The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdommay be the earliest series of events players have seen. This game includes events only mentioned in prologues of other games, and characters that set the stage for events fans are more than familiar with. This will be the first mainline game that features Zelda as the lead protagonist, a small move implying that audiences may finally be seeing the titular legend inThe Legend of Zelda. But there is ample evidence outside that these are the events that started it all.
The events inEchoes of Wisdomcertainly set the stage for events in other games, such as theorigins of the Triforce. While there have been multiple theories over whenEchoes of Wisdomtakes place in the overallZeldatimeline, the evidence that this is actually one of the earliest events in the timeline is overwhelming, suggesting it takes place beforeSkyward Sword. This game could potentially, and likely, contain the original events in the series.
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Is Likely Earliest Game In Series
Echoes Of Wisdom Takes Place Before Skyward Sword
AsScreen Rant’s Chris Teuton asserts in hisZelda: Echoes of Wisdomreview, this game may be the legend referred to in the title “Legend of Zelda.” After all,this game includes multiple origin stories for eventsmentioned in other games, as well as it has missing items because they simply don’t exist yet.
One of the main catalysts behind this theory is that there is no Master Sword, or Link’s main weapon after the events inSkyward Sword.InEchoes of Wisdom,his sword is simply referred to as the Sword of Might, indicating that the events inSkyward Swordhave not taken place yetand setting this game in the past.
Zelda: Echoes Of Wisdom Map Size Compared To TOTK & BOTW
Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s map is quite different from those of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Here are their sizes, compared.
This theory is also heavily implied at the beginning ofSkyward Swordduring the prologue. The prologue tells of events that happened long before the events ofSkyward Sword, with these events mirroring the exact plot ofEchoes of Wisdom. The prologue to that game begins:
One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair… They burnt forests to ash, choked the lands sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation.
This perfectly describes the rifts that occur inEchoes of Wisdom, the exact forces that take Link away and leave Zelda to single-handedly save the day.
Echoes of Wisdom Is The Story From Skyward Sword’s Prologue
The Biggest Clue To Echoes Of Wisdom’s Timeline Placement
The prologue goes on to mention how theserifts were looking for the Triforce, or the ultimate power, capable of granting any wish of that who held the power. This again mirrors the exact conflict ofEchoes of Wisdom.The Triforce also is never referred to as the Triforcein this game - something players have only ever heard about in stories in the otherZeldagames. Instead, it is simply a “great power” that Tri and her people must protect, and that the villain Null (who has connections to Demise) wants to possess.
The events of Null trying to steal the great power only for it to shatter is again a past event referred to in other games, but never seen before.Null also has ties to Demise, as they mention “sealing him back up” in a way that is similar to dealing with Demise in later games. Though it is not just the presence of this villain that solidifies the theoryEchoes of Wisdomis one of the first series of events in the games: evil Zoras are also present.
Echoes Of Wisdom Could Be The Exact ‘Legend’ in Legend of Zelda
Good & Evil Zora Hint At The Timeline Placement
Another indication thisis one of the earliestZeldagames is the presence ofboth good and evil Zoras, indicating thatZelda: Echoes of Wisdomis taking place before other games in the series. The presence of both Zoras indicates that the state of Hyrule is in slight disarray.
It is heavily impliedEchoes of Wisdomis one of the earliest - if not the earliest - igames n the franchise.
This is also further emphasized by the fact thatsome citizens do not even know who the Princess is, meaning that the kingdom is hardly at it’s strongest like inOcarina of Time. Because everything feels so uncertain, and with the presence of both Good and Evil Zora, the timeline would indicate the events onZelda: Echoes of Wisdomcome far before any of the other games mentioned.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdomhas been placed all over the map when it comes to where it fits into the timeline; but with the evidence above, it is heavily implied to be one of the earliest - if not the earliest - in the franchise. There are Evil Zoras, a missing Master Sword, and the plot plays out exactly like the prologue fromSkyward Sword.
