The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis one of the most original entries in the series to date. As the first mainline entry to place Princess Zelda in the protagonist role,Echoes of Wisdom’s unique premise and new mechanicsset the title apart from previousZeldaentries that took a more traditional approach. However, it has since been revealed thatthe original premise forEchoes of Wisdomwas a lot different to what players ended up receiving.
DespiteEchoes of Wisdom’s appeal as a unique entry in theZeldaseries, the game was originally intended to better reflect some of the more iconic titles in the franchise. WhileEchoes of Wisdommay share many similarities to past entries, the game ultimately went in its own direction, and it’s safe to say that the developers behind the latest title made the right choice. As incredible as many pastZeldaentries have been,Echoes of Wisdomwould have been severely limited if it stuck to a more traditional approach, reducing the game’s overall quality.
Echoes Of Wisdom Was Originally Going To Be A Sequel
The Game Would Have Been A Follow-Up To An SNES Classic
Official art of Link leading Princess Zelda through the sewers inThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Echoes of Wisdomcould have resembled a more traditionalZeldagame, beginning life as a sequel to one of the series' most acclaimed titles. In an interview by Polish media siteNaEkranie, it was revealed thatGrezzo, the developer behindEchoes of Wisdom, intended for the game to be a sequel toA Link to the Past. Ultimately, the team chose to change direction, puttingZeldain the lead and developing the title’s signature Echo mechanic, resulting inEchoes of Wisdom.
While it’s a fascinating insight intoEchoes of Wisdom’s development, this revelation is hardly surprising. The game takes a lot of inspiration fromA Link to the Past, whether it be the use of dual worlds, or the many signature locations inEchoes of Wisdomthat are easily identifiable to any fan of the SNES classic.Echoes of Wisdom’s tributes toA Link to the Pastare certainly a highlight for anyZeldafan. That being said,the decision to changeEchoes of Wisdom’s direction was the best choice, as the game’s original premise would have ultimately hindered its potential.
It doesn’t help thatA Link to the Pastalready has a stellar sequel withA Link Between Worlds, released for the 3DS in 2013. As a successor to the SNES classic,A Link Between Worldsstretched the core ideas and mechanics ofA Link to the Pastto its limits, with its removal of a specific dungeon order and addition of a new merge ability that altered the player’s perspective.Echoes of Wisdomwould have felt redundant as another sequel, because there would be nothing new for the game to offer thatA Link Between Worldshadn’t already achieved.
Echoes Of Wisdom Thrives On Its Originality
The Echo Mechanic Highlights The Game’s Creativity
Changing the original premise forEchoes of Wisdomdid wonders in allowing the game to establish its own identity.Echoes of Wisdomseparates itself from previousZeldaentriesin its approach to narrative and gameplay, turning the traditional formula on its head. For example,the introduction of the Echo mechanic gives players a heightened sense of freedom and creativitycompared to previous 2DZeldagames, allowing them to approachEchoes of Wisdom’s challenges and battles in whichever way they see fit.
Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Is Missing One Iconic Echo, And For Good Reason
Despite the immense number of Echoes available in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, one of the more iconic Echo candidates is unavailable.
Moreover,Echoes of Wisdomalso shines in its unique narrative that further separates the game from previousZeldaentries likeA Link to the Past. By making Zelda the star of her very own game,players are given greater insight into the importance of her role as a princessand the level of admiration that citizens of Hyrule have for her, placing greater pressure to accomplish the mission and bring peace to the kingdom. This new angle makes for an intriguing narrative that’s a refreshing change of pace to what many previousZeldaentries adopt for their own stories.
Echoes of Wisdomis such an amazing entry in theZeldaseries as it thrives on its originality.The game’s appeal comes from the wealth of new ideas it offersand how they’re used to shake up the traditionalZeldaformula. LimitingEchoes of Wisdomas arare directZeldasequeltoA Link to the Pastwould have prevented the developers from having the creative freedom that they utilized for the final product, which is why it was best for Grezzo to move in an original direction.
Why Echoes Of Wisdom Is Perfect As-Is
The Game Showcases How The Zelda Series Can Evolve
Echoes of Wisdomis perfect just being an original entry, as it demonstrates theZeldaseries' malleability. The game stands alongside the likes of the Switch’s other originalZeldaentries,Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, as a major departure for the series, as these games place greater emphasis on player freedom and experimentation.Echoes of Wisdomis a perfect example of this, andit’s this unique approach that helps to challenge players' pre-conceived notion of what aZeldagame can be.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s Happy Ending Hides A Small Tragedy
Despite the upbeat mood it projects, one part of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s ending actually works to obscure a tragic truth.
A direct sequel toA Link to the Past would certainly have been successful. The formula that the SNES classic established has been used for so long because it provides players with exciting adventures that include the same sense of exploration and discovery that’s at the core of theZeldaseries. Yet,a more traditionalZeldagame on the Switch would not have been able to demonstrate how the series could change and evolvein the same way thatEchoes of Wisdomshowed throughout its campaign.
Echoes of Wisdom’s unique identity proved to be a far better choice for the game than if it remained as a sequel toA Link to the Past. This direction proved essential to allowingEchoes of Wisdomto break down the barriers of theZeldaseries in general, helping to craft an ambitious path forward for the franchise. It only makes the prospect of futureZeldaentries more exciting with the near-limitless possibilities on offer, something that might not have been as easy to see withoutThe Legend of Zelda:Echoes of Wisdom’s release.
Source:NaEkranie
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.
