It’s been less than a week since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and already the question must be asked: Is this incarnation of Zelda the most powerful “Hero” in the series?
I write “Hero” in quotes, not because Zelda is somehow lacking in the heroic department, but rather as longtime fans of the franchise know, this title is specifically given to the legendary incarnation of the holder of the Triforce of Courage. So technically, as the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, the princess occupies a different place in the sacred trio. However, as a warrior mage, Zelda is so incredibly powerful that it’s worth considering if she is mightier than any appearance of Link in the series.
In Echoes of Wisdom, Zelda possesses incredible magical powers, particularly the ability to create Echoes of nearly any object or enemy. This means that as her powers grow, she can release a small army of warriors against those who oppose her, even wielding the mighty Lynel. But her powers go beyond the magic she wields; the princess can also transform herself into the spirit of Link, gaining his unrivaled physical abilities such his high-leaping attack, ability to use legendary swords, bow and arrow attacks, and more.
Of course, one could argue that this Zelda is not even the most powerful of her kind. The manifestation of the goddess in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom bears heavy consideration; but I’d argue that the Princess of the Wilds possesses rare intelligence that plays a far bigger role than her magic (sealing Ganon aside). Surely, the Zelda from Echoes of Wisdom would at least be in the conversation for which Zelda possesses the most powerful magical abilities.
The Legendary Hero has also possessed some magical abilities from even the earliest games. So it’s not a new thing for a Zelda protagonist to master both combat and magic. And unlike those iterations of the Hero, this Zelda has a limit to her time and ability to wield a legendary sword.
I also believe it easy to overlook her prowess given the animation style of Echoes of Wisdom, which gives the impression that the game is for children. Games like Tears of the Kingdom certainly lend themselves to a more serious discussion simply based upon the art style, but this shouldn’t dissuade us from giving this princess serious consideration.
For another perspective on these powerful characters, you can also check out the YouTube content from Zeltik; he explores the various incarnations of Zelda here and those of Link here. These videos are definitely worth the time of any passionate fans and can certainly add depth to this debate.
Tell us what you think! Do you believe Zelda in Echoes of Wisdom is the most powerful “Hero” in the series? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation in Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
Image: Nintendo
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