Looks Like Link Is Playable In Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom After All

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is coming to Switch on September 26, and it’s giving the titular princess a long overdue starring role. However, it sounds like you might not be playing solely as Zelda, despite her being the headliner. According to the game’s ESRB rating, Link will be playable for at least some of the game.

Echoes of Wisdom has been rated E10+.. The write-up reveals some gameplay details, outlining some things we’ve already seen, like Zelda’s use of magic to summon creatures, but also mentions that players will use a sword and arrows to fight “as Link.” This was probably not how Nintendo hoped folks would find out, but at least ESRB doesn’t give any real context for how much of the game you play as Link. The reveal trailer’s opening moments show that there will be a point where Zelda is trapped, and it looks like there’s a playable segment in which Link must save her, so it’s entirely possible that the game starts with Link as the hero, only to shift perspectives after an opening level. The full description reads as follows:

“This is an adventure game in which players assume the role of Zelda as she attempts to dispel rifts throughout Hyrule and rescue Link. From a ¾-overhead perspective, players explore various environments while fighting stylized enemies (e.g., humans, creatures). As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies; Zelda can use a magic wand to summon creatures (e.g., wind-up knights, pig soldiers, slime) for battle. Some enemies can be defeated by being set on fire; other creatures dissolve into mist when defeated. Battle sequences are somewhat frenetic, with several enemies attacking/fighting at once.”

Some are speculating that Echoes of Wisdom may shift between Link and Zelda throughout the game, as Link disappears into a dark rift that overtakes part of Hyrule, and may have his own journey happening in tandem with Zelda’s above-ground. But whatever the case, it does sound like Link will be playable for at least some of the new game. While we can only speculate about how much of a role Link will play, we can also ponder things like where Echoes of Wisdom takes place in the Zelda timeline. Some fans already have a few ideas based on clues in the trailer.