The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis far from the first game in the franchise. However, it might be the first game in the series that some players play, and as a standalone game, there’s no prior knowledge needed. But for players who are veterans when it comes to playingZeldatitles, there are a lot of little details and Easter Eggs that reference previous games.
For the first time in the series' history,Zelda takes the role of protagonist and playable character inEchoes of Wisdom.Without the swordsmanship skills that Link uses to save Hyrule, she finds her own way to battle and solve puzzles with the help of Echoes. During her journey, she comes across familiar people, places, and uncovers information that answers some of the smaller questions about the game’s world.
10Link’s House Can Be Found In Echoes Of Wisdom
Echoes of the past: Exploring Link’s humble beginnings
Link doesn’t always have a house to explore inZeldagames. However,Link’s house inEchoes of Wisdomis located early in the game and rather easy to find.Zelda comes across it in Suthorn Forest, but the house itself isn’t a location she needs to visit to continue on with the game’s quests.
In fact, Link’s house isn’t connected to any quests inEchoes of Wisdom, making it little more than a fun detail to explore.
The village where Link lives sheds a bit of insight into his disappearance. Zelda learns thatthe villagers see him as somebody reliable, and they’re sad that he’s been affected by recent events, with some saying he’s dead and others claiming that he’s fallen into a rift. While Zelda might not know this version of Link personally, the descriptions of him line up perfectly with every other variation.
9The Goddess Hylia Appears As A Statue
A divine presence: Hylia’s statue in Echoes of Wisdom
This is one of many hidden details found byAbsurdZeldaTheorieson YouTube, but it has some of themost interesting implications behind it. The Statue of the Goddess isn’t an unusual item to come across inZeldagames, especially in more recent ones, likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom. Even ifEchoes of Wisdomisn’t directly connected to other entries, this statue ties it into the greater universe created by the games.
Hidden in the areas beneath Hyrule Castle, the Statue of the Goddess looks incredibly similar to its variations inBOTWandTOTK. However, the existence of the Goddess Hylia in the game’s universe implies thatZelda is still her mortal incarnation in this world. While her possible identity as the goddess reborn doesn’t play a role in the story this time, it certainly doesn’t hurt her odds of saving Hyrule.
8Impa Returns To Protect The Royal Family
A loyal guardian: Impa’s role in protecting Zelda
This is another detail that pops up when Zelda is beneath Hyrule Castle. When she’s about to end up fighting a set of guards, Impa takes over and proves thatage hasn’t reduced her combat prowess in the slightest. Then, when her back turns to the screen, the unmistakable eye symbol of the Sheikah is seen on her cape, a group dedicated to protecting the Hylian royals through games.
She’s also seen at various points in her life, with a younger Impa showing up inOcarina of TimeandSkyward Sword.
Impa appears in multiple games, and she’salmost always found beside Zelda, ready to protect her from any threats that might pop up. She’s also seen at various points in her life, with a younger Impa showing up inOcarina of TimeandSkyward Sword. However, it’s an older Impa that’s seen inEchoes of Wisdom, still ready to fight if the occasion calls for it.
7Kakariko Village Returns With Its Well
A well of memories: The significance of Kakariko’s well
InOcarina of Time, Kakariko Village plays an important role, and eventually leads to the Shadow Temple. A few memorable details about the village include its windmill, graveyard, and a well that’s been used to seal away evil. As a result, the version ofKakariko Village inEchoes of Wisdommight look incredibly familiarto players who’ve gone throughOcarina of Time.
Sealed evil; crucial to the Shadow Temple
Limited to sealing evil
Covered, no apparent reason
Can be explored (Easter egg)
The Kakariko Village ofEchoes of Wisdomhas the iconic windmill, a graveyard, and a well that’s covered. Of those details, the well is the most interesting, becausethere’s not exactly any reason that it needs to be covered, unlike the well inOoTwhere the evil is sealed away. Zelda is actually able to head into the well inEoWand explore it, although there’s not much to find in it. As a result, it seems like the well is covered simply for the sake of being an Easter Egg.
6The Primary Spirits Of Ocarina Of Time Return
Timeless guardians: The spirits' enduring role in Hyrule
This is another detail pointed out in AbsurdZeldaTheories' video on YouTube. Just like inOcarina of Time,The Great Deku Tree, Volvagia, and Jabu-Jabuall make an appearance inEchoes of Wisdom. Not only that, but they seem to have similar roles that have them in positions to watch over the races in the game who revere them. This is the first time sinceOoTthat they all appear in the same game.
AbsurdZeldaTheories suggests that thiscould mean thatEoWis connected toOoT, and possibly even set before it in the timeline. Of course, these details could also be nothing more than references toOoT, which might be the most beloved game in the series. Although, it would be interesting ifEoWwas confirmed to be related to the story ofOoT, or a loose prequel to it.
5Hyrule Castle Shows A Painting Of Zelda’s Mother
A glimpse into the past: The painting’s historical significance
Before her dad is swallowed by a rift and replaced with an evil version of himself, Zelda arrives in the throne room ofEchoes of Wisdomwhere there are barely visible paintings on either side of the room, as pointed out byZeltikon YouTube. Considering the one painting appears to be the king when he was younger, it stands to reason thatthe opposite painting would be Zelda’s mother. The interesting part is that Zelda’s mother is rarely even mentioned in games.
If any member of Zelda’s family appears in a game, it’s usually her dad. So far,her mom hasn’t appeared in any game, and she rarely even gets a mention, but it’s generally assumed that she’s died in some way. Because of this, it’s neat to finally have a glimpse at what Zelda’s mom might’ve looked like, and maybe one day, she’ll appear in a game still alive.
4Zelda’s Signposts Have Random Phrases
A mysterious message: Zelda’s cryptic signposts
This is another detail pointed out by Zeltik on YouTube, and it’s more for fun than a reference to anything serious.One of theearly Echoes Zelda picks upis the signpost.However, the developers added a little detail to these Echoes that makes them a bit more entertaining than they would be otherwise.
One sign even reminds Zelda that it’s flammable, so maybe don’t put it near a fire, which is amusing at best, considering a sign wouldn’t be the first option when it came to making a torch or campfire.
When Zelda summons a signpost as an Echo, she can read them. Each one hasone of several random phraseson it, and while a few of them are somewhat helpful and might tell her that lying in a bed will make her feel better, since it restores her hearts, most of them aren’t too useful. One sign even reminds Zelda that it’s flammable, so maybe don’t put it near a fire, which is amusing at best, considering a sign wouldn’t be the first option when it came to making a torch or campfire.
3There’s A Possible Explanation For Link Going To Termina
A parallel world: The connection between Hyrule and Termina
Zeltik in their video points out that falling into a rift is a terrible fate, which is said when the king of Hyrule is talking with his advisors, which is a possible reference toMajora’s Mask, where the Happy Mask Salesman says that Link has met with a terrible fate. However, this detail could be taken a step further and seen as a possible explanation for what happened to Link inMajora’s Mask. If rifts areconnected to alternate worlds filled with different versions of the same people, then Termina being in a rift makes perfect sense.
Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Finally Brought Back This Small Link Detail
The main cast in Zelda games have received various design changes depending on the setting for each game, and a small Link detail has returned.
Additionally, it’s said by Lueberry that everybody who falls into a rift loses something. While Navi leaves before Link leaves the Temple of Time, it’s possible that what he lost on his journey to Termina is the possibility of finding her. His entire quest started with the desire to find her again, so it would be a precious opportunity that he lost to the rift, and it paintsMajora’s Maskin a new light.
2Echoes Of Wisdom Includes The Creation Myth
A divine tale: The creation myth in Echoes of Wisdom
The creation of Hyrule is fairly standard across games, and it doesn’t change much between iterations. However,Echoes of Wisdom’sversion of this myth is particularly interesting, because it’s rather detailed. Most games keep the myth vague, which could be done for several reasons, and it might not be relevant to the story of the current game.EoW, on the other hand, has themost detailed version of the myth next toOcarina of Time, nearly copying it from the older game.
Like the other nods toOoT, this might be nothing more than a fun Easter Egg to notice. However, when looking at all these details that line up, it starts toseem likeEoWandOoTwere designed to be connectedin some way in the timeline. The nods toMajora’s Maskcertainly add to that theory as well.
1Link Is Silent For A Reason
A symbolic journey: The significance of Link’s mute state
RecentZeldagames have started providing reasons as to why Link doesn’t speak. InBreath of the Wild, andTears of the Kingdomby extension, Zelda writes in her journal that Link is silent because hechooses to bear his burdens in silence. However, the reason thatLink is silent inEchoes of Wisdomis a bit more horrifying, and definitely not due to his own decisions.
Lueberry’s diary can be found and read by Zelda, where she learns not only about the rifts, but about Link. The entries mention thateverybody who falls into a rift returns having lost something. What they lose isn’t uniform and changes from person to person. However, in Link’s case, he lost the ability to speak, which turns him into the silent protagonist he’s known to be, but for reasons beyond his control.
With a series as large asZelda, it’s not surprising to find small references to other games when playing. These references are often nothing more than that, but they have a tendency to spark the creation of new theories. Given details like the way the rifts work and how similar some areas are to theirOoTcounterparts, it’s easy to see how new theories are being created because ofThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
Source:AbsurdZeldaTheories/YouTube,Zeltik/YouTube
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Strange rifts are tearing Hyrule apart, and with Link missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save the kingdom. Armed with the Tri Rod and aided by a mysterious fairy, she must solve puzzles, create environmental “echoes,” and battle enemies while navigating new regions and uncovering hidden secrets.
