Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom's Interview With Series' First Female Director

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom—A Groundbreaking Entry in the Franchise

Marking a pivotal moment in Zelda history, Echoes of Wisdom boasts a first: a female director at its helm, Tomomi Sano. This Nintendo Ask the Developer interview sheds light on Sano's journey and the game's unique development.

A Female Director's Vision

Echoes of Wisdom is doubly significant: it features Princess Zelda as the playable protagonist and is the first Zelda game directed by a woman. Director Tomomi Sano, a veteran with contributions to numerous Zelda remakes (including Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora's Mask 3D, Link's Awakening, and Twilight Princess HD) and Mario & Luigi titles, shares her experience. Initially a support role, Sano's expertise in coordinating production and ensuring gameplay alignment with Zelda series standards proved invaluable. Producer Eiji Aonuma highlights her consistent involvement in Grezzo's Zelda remake projects. Sano's career spans over two decades, beginning with work on Tekken 3 and extending to various Mario sports titles.

From Dungeon Maker to Innovative Gameplay

The game's origins lie in the aftermath of the Link's Awakening remake. Grezzo, leveraging their top-down Zelda expertise, initially proposed a remake. However, they presented a more ambitious concept: a Zelda dungeon maker. Several prototypes emerged, including one with a "copy-and-paste" mechanic and another blending top-down and side-view perspectives.

Aonuma's intervention, a "tea table upending" (Nintendo's term for a significant course correction), shifted the focus. While appreciating the initial ideas, he saw greater potential in using copied items as tools within pre-designed dungeons, rather than letting players create their own. This led to innovative gameplay, exemplified by the ability to manipulate elements like Thwomps across different perspectives.

Embracing "Mischief"

The developers embraced a philosophy of "mischief," encouraging creative and unconventional solutions. This is reflected in elements like spike rollers, whose unpredictable interactions were deemed crucial to the fun. The team even documented guidelines for this "mischief," including the freedom to place items anywhere and solve puzzles using unexpected methods.

This design philosophy echoes the spirit of inventive problem-solving found in titles like Breath of the Wild. Aonuma emphasizes the importance of allowing unconventional solutions, comparing it to discovering clever shortcuts in classic Zelda games.

A New Zelda Adventure

Launching September 26th on Nintendo Switch, Echoes of Wisdom presents an alternate Hyrule where Zelda embarks on a rescue mission amidst dimensional rifts. This innovative title, born from creative experimentation and a commitment to playful problem-solving, promises a fresh and exciting Zelda experience.