This week’s Nintendo Direct was full of surprises. Among these was the announcement of a new 2D Zelda game, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. In an unexpected twist, players will take on the role of Zelda for the first time in a mainline entry. This game leans more toward puzzles than traditional combat. In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda wields a new tool called the Tri Rod. This allows her to create copies of objects in the world, from enemies to trees. Furthermore, she can use these copies to battle enemies, traverse the world, or solve puzzles. Although she lacks typical offensive options, Zelda has many inventive ways to tackle obstacles and enemies.
Echoes of Wisdom seems to refine the open-ended puzzle approach seen in Link Between Worlds and the open-world titles. The trailer showcases simple solutions like using multiple beds to climb. Contrasting this are more complex strategies, such as luring enemies with bait and then summoning a Deku Baba to eat them. Personally, I’m thrilled about this game. Combat has never been the main appeal of Zelda for me. A title focused on creative problem-solving is exactly what I’ve been hoping for.
Notably, Zelda has only been playable in spinoff games and the unofficial Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon for the ill-fated Philips CD-i. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a new classic Zelda title, so its return is welcome. While Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom were fantastic, I’ve missed the old style. Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released exclusively for Nintendo Switch on September 26, 2024.
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Whenever we post about Zelda, I can’t help but recommend the Legend of Zelda 30th-anniversary soundtrack collection. It’s always a hit with customers because it features a wide array of series music. Definitely pick one up if you love Zelda’s music!
