Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's Japanese Art Could Tease Return…

Summary

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom breaks Zelda traditions by featuring Zelda as the protagonist and introducing new gameplay mechanics.
The inclusion of paragliding in the key art hints at a return of the mechanic from previous Zelda games, like Breath of the Wild.
By referencing past Zelda games and including fan-favorite mechanics, Echoes of Wisdom aims to be a beloved addition to the franchise.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is poised to be one of the most unconventional Zelda titles to date, which has fans speculating on just what the game has in store for them. A new look at the Japanese key art for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom might offer a clue for fans lucky enough to spot it. After a surprise announcement in the last Nintendo Direct, Zelda fans have been eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series, Echoes of Wisdom. One thing that has captured the attention of players is the way the upcoming game breaks series traditions.

With Zelda as the player character, new mechanics have been introduced in order to make her playstyle unique. But, for players who want more familiar mechanics, a look at expanded key art for the game holds some hope. A recently revealed image of the Japanese key art for Echoes of Wisdom features surprises hidden from the American version. The most interesting of these new inclusions can be seen in the top left corner, where fans have noticed a Hylian character paragliding, suggesting that the mechanic may be returning from Tears of the Kingdom.

Zelda Has One Clear Advantage Over Link in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

Based on a location revealed in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's latest trailer, Zelda will have one clear advantage over Link in this version of Hyrule.

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By Josh Cotts

Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Might Feature Paragliding as Introduced in Breath of the Wild

In recent years, the Zelda series has been dominated by one major story. Breath of the Wild introduced the story of Calamity Ganon, which has taken the form of a loose trilogy of games. Followed by Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, and completed with Tears of the Kingdom, this trilogy has been central to the Zelda mythos for an entire generation of players. So, as the franchise moves on from that story to tell others, it’s important for Echoes of Wisdom to mirror Tears of the Kingdom in a few ways. While the spirit of the games is similar, focusing on allowing players to solve challenges in their own way, a more direct mirror could come in the form of borrowing certain mechanics.

For that reason, including some version of the paragliding mechanic that has been so important in the last few games is an excellent idea. By incorporating recent fan-favorite successes, Nintendo can show a direct evolution in its design philosophy. It’s unclear exactly how paragliding would fit into Echoes of Wisdom given its top-down perspective, but the inclusion of the mechanic in the key art nearly confirms that it will be present in some form. Between the return of the paragliding mechanic and the puzzle-solving freedom presented by the Tri Rod, the legacy of Tears of the Kingdom is safely preserved within Echoes of Wisdom.

A Link to Zelda’s Past Could Help Echoes of Wisdom Succeed

As one of Nintendo’s most beloved series, Zelda games don’t have to work too hard to become modern classics, but that doesn’t stop the development team from putting its all into every title. That’s how a series continues to be great after decades in the spotlight. But, needed or not, remembering and building on the past is a great way to help new games in a series succeed. So, it’s no surprise that Echoes of Wisdom looks to reference past Zelda games in multiple ways. Be it returning enemies, recurring themes, or borrowed mechanics, like the return of paragliding, these nods to the history of the franchise ensure longtime fans stay invested while welcoming newcomers.

In a game that surprised fans from the moment it was announced, Echoes of Wisdom has a lot to prove. Experimentation on an established formula isn’t always well received, so the game may need to work doubly hard in order to thrive. The risky maneuver of changing what fans expect might be the cause of the many nods to the series’ history. Who knows what else might return from past games, such as Zelda characters players would love to see more of, or locations they haven’t visited since earlier entries. All of these possibilities and the chance to step into a new era of Hyrule’s story ensure that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom can earn a spot among fan’s favorite entries.

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