Zelda: EoW Has More in Common with Twilight Princess Than You Think

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Zelda: EoW Has More in Common with Twilight Princess Than You Think

As a seasoned gamer who’s been navigating the enchanting world of Hyrule for over two decades now, I must say that Nintendo has always managed to surprise me with their innovative takes on The Legend of Zelda franchise. However, it’s not every day you come across a game that feels like it’s been plucked straight from your nostalgic memories. Enter Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

Over time, the Legend of Zelda series has evolved into various shapes, and games like Zelda: The Wind Waker and Zelda: Breath of the Wild appear to belong to separate franchises. During the Wii period, the franchise moved away from its more playful, cartoonish style towards a more realistic approach with Zelda: Twilight Princess. This game is often praised as one of the best in the series, and Nintendo hasn’t returned to that unique style since. However, it seems that Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom could potentially fill this gap, to some extent.

In a somewhat different vein than Twilight Princess, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom appears; however, there are more resemblances between the two games than one might initially assume. The game’s structure, in particular, seems to have been inspired by Link’s grittier storyline from that era. While this may not be the long-awaited continuation of Twilight Princess some fans were expecting, it is refreshing to see its influence still evident after so many console generations.

Twilight Princess and Echoes of Wisdom Feel Very Similar

Twilight Princess and Echoes of Wisdom Share Similar Plot Structures

One notable similarity between “Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” and “Twilight Princess” lies in their central narratives. In “Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom”, the kingdom of Hyrule is under threat by colossal fissures leading to the Still World, with Princess Zelda taking on the responsibility to halt their spread. Conversely, in “Twilight Princess”, it’s the Twilight Realm that encroaches upon Hyrule. Despite differences in the realms threatening the kingdom, the basic plot structure appears strikingly similar, with one of the main variations being the character who must resolve the crisis.

The similarities in the storylines don’t stop at just being alike; there’s an entire section that seems like it was directly copied and pasted. In the game Zelda: Twilight Princess, Link gets arrested after transforming into a wolf and is placed in a cold, wet prison cell. It’s here where he encounters the enigmatic Midna, who eventually assists him in escaping. Remarkably, something very much like this happens in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom too. In this game, upon her return to Hyrule, Zelda is arrested and it’s a fairy named Tri who shows up to aid her in breaking free. They both get imprisoned, they both have helpers, and they are both tasked with saving their kingdom from an uncertain fate.

Both Game Also Seem to Share Similar Mechanics

In addition to their storylines, both games feature a common gameplay aspect concerning manipulation of various items. For instance, in the game Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda acquires the Tri Rod, an item that can generate echoes and attach to objects. Similarly, as players advance in Twilight Princess, they obtain the Dominion Rod, a tool that animates statues.

These statues will copy Link’s actions and can be employed to attack foes or execute special skills. Although the Tri-Rod offers a multitude of functions, it also enables objects, statues, or enemies to track the player using its binding ability. While it seems heavily influenced by the Sheikah Slate from Zelda: Breath of the Wild, this feature must have originated somewhere, and perhaps Twilight Princess paved the way.

During their journeys in Hyrule, some observant fans might recognize a few other shared traits, such as Tri’s companions bearing a striking resemblance to the Light Spirits. Given that they belong to the same series, it’s natural for similarities to emerge as the concepts develop and expand over time. It’s intriguing to notice these recurring themes years later, and I’m curious to see if Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will leave as lasting an impression as Twilight Princess appears to have.

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2024-10-05 16:33