You cannot really have a Legend of Zelda game without Princess Zelda. Well, I suppose you technically can, since The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening exists. But in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Princess Zelda finally becomes the main hero, taking the place usually filled by the green-tunic-wearing Link.
It is no surprise as this was the main way the game was advertised. However, if someone somehow missed the marketing, the game actually begins in a very traditional Zelda fashion. Princess Zelda gets into trouble, and Link arrives to rescue her. Unfortunately, he falls into a trap himself, but with one final arrow he manages to free Zelda from her prison, allowing her to return the favor later.
Zelda soon gains a magical Tri Rod that allows her to clone enemies to use as her infinite spawning allies. She can also briefly use Link’s sword for short periods of time, and she ends up becoming an outlaw in Hyrule after the king is replaced by an evil Echo clone who wants her out of the picture.
About halfway through the game, you manage to free the real king and much of Hyrule from the dark magic. At that point, Zelda no longer has to hide her identity. I was especially glad to get rid of the disguise and return to playing as Zelda in her classic princess dress. There are several costumes in the game, but collecting them was one of the few things I did not bother pursuing.
Eventually, Princess Zelda and Tri rescue Link, and the three of them face the final boss, Null, together. It was a little strange seeing Link controlled by the game’s AI while the player takes the role of Zelda.
They are also one of the few Zelda and Link pairings in the series to make a direct wish upon the Triforce, using it to reverse the damage caused by Null. It is funny that nobody in this series ever seems to wish for Ganon to be sealed away forever.
Not counting the two terrible non-canon Philips CD-i games, this is essentially Princess Zelda’s first real adventure as the hero, and it turned out to be a pretty good one. Some fans did not enjoy the change, but I would actually like to see it happen again, whether in a similar 2D sequel or even a surprise 3D adventure.