Zelda: Interview with Series' First Female Head

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom represents a pivotal moment in the franchise's history, marking the debut of a female director, Tomomi Sano. This article delves into Sano's journey and the game's innovative development process.

Tomomi Sano: A Zelda Pioneer

Echoes of Wisdom isn't just notable for its female protagonist, Princess Zelda; it also features the series' first female director. Sano, a veteran game developer with over two decades of experience, previously contributed to numerous Zelda remakes and Mario & Luigi titles. Her extensive background in game production and coordination played a crucial role in shaping Echoes of Wisdom. Her previous work included contributions to Ocarina of Time 3D, Majora’s Mask 3D, Link’s Awakening, and Twilight Princess HD, as well as various Mario sports titles.

Sano's career began in 1998, working on Tekken 3. Her contributions to Nintendo titles started with Kururin Squash! and Mario Party 6.

From Dungeon Maker to Full-Fledged Adventure

The genesis of Echoes of Wisdom stemmed from Grezzo's post-Link's Awakening experience. Initially envisioned as a Zelda dungeon creation tool, the project underwent a significant transformation. Early prototypes explored "copy-and-paste" mechanics and a dual top-down/side-view perspective. However, producer Eiji Aonuma's intervention led to a shift in focus.

The team spent over a year developing the dungeon creation mechanic. Aonuma's intervention, described as "upending the tea table," redirected the project. He suggested using the copied items as tools within existing puzzles, rather than for creating entire dungeons. This encouraged creative problem-solving and unconventional gameplay.

The developers embraced a philosophy of "mischief," allowing for unexpected interactions and solutions. This is exemplified by elements like spike rollers, whose unpredictable behavior became a key part of the game's charm. The team even created a document outlining the principles of "mischief," emphasizing player freedom and inventive solutions.

This emphasis on player agency echoes the spirit of previous Zelda titles, such as the Myahm Agana Shrine in Breath of the Wild. Aonuma stressed the importance of allowing unexpected solutions, even if they involve "cheating" the system.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom launches on September 26th for Nintendo Switch, presenting a unique Zelda adventure where Princess Zelda takes center stage in a Hyrule ravaged by rifts.