Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Is the New Zelda as Good as We Hoped?"

Introduction to the New Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

In this episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick delve into the much-anticipated release of the latest installment in the Zelda franchise, "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom." Released on October 4, 2024, the episode explores whether the new game lives up to the high expectations set by its predecessors.

Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations

The discussion begins with Justin McElroy sharing a humorous anecdote about setting up his home network, which segues into the main topic—Echoes of Wisdom's unique gameplay mechanics.

Justin McElroy [03:14]: "Welcome to the Besties, where we talk about the latest and greatest in home interactive entertainment."

The hosts note that unlike previous Zelda titles where Link is the primary protagonist wielding a sword and shield, this installment places Zelda at the center, utilizing her ingenuity and available resources to solve puzzles.

Russ Frost [04:00]: "For the first time, Zelda is the star of this Zelda game. But rather than a sword and a shield, Zelda is using just whatever is available to solve puzzles."

Comparison with Previous Zelda Titles

Griffin McElroy draws comparisons between Echoes of Wisdom and earlier games like "Breath of the Wild" and "Tears of the Kingdom." He appreciates the blend of classic dungeon design with modern open-world elements but points out that some mechanics feel less polished.

Griffin McElroy [09:05]: "And this is somewhere in between the two."

Chris Plante echoes these sentiments, praising the dungeon and boss designs but criticizes the lack of polish in non-dungeon areas and the game's pacing.

Christopher Thomas Plant [09:39]: "I do think the puzzles in the game are great... but the middle stuff... it's not very interesting."

Combat and Player Empowerment

The combat system in Echoes of Wisdom introduces new elements such as summoning "echoes" of defeated enemies and utilizing a tether system to interact with objects and enemies creatively. While Justin finds the moment-to-moment gameplay engaging and reminiscent of games like Undertale, Russ and Chris express concerns about the combat's initial difficulty and balance.

Justin McElroy [10:25]: "It's similar to Undertale... you're not necessarily whacking stuff."

Russ Frost [12:35]: "Letting you have the sword and the shield just feels like a tremendous mistake."

Technical Performance and Artistic Direction

The hosts discuss the technical aspects of the game, noting issues with frame rates when docked and the art direction's high quality. Despite technical hiccups, the soundtrack receives high praise for its memorable overworld theme.

Justin McElroy [26:08]: "I just played it for the first time docked. It looked bad. Like the frame rate was flickery."

Russ Frost [26:30]: "Art direction is so good."

Narrative and Character Development

A significant departure in this Zelda game is making Zelda a playable character. While some hosts appreciate the fresh perspective, others feel that Zelda lacks vocal expression, making her character development less impactful.

Justin McElroy [29:27]: "I wish playing Zelda felt like, if you're gonna do it, why not have them feel like a different person?"

Christopher Thomas Plant [29:36]: "You don't hear it. She gestures like she's conveying information, but you don't actually hear because people understand."

Overall Impressions and Future Prospects

Despite some criticisms, the consensus among the hosts is that Echoes of Wisdom is a commendable addition to the Zelda series. They express hope for future sequels to build upon the innovative mechanics introduced.

Griffin McElroy [31:40]: "I think this is a good game. I don't think it's the best Zelda game ever, but it's a very, very good Zelda game."

Russ Frost [28:37]: "I really hope that they do a sequel to this because it really feels like step one of an idea."

Conclusion

The Besties episode provides a thorough analysis of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, highlighting its strengths in innovation and artistic design while also addressing areas needing improvement, such as combat balance and technical performance. The hosts agree that while it may not surpass the legendary status of Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, it stands as a solid and enjoyable entry in the Zelda franchise, promising exciting developments for future installments.

Notable Quotes:

• Justin McElroy [05:58]: "I've been dying to continue the Zelda franchise and finally a new Zelda game. I'm thrilled."

• Griffin McElroy [09:08]: "I think Tears of the Kingdom is maybe the best game ever made."

• Russ Frost [12:35]: "Letting you have the sword and the shield just feels like a tremendous mistake."

• Christopher Thomas Plant [17:58]: "There are times this game is so fun to play. It is so fun to just fuck around in this game."

• Griffin McElroy [31:40]: "I think this is a good game. I don't think it's the best Zelda game ever, but it's a very, very good Zelda game."

Timestamps Overview:

• 00:00 - 05:48: Introduction and brief technical anecdote
• 05:48 - 12:35: Detailed discussion on gameplay mechanics and dungeon design
• 12:35 - 26:43: Combat system analysis and technical performance
• 26:43 - 31:53: Narrative elements and character development
• 31:53 - 65:01: (Skipped as per instructions: Advertisements, promotions, and non-content sections)
• 65:01 - 68:45: Conclusion and final thoughts

Note: Timestamps corresponding to notable quotes are included to highlight key moments in the discussion.