When Nintendo launched “The Legend of Zelda” in 1986, the title character was barely an afterthought.

The legend was actually concerning the swordsman Hyperlink, who crossed the land battling monsters and braving treacherous dungeons earlier than lastly rescuing Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil Ganon.

“The Legend of Zelda” grew to become a traditional and spawned some of the profitable franchises in gaming historical past. Hyperlink, Zelda and Ganon have seen their characters evolve via quite a few sequels and spinoffs. But till this week’s launch of “The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge” for the Nintendo Swap, Zelda had but to take a starring function within the sequence.

Zelda’s debut because the playable hero in “Echoes of Knowledge” is a pleasant, prolonged and at occasions modern journey, although one which misses a chance to offer the protagonist an opportunity to really shine.

Regardless of the sport’s draw being the long-awaited likelihood to play as Zelda, “Echoes of Knowledge” opens with the participant accountable for Hyperlink. The hero quickly confronts Ganon, who has imprisoned Zelda inside a gem.

Hyperlink emerges victorious within the ensuing battle, however in the meanwhile of his triumph he’s swallowed up by a rising rift. Earlier than falling into the chasm, he shatters Zelda’s jail with an arrow.

With Hyperlink out of the image, it is as much as Zelda to shut the rifts which might be rising everywhere in the world and save her kingdom.

Zelda has demonstrated martial prowess in different video games, however regardless of being tasked with saving the realm, she does not get to point out them off right here. As an alternative, she has the power to summon “echoes” to assist her in her quest. Echoes vary from on a regular basis gadgets like tables and chairs that she makes use of to traverse the setting, to monsters that may maintain the sport’s fight.

The usage of echoes is a brand new mechanic to the sequence, and it typically works effectively as gamers use them to resolve puzzles in their very own approach. For instance, to slide unseen previous enemies, a participant could assemble a staircase from containers and chairs to get to greater floor or might as a substitute conjure a pot to cover in till the coast is evident.

It is also enjoyable to gather the sport’s myriad creatures, then summon them to do Zelda’s bidding in fight. Lots of the foes shall be acquainted to followers of the Zelda franchise, and getting the prospect to make use of them in a combat brings a novel gameplay ingredient to “Echoes of Knowledge.”

The sport shares an esthetic with 2019’s remake of “Hyperlink’s Awakening,” with cute, cartoonish characters and a whimsical tone. However it’s a surprisingly meaty expertise, particularly after the midway level when the puzzles change into tougher to resolve and fascinating mechanics are thrown the participant’s approach.

And but, even with Zelda’s distinctive skills, “Echoes of Knowledge” performs it secure by typically presenting the protagonist as a stand-in for Hyperlink. She has the identical quiet willpower and even the same bodily look, particularly over the primary a part of the sport. “Echoes of Knowledge” might simply as simply have been a recreation by which Hyperlink is the principle character.

Zelda’s lack of preventing abilities means fight depth is dialed down, particularly when in comparison with current entries within the sequence like final yr’s “Tears of the Kingdom.” Zelda will spend quite a lot of the time merely staying out of hurt’s approach whereas summoning monsters to do the preventing.

She does finally get the ability to channel Hyperlink and use his sword-fighting abilities, however is just ready to take action in restricted bursts. And it is one other instance of the sequence leaning on Hyperlink’s skills, quite than giving Zelda her personal technique of straight coping with hazard. Whereas she has much more company in the way it occurs, Zelda continues to be getting others to combat her battles.

Hyperlink’s presence hangs over “Echoes of Knowledge,” and he performs an important function within the occasions of the sport. Whereas that’s comprehensible given the character’s recognition, it could have been fascinating to see Nintendo take an opportunity and craft an journey for Zelda that did not contain Hyperlink in any respect.

That Zelda’s time within the highlight is serviceable quite than spectacular doesn’t detract from “Echoes of Knowledge” as an gratifying expertise and a strong entry into the franchise. However after many years of ready for her to take a starring function within the iconic sequence that bears her title, her hero flip falls a bit flat. Hopefully there shall be additional adventures to flesh her out as a hero in her personal proper.

“Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Knowledge” is rated E10+, which means typically appropriate for gamers 10 and older, by the Leisure Software program Score Board and retails for round $80. A digital copy of the sport was offered for overview functions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Sept. 26, 2024.

Curtis Withers, The Canadian Press