WithThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhaving completed its first month, many players are reaching the end of Princess Zelda’s first major solo outing. Set in a Hyrule where Link’s quest was foiled at the last minute, Zelda has no choice but to becomeEchoes of Wisdom’s heroine and finish saving her kingdom in her own way. It seems to have been a worthwhile journey, asEchoes of Wisdomhas enjoyed plenty of praise from fans thanks to its unique approach toThe Legend of Zelda’s titular character, as well as its experimental gameplay leaving room for what made classicZeldatitles so beloved.
Indeed,Echoes of Wisdomis best described as a blend of multipleLegend of Zeldaeras. The dynamic mechanics and open world used by recentZeldatitles likeBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomis juxtaposed with a set of classicZeldadungeons, and an art style that falls somewhere in between. Whether or not a given player considersEchoes of Wisdoma mainlineZeldatitle or a spin-off, it has given the Switch-eraZeldagames a fitting send-off, not in the least because of how it made a classic series mechanic feel brand new.
How The Legend of Zelda Typically Governs Magic
Magic has always occupied a strange place inThe Legend of Zelda. Link had access to it since the very firstTLoZ, and it became a major system in the second, but from then on was often relegated to a few specific items orspells cast by the latestZeldagame’s musical instrument. Being the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom rather than Link’s Triforce of Courage, Princess Zelda is the one typically associated with magic, even if the Triforce of Power bearer, Ganondorf, is shown using it more often in his battles.
Echoes of Wisdom Plays Fast and Loose With Zelda’s Magic
Now that players are in Zelda’s shoes, they get to enjoy that magical specialization, even if Link’s sword and assortment of tools is restricted in the process.Zelda’s repertoire of Echoes grows throughoutEchoes of Wisdomto include elemental objects and minions that are both powerful and versatile. The fairy Tri’s triangles show the current limits of what Zelda can summon, but with no cooldown or permanently spent resources to speak of, Zelda can just keep un-summoning and re-summoning as many Echoes as her current limits allow. It’s a big shift, but mirrors Link’s situation a lot closer than one would think.
The Script For Echoes of Wisdom’s Magic and Items Has Been Flipped
Link’s situation in mostLegend of Zeldagames involves a Magic Meter limiting the use of his nonmusical spells. It’s fairly easy to refill like his bomb and arrow stocks, but is nonetheless a hard limit on how much magic Link can use at once. Princess Zelda is fittingly capable ofequivalent magical feats inEchoes of Wisdomwith no fear of running out, just despawning her oldest Echoes to exchange them for something new. However, the true price Zelda pays for such power comes from her lack of basicLegend of Zeldaessentials, like a sword and shield.
Swordfighter Form Is A Magic Bar For Everything But Magic
Instead of the usual free access to traditional items, Zelda has free access to magic, and a meter that governs her use of Link’s mainstay items.Swordfighter Form inEchoes of Wisdomis to Zelda what past games’ Magic Meter is to Link, being a limited source of abilities that the user doesn’t normally have. Its Energy Gauge is a surprisingly direct parallel to the Magic Meter, even including leveling it up for extended use. It’s fitting thatEchoes of Wisdomgave Zelda abilities and mechanics similar to Link’s standard fare, but gave them a unique spin that makes the Princess of Hyrule feel strong in her own way.
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’re able to even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
