Nintendo Reveals Echoes of Wisdom’s Place on The Legend of Zelda Timeline

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Nintendo Reveals Echoes of Wisdom's Place on The Legend of Zelda Timeline

Key Takeaways

  • The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom takes place between Tri Force Heroes and the original Legend of Zelda.
  • The game is part of the “Hero is defeated” timeline, which follows a universe in which Link failed to defeat Ganon in Ocarina of Time.

As a seasoned Zelda gamer with over two decades of Hyrule exploration under my belt, it’s always a thrill to see new additions to the timeline. The placement of “Echoes of Wisdom” is a fascinating revelation that adds depth to this expansive universe.

The tale known as “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” now officially fits within the chronology of the Zelda series, positioned between “Tri Force Heroes” and the original “Legend of Zelda.” Although the most recent Zelda game borrows heavily from the artistic style of the remake of “Link’s Awakening,” it is not a direct continuation. Instead, “Echoes of Wisdom” belongs to the same branch of the timeline but occurs at a later time.

Each time a fresh “Zelda” game debuts, fans often ponder its position within the series continuity right away. While Nintendo has established an official timeline, there’s still debate about its accuracy, with many players suggesting that it doesn’t align perfectly with other fan theories. Even the director of “Zelda” admits that gameplay takes precedence over story development, indicating that Nintendo might not give as much thought to the sequence of the games as fans do. Nevertheless, the official timeline holds significant importance for followers of the franchise, and now we know where “Echoes of Wisdom” fits in.

Initially, the release of the game “Echoes of Wisdom” on September 26 left some uncertainty about its position within the “Zelda” series timeline. However, after an update to Nintendo’s official “Zelda” history webpage, fans now have a definitive answer. It has been confirmed that “Echoes of Wisdom” belongs to the timeline where the Hero (Link) is defeated in “Ocarina of Time.” More precisely, it falls after “Tri Force Heroes,” creating a gap of three games between it and “Link’s Awakening,” which influenced its unique art style.

Echoes of Wisdom Is a Distant Prequel to the Original Legend of Zelda

In a departure from a direct sequel, “Echoes of Wisdom” is envisioned as a prequel to the 1986 classic “Legend of Zelda,” but not immediately so. The official timeline indicates that Hyrule’s decline occurs between the two stories, implying an extended period of non-game events transpiring after “Echoes” but before the original “Zelda.” This era of Hyrule’s decline is deeply rooted in the series’ history, and hints previously dropped have suggested that “Echoes of Wisdom” aligns with this downfall timeline. However, now it’s explicitly understood where it fits within this period—just before Hyrule’s fall, as it turns out.

The anticipated position of “Echoes of Wisdom” within the chronology may not come as a shock to many enthusiasts, given its alignment with earlier assumptions. However, it’s not an ideal match. The way it portrays the Triforce as a secretive, enigmatic power seems more suitable for the adult timeline rather than the timeline of decline. Nevertheless, such inconsistencies are not exclusive to “Echoes.” In fact, the Zelda timeline is riddled with complexities, possibly due to Nintendo prioritizing gameplay fun over an intricate narrative structure. At least, fans can now rest assured that they no longer need to debate the title’s canonical placement.

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2024-11-26 18:53