Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom looks awesome. I’m excited, I can’t wait to play it, and I can’t believe I haven’t talked about it yet. Alas, I’m in the middle of writing my MA dissertation, so this can only be a brief comment. I’ll probably make another, more substantial post about it in September – closer to the release date. For now, I just want to say, OH MY GOD, IT’S A NEW ZELDA GAME! I was not expecting this – especially this late in the Switch’s life cycle, I guess they really want a few extra Switch sales (maybe outsell the PS2?) Anyway, I’m thrilled.

But if I’m honest, the thing I’m most excited/happy about (and the game has a lot of awesome features – as per the recent game play trailer – to be excited for) is the return of the Deku Scrubs. One of my favourite things about the Zelda universe is how unique and original its fantasy creatures and peoples are. Most fantasy worlds use some variation of Dwarves, Elves and Orcs, and they’re great and I like them, but the Zelda world is completely different, featuring Gorons, Rito, Zora and more. They do have some classic fantasy inspirations (I reckon that Gorons were inspired by Dwarves for instance), but it feels more unique. And of all the Zelda species, my favourite are the Deku Scrubs.

I don’t know why I like them so much, but I do. And they haven’t appeared in a mainline Zelda game for ages, which is very sad. But now, in Echoes of Wisdom, the Deku Scrubs are back, and not just the Deku Scrubs either, but the Business Scrubs as well! (Deku Scrubs who sell you things). I’ve always thought of the Business Scrubs as Hyrule’s most ambitious and least successful salesmen which, come to think of it, might be why I like the Deku Scrubs so much. And the Business Scrubs, in Echoes of Wisdom, seem to have a prominent role as well (helping with recipes and cooking).

The game will also feature the River Zora and the Sea Zora both, whom I don’t think we’ve ever seen interact (they have referenced each other but that’s it). So I’m pretty happy that they’re finally appearing together. But not as happy as I am about the Deku Scrubs! (I don’t know how many more ways I can make this point).

I kind of want to go replay Link‘s Awakening now. Alas, I’ve a dissertation to write.

-Dexter