While it would never be fair to say thatThe Legend of Zeldahad a low point, it certainly seems to be enjoying a newfound degree of success and cultural relevance in the era of the Nintendo Switch. Much of this success can be attributed tothe revolutionaryBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomduology, which shook open-world conventions to their core, but more modest entries in the series over the past few years have helped push the IP forward as well.
A recent example ofThe Legend of Zelda’s versatility is this year’sEchoes of Wisdom, which serves as a decidedly unique follow-up to the grand and ambitiousTears of the Kingdom. A more old-school take on theZeldaformula,Echoes of Wisdomsees players taking on the role of the titular princess herself as she embarks on a journey to liberate Hyrule and save Link. The art style of the game follows that of the 2019Link’s Awakeningremake, its presentation being more akin to a modernized top-downZeldagame from the GBA than to the system-selling majesty ofTOTKorBOTW. But despite being less technically impressive in many ways,Echoes of Wisdomis nevertheless innovative and exciting, and may help pave the road for the franchise’s future.
Nintendo Will Likely Make Both Top-Down and 3D Zelda Games On the Switch 2
In a recent interview with the BBC,Zeldaboss Eiji Aonuma revealed his desire to keep making 2D gamesin the vein ofEchoes of Wisdom. Interestingly, he also commented on his initial reservations about revisiting the quasi-2D formula ahead ofEchoes of Wisdom’s development, before the Echoes mechanic was fully conceptualized. The fact that Aonuma and his team changed their tune after landing on this unique central mechanic highlights the importance of inventive design inZelda.
WhileEchoes of Wisdommay look like an older game, it has surprising depth and nuance within its synergistic gameplay systems. Players have a remarkable degree of freedom when it comes to both combat and puzzle-solving, as there is rarely one single solution to a given problem. The Echoes mechanic lends itself to this sort of player agency, and proves that a game’s format or perspective doesn’t necessarily dictate how innovative or expressive it can be;Echoes of Wisdomdoesn’t feel like a compromised or outdated experience, despite its semi-retro presentation.
Echoes of Wisdom’s gameplay feels iterative ofTOTK’sandBOTW’s, mostly due to its open-ended approach to puzzle-solving that rewards creativity rather than strict deductive reasoning.
3D and 2D Zelda Games Can Coexist
Although 2DZeldagames have proven to be just as inventive and exciting as their 3D counterparts, they are likely much cheaper and easier to make due to their more simple graphics and relatively restrained scope; a true 3D successor toTears of the Kingdomis probably several years away still. So, to keep up with fan demand and continue sharpening the series' creative edge through realistic means,more 2DZeldagames ought to fill the gapsbetween larger 3D releases.
This seems like a fairly strong strategy, especially since there’s already a well-established precedent for this sort of alternation; a series likeGod of War, for instance, would probably have a tougher time releasing 2D games with radically distinct mechanics between releases. Crucially, the likes ofEchoes of Wisdomaren’t just spin-offsor novelties, but full-fledged entries that bring fresh ideas to the table, and could very well impact their more high-profile 3D kin, so more of them can only be a good thing.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
WHERE TO PLAY
Save Hyrule—this time with the wisdom of Princess Zelda!The people of Hyrule are being stolen away by strange rifts—and with a certain swordsman among the missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in the latest adventure in The Legend of Zelda™ series!Team up with the ethereal creature Tri and use the Tri Rod to create “echoes,” which are imitations of things you find in the environment—then recreate those echoes whenever you like to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Use echoes like water blocks to reach new heights, make bridges out of old beds, throw rocks at foes, or find your own combination of echoes to do things your way. you may even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
