If there is one thing that Legend of Zelda fans have been asking for, it is remakes of Twilight Princess and Wind Waker. If there is something else fans have been asking for, it is to be able to play as Zelda. Never before has Zelda taken up the role of the protagonist. Instead, she is always the one needing to be saved or someone who helps Link out on his journey. That is, until today. Nintendo has officially revealed The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – the first game where you get to play as Zelda and save Link from despair.
Announced during the Nintendo Direct on June 18, 2024, the Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom allows Zelda to step into the role of the protagonist. As stated during the showcase, Nintendo wanted to “create a new gameplay style that breaks conventions seen in past Legend of Zelda games with a top-down perspective.” This is apparent in the gameplay showcase as Zelda uses a wand instead of a sword.
Zelda’s wand allows her to create echoes of items found around the world. These echoes can then be created around the map to help you traverse the environment and solve puzzles. In the trailer, items such as shrubs, beds, tables, and crates are used to overcome obstacles and discover new locations. On top of this, you can create echoes of monsters. This allows Zelda to summon them to fight alongside her.
Thanks to the use of echoes, “each player’s experience will be different.” This means that each player will have their own way of solving problems that arise in the game, leading to unique gameplay opportunities. For instance, Nintendo showed one instance of Zelda using meat to distract birds before destroying them with a flower enemy. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released on September 26, 2024.
