Zelda: EoW May Be the Nail in the Coffin for One Dungeon Tradition

Zelda: EoW May Be the Nail in the Coffin for One Dungeon Tradition

As a long-time Zelda fan and avid adventurer through Hyrule, I must say that the latest addition to the series, “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom,” has truly taken my breath away. The developers have once again proven their mastery over innovation while maintaining the essence of what makes this franchise so beloved.


In “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom,” the series maintains its forward-thinking approach and introduces a host of fresh, first-time elements. Notably, this game marks the first appearance of Princess Zelda as the lead character in a “Zelda” game. Interestingly, her presence in “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” seems to have signaled the end of an established series characteristic.

Incorporating Zelda as the main character introduced a significant hurdle due to her lack of association with weapons like the Master Sword. While Link is known for wielding such artifacts, Zelda has typically been more attuned to magic. In creating Zelda’s magical combat style for Echoes of Wisdom, developers might have signaled a departure from conventional dungeons and the toolkits or items that usually accompany them, suggesting that the series is now embracing new directions.

The Legends of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom May Have Changed Dungeons Forever

Recent Zelda Games Have Taken a Wildly Different Direction

Without a doubt, “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” marked a groundbreaking new chapter for the entire “Legend of Zelda” series. Despite its unique approach, developers have emphasized that they’ve been faithfully adhering to the vision they’ve nurtured since the initial game. However, “Tears of the Kingdom” took innovation to another level, leaving some fans speculating whether the series was moving away from certain established traditions for good.

The modifications, whether large or minor, generally lead towards one common path. For instance, the Triforce was missing from both Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, leading some to believe it might not return. Likewise, the most substantial alteration is undoubtedly the redesign of dungeons. With Echoes of Wisdom striking thrice in a row, this adjustment in dungeon design appears to be permanent.

Classic Zelda Dungeons May Never Make a Comeback

The traditional Zelda series tends to stick to a familiar pattern: Link ventures into a maze-like dungeon encountering challenges he isn’t yet equipped to handle. After gaining an essential item, he manages to overcome the dungeon. In the era of Nintendo Switch games, this formula has mostly been bypassed except in the remake of Link’s Awakening.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve noticed an exciting shift in the modern games I play. Instead of advancing through gradual progression, it’s now all about personal progression. Unlike before where we slowly accumulated items throughout our journey, today we’re equipped with a versatile toolkit right from the get-go. It’s up to us to use these tools in various creative ways.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Continues New Dungeon Design Trend

In the game “Echoes of Wisdom,” Zelda’s playable design, featuring the Tri Rod, effectively embodies her magical combat style. However, when it comes to iconic weapons, the Tri Rod falls short compared to the Master Sword. Interestingly, the Tri Rod bears a resemblance to Ultrahand from “Tears of the Kingdom.” In terms of dungeon design, Zelda can employ a versatile approach in “Echoes of Wisdom” by using the Tri Rod, similar to how one might use a Swiss army knife.

Many puzzles are modeled around the central concept of Echoes and it’s likely that players come up with innovative uses for these Echoes beyond what the game could have offered if it were designed more conventionally. Similarly, Zelda’s power to create Echoes of enemies expands combat possibilities, not just within dungeons but also in other areas.

In the game titled “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom“, you won’t find as many dungeon items as in traditional “Zelda” games. However, this doesn’t mean it falls short of meeting expectations; instead, it reflects a trend that has become common in the series. On the contrary, the game adopting modern gameplay styles could be seen as a hint that the era of linear dungeons might be coming to an end.

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2024-10-22 19:05