The Myahm Agana Shrine from Breath of the Wild, famous for its ball-and-maze puzzle, served as a key reference for designing The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. Many players bypassed the intended puzzle solution by flipping the board, which reflected a broader philosophy in game design about prioritizing player creativity over rigid solutions.
This idea resonated with Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma, who appreciated when players found unconventional ways to solve puzzles, seeing it as a form of fun and freedom in gameplay.
In a Nintendo developer interview, Aonuma emphasized how this puzzle-breaking approach influenced their design philosophy. He stated that solving puzzles in unexpected ways felt like “finding a secret trick,” and that players should be allowed to “cheat” or use unconventional methods.
Aonuma believes this creates a playful and mischievous element, similar to how games were in the past. This mindset became integral to the development of Echoes of Wisdom.
The idea of “being mischievous” was so central to the design process of Echoes of Wisdom that the developers created an internal style guide for it. The game director, Tomomi Sano, echoed this sentiment, saying that the game should feel like a playground where players can experiment freely, even if it feels like they’re breaking the rules.
This freedom extends to the game’s core mechanic, where players can manipulate and combine the Echoes, which Zelda can use creatively in the game world.
This approach to game design, where the systems remain consistent but allow for manipulation, encourages player experimentation and discovery. Aonuma notes that Zelda games have long thrived on this balance of structure and freedom, leading to remarkable player achievements, such as speedrunners finding innovative ways to beat Breath of the Wild or completing shrines without using intended tools like Runes.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom continues this legacy, incorporating player freedom and creativity at its core. Scheduled for release on September 26 for the Nintendo Switch, the game promises to offer players new opportunities to engage with its world in surprising and inventive ways, following the same playful, puzzle-breaking spirit that made the Zelda series so beloved.
