The Zelda Game Where You Actually Play As Zelda

The new Legend Of Zelda game, Echoes Of Wisdom has been released, and for the first time in 37 years, the player controls Zelda for most of the game . This game is very similar visually to the 2019 remake of Link's Awakening, with the same toy-like art style and the same 2D view (the player views the world from above).

What Do People Think?

Most returning fans of the series enjoy the game and its gimmicks, but a couple of criticisms have arisen. First of all, there is a new power that zelda has which allows her to collect “echoes” of objects or enemies and later allows her to summon them. This may sound like it would be too different from the classic sword-and-shield combat style used in the previous 2D mainline games. However, this mechanic allows for similar game breaking exploration as with the Zonai devices and the Ultrahand rune from Tears Of The Kingdom. However this causes much less fun during combat, as you just summon enemies you have previously defeated to do the work for you.

Plot and Goals (SPOILERS START HERE)

When you start the game, you play from the perspective of Link, as is expected from a Zelda game. The intro sequence feels like it would be at the end of a game, but it serves as a tutorial for the mechanics and controls. You walk through a long linear hallway, avoiding rubble along the way. You get to a small room with a purple crystal containing zelda, but there is a big creature guarding the crystal. After you fight off the creature, a small rift appears, but you don’t notice it, so you start slowly sinking in it. You shoot an arrow at the crystal and it cracks it just a little, and then you fall into the rift. Instead of following Link, this is where the game switches to Zelda's perspective. You wiggle out of the crystal and a light guides you to Link’s cape. You pick it up, and the rift starts expanding, so you run from it in an intense chase sequence, but you make it out of the cave. From there, you can follow the story or just do whatever you want, as 100%-ing the game takes around 14 hours.