When Nintendo sent shockwaves through the gaming community by unveiling a brand new Legend of Zelda title with less than three months of lead time, I couldn’t help but scream in excitement. The revelation was even more exhilarating as it became apparent that this new installment would fulfill a long-standing desire among fans: the chance to play as Zelda herself. I screamed, and there might have been tears.
Fans reacted instantly, with an outpouring of beautiful fan art celebrating Zelda flooding social media platforms within hours. The surreal nature of this dream coming to fruition so quickly was overwhelming.
Initially, I assumed the thrill might wane as I delved into Echoes of Wisdom. However, that feeling of excitement remains unabated. Perhaps it’s because I’m a passionate fan of the series, or maybe the gameplay is so distinct that it constantly serves as a reminder that this isn’t your typical Zelda game. Even weeks into playing, I still encounter moments that feel like a little girl unwrapping her most wished-for toy on Christmas morning.
I still find myself having moments of disbelief, thinking, “Wow, I’m actually Zelda!”
What’s Zelda without a sword?
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom doesn’t simply change character models. It isn’t about just swapping perspectives and playing through familiar Zelda scenarios, but instead offers an entirely unique gameplay experience unlike any previous entry in the series.
Traditionally, the essence of The Legend of Zelda has revolved around Link wielding his sword. I used to express my love for Zelda based on the unparalleled thrill I felt from the tactile feedback of Link’s sword swings, which had a special place in gaming for me. While that remains true to some extent, the franchise has been evolving, particularly with Breath of the Wild and further in Tears of the Kingdom, where there’s been a noticeable shift away from this sword-centric gameplay.
In BotW and TotK, the sword still played a pivotal role in combat, acting as a reliable last resort when other tactics ran out. Yet, a plethora of innovative strategies were available that often overshadowed the need to resort to the sword.
With Echoes of Wisdom, however, the sword is almost completely absent. While Zelda can momentarily assume Link’s combat style, this installment marks a historical shift; the sword is no longer central to the gameplay experience. Instead, a wand takes precedence, crafting a wonderful connection to Zelda’s character and leaving me continually amazed at the opportunity to engage with this gameplay.
Embracing the thrill of playing as Zelda
As many fans know, the Triforce consists of three components: the Triforce of Power, Wisdom, and Courage. Each piece is linked to key characters—Ganon/Ganondorf aligns with power, Zelda with wisdom, and Link with courage.
From this perspective, it’s evident why previous Legend of Zelda titles focused primarily on combat; a sword-wielding hero like Link naturally fits the role of the Triforce of Courage. But what does it mean to embody wisdom in battle? It seems Grezzo, the Nintendo studio behind Echoes of Wisdom, pondered this deeply, and I genuinely admire their approach.
While I initially yearned for Zelda to brandish a sword, my experiences playing have shifted my perception—perhaps that’s not the character Nintendo has developed for over thirty years. Link is meant for the sword; Zelda excels in intelligence, utilizing her surroundings creatively—like building bridges from beds and taking strategic naps. That’s the true role of the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom—focusing more on strategy than pure combat.
This shift dramatically redefines the conventions we associate with the Legend of Zelda series, representing both an adventurous experiment and substantial risk. There are definitely moments when I crave that sword-swinging action instead of leading a unique tactical team. However, it’s precisely that novelty that keeps me perpetually surprised and enchanted by the game. Hours in, I still catch myself thinking: “Oh my gosh, it’s really happening, I’m playing as Zelda!” And that’s something I truly cherish for all of us.
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