Tears Of The Kingdom And 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 pillar 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 on how these mechanics can be applied during the crossing. Both games emphasize using these skills and the surrounding environment to aid exploration.combat and puzzle solving. While these mechanics are certainly fun to play around with, both TOTK and EOW suggest how these abilities are a sign of major changes for the Zelda franchise going forward.

TOTK and EOW took Zelda in a new direction

Both games break progression completely open

The biggest change coming TOTK‘sand EOWThe new mechanic is the freedom given to the player. The abilities given to Link or Zelda at the beginning of their respective titles are the only tools needed 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 the TOTK and EOWwith each subsequent playthrough being different from the previous one, especially as the player becomes familiar with each skill and how best to utilize them.

This open-ended approach to traversal extends further to include the complex challenges and puzzles presented in both TOTK and EOW. Rather than discouraging approaching these challenges due to a lack of necessary items, the games prompt players to consider how Link or Zelda’s abilities can be used in conjunction with the items at their disposal to create a path forward. The greatest strength of TOTK and EOW Come on your trialwhich is simply incomparable, especially when compared to previous entries in the Zelda franchise.

The next Zelda game is one to watch

There’s no going back for the Zelda series

Although all games in Zelda Franchises offer a lot of exploration, they often limit access to that freedom at the beginning. Many Zelda inputs favor a more linear approachrequiring the player to search various dungeons in a specific order to obtain the items that open up the world further. Ultimately, it provides an experience that, while enjoyable, often feels formulaic and restrictive. This also means that there is often little distinction between multiple plays of these Zelda games.

TOTK‘sand EOWThe mechanics aren’t just cool features of their respective titles. Link 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 the input must follow. By taking a step back and allowing the player to explore the world as they wish, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Echoes of Wisdom accentuate Zeldathe sense of discovery and the thrill of adventure, resulting in a thrilling and liberating experience.