The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has carved out its spot in the official Zelda timeline, nestled between the adventures of Tri Force Heroes and the original Legend of Zelda. While the game’s artistic style draws heavily from the Link’s Awakening remake, it stands on its own rather than continuing that particular story. Echoes of Wisdom shares the same timeline branch but unfolds much later down the line.
When each new Zelda installment appears, fans jump at the chance to theorize about its place in the overarching series. Nintendo opts to maintain an official timeline, but despite this, debates rage as players often feel their own theories make more sense than the official narrative. Even Zelda’s director has expressed that gameplay takes precedence over story, hinting that Nintendo might not obsess over the chronological order as much as fans do. Nevertheless, knowing Echoes of Wisdom’s place within the series lore is a significant win for dedicated followers.
After its release on September 26, Echoes of Wisdom’s place in the Zelda universe was a bit of a mystery for some time. Thankfully, Nintendo has updated its historical records, setting the record straight. Echoes of Wisdom belongs to the “Hero is defeated” timeline, depicting a world where Link couldn’t vanquish Ganon during Ocarina of Time. It chronologically follows Tri Force Heroes, with three games wedged between it and Link’s Awakening, a major influence on its visual design.
Echoes of Wisdom serves as a distant prequel to the 1986 classic, Legend of Zelda. It doesn’t bridge the gap directly, as the official timeline indicates a stretch marked by the “decline of Hyrule” wedged in between. This period was already hinted at as a significant part of the mythology, with Echoes fitting snugly into the slide towards downfall. Now it’s clear where it slots in — just prior to Hyrule’s decline, adding depth to the storyline.
Fans probably aren’t taken aback by Echoes of Wisdom’s placement, as it aligns with earlier fan predictions. Still, it’s not without its gaps. The game’s depiction of the Triforce as an enigmatic, lesser-known power aligns more comfortably with the adult timeline rather than the downfall saga. This inconsistency is par for the course in the Zelda universe, likely stemming from Nintendo’s focus on crafting enjoyable games over a seamless narrative. At least now, there’s no need to squabble over Echoes of Wisdom’s exact narrative footing anymore.
In this latest legendary adventure, Princess Zelda takes center stage as Hyrule faces a bizarre new threat of vanishing citizens through mysterious rifts. With Link among the missing, Zelda steps up, wielding the Tri Rod to generate “echoes” — copies of environmental elements used to solve puzzles and combat foes. Craft bridges from old furniture, use water echoes to access towering heights, or hurl rocky echoes at enemies. You can even conjure echo monsters to fight alongside you. This September 26, Hyrule’s destiny rests in novel hands, blending nostalgia with innovation in a fresh Zelda experience.
