The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom - 7 Reasons It Matters for the Zelda Franchise

The Legend of Zelda series has evolved significantly since its inclusion in the Nintendo Switch library. The classic gameplay formula transformed into a free-roaming format with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The vast opportunities within Hyrule led to an expansion into two titles, further broadening the franchise with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

While this transformation was refreshing for many fans, it came at the expense of the series' traditional gameplay mechanics, leaving some players longing for the past. As we look forward to the upcoming title, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, it’s essential to understand how the franchise is poised to evolve.

1. A New Protagonist

In the Legend of Zelda franchise, Zelda has typically played a supporting role, assisting Link but never taking the lead in a traditional sense. While she has had her own adventures in titles like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Tears of the Kingdom, she has only been playable in crossover games such as Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule.

Echoes of Wisdom marks the first instance where Zelda steps into the protagonist's shoes. This shift offers a fresh perspective as players explore her journey and learn about the challenges Link faces—something that Eiji Aonuma has always wanted to showcase.

2. Expansive Hyrule

Echoes of Wisdom maintains the open-world structure established in its predecessors. Players can tackle main quests in any order, enhancing the pacing of the narrative. A notable change is that players cannot rush directly to the final boss after the tutorial, which is crucial for delivering a compelling story.

The way the narrative unfolds in Echoes of Wisdom strengthens its lore compared to Tears of the Kingdom. While lore can be discovered in the previous title, players could bypass significant elements if they rushed to the endgame. The freedom to explore various directions could lead to mixed-up storylines, potentially confusing players regarding key moments.

3. Artistic Graphics

The graphics in Echoes of Wisdom draw inspiration from the Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake, featuring a toy-like aesthetic that appeals to a broad audience and opens up merchandising opportunities.

This artistic choice enhances character design, making them more memorable and expressive. Eiji Aonuma was keen to adopt this style following Grezzo's work on Link’s Awakening. While the visuals may seem whimsical, the narrative remains serious, offering a blend of peaceful and tense moments throughout the main quest, particularly in the Still World.

4. Evolving Influence

Echoes of Wisdom embraces the freedom of Tears of the Kingdom but presents it in a more accessible way. While Tears of the Kingdom encourages creative problem-solving, it can also be overwhelming for players, often leading to mental fatigue similar to the experience in Minecraft.

Director Tomomoi Sano aimed to balance the freedom of earlier titles with a more straightforward approach. In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda's abilities are powerful yet not as complex as Link’s diverse skillset, including Ultrahand and Fuse, ensuring an enjoyable experience without the burden of excessive complexity.

5. A New Directorial Vision

Tomomoi Sano is breaking new ground as the first female director in the Legend of Zelda franchise. Eiji Aonuma, who directed the main 3D titles since The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, has transitioned to a producer role, offering his support for this fresh direction.

Sano has built her reputation by contributing to titles like the Mario & Luigi series and the HD remake of Twilight Princess. Aonuma recognized her talent, inviting her to take on the role of director support during several Legend of Zelda remakes for the Nintendo 3DS and Switch.

6. Grezzo's New Venture

Echoes of Wisdom marks Grezzo's first original project in the Legend of Zelda series. This Japanese third-party studio has collaborated with Nintendo on various projects, including significant contributions to Final Fantasy XI. They have also developed multiple RPGs for the Nintendo 3DS, such as The Legend of Legacy, The Alliance Alive, and Ever Oasis.

Their partnership with Nintendo deepened through their involvement in major franchises, particularly the Legend of Zelda. Their work on remakes like Ocarina of Time, Majora’s Mask, and Link’s Awakening equipped them with the experience to craft a unique offering for the series. Aonuma was especially impressed by Grezzo's innovative approach to Link’s Awakening, particularly their creative dungeon designs.

7. Reviving Authenticity

Echoes of Wisdom rekindles the authentic Zelda essence through its dungeons and boss encounters. While Tears of the Kingdom retains some of that authenticity, it doesn't capture it as fully as earlier entries. Essential dungeon items like small keys, compasses, and maps were often rendered unnecessary, as Link's abilities allowed players to bypass intended routes and puzzles. Additionally, boss battles lacked the challenge needed to adapt to various player strategies.

While Echoes of Wisdom embraces familiar elements from past titles, it also retains the innovative spirit of Breath of the Wild. Sano designed the game to encourage players to think critically while providing multiple solutions to challenges. This blend of traditional and modern gameplay is set to create a memorable experience for fans for generations to come.