Key Takeaways
- Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom introduces Zelda as a playable character with a considerable arsenal of unique abilities.
- The game features 127 echoes that players can use for combat & traversal, enhancing Zelda’s gameplay.
- Zelda utilizes Bind, Reverse Bond, and Automatons for combat, providing a fresh approach to gameplay.
While Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is not the first game in the franchise to make Zelda a playable character, it is the first mainline game to give her this much attention. Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom does much more than simply put the titular princess on center stage, however, as Zelda has several advantages over Link.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gives the princess more abilities than almost any other game in the series, and rightly so, considering this is the first mainline game to give her a starring role. In addition to her Tri Rod, she is able to use an Ultrahand-like ability, Bind, and its variant, Reverse Bond, as well as unique items called Automatons that help her in battle.
Zelda’s Echoes of Wisdom Abilities Make Her a Powerhouse
There Are Countless Echoes to Find and Use in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Considering Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s title, it makes sense why Zelda’s Tri Rod and the echoes it can create would be a major focal point of its gameplay. Using the Tri Rod, players can create echoes of various items and monsters and then use them in both traversal and combat. Currently, there are 127 echoes to learn in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, which is a massive number in light of the game’s map size. Such a vast number of echoes in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom suggests they come in a wide variety of forms, from mundane to exotic — and it turns out that is very much true.
An old bed can be used to create a set of stairs to reach greater heights. A pot, on the other hand, can be used by Zelda to hide in when she’s trying to sneak around without getting caught. On top of that, players can create echoes of almost any enemy they find in the game, from Spear Moblins and Sword Moblins that will assist in combat to a Strandtula that will create a string of web for Zelda to climb. As players progress further into the reaches of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s Hyrule, they will find even more useful items and enemies, even a Stuffed Toy bear that can be used to distract certain gullible foes. It’s a massive upgrade from Link’s simple sword and shield setup, giving Zelda the debut she deserves.
Players Can Use Bind and Reverse Bond to Move and Be Moved By Objects
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom‘s Bind ability may look a lot like Tears of the Kingdom‘s Ultrahand ability, and that’s really because it’s very similar. Bind can be used in the same way that Ultrahand can to move objects around. For example, players can use Bind on certain objects like gravestones to move them and reveal secret stairs or rupees. Bind can also be used to prevent enemies from advancing on Zelda or to simply move a large boulder out of the way.
Bind’s other variant, Reverse Bond, allows Zelda to be moved by enemies and objects, which can come in handy when players least expect it.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s Automatons Provide Unique Combat Opportunities
One ability players will gain once they’ve made a bit of progress in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the ability to use Automatons. Upon finding Dampe in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom and completing his initial quest, he will reward players with the Techtite Automaton that functions similarly to a bomb. Unfortunately, Automatons will break after a certain number of uses, but Dampe can repair them for a small price. There are several different Automatons to obtain in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, each with a unique ability.
It’s clear that Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom didn’t want its titular protagonist to arrive empty-handed or with only some Link-centric abilities, and the game is much better for it. Hopefully, this is the start of something big for the princess and the future of the Zelda franchise.