Summary

  • River Zoras and Sea Zoras have appeared in various Zelda games since 1986.
  • River Zoras have a monstrous fish-like form, while Sea Zoras are more humanoid in their appearance.
  • River Zoras are antagonistic, while Sea Zoras are friendly, but Echoes of Wisdom changes the dynamic.

The world of The Legend of Zelda is filled with diverse and peculiar races, from the intriguing and stubborn Gerudos to the burly, confident Gorons. Throughout the series, many of these races have been shown in a different light, with some even being given various subraces. One of those races is the Zora, who have existed in the world of Zelda as River Zoras and Sea Zoras. Now, in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, River Zoras and Sea Zoras have returned.

Despite both subraces being Zoras, there are several key differences between River Zoras and Sea Zoras. Whether it be their distinct appearances, their roles in the franchise, or which installments they have appeared in, River Zoras and Sea Zoras are each unique in their own ways, and that remains true in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

How Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's River and Sea Zoras Compare

River and Sea Zoras Have Appeared in Many Different Zelda Installments

River and Sea Zoras have appeared in multiple Legend of Zelda games since the franchise's origins in 1986. Additionally, except for one Zelda title, River and Sea Zoras never appear alongside one another in the same installment. That is a significant part of what makes the appearance of the two subraces in Echoes of Wisdom worth noting.

  • The Legend of Zelda (River Zora)
  • Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link (River Zora)
  • A Link to the Past (River Zora)
  • Link's Awakening (River Zora)
  • Ocarina of Time (Sea Zora)
  • Majora's Mask (Sea Zora)
  • Oracle of Ages / Seasons (River Zora and Sea Zora)
  • The Wind Waker (Sea Zora)
  • Four Swords Adventures (River Zora)
  • Twilight Princess (Sea Zora)
  • The Phantom Hourglass (River Zora)
  • Spirit Tracks (River Zora)
  • A Link Between Worlds (River Zora)
  • Breath of the Wild (Sea Zora)
  • Tears of the Kingdom (Sea Zora)

Canonically, River and Sea Zoras have only ever appeared together in Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons. Furthermore, before Ocarina of Time, River Zoras were simply referred to as the "Zora." However, after the debut of Sea Zoras in Ocarina of Time, they became a household name and are now more commonly recognized as the Zora than their River Zora kin.

River and Sea Zoras Have Appearances Distinct From One Another

As depicted even in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's "Traversing Hyrule" trailer, River Zoras have a monstrous and fish-like form, whereas Sea Zoras take on a more humanoid appearance. More specifically, River Zoras generally have a reptilian look about them that often includes scales and fins. Sea Zoras, on the other hand, are typically much taller, more slender, and have bodies specifically designed to help them swim. The distinct appearances of River Zoras and Sea Zoras have also played into their roles throughout the franchise.

River and Sea Zoras Have Taken on Unique Roles in the Franchise

The biggest difference between River and Sea Zoras is the unique roles they've played throughout the franchise. Since the first Legend of Zelda game was released in 1986, River Zoras have been antagonistic towards Link and are generally more hostile, which compliments their monstrous appearance. Sea Zoras, however, have always been friendly, though Link has still had to earn their trust at times. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom breaks tradition in this regard by making both the River and the Sea Zora friendly towards Zelda, although they are at odds with one another.

Their inner-species conflict was also referenced in Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons​​​​​​.

River and Sea Zoras are quite different from one another, despite belonging to the same race. This is why Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's handling of the two subraces adds one more item to its pile of innovative features, as it dares to boldly take the franchise to new territory. It will be interesting to see how and if the conflict between the River and Sea Zora is resolved.

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The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
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Adventure
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
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Released
September 26, 2024
ESRB
E10+ For Everyone 10+
Developer(s)
Nintendo, Grezzo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Engine
Havok
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Save Hyrule—this time with the wisdom of Princess Zelda!

The people of Hyrule are being stolen away by strange rifts—and with a certain swordsman among the missing, it’s up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in the latest adventure in The Legend of Zelda™ series!



Team up with the ethereal creature Tri and use the Tri Rod to create “echoes,” which are imitations of things you find in the environment—then recreate those echoes whenever you like to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Use echoes like water blocks to reach new heights, make bridges out of old beds, throw rocks at foes, or find your own combination of echoes to do things your way. You can even make echoes of monsters to fight at your side in combat!
 

Platform(s)
Nintendo Switch
Genre(s)
Adventure