After The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the next game in the series will need its own unique take on combat. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom approached combat in a way that no other game in the series has to date, and this can have a significant impact on the next traditional Legend of Zelda title. Link may not end up taking a lot of exact hints from the way Zelda fights in Echoes of Wisdom, but the game's innovative nature is a good sign for the series' future regardless.
The unique mechanics of Echoes of Wisdom are what make it a notable addition to The Legend of Zelda franchise. The bulk of the gameplay revolves around Zelda's use of the Tri Rod to create echoes of various objects, including enemies. These echoes see a tremendous amount of use throughout the game, whether they're used to traverse the world, solve puzzles, and of course, fight the scores of enemies that Zelda encounters. The sheer amount of echoes available also ensures plenty of possibilities for most occasions. Overall, Echoes of Wisdom's signature gimmick is a resounding success in terms of fun and creativity.
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Echoes of Wisdom Set a High Bar For Creativity in The Legend of Zelda's Combat
Echoes of Wisdom Dramatically Changed The Legend of Zelda's Combat
The way that Echoes of Wisdom approaches combat fits its innovative design. Zelda has the obvious option of summoning enemies to fight other enemies, but there is much more in her arsenal as well. She has several non-enemy echoes that can also be used to attack or waylay enemies. There are also the unlockable robots that she can get from Dampe that will attack in their own ways. Finally, Zelda herself can jump into the fray by expending energy to enter Swordfighter form and employ Link's usual tactics. With so many options available, Echoes of Wisdom's combat is frequently an exciting affair.
The Legend of Zelda Shouldn't Stop Innovating in Combat
The Legend of Zelda has experimented with combat before, with Tears of the Kingdom's Fuse ability being a prominent example of such. However, the amount of new features and innovation that went into Echoes of Wisdom's combat design is what makes it stand out. While it's undoubtedly fun, it also creates a potential hazard for the next game in the series. After Echoes of Wisdom changed the game so much, the next Legend of Zelda could benefit from its own twist to maintain momentum. After all, going completely back to basics may not work for a series that's been trying new things for ages.
The Next Legend of Zelda Still Has More Ideas to Try
The next Legend of Zelda game has plenty of options at its disposal. The wider weapon array in Breath of the Wild already greatly expanded Link's arsenal, but a new combat trick could be what the next game needs. For instance, a greater emphasis on mobility, possibly with new features for the hookshot or grappling hook, could greatly affect the flow of combat. Likewise, the next game could have another new gimmick similar to the Zonai Arm or Tri Rod that heavily paints all aspects of gameplay. Either way, this approach would make sure that The Legend of Zelda continues challenging players in new ways.
After Echoes of Wisdom changed the game so much, the next Legend of Zelda may need its own twist to maintain momentum.
Echoes of Wisdom's multifaceted battles were some of the series' most creative yet. As such, even when Link is the protagonist again, combat in future Legend of Zelda games would benefit greatly from continuing to try new things. Players have enjoyed a bevy of new features for the last few games, and there's good reason for the series to continue this trend. The Legend of Zelda has been innovating for ages, and after Echoes of Wisdom, the series has more room than ever before to experiment with its combat.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- September 26, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo, Grezzo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Engine
- Havok
- Franchise
- The Legend of Zelda
WHERE TO PLAY
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!
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
