A link to the past, indeed. The Legend of Zelda intends to stick to its roots and provide new games that maintain that “Zelda-like” quality we’ve loved since the very first game.
Being a long-time fan comes with its own set of obstacles.
When we become used to a franchise utilising specific mechanics, or favouring a set art style, it’s hard to reconcile with sudden changes.
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Nintendo has done a reasonable job at dealing with these tense moments for fans, delivering both 2D and 3D renditions of the cherished series.
It's time for Zelda to do the rescuing in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.
It’s a winning formula that the publisher has no intention of messing with.
In an interview with Famitsu, which has since been translated by Nintendo Everything, The Legend of Zelda’s series producer, Eiji Aonuma, discussed the importance of using these two contrasting styles.
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Aonuma said, “The top-down gameplay style that has been used continuously in the series is very ‘Zelda-like’, and we’d like to keep this up as a contrast to the dynamic 3D games."
“We want to not just create something that inherits the mechanics of Echoes of Wisdom, but add new elements to make people go, ‘So this is what they’re doing this time?’”
Experiences like Tears of the Kingdom are compellingly dynamic, but they also present limitations that 2D adventures can embrace.
A Link Between Worlds is a fantastic example of this. Being able to transform into a painting of Link was easily understood due to the top-down perspective of the game.
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Learning that Nintendo intends to continue using 2D graphics isn’t all that shocking, in truth.
Echoes of Wisdom’s aesthetic wasn’t praised by all fans – little ever is – however, it’s a hugely successful game despite the odd criticism.
What comes next is for Nintendo to know and us to eagerly find out.
It could be that an announcement for a new game is just around the corner, or it could be that we’ve got months – years – to wait for another Legend of Zelda journey.
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When it happens isn’t important. We know that the franchise intends to remain true to its roots; that’s news enough for us.
Topics: Nintendo, Nintendo Switch, The Legend Of Zelda