Zelda's makers reflect on the princess's first big adventure

In the enchanting realm of video games, Princess Zelda has long been a beloved character, known for her role in the iconic Nintendo franchise. For years, she played a supporting role, always assisting the main hero, Link, in his quests. However, this year marked a significant turning point for Zelda as she took center stage in the newly released game, 'Echoes of Wisdom. ' This game is particularly noteworthy as it is the first Nintendo-published title to feature Zelda as the main protagonist. The game transports players to a vibrant world filled with stunning landscapes, including castles, lush forests, and even a smoking volcano. In the game, Zelda wields a magical wand and is accompanied by a small, glowing orb creature that leaves a trail of golden light. The announcement of 'Echoes of Wisdom' came as a delightful surprise to fans, who quickly recognized the importance of having Zelda as the lead character. The game also introduces a fresh gameplay style that deviates from the traditional sword-and-shield approach seen in previous Zelda titles. Instead, players can now copy items and enemies they encounter during their adventures. These copied items, referred to as echoes, can be summoned or 'pasted' into the game world, allowing players to devise creative solutions to various challenges and puzzles. For instance, players might stack beds and boxes to scale walls or unleash multiple enemies to assist in defeating formidable bosses. Eiji Aonuma, the series producer, expressed that while the focus of discussions would likely be on Zelda's new role, he was more concerned about whether players would grasp the unique gameplay mechanics introduced in 'Echoes of Wisdom. ' This sentiment was echoed by directors Tomomi Sano and Satoshi Terada, who shared their own anxieties about how fans would receive the new elements. Terada, who leads the third-party co-developer Grezzo, admitted to feeling nervous about whether Zelda fans would embrace these changes. Sano, on the other hand, felt a sense of relief when she observed positive reactions from players after the game's release. As players began to explore 'Echoes of Wisdom,' some reported that it took time to adjust to the new gameplay system. Aonuma, who played through the game eight times during its development, acknowledged that he experienced similar feelings during his initial playthrough. However, he soon realized that there were various methods to overcome puzzles and challenges, which enhanced his overall experience. This realization became a turning point for him, as he discovered the joy of experimenting with different strategies to solve problems. The developers aimed to encourage players to think outside the box and explore creative solutions. They were thrilled to see how players utilized the game's mechanics in unexpected ways. For example, one popular trick involved combining a bed with a tornado to launch Zelda into the air, a clever tactic that surprised the developers. Sano expressed her amazement at how players used the tornado and bed to navigate mountains, showcasing the creativity of the gaming community. While 'Echoes of Wisdom' received praise for its sense of freedom and creativity, it was not without its criticisms. Some players voiced concerns about the game's performance on the Nintendo Switch, which was released in 2017. Many noted that the frame rate, which affects the smoothness of animations, was inconsistent. Sano confirmed that the game employs a variable frame rate, which the developers believed was the best option available. Additionally, players and reviewers raised issues with the menu system used to select echoes during gameplay. With a total of 127 echoes to gather, players found the process of scrolling through a long row of icons cumbersome. Although there were filtering options available, many felt that the menu could have been more user-friendly. Terada explained that the developers wanted players to discover different ways to utilize each echo, which is why they designed the menu to encourage exploration. He also mentioned an alternative notebook method that allows players to access their collected echoes more efficiently. As 'Echoes of Wisdom' celebrates its success, it coincides with the upcoming 40th anniversary of the Zelda franchise in 2026. Aonuma expressed that the game shares some similarities with the original Zelda title, and he is excited about the future of the series. He envisions continuing to create both dynamic 3D Zelda games and classic 2D top-down adventures, ensuring that fans have a variety of experiences to look forward to. The future of Nintendo remains a topic of speculation among fans, who eagerly await news about the next console after the Switch. While Aonuma did not reveal any details about that, he did share his vision for the next installments of Zelda, hinting at the possibility of both 3D and 2D adventures in the future.