There’s no doubting the revolutionary changes thatZeldagames went through during the Switch era, andThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomis a fascinating result. The releases of bothBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdomset out a bold,ambitious path for futureZeldagames, abandoning multiple series conventions in favor of an open world that players were free to explore in their own way. As refreshing as this move was,it understandably caused concernabout whether this new approach would mean that more traditionalZeldaentries would become a thing of the past.
Echoes of Wisdomserves as a compromise, providing players with an open world and inventive mechanics that encourage player experimentation while also reintroducing multiple series staples and a more linear narrative. It’s this blend that is one ofEchoes’s strongest aspects, providing a greater sense of freedom andproving the continued worth of the traditionalZeldaformula within the series. In fact, the reintroduction of one particular series staple inEchoesproves the need for this feature to remain a core part of futureZeldaentries.
Searching For Heart Pieces Is A Rewarding Experience In Echoes Of Wisdom
Echoes Use Heart Pieces As A Major Incentive For Exploration
One ofEchoes' best uses of the traditionalZeldaformula is the reintroduction of heart pieces, as the items offer a huge sense of variety to the adventure. Similar to previousZeldaentries,Echoeshas the player collect heart pieces through a range of different challenges, whether that be solving puzzles, defeating enemies, or winning minigames.The many different methods thatEchoesadopts add a sense of unpredictability to obtaining heart pieces, as the player will never be entirely sure where or how another one might appear.
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The variety of methods for collecting heart pieces inEchoesserves as one of the main incentives for exploration. With so many ways for players to find heart pieces, they’ll become far more inclined to explore the entirety of Hyrule Kingdom and engage with everything the game has to offer, safe in the knowledge that they’ll be rewarded for their efforts. Heart pieces make exploration inEchoesfar more excitingby providing players with a constant sense of progression regardless of what part of the game they choose to tackle, creating a consistently rewarding experience as a result.
Echoesexpertly utilizes heart pieces to showcase the creativity and freedom provided by its unique mechanics.
Moreover,Echoesexpertly utilizes heart pieces to showcase the creativity and freedom provided by its unique mechanics. For example,the Echo mechanic is critical to obtaining out-of-reach heart pieces, requiring players to consider the tools at their disposal to find their own way to the prize. Unlike the more straightforward approach to puzzle-solving taken in multiple previousZeldaentries,Echoesplaces a huge emphasis on experimentationwhile recognizing the player’s ability to create their own solution, adding to the rewarding experience this game provides.
Heart Pieces In BOTW & TOTK Just Aren’t The Same
Both Games Take An Inferior Approach To Health Upgrades
In comparison,BOTWandTOTKdon’t offer the same experience of collecting heart pieces,as they take a different approach to health upgrades altogether. Both games ask the player to seek out designated shrines within Hyrule that contain a challenge or puzzle for the player to overcome. Upon completion, the player is rewarded with a Spirit Orb inBOTWor a Light Of Blessing inTOTK,which can then be exchanged for a full heart container or stamina vessel.
Aside from shrines,Tears of the Kingdomdoes offer players an optional side quest titled A Call from the Depths, wherein completion of the mission will reward players with either a heart container or a stamina vessel.
While shrines are rewarding to find and complete, maintaining a consistent sense of progression, they don’t generate the same sense of excitement that heart pieces offer in otherZeldagames such asEchoes.The monotonous process of finding and conquering shrines can become tedious, lacking the spontaneity that the hunt for heart pieces provides. The feeling a player will experience when obtaining an orb or blessing doesn’t carry that same sense of elation as when they finally come across a heart piece, losing what made the item so special within theZeldaseries.
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Furthermore,BOTW’s andTOTK’s more structured approachto health upgrades lacks the same incentive for exploration that heart pieces provide. The method of collecting orbs or blessings means many players are likely to spend much of their time heading straight for the shrines,potentially missing out on some of the other content both games offer. This isn’t helped by the many side quests in bothBOTWandTOTKthat fail to offer prizes of similar value, often resorting to rupees or a random item and diminishing the sense of anticipation for something as exciting as a heart piece.
Why Heart Pieces Should Return For The Next Zelda Game
Echoes Shows The Value Of Using The Zelda Formula In Future Entries
Echoesof Wisdomproves the need for heart pieces to remain as a staple for futureZeldaentries, as they’re emblematic of the series' creativity and emphasis on exploration. The multiple methods by which heart pieces can be obtained demand the player to engage with everything the game has to offer, providing future entries with a perfect way to incentivize exploration. Meanwhile, the wayEchoesintertwines the classic hunt for heart pieces with its own unique mechanics shows how the item can be utilizedin futureZeldaentriesto encourage the player to explore the new features that the games may include.
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The inclusion of heart pieces inEchoesof Wisdomnot only adds to the title’s sense of freedom and discovery, but it’s also proof of how important it is to maintain elements of the traditionalZeldaformula for future entries. As revolutionary asBOTWandTOTKwere,their omission of series staples such as the heart pieces may have hindered both titles overall. While it’s unclear how theZeldaformula will or won’t be utilized in the future, it’s clear that the heart pieces are an essential part of the series and should continue to return from here on out.
