Summary
In some ways,The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdommight be viewed as no more innovative thanBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomwere before it. In fact,Zelda: Echoes of Wisdommight be best described as something that lies between classicZeldaand theinnovation ofBotWandTotK. However, that doesn’t meanZelda: Echoes of Wisdomlacks uniqueness. Sure, the fact thatEchoes of Wisdom’s Zelda fills the role of playable protagonist for the first time in a mainlineZeldainstallment makes it a one-of-a-kind entry, but its best and most defining features go far beyond that to produce something that is truly worth being recognized as a standout installment.
In light of that,Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomdeserves to be much more than a swan song, potentially paving the way for future installments to do the same.Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis bold, though not for one reason alone, as it dares to break some franchise traditions that have remained in the driver’s seat over the last few decades. For that reason, it should not be the last, but the first of many like it.
The Legend of Zelda Needs More Games Like Echoes of Wisdom
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Boldly Breaks Tradition in Some Big Ways
Firstly,Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s Tri Rod and echo system is one of its more innovative features, despite being what could be considered anevolution ofTears of the Kingdom’s Ultrahandfor its creative potential. The Tri Rod essentially allows players to progress in their own way, whether it be by stacking beds to create stairs or using a floating tile to cross a gap. Furthermore, rather than wielding a sword, as Link has in almost everyZeldainstallment, Zelda primarily uses the abilities of the Tri Rod to assist her in combat by essentially creating copies of monsters and then summoning them in battle. She can also summon objects that will deal damage to enemies, thereby making the Tri Rod her weapon of choice.
Using the Tri Rod as a weapon replacement is a strong departure for the series, but it is simultaneously a testament toZelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s creativity and willingness to evolve beyond the series' norm.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomalso has a different take on the Triforce than most of the games in the franchise, referring to it as the “Prime Energy” and treating it as though it is an unknown force in the universe rather than something highly revered and familiar. On that same note,Echoes of Wisdomtakes the franchise’s creation storyand turns it on its head, adding an entirely different element to the original plot, including a brand-new overarching antagonist for the series who was present at Hyrule’s creation. It’s not the first game in the series to do this, but it is one of only a few.
Zelda Needs to Be Bold More Often
These are perhaps only a fraction of thethingsZelda: Echoes of Wisdomdoes differentlythan the majority of the games in the series, but it’s nonetheless safe to say it isn’t what most were likely expecting. There had been rumors of a Zelda-ledZeldagame for some time, but it’s likely not many fans expected something likeZelda: Echoes of Wisdom. As Nintendo continues to show a strong desire to take theZeldafranchise in an entirely different direction,Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis one installment it should look to for inspiration.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis just a sign of what the series can accomplish when a game dares to break its longest-standing traditions. PerhapsfutureZeldagamesshouldn’t be too shy about doing the same, as it seems to have worked forEchoes of Wisdomand could continue taking the series down a road of evolution it has long needed to tread.
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 can even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
