The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is one of the most seductive new entries in the Zelda franchise. Nearly 40 years of Zelda games have assured gamers of experiences they’ll never forget, inspiring a massive amount of memes, pop culture references, and even music remixes.
But Echoes of Wisdom certainly breaks new grounds by making Princess Zelda the fully playable main protagonist for the first time in a core game in the series. Finally, the princess becomes not only a princess but also a hero.
Soundtrack and Iconic Zelda Atmosphere
Easily one of the most outstanding aspects of this game is its soundtrack. The opening sequence in Echoes of Wisdom immediately sets the right tone with its interesting mixture of familiar Zelda melodies alongside fresh, otherworldly remixes. Nostalgic and innovative, it seems to capture perfectly the magic and mystery of Hyrule.
A Charming, Miniature Version of Hyrule
Players are dropped into a chibi version of Hyrule in Echoes of Wisdom, a world which feels full of life, joy, and sunshine. Even though this is the smaller, condensed version of Hyrule compared to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, all familiar biomes are incorporated into it, and so exploration is exciting. There are plenty of things to collect, but the central mechanics of “Echoes” pretty much play a great role, at least mostly, in puzzle-solving and combat.
Power of Echoes: Solve Puzzles and Fight Creatively
Zelda’s magical companion, Tri, lets her call out copies of things or enemies in Hyrule. This is called “Echoes,” and it really changes everything in how one plays combat and solves puzzles. You can do all sorts of Echoes: simple things like boxes to really complicated objects, such as trampolines or just a cube of water detached from its source. Players can find unique strategies and solutions combining their Echoes in different ways based on their play style.
It’s not that you can’t use armadillos to launch at enemies from a distance or metal-clad knights as shields; no, really, whatever floats your boat. Similarly, while playing through the puzzles, you can either follow the intended solution or get a little creative by piling up items to overcome obstacles in your own way.
A Small-Open World Packed with Adventure
While the game world is tiny and takes only minutes to trek through, Echoes of Wisdom is still playing much like a proper Zelda. All the UI elements from Tears of the Kingdom return, so veterans will feel right at home while playing it. Exploration is rewarded not just with upgrade materials but also with new Echoes, which can unlock even more unique ways to solve puzzles.
Cute art style with some fuzzy edges.
While the toy-like, colorful art style of Echoes of Wisdom is undoubtedly cute, there are some technical drawbacks to be had here. As the aging Nintendo Switch struggles to keep up, players will be subjected to muddy textures, blurry visuals, and those inevitable frame rate drops in heavy action sequences. However, the game is short of the “wow factor” that characterizes other entries in the series, such as Link’s Awakening.
Engaging Story, But Some Pacing Issues
The story is solid in Echoes of Wisdom, but the pacing in the latter half of the game suffers from some issues. The playability does not improve much with Princess Zelda as a silent protagonist; Link is used to that, but this could make it less fitting for Princess Zelda, who has a more defined character. There are also some repetitive dungeons and Insta-fail stealth sections that will put some players’ patience to the test.
Boss Fights: Love Them or Hate Them
The boss battles may be polarizing. Although the game in general encourages creative solutions, the boss battles often require tactics that are not exactly well-signposted. In such an approach, such battles can be jarring to players who have been enjoying solving problems in a very open-ended way throughout the game.
Key Takeaways:
- First Zelda game with Princess Zelda as the main, playable protagonist.
- Creative puzzle-solving and combat with the new “Echoes” mechanic.
- Style is nice, but some potential technical issues due to aging Switch hardware.
- Engaging, nostalgic soundtrack with familiar Zelda motifs.
There are minor pacing problems and repetition in the second half of the game. If you are a fan of the series and love adventure games with some creative mechanics, then do take the journey of Echoes of Wisdom!
Summary: A Bittersweet Goodbye to the Nintendo Switch
Beyond its weak links, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a great adventure, rich in nostalgia, creativity, and emotional power. Clocking in at between 15 to 20 hours, it’s a breezy experience that’s at the right length and never too drawn out or overwhelming. It’s also a fitting farewell to the Nintendo Switch, as the game pushes the console to its limits while providing all the charm, depth, and spirit that fans have come to know and love in a first-party Nintendo game.
Echoes of Wisdom is a must-play for Zelda fans, offering a colorful and accessible epic that will leave players with fond memories of Hyrule.
