The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom marks a significant departure for the beloved series, offering fans a fresh perspective on the adventures in Hyrule. Developed by Nintendo and Grezzo, the game is the first mainline title to place Princess Zelda at the forefront of the action, shifting the focus away from Link and allowing players to explore Hyrule through her eyes. Released on September 26, 2024, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, this action-adventure game combines classic Zelda elements with new gameplay innovations, all wrapped up in a visual style reminiscent of the Link’s Awakening remake from 2019.

This time, the stakes are high for Zelda, who sets off on a journey to rescue Link from the mysterious Still World, a dimension connected to Hyrule through dangerous rifts. Equipped with the magical Tri Rod and accompanied by the fairy Tri, Zelda must confront a powerful new enemy, Null, while unravelling the secrets of the rifts and the primordial forces threatening to consume Hyrule. Echoes of Wisdom delivers a blend of familiar exploration and puzzle-solving while introducing new mechanics like the ability to create “echoes” and the strategic use of the Bond and Reverse Bond abilities.

With critics praising the game’s visuals, storytelling, and gameplay innovations, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a bold step forward for the series, bringing a fresh twist to its timeless formula. But how well does it balance the franchise’s legacy with its new ideas? Let’s explore the depths of this latest adventure and see if Zelda’s time in the spotlight shines as brightly as her heroic counterpart’s.

Setting and Story

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is set in a beautifully crafted Hyrule that blends the familiar with the mysterious. While many players will recognize iconic landmarks and regions from past games, the enigmatic Still World adds a layer of intrigue and danger to the adventure. The Still World is a shadowy, timeless dimension where objects, people, and even parts of Hyrule’s landscape are suspended in time. Accessed through rifts scattered across Hyrule, it serves as the central mystery that Zelda must unravel to save Link and restore order to the kingdom.

The story begins with Link’s fateful attempt to rescue Princess Zelda from the clutches of Ganon. During this battle, a mysterious rift opens, dragging Link into the Still World, where time does not flow and reality is distorted. Zelda’s return to Hyrule is chaotic as rifts continue to appear throughout the land, pulling other residents—including the king—into the Still World’s grip. Worse, imposters of the king and his advisors have seized control of Hyrule Castle, framing Zelda as the cause of the rifts and condemning her to imprisonment. But with the help of Tri, a fairy sent by the Golden Goddesses, Zelda escapes the castle dungeon, setting off on a journey to repair the rifts, rescue Link, and reveal the true enemy behind these disturbances.

Zelda’s quest takes her across both Hyrule and the Still World, where she encounters familiar faces like the Gorons, Zoras, Gerudo, and more. Each faction has its struggles as the rifts disrupt their lives, and Zelda’s journey to repair the shrines of Din, Nayru, and Farore leads her to ally with these groups. Along the way, she faces off against echoes of creatures and allies alike, twisted by the Still World’s influence. The game’s world-building is rich, with the history of the Still World slowly coming into focus as Zelda discovers ancient ruins, lost writings, and the remnants of those who fell into this strange realm long ago.

Central to Zelda’s journey is her connection to the Tri Rod, a magical artifact Tri gave her. This rod allows her to summon “echoes”—temporary imitations of objects or creatures—which play a key role in puzzle-solving and combat throughout the game. As Zelda delves deeper into the rifts, she learns to master the Tri Rod’s abilities, using echoes to manipulate the environment, access hidden areas, and confront powerful enemies that guard each dungeon.

The game’s main antagonist, Null, is revealed to be a primordial entity that predates even the creation of the universe by the Golden Goddesses. It is responsible for the rifts and the rise of the imposters in Hyrule. Null’s goal is to return everything to the void, eliminating the universe the Goddess created and reclaiming its place as the sole being. This cosmic struggle between creation and destruction is the backdrop for Zelda’s journey, as she battles to save Hyrule and faces a force that challenges the very fabric of reality itself.

Throughout her journey, Zelda’s character development is a central focus. As she takes on the responsibilities that would typically fall to Link, she grows from a sheltered princess into a determined hero, learning to wield her intelligence and combat prowess. Her interactions with Tri add a lighter, sometimes humorous tone to the otherwise serious adventure, with the fairy’s upbeat personality contrasting with Zelda’s introspective determination.

The story culminates in a showdown against Null, who attempts to drain the Prime Energy from the Triforce, using echoes of both Zelda and Link. The final battle is a test of all the skills Zelda has developed, as she uses the power of the Tri Rod, her swordsmanship, and the help of her allies to defeat the echo of herself and face Null directly. With the power of the Golden Goddesses and the support of the people of Hyrule, Zelda ultimately triumphs, sealing away Null and restoring balance to both Hyrule and the Still World.

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom crafts a narrative that balances epic stakes with personal growth, offering a new perspective on Hyrule’s storied world while delving into the deeper lore of the universe. The interplay between the timeless Still World and the living world of Hyrule provides a unique twist on exploration and storytelling, with Zelda’s journey to save Link offering fans a story of resilience, courage, and the power of hope.

Gameplay and Mechanics

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom introduces new gameplay mechanics that breathe fresh life into the familiar action-adventure formula while maintaining the series’ signature charm. As players control Princess Zelda for the first time in a mainline game, they are given access to unique abilities and tools that set her adventure apart from those of Link. The game balances the classic exploration and puzzle-solving of previous Zelda titles and innovative new mechanics, making each encounter feel nostalgic and refreshingly original.

Tri Rod and Echoes:

The centrepiece of Zelda’s arsenal is the Tri Rod, a magical artifact gifted to her by the fairy Tri. The Tri Rod allows Zelda to summon “echoes”—temporary copies of objects, creatures, and even enemies that she can use strategically in combat and exploration. Echoes can create distractions, solve puzzles, or even replicate powerful foes to turn the tide of battle in Zelda’s favour. However, each echo has a cost, represented by the number of glowing triangles behind Tri, limiting how many can be active at any given time.

This echoes system adds strategic depth to the gameplay, as players must decide when and where to use their limited resources. For example, creating an echo of a powerful enemy in combat can help turn a problematic battle into a more manageable one. In puzzle-solving, echoes might replicate a heavy object to hold down a switch or mimic a specific creature needed to unlock a door. The flexibility of the Tri Rod encourages experimentation, allowing players to approach challenges in various ways, giving a sense of agency that keeps the gameplay engaging.

Bond and Reverse Bond Mechanics:

In addition to the Tri Rod, Zelda can use the Bond and Reverse Bond abilities, which add further versatility to her interactions with the environment. The Bondability allows Zelda to bind objects to herself, enabling her to carry or move them through the world. This is useful for transporting heavy items across rugged terrain or activating mechanisms from a distance. Conversely, the Reverse Bond allows Zelda to link herself to an object and move in sync with it, letting her reach otherwise inaccessible areas or traverse moving platforms.

These abilities are critical when navigating the puzzles and terrain of the Still World, where time is frozen, and objects might be suspended mid-air or locked in place. Bond and Reverse Bond mechanics challenge players to think creatively about manipulating the environment, often requiring precise timing and clever use of the environment to progress through dungeons and explore hidden areas. Combining these abilities with the echoes mechanic creates a dynamic gameplay experience where puzzles can be tackled from multiple angles.

Swordfighter Form and Combat:

Though Zelda is primarily known for her wisdom and magical abilities, Echoes of Wisdom doesn’t shy away from allowing her to get into the thick of combat. By wielding the Swordfighter form, Zelda can temporarily transform into a melee powerhouse, taking on enemies with a style that mirrors Link’s. The Swordfighter form gives Zelda access to a more aggressive playstyle, letting her deliver powerful sword combos and perform flashy finishers. However, the form is limited by an energy gauge, which can be replenished by collecting orbs found in the Still World, forcing players to use it strategically.

The duality of combat—balancing the use of echoes and magical abilities with the direct approach of the Swordfighter form—gives players flexibility in how they tackle battles. Encounters become a dance of switching between creating echoes to control the battlefield and jumping into the fray to deal direct damage. This system encourages players to adapt their combat strategies to the types of enemies they face, offering a satisfying depth to the game’s combat mechanics.

Exploration and Traversal:

Exploration is vital to any Zelda game, and Echoes of Wisdom is no exception. Zelda’s journey takes her across Hyrule and into the eerie landscapes of the Still World, each with its challenges and secrets to uncover. The game’s world design emphasizes discovery, with hidden pathways, environmental puzzles, and optional shrines that reward players for thoroughly exploring every nook and cranny. The ability to summon echoes and manipulate objects with Bond and Reverse Bond mechanics opens up new ways to interact with the world, making exploration feel more dynamic.

Zelda can also travel between locations using Waypoints, fast travel points scattered throughout the map. These Waypoints become invaluable as players progress, allowing for easier backtracking and exploration of previously visited areas. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, Zelda can traverse on foot or by horseback, adding a sense of scale and immersion as players journey through the various regions of Hyrule.

The Still World itself adds a unique twist to exploration. The rifts connecting Hyrule to the Still World are obstacles and opportunities, challenging players to solve puzzles that bridge the two realms. The Still World’s frozen-time mechanics lead to creative platforming challenges, where objects remain suspended, and players must find ways to manipulate their surroundings despite the frozen flow of time.

Customization and Item Crafting:

Zelda’s adventure is complemented by a light customization system that allows players to change their outfits and equip different gear to enhance their abilities. Outfits range from practical adventuring gear to ceremonial garments with bonuses such as increased stamina or better damage resistance. Customization is not just cosmetic—choosing the right outfit for the right situation can give Zelda a strategic edge, especially in tough battles or puzzle-filled dungeons.

Additionally, Zelda can gather ingredients throughout her journey to purchase and craft smoothies, which are the game’s healing items—combining different ingredients results in smoothies with varied effects, such as restoring health, boosting echo power, or extending the duration of the Swordfighter form. This crafting system is simple but offers a layer of preparation for players who want to optimize their resources for the challenges ahead.

Puzzles and Dungeons:

True to the Zelda series tradition, Echoes of Wisdom features intricate dungeons filled with puzzles that test players’ creativity and problem-solving skills. Each dungeon is tied to a specific shrine of the Golden Goddesses—Din, Nayru, and Farore—and introduces new mechanics or environmental challenges unique to its theme. The echoes, Bond, and Reverse Bond abilities play a central role in these puzzles, often requiring players to use all of Zelda’s combined abilities to progress.

The dungeon bosses are another highlight, offering memorable encounters that push players to think on their feet. Each boss requires a mix of combat prowess and clever use of the Tri Rod’s powers, creating battles that are as much about strategy as they are about swordplay. The game’s emphasis on Zelda’s unique skill set ensures that these encounters feel distinct from those in previous Zelda titles, offering a new kind of challenge that fits her character.

Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’s gameplay is a masterful blend of familiar mechanics and innovations. The Tri Rod, Echoes system, and Zelda’s magical abilities create a dynamic and engaging experience. At the same time, the game’s emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat ensures that each moment feels meaningful. The focus on Zelda’s journey brings a fresh perspective to the series, making this entry a standout addition to the Zelda canon.

Multiplayer and Replayability

While The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom focuses heavily on delivering a rich, single-player experience, it also offers features that enhance replayability and foster community among players. Although it doesn’t include a traditional multiplayer mode like competitive battles or co-op quests, the game’s structure, challenges, and social connectivity elements allow players to engage with each other indirectly, making the adventure feel more expansive and shared.

Community Challenges and Leaderboards:

One of the critical multiplayer-inspired features in Echoes of Wisdom is the inclusion of community challenges. These events rotate periodically, encouraging players to complete specific objectives, such as clearing a particular dungeon with certain restrictions, defeating a powerful boss using only echoes, or gathering rare ingredients scattered throughout the Still World. These challenges allow players to compete for high scores or completion times, with results shared on global leaderboards.

The leaderboards add a layer of competition and camaraderie, allowing players to see how their skills stack up against others worldwide. For dedicated fans, chasing the top spot on these boards can be a compelling reason to revisit certain dungeons and puzzles, refining their strategies and improving their mastery of the game’s mechanics. The leaderboard system ensures that even after the main story is completed, there is always a new goal to pursue.

Player-Created Puzzles and Echoes Showcases:

Building on the creativity that the echoes system encourages, Echoes of Wisdom features a player-created puzzle mode, where users can design custom challenges using a simplified dungeon editor. In this mode, players can create rooms that take advantage of Zelda’s Tri Rod, Bond abilities, and various objects found in the game. These custom puzzles can be shared online, allowing the community to solve each other’s creations and vote on their favourites.

The custom puzzle mode nods to the community-driven aspects of earlier Zelda titles, like the Chamber Dungeon feature in the Link’s Awakening remake. It provides a sandbox for players who enjoy experimenting with the game’s mechanics and a showcase for creative uses of the echoes system. This mode encourages players to think outside the box and offers a steady stream of new content, keeping the experience fresh.

Collectibles and Completionist Challenges:

For those who thrive on collecting every item and uncovering every secret, Echoes of Wisdom offers plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the main storyline. Throughout Hyrule and the Still World, players find hidden chests, rare ingredients, and notable echoes enhancing Zelda’s abilities. Many of these collectibles are tucked away in remote corners of the map, requiring players to use their skills creatively to reach them.

Additionally, the game includes a series of optional side quests that expand on the lore and offer unique rewards, such as new outfits or powerful items. Some of these quests are tied to the various factions Zelda encounters, like the Gerudo or the river Zoras, and completing them often reveals more about the impact of the rifts on their communities. These side quests add depth to the world and provide additional challenges for players who want to immerse themselves fully in the game’s story and setting.

New Game Plus and Alternate Endings:

Once players complete the main story, Echoes of Wisdom offers a New Game Plus mode, allowing them to start a new playthrough with all their unlocked abilities, echoes, and customizations intact. New Game Plus introduces additional difficulty options, such as increased enemy strength and limited resources, making for a more challenging and strategic experience. This mode is perfect for those who want to experience the game’s challenges with a higher level of mastery, and it provides new twists on puzzles and dungeons to keep things engaging.

New Game Plus also allows players to unlock alternate endings depending on their choices throughout their journey. These choices might involve the fate of specific characters or how Zelda handles certain rifts within the Still World. While the core storyline remains consistent, these variations add more depth for players who want to see all the possible outcomes and fully explore the narrative branches.

Seasonal Events and Special DLCs:

Nintendo and Grezzo have hinted at the possibility of post-launch support for Echoes of Wisdom, with seasonal events and special downloadable content (DLC) packs designed to keep the game’s community active. These events might include time-limited dungeons, new echoes with unique properties, or special outfits themed around different regions of Hyrule.

The DLCs could potentially expand the game’s world, adding new areas to explore within the Still World or new missions that delve deeper into the lore of the Golden Goddesses and Null. Such expansions would provide additional content for players who have already completed the main campaign, offering new challenges and narrative threads to pursue.

Replayability through Exploration and Mastery:

Ultimately, the heart of Echoes of Wisdom’s replayability lies in its rich world and the freedom it offers players to explore Hyrule and the Still World at their own pace. Even without structured multiplayer, the game’s open-ended exploration, complex puzzles, and varied combat systems ensure that players have plenty of reasons to return. The game’s mechanics encourage mastery, from perfecting combat strategies with the Swordfighter form to discovering all the hidden secrets within each dungeon.

The combination of challenging community events, customizable puzzles, and a vast world full of collectibles means that Echoes of Wisdom is more than just a one-time adventure. It’s a game that invites players to immerse themselves in Hyrule’s mysteries long after the credits roll, with Zelda’s quest to repair the rifts and save her kingdom offering new surprises at every turn.

Graphics and Sound

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom offers a visual and auditory experience that draws players into its enchanting world, blending nostalgia with modern polish. Inspired by the 2019 Link’s Awakening remake, the game’s art style brings a charming and expressive look to Hyrule while using the power of the Nintendo Switch to create a vibrant, immersive world. With a sweeping and emotional soundtrack, Echoes of Wisdom ensures that Zelda’s adventure feels grand, intimate, and full of life.

Visual Style and Art Direction:

Visually, Echoes of Wisdom takes full advantage of the Switch’s capabilities to deliver a lush and detailed Hyrule that feels classic and fresh. The game’s art style retains the toy-like charm that defined the Link’s Awakening remake, with its slightly glossy, diorama-like appearance. Characters have a soft, almost handcrafted look, making them feel like part of a living storybook, while the environments pop with rich colours and meticulous detail.

The game’s lighting and weather effects add depth and atmosphere to every location. The warm glow of sunlight filtering through the trees of a Gerudo oasis, the eerie shadows cast by ancient ruins in the Still World, and the shimmering reflections on a river’s surface all create a sense of place that feels magical and alive. The contrasts between the vibrant world of Hyrule and the still, muted tones of the Still World emphasize the separation between these dimensions, making each transition between them feel like a significant shift in mood and tone.

The Still World is a visual highlight, with its time-frozen landscapes and suspended objects creating a sense of otherworldly wonder. Buildings, trees, and people remain eerily motionless, suspended in mid-action as if trapped in a moment. This striking visual concept gives the Still World a haunting, dreamlike quality. The rifts that connect the Still World to Hyrule are depicted as swirling, ethereal tears in space, visually representing the instability between dimensions and providing a dramatic flair to every new area Zelda explores.

Character Design and Animations:

Zelda takes center stage with a beautifully designed character model that blends the regal poise of a princess with the practicality of a hero. Her animations reflect this balance, showing her determination in battle and grace during exploration. Her various outfits add visual variety to the game, each designed with meticulous detail to reflect different aspects of her character and role as a warrior, explorer, and ruler.

The game’s new characters, including the playful fairy Tri and the mysterious echoes created by Null, bring unique personalities to the adventure. Tri’s animated expressions and lively movements contrast with Zelda’s more composed demeanour, adding a touch of lightheartedness to their interactions. Meanwhile, Null’s echoes, which mimic allies and enemies, create an unsettling effect as they take on the appearance of familiar figures but behave in strange and threatening ways.

Enemies and bosses, especially those in the Still World, are brought to life with fluid animations and dramatic design. Boss encounters feature larger-than-life creatures that fill the screen, using visually spectacular attacks that challenge players to stay on their toes. Each boss is themed around the dungeon it inhabits, adding visual cohesion to the game’s varied environments and offering memorable moments of spectacle.

Environmental Design:

Echoes of Wisdom features a variety of environments, each rendered with care and attention to detail. From the Kokiri’s lush forests to the Gerudo Desert’s sun-scorched sands, every area feels distinct, offering different gameplay challenges and visual treats. The game’s top-down perspective allows players to appreciate the intricate details of each environment, whether it’s the gentle sway of grass in a mountain field or the sparkling glow of crystals in a hidden cave.

The dungeons are equally impressive, with each one featuring a unique visual theme that complements its gameplay mechanics. Some dungeons incorporate elements from both Hyrule and the Still World, blending real and surreal designs to create puzzles that challenge players to think beyond the ordinary. The graphical detail in these spaces—such as frozen waterfalls in the Still World or mystical shrines dedicated to the Golden Goddesses—adds depth to the game’s world-building, making each dungeon a pleasure to explore.

Soundtrack and Musical Score:

The music of Echoes of Wisdom is both a tribute to classic Zelda themes and an exploration of new melodies that capture the essence of Zelda’s journey. The soundtrack, composed by a team led by long-time series composer Koji Kondo, combines sweeping orchestral arrangements with more intimate, ambient pieces that reflect the game’s varied settings. Using familiar motifs from previous Zelda titles grounds the game in the series’ history, while new compositions introduce a sense of discovery and wonder.

Each major area in the game is accompanied by its musical theme, crafted to evoke the mood of that region. The gentle strings and flutes of the Kokiri Woods create a sense of serenity, while the pounding drums and brass of the Gerudo Desert give a feeling of harsh determination. The Still World, with its time-frozen landscapes, is accompanied by eerie, ethereal melodies that emphasize the unsettling nature of this strange dimension.

Dynamic music shifts add emotional weight to critical moments in the story. As Zelda approaches a rift or faces a powerful echo, the music swells with intensity, highlighting the danger and importance of these encounters. Likewise, quieter, more reflective pieces play during scenes where Zelda uncovers more about Null’s motivations or contemplates the weight of her mission, lending a sense of gravitas to her role as Hyrule’s protector.

Sound Effects and Voice Work:

The game’s sound effects are just as essential to creating a fully immersive experience. The clink of Zelda’s sword against enemy armour, the hum of the Tri Rod as it summons echoes, and the satisfying crunch of boots on gravel all contribute to a tactile sense of interaction with the world. Environmental sounds like the rush of wind in the Gerudo Desert or the distant water drip in the Still World’s caverns help create a rich soundscape that pulls players into each environment.

While not fully voiced, Zelda’s voice work includes expressive lines and reactions that convey her personality and emotions throughout her adventure. Tri, in contrast, is more chatty, offering guidance and commentary that helps flesh out the narrative and provide hints during particularly challenging sections. This dynamic between Zelda’s reserved determination and Tri’s more lighthearted enthusiasm adds depth to their partnership, making their interactions feel authentic and engaging.

Performance and Presentation:

Echoes of Wisdom runs smoothly on the Nintendo Switch, maintaining a stable frame rate even during battles with multiple enemies or exploring expansive environments. The game’s performance remains consistent in handheld and docked modes, ensuring that players can enjoy the adventure seamlessly regardless of how they choose to play. While not as hyper-realistic as other modern games, the visual style is optimized to provide a visually rich experience without compromising performance.

The game’s UI is clean and intuitive, with Tri Rod, Echoes, and Bond abilities that are easily accessible through a streamlined menu system. The art direction and presentation combine to create a game that is both easy to navigate and a joy to behold, with every screen and transition dripping with the charm and polish that fans have come to expect from Zelda games.

In summary, the graphics and sound of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom create a captivating, immersive world that feels like a living storybook coming to life. The visual style blends nostalgia with modern sensibilities, while the soundtrack and sound effects add emotional depth to every moment. Whether you’re exploring the timeless beauty of Hyrule or the eerie mysteries of the Still World, the game’s presentation ensures that every step of Zelda’s journey is one to remember.

Final Thoughts

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a bold and refreshing addition to the storied franchise. It delivers a new perspective on the world of Hyrule by placing Princess Zelda at the center of the adventure. With its innovative mechanics, engaging story, and lovingly crafted presentation, the game offers longtime fans and newcomers an experience that feels both familiar and excitingly new. It’s a game that respects the series’ rich heritage while daring to try new things, making it a standout entry in the Zelda saga.

In conclusion, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a triumph of creativity and storytelling, bringing new magic to the Zelda formula. It successfully shifts the focus to Princess Zelda, allowing her to shine in a game that celebrates both her strengths and the enduring charm of the series. The blend of strategic gameplay, rich world-building, and heartfelt narrative ensures that Echoes of Wisdom is a must-play for any fan of action-adventure games. It’s a story of courage, discovery, and the power of hope—told through the eyes of a hero who, for too long, has waited for her moment in the spotlight.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for the Nintendo Switch version provided by Nintendo.