The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review | A Breath of Fresh Air
Echoes of Wisdom finally places us in the shoes of the series's titular character, Princess Zelda! Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Echoes of Wisdom Review Overview
What is Echoes of Wisdom?
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is set in a timeline where Zelda, not Link, is the one saving Hyrule as countless rifts spread across the land. With Link out of the picture, Zelda and a mysterious fairy named Tri must use an artifact called the Tri Rod to conquer all obstacles in their path and restore peace to the once-prosperous kingdom of Hyrule.
Echoes of Wisdom features:
⚫︎ Play as Princess Zelda!
⚫︎ Link’s Awakening Clay-Like Art-Style
⚫︎ New Power Called “Echoes”
⚫︎ Classic 2D Zelda Gameplay with Familiar BOTW/TOTK Features
⚫︎ Amiibo Exclusives
⚫︎ Action-Adventure Game
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Echoes of Wisdom's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefront | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switch |
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| $59.99 |
Echoes of Wisdom Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 You Play as ZELDA Stunning and Adorable Visuals Unique and Creative Echo Mechanic | Noticeable Frame Rate Drops |
Echoes of Wisdom Overall Score - 90/100
Echoes of Wisdom is a real breath of fresh air in the Zelda universe, finally granting fans the long-awaited wish of having Princess Zelda take center stage in a game that truly delivers. EoW isn't just a victory lap for our beloved princess; it’s a serious contender for the crown of the best Zelda game. With its stunning visuals, inventive mechanics, and amazing soundtrack, it wouldn’t be a shock to see this gem in the running for Game of the Year.
Echoes of Wisdom Story - 8/10
While the familiar quest to save Hyrule from mysterious forces remains at its core, putting Zelda in the spotlight adds a fresh spark to the story. Her unique perspective breathes new life into the adventure. Each twist and turn along the way builds toward a stunning and emotionally rewarding finale that truly makes this journey unforgettable.
Echoes of Wisdom Gameplay - 10/10
The game masterfully combines the charm of classic 2D Zelda gameplay with the innovations of modern 3D features, creating a seamless experience that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The introduction of the Echoes mechanic adds an exciting twist, allowing for imaginative solutions to challenges that keep players engaged. Even better, Zelda isn’t just a rehashed version of Link; her gameplay is distinct and dynamic, making her a captivating protagonist in her own right.
Echoes of Wisdom Visuals - 9/10
EoW features visuals similar to Link’s Awakening but feels much more refined and vibrant. It’s a stunning game to behold, with beautiful art design and imaginative world-building, along with intricately crafted dungeons. The only drawback is the frame rate issues, which can become quite noticeable in certain situations or areas. It's definitely a Majora's
update to Link's Awakening.
Echoes of Wisdom Audio - 9/10
Sadly, we’re back to the classic grunts and gasps since this game doesn’t have voice acting. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear Link drop an “Excuse me, Princess!” at some point? But don’t worry; the soundtrack and sound design totally save the day! The beloved da-da-da-daaaa
still plays when you open chests or snag heart containers. Plus, the new soundtrack is a delightful breath of fresh air compared to the more subdued tunes from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom
Echoes of Wisdom Value for Money - 9/10
For fans of the series, this game is an absolute must-buy. But for newcomers, it gets a little tricky—there are so many great Zelda titles on the Switch that choosing just one can be overwhelming. Still, I think this one is a fantastic option! While it might feel different from the other games, it’s still a blast to play on its own. Plus, it's the latest title and comes in at $10 cheaper than Tears of the Kingdom. That’s a total steal on its own!
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review: A Breath of Fresh Air
Saying this game has been a long time coming feels like an understatement. As a longtime Zelda fan, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the day when we could finally step into Zelda's shoes for a change, rather than always following Link. And let’s be real, those CDI games don’t count! Nintendo has finally answered that call, and I have to say, this isn’t exactly the Zelda game I envisioned, but it’s even better than I could have imagined!
The game kicks off in a way that’s reminiscent of Tears of the Kingdom, putting you in the shoes of an experienced Link just before a showdown with Ganondorf. You’re right in the thick of it, exploring the dungeon and utilizing Link’s arsenal of weapons and tools leading up to an epic boss battle with Ganon. This fight feels like a throwback to classic encounters, complete with fire blasts and teleportation, not to mention the massive axe he swings at you. It’s a well-crafted fight that sets the stage for what’s to come.
Once you defeat Ganon, the game takes a thrilling turn as Link gets pulled into a mysterious dark realm called the Still World. But before that happens, he manages to free Zelda from a crystal by shooting an arrow at it. And just like that, you finally get to play as her! The first task? Escaping a collapsing dungeon that’s being swallowed by this strange void. It’s an intense start, and after you make your escape, you’re welcomed by guards who escort you to the Hyrule Kingdom.
Things take a fascinating turn when you meet your father, the king, only for him and his royal servants to be absorbed by the void, leaving behind copies that capture Zelda and throw her into prison. While in her cell, she encounters the mysterious fairy, Tri, who, as true Zelda fans might guess, has ties to the Triforce. It’s in this prison that Tri gifts Zelda the magical Tri Rod, granting her the ability to use Echoes. This cool mechanic allows her to copy specific items and create limited duplicates—essentially a key to her escape.
With the help of the beloved Impa, who aids Zelda in her daring escape, they set off on a quest to save Hyrule from this impending calamity. This unique dynamic and the Tri Rod's abilities promise to be at the heart of Zelda's journey, making the gameplay experience both fresh and engaging.
The prologue to Zelda’s journey is truly captivating, setting the stage for an amazing adventure that only gets better with each step. Much like the classic 2D Zelda games, you have a map to explore, filled with side quests before diving into the main story. Along the way, you'll venture into the Still World to rescue captives and gradually dismantle the chaos.
One of the things I absolutely love about this game is how it brings in those handy quality-of-life features from the 3D Zelda titles. The addition of a jump button is a game-changer, making the gameplay feel even more dynamic in this 2D world. Plus, the user interface is a breath of fresh air, drawing inspiration from the beloved designs of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Everything feels so intuitive and familiar, from managing your items to the freedom of saving your progress wherever you like. It’s these thoughtful design choices that really enhance the overall experience and make adventuring feel seamless and fun!
The Bind mechanic is another clever feature, reminiscent of the Ultrahand but without the building aspect. Instead, you can move objects or bind yourself to them. For instance, if you want to soar through the skies, you can latch onto a bird and let it carry you away. It's a creative twist that opens up many possibilities.
Then there’s the new Echo mechanic, which I absolutely love. It’s incredibly fun and easy to use, allowing you to replicate not just items but also enemies after defeating them for the first time. At times, I felt like a Pokémon trainer summoning my echoes to battle foes. The combat style is refreshingly different from Link’s, encouraging exploration that feels more vertical and inventive.
Side quests are equally rewarding, often yielding heart containers or unique items to echo, making every detour feel worthwhile. While the game leans towards the easier side of the Zelda spectrum, some areas present their own challenges—not necessarily tough bosses, but puzzles that require a clever approach to tackle dungeons and enemies in ways that wouldn't come naturally to Link.
For example, during my first encounter with a moblin hideout, I had to think strategically. Unlike Link, who might charge in swinging swords, Zelda needs to be resourceful. I created an echo of a piece of meat to distract the enemies, allowing me to summon an echo to engage them while I hid behind a pot.
It’s just one of many creative strategies available; you could also burn their camp with a fire echo or hurl rocks at them. This kind of problem-solving truly encourages thinking outside the box.
I can't help but hope that Echoes of Wisdom receives a sequel and that we see more games where Zelda takes the lead in her own adventure. The potential for creative gameplay is immense, and I can’t wait to see where the series goes next!
Pros of Echoes of Wisdom
| Things Echoes of Wisdom Got Right |
|---|
|
You Play as ZELDA Stunning and Adorable Visuals Unique and Creative Echo Mechanic |
You Play as ZELDA
First, we had Princess Peach starring in Princess Peach Showtime, and now it’s Zelda’s turn in Echoes of Wisdom! Nintendo is on a roll this year, giving their beloved female characters the spotlight they deserve, and it’s about time we see these fan favorites shine. While there have been past games featuring Zelda as the main character, let’s not dwell on those less-than-stellar titles—this one is truly the definitive game where she’s playable. I love that playing as her feels completely different from Link; she brings her own defining features that really change up the gameplay!
Stunning and Adorable Visuals
The game looks absolutely gorgeous, whether you're playing in handheld mode or on the big screen. While it shares an art style with the Link’s Awakening remake, it feels way more vibrant and distinct. The dungeons are creatively designed, and the enemies are so charming, giving the open world a fresh, imaginative touch. One of the standout areas is the Still World, which features floating fragments of Hyrule that have been pulled away by strange rifts. It totally reminds me of the Distortion World from the fourth-generation Pokémon games, creating a truly unique atmosphere!
Unique and Creative Echo Mechanic
Zelda is no longer just the damsel in distress; she’s stepping up to save the kingdom herself, but she won’t be doing it alone. Like other entries in the series, Echoes of Wisdom introduces a new gimmick: the Tri Rod, gifted to you by your enigmatic fairy companion, Tri. This magical rod lets you create copies of certain items in the game, giving you endless possibilities for creative solutions. Imagine if Zelda had a “copy and paste” function, limited by the number of times you can use it.
Another neat ability is “Bind,” a simplified version of the Ultrahand from Tears of the Kingdom. With it, you can attach yourself to objects, letting them follow you or allowing you to move them around. The level of creativity in this game is astounding; there are countless ways to approach areas, enemies, and quests. It brilliantly merges the puzzle-solving and creative elements of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with classic Zelda gameplay, making it feel like the perfect evolution for the series.
I lost count of how many times I built makeshift stairs out of beds, and I love how the game continually provides items to spark your imagination. What’s particularly interesting is that, for much of the gameplay, action takes a backseat. Unlike Link, Zelda plays more like a summoner, often allowing her echoes to fight on her behalf or completely avoiding battle altogether.
Cons of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
| Things That Echoes of Wisdom Can Improve |
|---|
|
Noticeable Frame Rate Drops |
Noticeable Frame Rate Drops
Unfortunately, the game does experience noticeable FPS drops, particularly in certain areas and scenarios like the Hyrule Kingdom. It's a bit surprising that a Nintendo title doesn't run flawlessly on their own hardware. On the bright side, the performance improves as you progress, though those occasional hiccups can still pop up. While nothing is game-breaking and it doesn’t ruin the overall experience, it can pull you out of the moment every now and then. Fingers crossed for a patch to address these issues soon!
Is The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Worth It?
It’s the Perfect “Zelda” Game!
It’s about time we finally have a Zelda game where you actually get to play as Zelda, and it’s genuinely fantastic! This game is a must-buy and absolutely worth your money! They could have easily taken the easy route and turned it into a cash grab or a simple reskin, but they really went above and beyond to create something truly unique and incredibly fun to play. Here’s hoping we see more Zelda games where we can step into her shoes!
| Digital Storefront | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
|||||
| $59.99 |
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom FAQ
Do You Play as Link in Echoes of Wisdom?
Yes, there is a certain section where you can play as Link in the game.
What do Amiibo do in Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom?
In The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, amiibo unlock various items like ingredients for smoothies and potions, as well as outfits for Zelda to wear during her journey. Here are the costumes you can unlock through amiibo scans:
⚫︎ Black Cat Costume
⚫︎ Blue Attire
⚫︎ Red Tunic
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| Title | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 26 2024 |
| Developer | Nintendo EPD, Grezzo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Supported Platforms | Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action, Role-playing |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| ESRB Rating | E |
| Official Website | ">Echoes of Wisdom Official Website |
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