When Nintendo released “The Legend of Zelda” in 1986, the title character was barely an afterthought. The legend was really about the swordsman Link, who crossed the land battling monsters and braving treacherous dungeons before finally rescuing Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon. “The Legend of Zelda” became a classic and spawned one of the most successful franchises in gaming history.
Link, Zelda and Ganon have seen their characters evolve through numerous sequels and spinoffs. Yet until this week’s release of “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” for the Nintendo Switch, Zelda had yet to take a starring role in the series. Zelda’s debut as the playable hero in “Echoes of Wisdom” is a delightful, lengthy and at times innovative adventure, though one that misses an opportunity to give the protagonist a chance to truly shine.
Despite the game’s draw being the long-awaited chance to play as Zelda, “Echoes of Wisdom” opens with the player in control of Link. The hero soon confronts Ganon, who has imprisoned Zelda within a gem. Link emerges victorious in the ensuing battle, but at the moment of his triumph he is swallowed up by a growing rift.
Before falling into the chasm, he shatters Zelda’s prison with an arrow. With Link out of the picture, it’s up to Zelda to close the rifts that are growing all over the world and save her kingdom. Zelda has demonstrated martial prowess in other games, but despite being tasked with saving the .
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