Introducing the Minds Behind The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Aonuma:
Hello, I’m Eiji Aonuma, the producer of The Legend of Zelda series. For this game, we asked Grezzo, the experienced game development studio that has worked on many remakes in The Legend of Zelda series, to create an entirely new game. We collaborated closely to bring this project to life. As the producer, I had the opportunity to play the game from a player’s perspective and provide continuous feedback.
Sano:
Hi, I’m Tomomi Sano. I served as the director for this title from Nintendo’s side. My role involved managing and coordinating the production for this project, making suggestions for adjustments, and ensuring that the gameplay created by Grezzo aligned with The Legend of Zelda series.
Terada:
Hello, I’m Satoshi Terada from Grezzo. Originally a designer specializing in terrain and level design, this project marks my directorial debut. My journey with The Legend of Zelda series began with the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. For the previous project, the remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, I focused on the development of the art style, 3D backgrounds, and lighting. This was Grezzo’s first time working on a completely new game in The Legend of Zelda series.
Breaking Boundaries in The Legend of Zelda Series
Sano:
Before taking on this project, I primarily supported the directors. My involvement with Grezzo on various remakes included titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. I also contributed to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD and some titles in the Mario & Luigi series.
Aonuma:
I consistently rely on her expertise for The Legend of Zelda remakes developed by Grezzo.
The Adventure Begins in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Aonuma:
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom introduces players to a brand new top-down game with Princess Zelda as the main protagonist. As mysterious rifts threaten Hyrule, Zelda embarks on a journey with the ethereal Tri to save her kingdom. Using the Tri Rod, Zelda can create duplicates of objects and creatures, known as “echoes,” to overcome challenges and puzzles.
A Fresh Take on The Legend of Zelda Series
Aonuma:
The idea behind The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom stemmed from my desire to establish a distinct 2D top-down Zelda series separate from the 3D entries like Breath of the Wild. We wanted to embrace the unique gameplay experience offered by the top-down perspective. Following the success of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake, we saw an opportunity to create something new and innovative.
Collaborative Innovation in Game Development
Aonuma:
Working on a new game with Grezzo marked a significant shift from our previous remake projects. We invited Grezzo employees to pitch their ideas for the new Zelda game, encouraging a collaborative approach to development. The process sparked creativity and resulted in a wealth of innovative concepts.
Terada:
This was a groundbreaking moment for Grezzo, as it was our first venture into developing an entirely new game. The team brainstormed ideas passionately, leading to numerous creative proposals.
Sano:
Despite working separately, the team generated similar ideas, reflecting a shared vision for the game that resonated with The Legend of Zelda universe.
Terada:
We selected ideas that centered around copy-and-paste gameplay and a blend of top-down and side views. This formed the foundation, with an emphasis on providing players with freedom and autonomy within the game world.
Aonuma:
Enhancing player freedom was crucial for maintaining the essence of The Legend of Zelda series. We wanted players to engage with the game world independently, fostering a sense of exploration and discovery. The team at Grezzo utilized these core elements to craft a gameplay experience that prioritized player agency.