Summary

• BOTW's Blue Hylian Hood is back in Echoes of Wisdom, hinting at a continued influence from the 2017 game.
• The hood helps to give Zelda a distinct adventuring style.
• Future games could still go back to Link's green hat, but it's surprising to see the blue hood return.

Breath of the Wild that makes a surprising return in the new game. Unlike the typical Zelda experience, Echoes of Wisdom gives the starring role to Princess Zelda, with Link trapped in a dimensional rift that threatens Hyrule at large. This concept comes with some major gameplay changes, focusing combat and puzzles around the use of a new item called the Tri Rod instead of Link's typical weapons and tools.

At first glance, Echoes of Wisdom bears the most resemblance to the Link's Awakening remake, which employed a similar art style and top-down approach. The sandbox approach of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom appears to serve as another major influence, however, with the Tri Rod offering item duplication abilities that let Zelda approach problems in flexible ways. The mark that these games have left on the series goes beyond the gameplay, and a particular costuming choice might actually be one of the most interesting things to take note of.

BOTW'S Blue Hylian Hood Is Back In Echoes Of Wisdom

A Radical Costume Shift Is Sticking Around

One huge change made in BOTW was the addition of a dark blue Hylian Hood for Link, part of a significant shake-up from the iconic green ensemble that he's traditionally worn in the Zelda series. Link's classic headwear is a green conical hat that hangs down in the back, which has appeared in every form from the cartoon style of The Wind Waker to the more muted colors of Twilight Princess. It's still possible to acquire the standard look in BOTW, but the blue hood was used more heavily in marketing material and proved easier to get in the game.

This alternate look seemed like something that might be confined to the open-world Switch titles, and although TOTK brought back the hood, it focused on a different look in marketing. The reveal trailer for Echoes of Wisdom, however, indicates that the hood isn't something that's getting tossed away that easily. Although Link wears his green tunic in the game, he uses the Hylian Hood to sneak into Ganon's lair at the start of the trailer, and Zelda later dons it for her standard adventuring gear.

Link's design was changed in BOTW to make him more of a neutral character, and the blue color was chosen because it stood out against the green landscapes.

What Echoes Of Wisdom's Blue Hood Means For Zelda

The Hood Might Not Stay Forever, But BOTW's Influence Could

The inclusion of the hood in Echoes of Wisdom doesn't mean it's going to become Link's standard look in the future, and it might actually indicate something of the opposite. Zelda wearing the blue hood helps distinguish her from Link's appearance in Link's Awakening, and giving her the hood in this and any future games she might lead could provide her with a trademark style. Link's classic green tunic clearly hasn't left the picture, and it seems likely that future games that aren't made in the same style as BOTW and TOTK could bring back the green hat.

Nonetheless, the return of the Hylian Hood does confirm that the unique stylistic choices of BOTW and TOTK aren't all things that Nintendo plans to toss away when approaching other Zelda games. Both of those titles took a lot of liberty with the classic Zelda formula and style, and Nintendo is apparently willing to let these creative decisions impact top-down games as well. Having Zelda as the protagonist is the biggest sign that the series is playing a little fast and loose with the core legend, but the hood says a surprising amount on its own.

Where the Zelda series will go after Echoes of Wisdom currently remains unclear, and Nintendo often chooses to remain quiet on games in development until the release is in sight. Even if the next major 3D title abandons the BOTW formula, however, it's starting to look like aspects of the game's style could hold throughout other titles. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is forging its own path, but it's also showcasing just how influential Breath of the Wild might be.