The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a groundbreaking game in the series, featuring Princess Zelda as the playable protagonist for the first time. In a recent interview with Nintendo developers at Grezzo, the decision to shift focus from Link to Zelda was explained.
The game introduces the echoes concept, allowing players to copy and paste objects in the world for puzzles and combat. This required a protagonist who didn’t rely solely on sword and shield combat, leading the developers to choose Princess Zelda over Link. According to Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma, Zelda’s insight and abilities were a perfect fit for this innovative gameplay mechanic.
Aside from gameplay considerations, the team also wanted to honor fan feedback by showcasing Zelda as the main character in a meaningful way. The storyline of Echoes of Wisdom involves a significant threat to Hyrule that forces Zelda to leave her castle and confront the danger directly.
The interview sheds light on the game’s development process, revealing initial concepts and the unique challenges of creating a Zelda game with a female protagonist. Echoes of Wisdom is a highly anticipated release for Nintendo Switch, scheduled for September 26.
