The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom might be most notable for allowing you to play as Zelda herself, but series mainstay Link will also be playable, according to the game’s ESRB listing. Just how prominent of a role he plays, however, remains to be seen.
The listing reads, “As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies; Zelda can use a magic wand to summon creatures (e.g., wind-up knights, pig soldiers, slime) for battle.” What exactly the split between Link and Zelda will entail is still unknown. Zelda’s ability set will likely be entirely different from Link’s. She can also summon household items like tables and chairs and more unusual objects like water blocks.
Some users on Reddit have speculated, based on the trailer, that you will play as Link in an intro section and then take over as Zelda once he is captured. Other users speculated that you will be able to play as Link in a new game plus mode, a la similar modes in Castlevania.
The opening moments of the trailer–where Link battles and defeats Ganon before getting trapped in a portal–look like edited-together gameplay. Playing as another character in the opening section is a regular video game trick, used in games like Star Fox Adventures and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Nevertheless, proving this theory correct or finding out if Link does have a more extensive role will have to wait until the game’s full release.
Preorders for Echoes of Wisdom are live. The game releases on September 26, 2024.
