In a surprising turn of events, the burgeoning speedrunning community for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom has stumbled upon a game-breaking glitch that allows players to control Link, the iconic hero of the Zelda franchise, instead of the intended protagonist, Princess Zelda. This discovery, made by a speedrunner known as “alyp” around late September 2024, has sent ripples through the community and opened up exciting new possibilities for exploration and experimentation within the game. However, despite gaining access to Link and his arsenal of weapons, a true “Link%” speedrun, where the game is completed entirely as Link, remains tantalizingly out of reach due to the limitations of the glitch.
This unexpected twist stems from a series of glitches discovered within the game, primarily revolving around a technique called “pause storage.” Pause storage involves manipulating the game’s pause menu to essentially freeze the game state while allowing certain actions to continue in the background. This technique has led to the discovery of various exploits, including rung warping and infinite rupees. However, alyp’s breakthrough came when they realized that by combining pause storage with a specific save file manipulation, they could trigger a game over and reload a save file simultaneously. This seemingly innocuous action resulted in Link, along with all his equipment, being loaded into the overworld.
While the ability to play as Link in a Zelda game where he was seemingly absent is a significant feat, it comes with its own set of limitations. The glitch doesn’t grant access to the Tri Rod abilities, which are essential for progressing through the game’s story and dungeons. This means that while players can freely roam Hyrule as Link, defeating enemies and exploring the world, they cannot complete the game in this state. Think of it like having the keys to a sports car but no ignition; you can admire it, sit in it, and even roll it down a hill, but you can’t actually drive it.
This hasn’t stopped the speedrunning community from embracing this newfound freedom. Players are already experimenting with Link’s moveset and weapons, discovering unique combat strategies and exploring the game world from a fresh perspective. Some are even attempting to sequence break the game using Link’s abilities, hoping to find ways to bypass the need for the Tri Rod and achieve a true “Link%” run.
My own experience with Echoes of Wisdom has been primarily focused on playing the game as intended, guiding Princess Zelda through her adventure. However, the discovery of this glitch has piqued my curiosity. I’ve spent hours experimenting with Link’s moveset, rediscovering familiar weapons and combat techniques from past Zelda titles. It’s a surreal experience to control Link in a game seemingly designed without him in mind. The limitations are frustrating, but the potential for discovery and the thrill of pushing the game’s boundaries are undeniable.
This glitch highlights the creativity and dedication of the speedrunning community. Their ability to dissect a game’s code, uncover hidden mechanics, and exploit them in unexpected ways is truly remarkable. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the Zelda series that even a game like Echoes of Wisdom, which deviates from the traditional formula, can inspire such passionate exploration and experimentation.
The discovery of this glitch also raises questions about the game’s development process. Did the developers intentionally include Link’s model and assets in the game, perhaps as a scrapped idea or an Easter egg? Or is this an unintentional oversight that has inadvertently unlocked a hidden layer of gameplay? Only time, and perhaps further investigation by the speedrunning community, will tell.
While a true “Link%” run remains elusive for now, the future of Echoes of Wisdom speedrunning looks bright. The discovery of this glitch has injected new life into the community, sparking a wave of creativity and experimentation. As players continue to explore the game’s code and uncover new exploits, the possibility of a “Link%” run, or perhaps even more unexpected discoveries, remains open.
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