The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom rating seemingly spoils a major plot twist
An ESRB rating suggests that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom could feature more sections with a playable Link, seemingly going against the premise of this being Princess Zelda's game.
15th Jul 2024 12:08
Images via Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom rating seemingly spoils a major plot twist
An ESRB rating suggests that The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom could feature more sections with a playable Link, seemingly going against the premise of this being Princess Zelda's game.
15th Jul 2024 12:08
Images via Nintendo
We thought this was supposed to be a woman's world, or at least, that's what the trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom had us believe - finally giving Princess Zelda the game she deserves. After 38 years of living in Link's shadow, it seems like our hardened heroine is getting her time to shine.
Before Tears of the Kingdom even came out, there had been talks about a playable Zelda (after all, the series is called Zelda) or giving her a game of her own. We didn't have to wait long, with June's Nintendo Direct confirming that Echoes of Wisdom would feature a fully playable Zelda. But what about Link?
Echoes of Wisdom rating teases major Link twist
Echoes of Wisdom's whole premise seems to flip the franchise's classic damsel in distress formula on its head, with Link being MIA and Zelda taking his place. Instead of swinging a sword at Bokoblins, Zelda will use magical powers to conjure up everything from tables to enemies.
Although the haters have been forced to accept the 'woke' idea that this is very much a Zelda game with her as its focus, an ESRB rating seemingly spoils that Link will be playable at some point. Although only brief, the description says, "As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies."
Some take this to mean that we'll play as Link in the game's prologue, only for him to be taken and Zelda forced to step up. Others think that Link will be playable in other sections or possibly unlocked at the end of the game, and you'll get to replay the adventure in its entirety as the Kokiri outcast.
Over on the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, opinion was split on whether players would want this. One fan wrote, "I’d love a second world concept where things Zelda does in her world changes things for Link and vice versa. They’ve played with that concept in Link to the Past as well as in the Oracle games too."
Someone else added, "A second quest that's a sort of Castlevania-style "replay the game as a different character" mode could be pretty neat, but imo also just doesn't really feel like something they'd do for the "you finally play as Zelda" game."
It seems a shame to create such hype about a Zelda game where Zelda is the actual focus only to steal some of the limelight away from her. Still, Link's marketability and legacy mean it would be a shrewd move to have us play again or play a brand-new area as the series' protagonist.
The trailers suggested that Link would be playable for at least the start of Echoes of Wisdom, but whether the hardened Hylian will have a bigger role to play remains to be seen.
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Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
