By “There were several aspects that led me to think ‘Wow, that’s incredible'”
- by Alana Hagues
Final Fantasy XIV chief and Final Fantasy XVI executive producer Naoki Yoshida, often known as Yoshi-P, has been showering admiration on Nintendo recently. In a discussion with Famitsu, where he shares his insights on anime and his fondness for Super Mario Bros. 3, he particularly lauds a recent Switch title that he believes “anyone hoping to become a game developer” should try out.
The game in question is The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, not specifically for the in-game Echoes, summonable creatures, or even the puzzle formation. Instead, it’s about how Nintendo has “utilized assets” and re-employed resources.
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As translated by Genki on X, Yoshi-P mentioned that he “was especially taken aback” by the overhead Zelda title, particularly in comparison to other recent titles he’s been engaged with.
“What I am about to discuss might seem a bit geeky, but even from a producer’s viewpoint there were numerous aspects [in the game] that made me think ‘Wow, that’s remarkable’, in regard to how they utilized resources, how they crafted it, and the game design.”
“The fundamental materials employed in the game are nearly identical to other Zelda titles”, the director continues, commending Nintendo’s knack for maintaining expenses “by concentrating all efforts on making the game enjoyable to play.” Well, that final point perfectly encapsulates Nintendo.
Furthermore, Yoshi-P believes that Echoes of Wisdom serves as an excellent case study for individuals keen on entering the game development field; “I would urge anyone looking to become a game developer or who is just initiating their career to experience this game from that viewpoint.”
This isn’t the first instance of game creators being astonished by a Zelda game — Breath of the Wild‘s expansive world and Tears of the Kingdom‘s remarkable Ultrahand and Rewind features left many in awe upon their release. Zelda just possesses that enchantment, doesn’t it?
Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to see some of Yoshi-P’s own projects on the Switch 2; there have been suggestions and speculations that versions of both Final Fantasy XIV and XVI might be on the horizon at some juncture, but nothing has been verified.
Share your thoughts on whether you concur with Yoshida-san in the comments.
[source famitsu.com, via x.com]
Alana has been part of Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her primary passion, Nintendo holds a close second place. She revels in dissecting battle tactics, characters, and narratives. She also dreams of becoming a Sega air pirate.