Over the years, theLegend of Zeldafranchise has evolved with new stories, mechanics, and concepts. Not only has it taken on the classic top-down adventure but it has also explored the 2D side-scroller space and third-person action-adventure. Withthe release ofZelda: Breath of the Wild, the entire franchise took on a whole new feel. But, while that has been great to see, some fans have been yearning for a return to the classics, andZelda: Echoes of Wisdomseems to be giving them just that.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhas whisked players away on another adventure across Hyrule, but this time Princess Zelda herself leads the adventure. Additionally, unlike the past two mainline games, this title takes the franchise back to a more top-down experience, with a plethora of unique features to keep it fresh.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a Great Blast from the Past
The Legend of Zelda Franchise Has Changed Immensely
Just like with every franchise,The Legend of Zeldahas changed a lotsince its inception back in 1986. As technology has grown, so too have the things players have been able to do across Hyrule. They have gone on fantastical adventures through the likes ofA Link to the Past, have taken to the seas inThe Wind Waker, have explored a drearier Hyrule thanks toTwilight Princess, and even got to see the earliest days of the characters in the underratedSkyward Sword. All of these games have showcased the wonders of this fantasy world, but each one has done it in an extremely different way, making for a widely diverse experience.
With the release ofZelda: Breath of the Wild, the franchise may have taken its biggest leap yet as it shed away much of what came before. Instead, it delivered a true open-world experience, andZelda: Tears of the Kingdomthen took that concept even further. However, this evolution also meant that some of the franchise’s staples were left by the wayside. Specifically, the days of dungeon crawling and top-down titles seemed to be over.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Gives Players That Classic Feeling
Rather than being just another remake,Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis a brand-new mainline title within the franchise’s canon. While some players may have thought Nintendo would stick withtheBreath of the Wildmodelfor whatever came next, it has decided to go back to the earlier days instead. Players are thrust into another version of Hyrule, they take on the role of Zelda and must fight to save the kingdom once more via a top-down action-adventure framework.
Through this, players are able to getthat classicLegend of Zeldaexperiencethey may have been yearning for. There are countless dungeons to clear, treasures to find, and enemies to conquer. Additionally, putting players in the shoes of Zelda means thatEchoes of Wisdomis an extremely unique entry into the franchise.
It may not be on the level ofBreath of the WildorTears of the Kingdom, butEchoes of Wisdomstill offers everything that fans may want from aZeldagame. Plus, if they may be burnt out by the massive open-world adventures that have come out recently or have just wanted to sit back and check out a classicLegend of Zeldaadventure, thenEchoes of Wisdomseems to be filling that void.
