Summary
WithThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhaving been announced at the June 2024 Nintendo Direct, the titular Princess Zelda headlining her own adventure has the fanbase buzzing with excitement. The game’s 2.5D art style borrows from 2019’sThe Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, while mixing in the spirit of unbridled exploration fromBreath of the Wildand Tears of the Kingdom. Precious few clues are known about what the developers ofEchoes of Wisdomhave in store for Hyrule, but that hasn’t kept an intrepid public from scouring each frame of the game’s teaser trailer for possible indicators.
Much of the fan speculation has been focused on whereEchoes of Wisdommay sit in theevermore complexZeldatimeline. A popular theory is that the game is somehow connected toA Link Between Worlds, and thus,A Link to the Past. Both games were highly acclaimed, withA Link to the Pastoften listed among the greatest games of all time. ConnectingEchoes of Wisdomto these celebrated games is a wise idea. However,there is also evidence to suggest that the scope of the game reaches wider than previously thought, possibly connecting many ofZelda’s greatest stories.
The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Release Date, Characters, & Gameplay Details
Here’s everything to know about The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, an upcoming game that gives Zelda the starring role for a change of pace.
There Is Evidence To Suggest That Echoes Of Wisdom Connects Many Timelines
The Mysterious Rift Seen In The Teaser May Be A Dimensional One
Reddit sleuths have put forth some compelling theories suggesting that the few glimpses ofEoW’s overworld, as seen in the Nintendo Direct trailer, may be the key. Many have noted the apparent similarities betweenEoW’s map and the layout ofA Link to the PastandA Link Between Worlds. Both Hyrule Castle and Death Mountain sit on the map almost exactly where they did in those prior games. Even more compelling is that the game’s trailer seems to indicate that theZoras of both the river (green) and sea (blue)will meet inEoWfor the first time ever.
10 Overlooked Zelda Games To Play While Waiting For Echoes Of Wisdom
Echoes of Wisdom is still pretty far away, but there are plenty of Zelda games that are less popular that deserve a chance to help you pass the time.
The homages toBOTWandTOTKare heavy-handed in theEoWtrailer, most prominently being Zelda standing on a cliff’s edge, looking out at the kingdom of Hyrule. The entire shot evokes how Link did the same at the beginning ofBOTW. Considering all the ingredients at hand,it seems very possible thatEoWwill feature a cataclysmic event that unites all theZeldatimelines.The very beginning of the trailer shows Link defeating Ganon before falling into the rift. This could possibly be hinting thatGanon will not be the ultimate antagonistof this adventure but someone else entirely.
Nintendo Has Always Been Hesitant To Fully Commit To A Zelda Timeline
The Book Hyrule Historia Was Nintendo’s Attempt To Establish The Lore
Nintendo has always been a bit cagey when it comes to committing to an established timeline in theLegend of Zeldaseries. Perhaps they fear it would be too constrictive to the creative process, which is certainly understandable. It could also be that, since the adventure is a “legend,” they are able to retell the same story over and over, each time with a new twist and theme. Until more is known about the game,the rift in theEoWtrailer may be a melding of theZeldatimelines, where different versions of the same characters meet face to face.
For a franchise nearing its 40th anniversary,The Legend of Zeldais bigger now than ever. The excitement for whatEchoes of Wisdommay bring to the celebrated series is palpable, and with the game launching in September of this year, more information should be coming soon. Finally, Princess Zelda will be taking the reins in her own single-player adventure, and fans of the franchise are eager to experience the world of Hyrule through the eyes of the legendary character. WhatThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomwill introduce to the lore of the series remains to be seen.
