>>713489362
The echo mechanic was made before Zelda was decided as the lead. The devs couldn't find a way to make echoes appealing when the sword was faster and easier to use. Aonuma's response to this was to have Link removed as the player character and give the game/entire echo concept to Zelda just to take the sword away from players.
https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ask-the-developer-vol-13-the-legend-of-zelda-echoes-of-wisdom-part-3/