Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review - A Deep Dive by Kotaku

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is here, blending classic and modern elements of the beloved series. This inventive adventure promises to captivate fans with its endearing story and creative gameplay.

A New Chapter for Zelda

Following the success of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Nintendo introduces Echoes of Wisdom. This game combines the open-world wonder and physics-based creativity of its predecessors with classic top-down Zelda gameplay.

In this story, Hyrule faces dark rifts trapping its inhabitants, including Link. For the first time, Zelda takes the lead, setting out to rescue the land with her companion, Tri.

Gameplay Mechanics

Playing as Zelda offers a fresh experience. Unlike Link, she doesn't fight directly with a sword and shield. Instead, she uses Tri's magic to create "echoes"—clones of items and monsters she's encountered.

• Summon beds, tables, and chairs to solve puzzles.
• Create creatures like electric blobs and spear-wielding goblins.

This freeform creativity is where Echoes of Wisdom shines. You’ll find yourself stacking beds to cross gaps or using wind echoes to propel Zelda across wide chasms.

Progression and Challenges

Tri's magic starts limited, but as you progress, you can summon more echoes at once. This natural progression keeps the game engaging.

Echoes of Wisdom feels like a puzzle game, reminiscent of older Zelda titles with intricately designed dungeons. You’ll need to use echoes creatively to solve these puzzles and advance.

Combat and Exploration

Zelda can enter a limited "swordsman mode," allowing her to use a sword, shoot arrows, and throw bombs. While this mode feels overpowered, it’s a nod to longtime fans who miss Link's gameplay.

Combat is most satisfying when relying on echoes. Defeating new enemies to create echoes feels like collecting Pokémon, adding an exciting layer to the game.

Echo Management

Managing echoes can be cumbersome. With dozens of echoes, cycling through them to find the right one can be a hassle. Some sorting tools help, but manual organization would be a welcome addition.

Exploration and Side Quests

Exploration plays a significant role. The map resembles A Link to the Past, filled with side quests and optional dungeons. These quests range from simple tasks to elaborate multi-step adventures.

Rewards for side quests are worthwhile, often providing new echoes or valuable items. This makes exploration rewarding and encourages players to take on every challenge.

Movement Speed

One downside is Zelda’s slow running speed. It can be frustrating, but using a spin move can help speed things up, making traversal more bearable.

Final Thoughts

Echoes of Wisdom successfully combines the feel of classic Zelda games with modern creative gameplay. It offers a unique experience, giving Zelda her time in the spotlight. This game is a must-play for fans of the series.

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