If they make another game with Zelda as the playable protagonist they really need to let her transform into sheik. It would allow a lot more when it comes to gameplay.
I guess they could have changed it so instead of transforming into Link you could temporarily transform into Sheik, but I don’t think the result would have been that different here
Sheik could do more hand to hand combat. Even something like allowing her to kick and punch would have been a nice addition
I think if Nintendo really wanted to, they could have given Sheik something unique to make the addition worthwhile for gameplay, but I don’t think they really see Sheik as an idea worth revisiting. The "character" hasn't been used since OOT apart from regular appearances in Smash.
I don’t think there is any need to bring Sheik back. Part of what was cool about Sheik in OOT is not knowing who they were until the reveal. Zelda was using Sheik as a disguise. Obviously, they could come up with many reasons why she could need a disguise again, but the mystery aspect is gone. I wouldn’t be bummed if Sheik pops back up, but I don’t see the point.
This is reminding me of the cancelled Retro studios game that was going to have Sheik has the protagonist. Retro's Cancelled Zelda Game Starring Sheik Resurfaces In Nintendo Gigaleak
I wouldn’t say “unpleasant” so much as “not that exciting” since you can’t even turn into Link so you’re basically just using your strongest summons and avoiding damage while the summon/Link does all the strategic fighting. Plus there’s nothing like “the enemy only takes X type of damage so you need to figure that out”
Being this close to the end, I think my overall impression is that I'm enjoying it but I'm definitely ready to be done. I really wish there'd been more variety in the smaller rifts and would've loved having a favorites/loadout situation with the echoes but the game is short enough to not have that be too much of an issue for me.
Seeing that we rarely get direct sequels to Zelda games, I feel like this style is one and done, but who knows
We’ve gotten more direct sequels lately (TOTK and Link Between Worlds) and remakes so I wouldn’t be surprised to see another game in this vein
Hopefully the gameplay mechanic of just casting echoes is one and done, but Zelda being playable will have a “sequel”
Yeah, I do hope we get more Zelda-as-the-playable-protagonist games in the future but I also hope there’s a different core mechanic