September 6th 2024.
Princess Zelda has always been known as a supporting character, but after 40 years, she is finally getting her chance to shine as the hero of Hyrule. The highly anticipated game, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, is set to release for the Nintendo Switch in just a few weeks. Having had the opportunity to play the game for an hour, I can confidently say that its creators are taking risks and pushing the boundaries of the franchise.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a game filled with endless ideas and endless creativity. It's clear that the developers have put a lot of thought into every aspect of the game. Similar to its predecessor, Tears of the Kingdom, this game gives players the freedom to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in ways that have never been seen before in a 2D or 3D Zelda game.
My demo began with Princess Zelda and her new companion, Tri, trapped in a cell. Unfortunately, I was not able to watch the opening cutscene, so I'm unsure of how they ended up there. However, Zelda was well equipped to escape thanks to her staff, a glowing table, and a large hole in the wall. With the press of a button, Zelda can "Learn" the abilities of the objects around her. This new feature, known as "table echo," allows her to summon and dispel objects at will.
Much like in Breath of the Wild, players can cycle through items using the d-pad and right thumbstick. In my demo, I quickly summoned a table to reach the shelf, then created a second table to escape through the open door. Classic Zelda gameplay is evident as players must evade guards and use their wit and skills to overcome obstacles. The game continuously introduces new tools and enemies, providing a relentless and exciting experience.
Once I made it past the guards, I was introduced to the game's main mechanic - the ability to "tether" to objects. This allows Zelda to exploit the movement of enemies and objects to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. It's a mind-bending concept that adds a new layer of strategy to the game.
As I progressed through the game, I encountered enemies with various abilities. It was crucial to know which objects were effective against them, similar to how trainers in Pokemon must know their enemy's weaknesses. The world of Hyrule has been ravaged by mysterious rifts, and it's up to Zelda to save it by entering these rifts and dispelling them. The game does not hold back in its challenges, gradually increasing the difficulty as players progress.
The first rift I entered, known as the "Still World," was a unique and beautifully designed environment. People and objects trapped in the rift were frozen in time, and Zelda could jump and swim without any special items. This aspect came in handy while navigating through the Still World and solving puzzles. Upon completing the first dungeon, I faced off against an evil version of Link, which proved to be a tough battle. However, with the help of my overpowered echo and some well-timed tethering, I was able to defeat him and collect his sword.
The sword allows Zelda to transform into Link, giving her the ability to battle enemies head-on and cut through obstacles. However, this transformation is limited and requires energy shards to be collected in the Still World. The game continues to introduce new mechanics and challenges, and I was only able to scratch the surface in my short time with it.
As I reflect on my experience with the game, I'm amazed by how seamlessly Nintendo has implemented such a wide variety of mechanics. I didn't even have a chance to explore everything the game has to offer, such as riding a horse or interacting with the quirky townsfolk. From what I've seen, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has the potential to become a genre-defining title, much like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. I can't wait to play more when it releases on September 26 for the Nintendo Switch.
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