This action-adventure game launched in September 2024, a unique take on the Legend of Zelda series. In Echoes of Wisdom, players take control of Zelda (rather than Link, the main hero of the series).
Co-developed by Nintendo and Grezzo, it’s available for Switch and Switch 2. For this one, there’s an intriguing magical wand system that opens up new puzzle solving shizzles and all that. The result? On the whole great, but not perfect.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
A key thing here is the visual style, which follows in the footsteps of the 2019 Link’s Awakening remake. The other key thing is you play as Zelda and must save Link.
It’s a welcome addition to the series, for the first time making the series focus in on Princess Zelda and gives female players something to celebrate here.
In the plot, after Link is kidnapped you set off across Hyrule to save him. You equip a Tri Rod that creates “echoes”, from you can summon the objects and monsters you encounter in the game world. The goal? Use these to solve puzzles and open new areas to exploration, taking the action-adventure element away from Link slashing with his sword.
Here it is in action, you crazy damn fools!
One of the startling things with the echoes system is just how many combinations there are. Every monster and object can be used in some clever way to advance in an area.
For anyone into puzzles, that makes Echoes of Wisdom a joy to play through.
However, there’s a downside to the system. As inventive as it is, things can get repetitive. You’re constantly opening and closing a menu screen to access all the objects, then dump them into situations, and experiment around to solve situations. It can get more frustrating than fun.
Full credit to Nintendo for trying something different, and it can work a treat, there are just those cumbersome moments with the system.
However, it doesn’t always dominate proceedings. Away from that Tri Rod stuff, there’s the usual glorious exploration across the beautiful, lush world Zelda is in.
It’s a cheap Nintendo exclusive, too, at a cost of around £40. That’s down to it being a shorter game, offering around 15-20 hours of gameplay. Compare that to something like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023) and its 200+ hour demands and it’s clear Nintendo new the Echoes concept needed to be short and sweet.
Asides from its looks, we also like the string quartet soundtrack that a big chunk of Nintendo composers put together.
From the iconic Hyrule Field music to more advanced themes, it continues to add to the standard charm offensive of the Zelda games.
Echoes of Wisdom met with strong reviews in the gaming press, with Japan’s Famitsu magazine (notorious for being picky) handing it 10/10, 9/10, 9/10, and 8/10. IGN gave it 9/10, as did Nintendo Life. PCMag handed over 4.5/5 and Shacknews gave it 10/10.
However, The Guardian’s games editor, Keza MacDonald (a lifelong Zelda fan), didn’t take to it and gave the game 3/5. As she noted:
“I did get used to Echoes of Wisdom’s new way of doing things as time went by – but I can’t say I ever grew to love it. There’s lots to like about it; particularly the painfully cute toylike aesthetic, which makes Hyrule feel a bit like like a giant Polly Pocket, and Zelda’s adorable horse. It’s a good game, and its mishmash of intersecting ideas does bring something new. But I hope that the next time we play as Zelda, it feels more empowering.”
For us, this was a 4/5 type effort. Short but sweet, inventive in its approach, but not 100% perfect in its application. But if you own a Switch, it’s well worth a look (especially if you’re a puzzle fanatic).
