The release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom marked a major milestone for the franchise, making Princess Zelda the primary playable character in a mainline game for the first time. This change excited fans and opened discussions about her potential as the lead in future titles, especially in the expansive, open-world style popularized by Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Zelda’s voice actor, Patricia Summersett, expressed enthusiasm for such a development, calling it “amazing” and a step she’d love to see happen.
Summersett, who has voiced Zelda in multiple games including Breath of the Wild and its sequel, highlighted her excitement during an interview at the Golden Joystick Awards. Reflecting on the franchise’s evolution, she expressed her support for more opportunities for Zelda to take center stage, saying the idea of her being the sole playable character in an open-world game was thrilling.
Echoes of Wisdom has already set a precedent by giving Zelda a leading role in a game with a traditional 2D-style format, reminiscent of the art style in 2019’s Link’s Awakening remake. Its success, both critically and among fans, underscores the appetite for Zelda-centric narratives. Summersett remarked that she was thrilled the fandom got to experience a game focused on Zelda, while voicing hope for more titles in the future.
The game’s positive reception, including a four-out-of-five star rating from critics, reflects its impact on fans and the series’ legacy. It demonstrated that focusing on Zelda can bring new life and perspectives to the beloved franchise, something players have eagerly awaited. The charming art style and gameplay were celebrated as a refreshing return to tradition.
With the The Legend of Zelda series now over 38 years old, fans are calling for more significant roles for the titular princess. The success of Echoes of Wisdom could pave the way for Nintendo to feature Zelda as the protagonist in new formats, including open-world adventures. This shift could further diversify the series, giving Zelda a long-overdue spotlight and creating new opportunities for storytelling and gameplay.
