Zelda Needs to Go Back to Its Roots

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Summary

  • The toon art style of Zelda games like The Wind Waker conveys warmth and charm.
  • Echoes of Wisdom continues the toon legacy with a “toyish” design, bridging past and future art styles.
  • The game’s welcoming visuals pave the way for future Zelda installments to return to the beloved toon art style.

Over nearly four decades, the visual aesthetic of The Legend of Zelda has evolved significantly, ranging from the classic 8-bit pixel art of its early titles to more realistic renderings like those seen in games such as Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. Nevertheless, one particular art style for this series is particularly endearing, and Echoes of Wisdom convincingly advocates for a revisit to this distinctive visual approach in the game’s future installments.

Among all the artistic styles that The Legend of Zelda series has showcased, none quite match the charm of the “toon” style found in games such as The Wind Waker and Four Swords. Unlike other art styles used within the series which typically aim to depict realism or dark fantasy, the cartoonish style of The Legend of Zeldom usually evokes feelings of warmth and coziness. This is evident in the latest game in the franchise, Echoes of Wisdom, which has successfully continued this tradition while also setting a path for future games to do the same.

Zelda Should Return to Its Toon Style After Echoes of Wisdom

Zelda Games Like Wind Waker Are Known for the Charm Conjured by Their Toon Art Style

Among the various games in the The Legend of Zelda series, The Wind Waker stands out as the most emblematic due to its unique, toony art style. Initially, this game’s cel-shaded graphics and over-the-top character designs were met with mixed reactions. However, over time, they have contributed significantly to making The Wind Waker one of the series’ most cherished titles. Today, it is admired for its enduring appeal and accessibility. Interestingly, this art style often gives the impression that any Zelda game using it has a more childish feel, but since Link is typically portrayed as a child, it ultimately complements Link’s character and the storyline effectively.

The distinctive art style of “The Wind Waker” triggered a significant shift in the visual aesthetic of the “Legend of Zelda” series, inspiring numerous following games to embrace a similar design that was widely appreciated.

In addition to The Wind Waker, there was also Four Swords, a multiplayer-centric Zelda game that took advantage of the Game Boy Advance’s capabilities with its cartoonish visuals. Following this, we had Four Swords Adventures, which maintained the whimsical and cartoon-like aesthetics to create a more welcoming and enjoyable group gaming experience. Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks were released later, retaining the cartoonish art style, with Tri Force Heroes being the final installment in the series’ cartoon-themed legacy in 2015.

Echoes of Wisdom Opens the Door for Future Zelda Games to Feature the Toon Art Style Once More

In essence, “Echoes of Wisdom” can be seen as a continuation of the cartoon-inspired aesthetic popularized by “The Wind Waker” within the “Zelda” franchise. However, it doesn’t follow the same design principles as games like “The Wind Waker” and “Phantom Hourglass.” Instead, it embraces the toy-like design reminiscent of games such as the 2019 remake of “Link’s Awakening.” Despite these differences, its charming and soothing visuals pave the way for the series to revisit the cartoonish art style that was once divisive among fans but has since grown to be a cherished aspect of its history.

Echoes of Wisdom adapts and updates the cartoonish art style from The Legend of Zelda, demonstrating how such styles can connect the past and future of the game series. By emphasizing its whimsical, friendly visuals, the series could rekindle the charm that made games like The Wind Waker popular, despite initial controversy. Here’s hoping for more Toon Link appearances in upcoming Zelda installments.

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2025-01-18 01:37