Summary
Nintendo has announcedThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which will star the titular Princess Zelda as the main character instead of longtime hero Link. Link has been the main protagonist of basically everyLegend of Zeldagame to date, though many fans have called on Nintendo to put Zelda in the starring role instead.
There were rumors leading up to its reveal thatTears of the Kingdomwouldfeature a playable Princess Zelda, but those claims turned out to be inaccurate. WhileTears of the Kingdomdid not feature a playable Zelda, the newly-revealedLegend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomwill, and franchise fans will have the chance to play the game later this year.
Releasing September 26 for the Nintendo Switch,The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomflips the tried-and-trueZeldaseries formula on its head. Instead of Link saving Princess Zelda, Zelda finds herself having to save Link by exploring a Hyrule created in an art style identical to theLink’s AwakeningSwitch remake. Unfortunately, Hyrule is being plagued by mysterious rifts that have been opening up and swallowing its residents whole. Zelda finds herself teaming with a fairy companion named Tri to save Hyrule’s people and solve the mystery behind the rifts. Tri gives Zelda the powerful new Tri Rod item to help her on her journey.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Trailer
Zelda’s Tri Rod weapon is in place ofLink’s classic sword and shield. Zelda’s adventure won’t see her using the same equipment as Link, but she will still have one of the largest arsenals in series history, if notthelargest. That’s because Zelda’s Tri Rod lets her create “echoes” of objects she finds on her adventures. These echoes can then be used for traversal, puzzle solving, and even combat, with various examples given in theEchoes of Wisdomreveal trailer.
For instance, Zelda’s Tri Rod can be used to create tables, which can then be used as platforms to reach higher areas. Beds, water blocks, and rocks were other examples given in the latter, with the latter used to throw at enemies. ClassicZeldaseries enemiescan also be cloned with echoes, with Zelda able to send them out to fight, almost likePokemon. This wildly innovative new gameplay mechanic will help Zelda on what will otherwise be a mostly traditional top-downZeldaadventure, though there are also side-scrolling sections like the ones seen inLink’s Awakening.
While someZeldafans will no doubt be disappointed that thelong-rumored Switch portsforWind Waker HDandTwilight PrincessHD still haven’t been announced, others will be thrilled at the prospect of this new adventure where Zelda is in the starring role. Needless to say,Zeldafans will want to mark September 26 on their calendars.
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!
