Get ready to explore Hyrule in a brand-new way with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom for Nintendo Switch. This time, Princess Zelda takes centre stage, resulting in an exciting mix of brain-teasing puzzles and gameplay.
A new kind of adventure
The art style of Echoes of Wisdom is similar to the 2019 remake of Link’s Awakening, with a charming, toy-like look that fits well with Zelda’s new abilities. However, we confirmed that the narratives of these games aren’t related. Echoes of Wisdom stands on its own as an individual story in the world of Hyrule.
“Echoes are essential tools for overcoming obstacles and with so many collected along the way, there’s plenty of creativity in how you accomplish a goal.”
In this game, Zelda is the hero. The kingdom of Hyrule is in danger, with strange rifts appearing across the land, causing people, objects, and even entire dungeons to disappear into another realm. It’s up to Zelda to save Link and the kingdom—and she’s not alone. Joining her is Tri, a mysterious fairy who grants Zelda the power of the Tri Rod. This magical tool can summon ‘Echoes’ of objects and creatures to help solve problems and defeat enemies.
From the very start, Echoes of Wisdom felt different from any other Zelda game I’ve played. Zelda’s abilities are less about action-packed sword fights and more about clever problem-solving. The game leans heavily into puzzle mechanics, with Zelda using her Tri Rod to create Echoes of objects in the environment. Echoes are essential tools for overcoming obstacles and with so many collected along the way, there’s plenty of creativity in how you accomplish a goal. For example, you can create a bridge out of old beds or conjure rocks to throw at enemies.
Engaging puzzles, satisfying solutions
My hands-on preview began with an onboarding escape from Hyrule Castle’s jail cell. This sequence was surprisingly stealth-focused and required careful planning, like summoning objects to distract guards and climb over obstacles. The Echo system has its limits, though. You can only create a certain number of Echoes at a time, which adds a layer of strategy.
One of the standout features of our time with Echoes of Wisdom is how fun the dungeons are. Whether I was stacking rocks to reach a high ledge or figuring out how to defeat a spinning peahat, every challenge felt rewarding when I finally cracked it. The game’s physics engine makes experimenting with different solutions fun, and there’s often more than one way to solve a problem.
After escaping the castle, I ventured into the open world of Hyrule. The land is filled with rifts that distort reality, pulling in trees, towns, and even whole dungeons. Exploring one of these rifts leads you into the first dungeon. At the halfway point of this quite imaginative dungeon stood the little green guy himself, with glowing red eyes. I faced a shadow version of Link. This battle required using all the abilities Zelda had at this point in the adventure—like the Bind and Reverse Bond powers. With Bind you can move objects around, like Ultrahand from Tears of the Kingdom, while Reverse Bond allowed me to attach myself to moving platforms or monsters to reach new areas.
Nod towards tradition
In addition to these abilities, there are still action elements. Zelda can transform into a swordsman form for a limited time, allowing her to use a sword to smash enemies and pots. This added some variety to the gameplay, balancing the dungeons with moments of combat. Still, it means the gameplay remains very different to something like Link’s Awakening, where combat is a limited ability.
“Its simple yet clever puzzle mechanics are easy to pick up but offer plenty of depth for experienced players.”
Every so often, the game cleverly switches between the traditional top-down gameplay and side-scrolling 2D segments, and they work well together to be both dynamic and thematic. The top-down perspective offers the classic exploration and puzzle-solving fans love, while the 2D segments bring a twist reminiscent of earlier Zelda titles. The blend of different styles works nicely as Zelda navigates Hyrule and the mysterious rifts.
Echoes of Wisdom feels accessible for all types of players, whether you’re a young gamer, a veteran Zelda fan, or someone who doesn’t play many games. Its simple yet clever puzzle mechanics are easy to pick up but offer plenty of depth for experienced players. The intuitive controls and charming visuals make sure anyone can enjoy the adventure.
With its Echo puzzles, engaging mechanics, and a fresh take on the beloved Zelda series, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is shaping up to be an unforgettable adventure. We’re excited to dive deeper into Princess Zelda’s journey when the full game releases on 26 September 2024 for the Nintendo Switch.
