The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review – About bloody time

As a seasoned gamer who has traversed through countless realms and vanquished myriad foes, I must say that Echoes of Wisdom has left me utterly captivated. This game is a masterful blend of nostalgia and innovation, a testament to the enduring charm of Zelda’s world.

For the first time since the initial release on TV in 1986, Princess Zelda is now the central character in her very own game. This significant shift has been anticipated by fans for years; however, the question remains: Does Echoes of Wisdom resonate triumphantly or does it struggle to express its true potential?

As a devoted fan, I must say that Nintendo has truly outdone itself by shining a brighter light on its remarkable female characters in recent times. Games such as Princess Peach’s Showtime, Metroid Dread, and Bayonetta 3 have garnered widespread praise from critics. Now, after an impressive 38-year journey, it’s Princess Zelda’s turn to take center stage!

After Skyward Sword’s launch, Nintendo has strived to portray Zelda as a lively, autonomous character rather than just a damsel in distress waiting to be rescued. Yet, her omission as a playable character in Breath of the Wild sparked debate, and though Tears of the Kingdom gave more focus on her, she remained essentially a catalyst for Link’s actions, functioning more as a significant plot element than a fully-realized character.

As a devoted admirer, I ponder if “Echoes of Wisdom” successfully transforms Zelda into the valiant figure of Hyrule. Yet, does she stride in the massive footprints left by Link, or does she blaze a trail unique to herself instead?

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Key details

Price: $59.99/£49.99
Developer: Nintendo & Grezzo
Release Date: 26 September 2024
Platforms: Nintendo Switch

The Legend of Zelda (no, really)

In the absence of its famous champion, Link, the story unfolds within an alternate Hyrule. After a fierce confrontation with the malevolent Demon King, Ganon, Link was tragically sucked into a chasm.

Instead of just Link who’s vanished, there are enigmatic tears appearing throughout Hyrule, causing a significant transformation in the landscape and resulting in numerous citizens vanishing.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review – About bloody time

In the midst of Link’s predicament amidst the unfolding catastrophe, it falls upon Zelda and her enigmatic ally, Tri, to delve into the secrets behind the peculiar fissures that jeopardize our world. Although Echoes of Wisdom’s narrative may not match up to Tears of the Kingdom (a game featuring enigmatic chasms), its straightforwardness is its key attraction – the gameplay experience.

Breathing new life into old school Zelda

Echoes of Wisdom introduces a significant change to the traditional Zelda gameplay structure as observed since A Link Between Worlds. Unlike A Link Between Worlds where Link could pass through walls for puzzle-solving and world travel, Zelda’s Tri Rod brings an unprecedented level of creativity and verticality that has never been experienced in a 2D Zelda game before.

Using the enchanted Tri Staff, players can replicate and conjure items, along with vanquished non-boss foes from past battles. I soon found myself scouring vast territories, much like a frenzied Link on a Pokemon quest, in pursuit of fresh creatures to expand my burgeoning menagerie.

It can’t be understated just how fun it is to collect and use iconic Zelda enemies, like Moblins, Tektites, and Darknuts, in combat. Walking around Hyrule Field while being flanked by a couple of Moblin bodyguards, and watching them obliterate a group of slimes never gets old.

As a dedicated Zelda fan, let me tell you, Echoes isn’t just about the combat that sets it apart. Unlike previous 2D Zelda games, it introduces an exciting feature – summoning objects! Within mere hours of gameplay, I found myself ingeniously creating bridges with beds to traverse rivers, strategically placing boulders to block fan traps, and playfully stacking jump pads for a high-flying leap onto treetops. It’s an exhilarating twist that keeps me engaged!

In simpler terms, exploring the tall trees in Faron Wetlands was possible because of what followed. This would have been difficult otherwise. Not only did climbing these structures reduce travel time significantly (which will definitely appeal to speedrunners), but it also made finding hidden collectibles like heart containers, stamps, and might crystals incredibly rewarding.

One issue I have with the game, other than its linearity, is that I frequently find myself scrolling through my Echoes tab excessively. This tab contains 127 items, ranging from monsters to furniture, which can be summoned. When trying to find the ideal monster or item for a puzzle during combat, this search process can become quite time-consuming.

Although the Last Used and Most Recent functions do help quicken the process, you’ll still have to invest some time searching through your Amazon storage facility to locate the item you require.

Luckily for those longing for Link’s classic gameplay, they can activate Sword Mode – a powerful state that transforms Zelda into a spectral form reminiscent of the Hylian Hero. In this empowered state, Zelda wields Link’s sword, bow, bombs, and the renowned Hylian Shield.

As a gamer, I must admit that I was initially hoping for a pure Zelda-focused adventure. However, I’ve come to understand that Nintendo has implemented an energy gauge to access the additional Sword mode. This doesn’t diminish the main gameplay but rather adds a layer of depth to it, enhancing my Zelda: Breath of the Wild experience instead of overshadowing it. During intense boss fights, I find myself needing to skillfully blend both my Echoes and Sword modes to emerge victorious.

Imparting the wisdom

Experiencing Echoes of Wisdom, it’s tough not to recognize the significant impact that Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have had on Zelda’s journey. One of the most striking similarities is Zelda’s Bind ability, which, like Ultrahand, empowers players to grab objects and relocate them at will.

In addition, Echoes of Wisdom places greater importance on additional missions or side quests, an aspect that was significantly highlighted in BotW. This results in Hyrule feeling more lively and inhabited compared to its 2D predecessors. The tasks span from common errands like gathering Cucoolinks (Cucoos), to discovering a hidden boss deep within Zora’s Cove.

In this game, the quests aren’t just about handing out worthless prizes – quite the contrary! Some of the most impressive costumes are actually linked to additional content. Similar to Breath of the Wild’s cooking system, you can use food items and materials found in the environment to prepare Smoothies here. These not only replenish Zelda’s health and energy levels but also offer various bonuses.

Moblin camps reappear, offering chances to test your new Echoes and gather valuable resources. Zelda can also call upon her personal steed to traverse Hyrule. The Echoes, unique to this 2D Zelda game, introduce a level of interactivity unprecedented, allowing players greater control in combat strategies and Dungeon problem-solving.

The return of traditional dungeons

In the games Breath of the Wild (BotW) and Tears of the Kingdom (ToK), one frequent complaint was the absence of conventional dungeons. However, Echoes of the Kingdom makes a point to emphasize these classic dungeon experiences.

Longtime enthusiasts of the classic Zelda series should be well-versed in these tasks: Uncover the map for the dungeon, seek out a compass, gather every treasure chest, obtain the key needed to battle the boss, and conquer the main antagonist to earn a heart container as your reward.

Though Echoes of Wisdom adheres to the conventional labyrinth setting common in previous 2D games, the unique Echo system in Zelda’s gameplay breathes new life into familiar territory.

Fundamentally, you can choose whatever method you prefer to solve each puzzle. As an illustration, a specific area in Lanayru Temple demanded me to strike two pressure pads simultaneously. This might seem like a standard dungeon puzzle, but the switches were positioned on opposite sides of the room, making my customary autonomous statues unavailable for use.

As a fan of unconventional problem-solving methods, let me share my recent triumph: I managed to tackle an issue using nothing more than a couple of ice blocks and a flailing lanternfish! Yes, you read that right. The absurdity of the situation had me in stitches, but the ingeniousness of the solution left me amazed. It’s safe to say that this scenario will be etched in my memory for quite some time!

Just as in Link’s Awakening, the dungeons incorporate 2D segments. These parts sometimes involve Zelda hitting a switch or maneuvering around enemies, which seemed somewhat restrictive compared to the more imaginative aspects of each temple. To be honest, I often hurried through these outdated sections to get to places where I could fully utilize my Echoes’ abilities instead.

A notable place where the game’s Echo mechanics were effectively utilized was the rifts. These fragmented locales are linked directly to the game’s dungeon adventure, and it’s Zelda who must employ her Echo abilities to traverse shattered pieces of Hyrule in order to find Tri’s companions. Once every creature has been found, the rift will be repaired, and normalcy will return to that area.

In a manner similar to the Shrines in Breath of the Wild, they are scattered throughout Hyrule, providing compact areas where players can explore and master the game’s mechanics. I grew quite attached to the vertical exploration offered by the parkour segments, especially as I navigated the mysterious realms of the Still World using beds, clouds, and water blocks.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but appreciate how each dungeon in a classic Zelda game is defined by its formidable bosses. Without revealing the thrilling encounters, let me share that every boss presented a unique challenge, pushing me to creatively employ Link’s abilities and devise effective strategies to emerge victorious.

Although they weren’t extremely challenging, skilled players can make it harder by opting for the Hero Mode. However, be aware that in this mode, you’ll take twice as much damage and won’t get any heart drops, transforming Echoes of Wisdom into a grueling obstacle course rather than a leisurely journey.

The Verdict – 5/5

In contrast, Echoes of Wisdom appears as an impressive advancement in the traditional style of the Zelda series, following Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom’s innovative additions that significantly impacted Nintendo’s open-world games.

This game offers a delightful mix of classic Zelda elements, skillfully combined with contemporary mechanisms borrowed from the open-world titans of its series. Consequently, Nintendo has crafted an experience that is both reminiscent of the past and strikingly innovative.

After a wait of 38 years, the long-awaited video game featuring the title princess is nothing short of exceptional. Not only does Echoes of Wisdom showcase Nintendo’s ability to captivate Zelda enthusiasts, but it also rejuvenates their classic series with fresh energy.

The Echoes of Wisdom has proven to be an outstanding achievement, a brilliant demonstration of creativity, and a fitting first installment for the iconic princess of the series.

2024-09-25 15:21