Echoes of Wisdom Rated E10+ by ESRB, Content Description Implies Playable Link
Posted on July 14 2024 by Kristen G. Rosario
As we are only a little over two months away from the release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, it should come as no surprise that the game has already been given its official age rating in all regions. The US video game ratings organization, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), has officially rated the new Zelda title “Everyone 10+ (E10+)”. And with that rating comes a very interesting content description from the ESRB:
This is an adventure game in which players assume the role of Zelda as she attempts to dispel rifts throughout Hyrule and rescue Link. From a ¾-overhead perspective, players explore various environments while fighting stylized enemies (e.g., humans, creatures). As Link, players use a sword and arrows to defeat enemies; Zelda can use a magic wand to summon creatures (e.g., wind-up knights, pig soldiers, slime) for battle. Some enemies can be defeated by being set on fire; other creatures dissolve into mist when defeated. Battle sequences are somewhat frenetic, with several enemies attacking/fighting at once.
The biggest takeaway from the ESRB’s content description is that it appears to imply that Link will be playable in Echoes of Wisdom. Those who saw the official trailer from this past June’s Nintendo Direct know that the game does appear to begin with Link going to rescue Princess Zelda from Ganon, resulting in a clash between our hero and the villain in what appears to be non-HUD gameplay. The ESRB’s summary does seem to corroborate the strong possibility that we will be playing as Link in this opening sequence. But beyond this beginning portion, we can only speculate on what Link’s role will be.
The only other detail worth noting from the content description is that humans are classified as an enemy type. While we already saw quite a few enemy types in the trailer, we’re hoping this tidbit means we’ll see some more familiar factions in Echoes of Wisdom. The Yiga Clan from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, perhaps? We did see what appears to be a Sheikah clan member taking out some royal guards who appear hostile toward Zelda, so the ESRB could be referring to them as well. But again, for now, we can only speculate as the clock ticks away toward the release of Echoes of Wisdom.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom will be released on September 26th, 2024, along with a special edition Zelda-themed Nintendo Switch Lite.
What do you think of the ESRB’s content description? Will Link be playable beyond the opening sequence of Echoes of Wisdom? Let us know in the comments below!
Kristen G. Rosario is an Editor who joined Zelda Dungeon back in September of 2015. His current goal is to become a full-time video game journalist, hoping to eventually gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. While he pursues that dream, he not only takes care of his adorable dachshund Angel, but also helps run a YouTube channel with his brother. The Zelda series is a quest he hasn’t fully completed yet, but hopes to get there one day.
