Zelda: Interview with Zelda Series' First Female Director

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – A Revolutionary Entry in the Franchise

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom marks a pivotal moment in the franchise's history. Not only does it feature Princess Zelda as the playable protagonist for the first time, but it's also helmed by the series' first female director, Tomomi Sano. This Nintendo "Ask the Developer" interview reveals fascinating insights into the game's creation.

Meet Tomomi Sano: A Zelda Pioneer

Before leading Echoes of Wisdom, Sano played a crucial support role in numerous Zelda remakes by Grezzo, including Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora's Mask 3D, Link's Awakening, and Twilight Princess HD, as well as various Mario & Luigi titles. Her experience in managing and coordinating production, suggesting refinements, and ensuring gameplay alignment with Zelda standards proved invaluable. Producer Eiji Aonuma consistently sought her expertise for Grezzo's Zelda remake projects. Sano's extensive career, starting in 1998 with Tekken 3, underscores her deep industry knowledge.

From Dungeon Maker to Epic Adventure: Echoes of Wisdom's Genesis

Image from Nintendo's Ask the Developer Vol. 13

Echoes of Wisdom's origins are surprising. Following the success of Link's Awakening (2019), Grezzo was tasked with exploring the future of top-down Zelda gameplay. Initial concepts included a remake, but Grezzo proposed a bolder idea: a Zelda dungeon maker. While the final game shares similarities with this initial concept, early prototypes explored "copy-and-paste" mechanics and a blend of top-down and side-view perspectives.

Grezzo spent over a year developing this dungeon creation mechanic. However, Aonuma intervened, prompting a significant shift in direction. He envisioned a more strategic use of the copy-and-paste function, where players utilize copied objects as tools to solve puzzles rather than solely creating their own dungeons.

Embracing "Mischief": Unconventional Gameplay

This led to a core principle: "being mischievous." This encouraged creative, unconventional solutions. The developers even created a guiding document outlining this concept, emphasizing freedom and unexpected interactions. Features like spike rollers, initially considered problematic, became integral to the experience. Aonuma likened this to the Myahm Agana Shrine in Breath of the Wild, where players could creatively bypass obstacles.

The Result: A Zelda Game Unlike Any Other

Launching September 26th on Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom promises a unique adventure, with Zelda bravely facing countless rifts tearing apart Hyrule. This interview highlights the innovative spirit and collaborative effort behind this groundbreaking Zelda title.