Interview with the Developer, Volume 13: Insights on The Legend of Zelda: Whispers of Wisdom - Initial Discussion
The Legend of Zelda series is set to introduce a new instalment, Echoes of Wisdom, for the Nintendo Switch. This top-down adventure game puts Princess Zelda at the forefront, offering a unique twist to the traditional gameplay mechanics.
In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda does not start with classic weapons like swords. Instead, players rely on a creative and versatile system known as Echoes. By using the Tri Rod and a fairy companion named Tri, Zelda can copy environmental objects, enemies, or creatures into Echoes and summon them as needed. These Echoes can interact with the environment and enemies in diverse ways, transforming puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat.
The Echoes system allows for significant innovation in gameplay. For example, copying a bed to escape prison, using water Echoes to cross gaps, or summoning skeleton Echoes to activate distant switches. In combat, players can summon monsters as allies, creating dynamic battles. Furthermore, players can attach Echoes to levers or use binds such as “follow” or “move” to control them remotely, opening up diverse gameplay tactics.
The game's visual style and audio are reminiscent of Link's Awakening remaster, featuring a charming toy-world aesthetic that enhances the playful, inventive atmosphere of the game. Treasures and secrets are hidden in hard-to-reach places, rewarding players for experimenting with Echoes and creative problem-solving.
The development of Echoes of Wisdom was a collaborative effort between Grezzo and Nintendo. Grezzo, an experienced game-development studio, was responsible for creating the game, with Satoshi Terada from Grezzo serving as the project's director. Tomomi Sano from Nintendo's side managed and coordinated the production.
The gameplay concept of Echoes of Wisdom evolved over the course of a year. Initially, the idea was an "edit dungeon," where players could create their own dungeons using copied objects. However, after a year of prototyping, Aonuma suggested shifting the gameplay from creating dungeons to using copied-and-pasted items as tools for further adventure, leading to the development of the "echoes" mechanic.
In summary, Echoes of Wisdom offers a fresh take on the Zelda franchise by making Zelda herself the protagonist and replacing traditional combat methods with a rich, flexible Echoes mechanic that redefines puzzle-solving, exploration, and fighting. The game is set to release soon, promising an exciting new adventure for fans of the series.
[1] Grezzo's official website [2] Nintendo Life [3] IGN [4] Polygon [5] GameSpot
[1] Fans of The Legend of Zelda eagerly await the release of the newest instalment, Echoes of Wisdom, developed by Grezzo for the Nintendo Switch. [2] The top-down adventure game sees Princess Zelda at the forefront, introducing a unique Echoes system for gameplay, offering a creative twist to the traditional gameplay mechanics. [3] The game's collaborative development between Grezzo and Nintendo reflects a year-long process refining the original idea from an "edit dungeon" to a rich and diverse adventure utilizing the Echoes mechanic for puzzle-solving, exploration, and combat. [4] The visual style of Echoes of Wisdom mirrors Link's Awakening remaster, featuring a toy-world aesthetic that enhances the game's playful atmosphere. [5] As the launch date approaches, fans can stay informed about updates by visiting game review websites such as Grezzo's official website, Nintendo Life, IGN, Polygon, and GameSpot.
