With the release of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for Nintendo Switch, the Zelda saga continues to explore new frontiers, blending tradition and innovation in a unique way. The main novelty of Echoes of Wisdom is the change of protagonist: for the first time in the series, it will not be Link who will guide us through Hyrule, but Princess Zelda herself. This change is not just aesthetic, but deeply permeates the gameplay. Zelda is not a warrior, so the game puts aside the traditional sword and bow. Instead, Zelda wields a powerful magical staff that allows her to memorize items and summon creatures defeated in battle, paving the way for a more strategic and creative approach.
This design choice creates a unique dynamic compared to previous chapters. Where Link often faced enemies with brute strength and quick reflexes, Zelda must rely on cunning and magic to overcome challenges, making the game a profoundly different experience. One of the most appreciable aspects of Echoes of Wisdom is the freedom given to the player. The game’s puzzles and challenges can be solved in multiple ways, thanks to a system that encourages exploration and experimentation. This approach is reminiscent of the design philosophy of Tears of the Kingdom, where every obstacle becomes an opportunity to experiment with new solutions, using Zelda’s magical power and stored items.
Exploring the world of Hyrule becomes a continuous enigma: there are no predefined solutions, but only the player’s creativity to guide the action. For example, while in previous games you could rely on an item like the grappling hook to cross chasms, here you can create a bridge with beds or summon creatures to distract enemies. It’s this flexibility that makes Echoes of Wisdom a rewarding experience, challenging players to think outside the box.
Despite its innovations, Echoes of Wisdom is not without its flaws. The repetitiveness of the puzzles can become apparent after a few hours of play. Many puzzles, while initially ingenious, end up being solved with the same tactics. For example, building towers of objects to reach hearts or cross chasms becomes a common solution, and this can lead to a certain sense of déja-vu. Another controversial aspect is the combat system. Zelda can summon creatures to fight enemies, but the player has no direct control over them. This can make combat feel more passive than you might expect from an action game, with moments where you simply observe battles between NPCs.
Aesthetically, Echoes of Wisdom offers captivating artistic direction, with a look that gives the impression of exploring a miniature world. The design of the world of Hyrule clearly draws inspiration from the remake of A Link to the Past, but fails to reach the same level of iconicity. The world of Echoes of Wisdom has been freed from the grid structure that characterized older titles in the series, but this design choice sacrificed some of the qualities that made exploration in 2D Zelda titles so rewarding. There are no epic scenarios that will stick in the memory, and many of the explorable areas serve more as functional environments for solving puzzles than as evocative spaces.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is a bold new foray into the Zelda universe, with an identity of its own that deserves to be appreciated. The game represents further proof of Nintendo’s desire to constantly innovate and reinvent the series, albeit with evidently less production effort than Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom. Despite some minor flaws, Echoes of Wisdom is an experience that offers moments of pure brilliance, inviting players to explore and experiment like never before. It’s a title that shows great promise for the future of the series and one that every Zelda fan should try.
Format: Switches Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Raw, Nintendo Vote: 8/10