Summary
- Princess Zelda will be the main protagonist for the first time in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
- The game could introduce a new twist by placing Link in a Sage role while Zelda is the driving heroic force.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was announced earlier this summer during the Nintendo Direct showcase, and surprised many fans with its reveal. The upcoming entry in the iconic franchise is set to bring a number of interesting shakeups, not least of which is allowing fans to take on the role of Zelda herself in the main protagonist spot for the first time in the series, swapping the usual dynamic between Hyrule's hero, Link, and the Princess. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is also utilizing the charming art style in the vein of the Link's Awakening remake as well as introducing the fun-looking Echo mechanic specific to Zelda that appears to form the core of its exploration and gameplay.
There are also some big open story questions still, such as The Legend of Zeda: Echoes of Wisdom's possible place in the overall timeline. One staple of Zelda's lore introduced over its long history of iterations and innovations, though, are the Sages that inhabit various versions of Hyrule. With the reversal of the normal roles of Zelda and Link, it's possible that another longtime aspect of their relationship, specifically the Sage angle, will likewise be inverted in the next title.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Looks Like It Will Bring Back A Longtime Series Tradition
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom looks like it will finally bring back the longtime tradition of companions aiding the hero through the game.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Could Flip the Classic Sage Script on its Head
The Legend of Zelda's Sages
Representing the various primal elements and forces of the land such as Spirit, Water, Light, and Fire, The Legend of Zelda's Sages have appeared in many different forms as a colorful cast characters hailing from a wide range of Hryule's recognizable races and tribes. The Sages are also often linked to specific areas or Temples, and provide knowledge and insight, in many cases coming in the form a new ability or item to progress further. Zelda herself is often traditionally a Sage, sometimes embodying the Triforce's aspect of Wisdom (as directly referenced in Echoes of Wisdom's very title) or elsewhere as the Sage of Time. It's usually expected that the Sages play an important role in the plot and gameplay of each Zelda title, and that is likely to remain true in some way in the upcoming release.
Link May Finally Find Himself a Sage in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
As related to Zelda's position, Link most often represents the Triforce's facet of Courage. It's been officially confirmed that Link will still be playable in Echoes of Wisdom to some degree, even if it may be in a more limited capacity. However, with the protagonist roles swapped in Echoes of Wisdom, it could be the case that Link is now placed in the Sage spot, and must rely on Zelda to free or save him from his current predicament along with any other Sages, familiar or new, that fans may meet along the way.
One major item seen so far are the rifts opening across Hyrule in Echoes of Wisdom' s trailer. These imply there may be two worlds or realites in Echoes of Wisdom, something the franchise has also used as a narrative and gameplay mechanic previously.
In another reversal, Zelda will be the driving force while Link potentially appears in a Sage incarnation, trapped in some way but still providing assistance of a more background nature. The Legend of Zelda's Sages have additionally been companions of a sort, and perhaps Link will serve as one for Zelda in certain sections or dungeons. The two trading roles in this way would add another interesting layer to the overall lore and changeups already teased, and fans will be able to see how this might unfold when The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom releases September 26, 2024.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- September 26, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo, Grezzo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
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!
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
