily bring back this game's Link, Zelda, and Groose for another adventure, and as a direct sequel (like MM was to OoT), it wouldn't take five years to get.
Anyway, this will probably be my last meaty post in here, as I've just conquered Hero Mode and wanted to give my final thoughts. I'll probably archive this topic since it's brimming with good discussion and good times.
Normal Game 100%'d
Hero Mode 100%'d
Total Play Time: 96 hours (56 first run/40 Hero Mode)
Final Rating: A (10/10)
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Watch and you'll see... someday I'll be... part of your world!