Summary
- Echoes of Wisdom shakes up tradition with Zelda as the main playable character, using the Tri Rod to create echoes for puzzles and combat.
- The ESRB rates the game E10+, confirming Link as a playable character.
- The rating notes that Link will feature classic sword and shield gameplay and the ability to shoot arrows.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has officially been rated by the ESRB, which confirms Link as the second playable character alongside Princess Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom was first revealed during the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, subsequently becoming one of Nintendo's most anticipated releases. Fans don't have to wait long either, as the game will be launching this September.
Echoes of Wisdom is breaking a lot of new ground by not featuring Link as the main playable character, with the role being taken up by Zelda herself. Historically, Zelda has rarely been a playable character outside of spin-offs, with Link firmly established as the series' hero. There has been some wiggle room for making Zelda playable, though usually with some different caveats that still placed Link front and center. In Echoes of Wisdom, the roles have been essentially reversed, with Princess Zelda embarking on her own quest to save the kingdom of Hyrule from Ganondorf's evil forces. However, it appears that Link isn't being totally left out of the limelight in the upcoming Echoes of Wisdom, according to a recent ESRB rating.
The ESRB rated Echoes of Wisdom as E10+, while also giving some brief insight into what to expect from the game. The rating notes how Zelda will be Echoes of Wisdom's main playable character, as she tries to dispel the rifts that have appeared in Hyrule. The rating also describes how players will be able to control Link, as he retains his classic sword and shield gameplay, along with the ability to shoot arrows from his bow.
Link's Already Playable, But He Could Do More in Echoes of Wisdom
Link not being totally absent from Echoes of Wisdom was a bit of a given, as the initial reveal trailer started with a fake-out that had Link fighting Ganondorf, before he fell into the dimensional rift and used his last arrow to free Zelda. As such, it's a bit unclear if Link will only be playable at the start of the game, or if he'll later re-join Zelda, either as a playable character during the final battle, or midway through as Zelda dispels the rifts in Hyrule. At the very least, players can expect a little bit of traditional top-down Zelda gameplay with Link.
Princess Zelda plays very differently from Link in Echoes of Wisdom, where she utilizes the Tri Rod instead of a sword and shield. This staff allows her to create "echoes" of objects she finds in her adventures, which can be used to solve puzzles, explore dungeons, or even aid in combat. Objects that players can recreate include tables, beds, and even other enemies. Echoes of Wisdom is looking to be one of the most creative games in the franchise, juggling these two gameplay styles.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Released
- September 26, 2024
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!
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo, Grezzo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
