Tears Of The Kingdom & Echoes Of Wisdom May Have Accidentally Started A New Zelda Gameplay Trend

The releases of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom introduce a new gameplay trend that could become a mainstay for the Zelda franchise. Despite some notable differences in story and art direction, EOW and TOTK have a lot in common with each other. The best example of this concept is how both entries utilize their own unique mechanics that open up new opportunities in their respective versions of Hyrule.

Link’s Ultrahand and Fuse abilities in TOTK share similarities with Princess Zelda’s Echo and Bind abilities in EOW in how these mechanics can be applied during traversal. Both games emphasize utilizing these abilities and the surrounding environment to assist in exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. While these mechanics are certainly enjoyable to play around with, both TOTK and EOW hint at how these abilities are a sign of huge changes for the Zelda franchise going forward.

TOTK & EOW Have Taken Zelda In A New Direction

Both Games Break Progression Wide Open

The biggest change that comes from TOTK‘s and EOW‘s new mechanics is the freedom given to the player. The abilities handed to Link or Zelda at the beginning of their respective titles are the only tools required to explore each world. Both games allow the player to approach the adventure at their own pace, tailoring the experience to each individual exploring either version of Hyrule. It also adds replay value to TOTK and EOW, with each subsequent playthrough being different from the last, especially when the player becomes more familiar with each ability and the best way to utilize them.

Zelda Learning an Echo in Echoes of Wisdom

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This open approach to traversal extends further to include the complex challenges and puzzles featured in both TOTK and EOW. Rather than discouraging the approach of said challenges due to a lack of required items, the games instead push players to consider how Link or Zelda’s abilities can be used in tandem with the items at their disposal to create a path forward. The greatest strength of TOTK and EOW comes in their experimentation, which is simply unrivaled, especially when compared to the previous entries in the Zelda franchise.

The Next Zelda Game Should Take Note

There’s No Going Back For The Zelda Series

Link in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looking shocked as a fire blazes behind him on his left, and his right hand is holding a glowing green orb of light on the right.

While all games in the Zelda franchise offer plenty of exploration, they often limit access to that freedom at the beginning. Many Zelda entries favor a more linear approach, requiring the player to comb through multiple dungeons in a specific order to obtain the items that open up more of the world. It ultimately makes for an experience that, while enjoyable, often feels formulaic and restrictive. It also means there’s often little distinction between multiple playthroughs of these Zelda games.

Zelda in front of the Jabul Waters rift in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom.

One Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Dungeon Is Shockingly Easy To Skip

Beating the Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a lot easier with some creative play, and one major dungeon skip is surprisingly simple.

TOTK‘s and EOW‘s mechanics aren’t just cool features of their respective titles. Link’s and Zelda’s new abilities completely restructure the series formula and the requirements for progression, which is both a breath of fresh air for a nearly 40-year-old franchise and a new trend that a future mainline Zelda entry should follow. By taking a step back and allowing the player to explore the world to their heart’s desire, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom accentuate Zelda‘s sense of discovery and thrill of adventure, resulting in an exciting, freeing experience.