Key conclusions
- Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom breaks with tradition by bringing Zelda to the fore, but still offers fans nostalgic callbacks.
- Cutting the grass has been a long tradition in Zelda, but somehow improved in Echoes of Wisdom.
- Echoes of Wisdom's Zelda Spin ability improves upon the tradition of cutting grass, providing a worthwhile upgrade.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom definitely broke with mainstream tradition with its choice of main character, putting Zelda in the lead role rather than Link, who has filled the role in every major installment since the series' debut in 1987. However, this does not mean Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom abandoned all franchise traditions.
in fact, Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom does a thorough job of including many nostalgic nods to the series' past for the benefit of longtime fans. One specific The Legend of Zelda tradition made its way into Zelda: Echoes of Wisdombut with a satisfying spin that somehow enhances it. The Zelda The tradition in question is grass cutting.
Zelda's Spin easily cuts grass in Echoes of Wisdom
Mowing the grass has long been a tradition in The Legend of Zelda
There can be many methods in The Legend of Zelda Universe to get useful items like rupees and hearts — like smashing pots and boxes — but none of these methods are as satisfying as mowing the grass. Throughout The Legend of Zelda series, players were able to use Link's sword to mow the grass scattered around Hyrule, often revealing hearts, rupees, and crafting materials. This is one of the simplest methods in The Legend of Zelda for growing said items, especially since Link essentially carries his own personal lawnmower in his iconic blade.
U ZeldaIn the early days, the feeling of being able to use Link's spin attack in the middle of a clump of grass was unparalleled. There was something quite cathartic about it, especially when Link's sword spiraled into a perfect circle on the ground. This has become even more useful in recent games such as Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its continuation Tears of the kingdomdue to the large number of items that could be collected just by mowing the grass.
Players then regularly posted their discoveries on online forums, pointing out the grassiest regions of Hyrule and what could be grown from them.
Mowing the grass in The Legend of Zeldatrivial as it may seem, it never necessarily needed to be improved. That being said, once something improves, the flaws of its previous form are exposed for all to see, thus emphasizing the improvements even more and preventing any regression. Such is the case with Zelda: Echoes of Wisdoma grass-cutting approach that highlights one key flaw that has always been present in the series' lore, despite unforth, not being visible until now.
Zelda's Spin is an improvement on the franchise's grass-cutting tradition
somehow Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom improves The Legend of Zeldatradition of cutting grass, giving its protagonist a skill that Link never possessed since he has a sword. As Nintendo put it during Ask the Developer Vol. 13, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Part 3, “We originally thought Link would be the main character. But when we focused on gameplay using echo and had Link copy and paste things on the playing field, the sword and shield got in the way.” Just as Link's sword prevented him from creating an echo Echo of Wisdomhis sword also “interferes” with any grass cutting enhancement.
With her spinning ability, Zelda can instantly spin through grass, mowing it down along the way. Instead of having to pause for a moment to swing her blade or charge it up for a spin attack, Zelda can use her spin ability an unlimited number of times with a very imperceptible cooldown between each. This is a very subtle way to improve one of the oldest traditions in The Legend of Zelda franchise, but it's nonetheless a very worthy addition to the last game that will hopefully set off a chain reaction in the next installments.
