The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Reviews
My run through the game during this review period lasted a bit over 30 hours, but the game will take longer for the completionists out there. Each player will tell a different story with how they play, solve puzzles, the order in which they clear dungeons, and so much more that I can't talk about at risk of spoiling the story. Needless to say, long-time Zelda players will be smiling from ear to ear when they roll credits. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is full of wonderful surprises, engaging gameplay, and tons of stuff to do in the biggest top-down iteration of Hyrule yet.
While Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom successfully brought exciting new concepts to Nintendo's iconic series and helped revolutionize open-world games – Echoes of Wisdom feels like a big step forward for classic Zelda. The game is a punchy cocktail of old school Zelda, expertly blended with modern mechanics from the series’ two open-world giants. As a result, Nintendo has created something that feels both nostalgic and uniquely fresh. It may have taken 38 years for the series's titular princess to finally get her own game, but boy was it worth waiting for. Echoes of Wisdom not only demonstrates that Nintendo is capable of wowing Zelda fans, but it can breathe new life into its legendary series. Echoes of Wisdom is a resounding success, a masterclass in creativity, and a worthy debut title for the series’ legendary princess.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is the perfect Legend of Zelda game. Where Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom took the series in new directions, to the point that they’re barely related to what came before them, Zelda’s first outing as a protagonist feels like it fits seamlessly in with the traditions of Ocarina of Time, Link’s Awaking and Link to the Past. Not only that, but Nintendo has built a gameplay system that is more whimsical and creative than any of those previous titles, making this a more complete and fully realised vision of what the series has always wanted to be. I desperately hope that this wasn’t just a one-off experiment, and The Legend of Link is here to stay.
It’s a joy to play, looks great and an excellently crafted mashup of gaming ideas to deliver a fresh-feeling new Zelda.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom features all of the amazing hallmarks of the series, yet feels completely innovative, unique, and fresh.
I struggled to stop playing Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom to write this review, and with its creative puzzles and vibrant world, it's a must-play, despite the minor hassle of navigating the echo-filled menu.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Every twist and turn in the game had me excitedly working my brain for the most fun solutions I could think of, from building bridges out of beds to sending crows after any monster that walked near me. The only thing better than the creative puzzle solving and beautiful environments is the fact that this game only works so well because Zelda is the protagonist.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is much more than just another game in the franchise. It marks the beginning of what could be significantly explored by the company. A stunning side-scrolling game that redefines many established concepts, featuring a splendid visual style already showcased in Link’s Awakening and further enhanced here. The game delivers fluidity in its narrative, entertains with the charm of its newest protagonist, and shows great potential to continue other stories that could involve her. Zelda demonstrated that heroes can fight with wisdom and mastery, and can excite and move players with that.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is another amazing game of the beloved franchise. The way it blends traditional concepts, with all the new ideas of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, is simply great.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is another triumph for Nintendo, an essential game on the Switch, which is absolutely unmissable.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom elegantly bridges old and new Zelda with grace and gusto. The Echoes system is inventive, the dungeon designs are strong and the whole experience feels like everything a classic Zelda experience should be. While minor performance issues hold Echoes of Wisdom back from being everything it could be, they're only minor blemishes on an otherwise stellar adventure fit for a princess.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom feels like the perfect compromise between old and new. It incorporates some of the best elements of open-world design from the more recent 3D titles into the solid linear structures of the classic 2D instalments to create something that feels familiar without being too stale, and structured without being restrictive. No matter what your history with the series is, you’d be wise to check this one out.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom blends puzzle-solving, platforming and combat with brilliant creativity in a game that feels both nostalgic and wholly innovative for the franchise.
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom defies expectations, offering a fresh take on the series by giving Princess Zelda the spotlight in a captivating adventure, making it one of Nintendo's best surprises this year.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom deviates entirely from the most recent installments and delivers one of the most fun and entertaining adventures in the franchise. Also, we can finally play with the princess of Hyrule, who, alongside Tri, gives it an even more whimsical and charming touch.
A game that gives you freedom to play it as you want to is probably something more games should aspire to. That The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom gives you all that freedom without ever feeling unfocused or overwhelming is evidence that it lives up to its iconic lineage.
The title is extremely captivating and fun for both children and adults. The game has the potential to keep you engaged, as none of its puzzles, bosses or missions drag on for too long. The player is always searching for and doing something new that will certainly be rewarding. The variety of Echoes and the different problem-solving possibilities also delight and make the experience even more fun.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Anarchic, exciting and at times ingenious: The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom is an adventure that will test your brains without overstressing your fingertips. It doesn't last long and hardcore gamers will perhaps complete it too quickly, but the journey is sensational and enveloped in the usual 'made in Nintendo' magic that makes it a must-have in any case.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom blends classic Zelda gameplay with innovative mechanics, allowing players creative approaches. Zeldas ability to summon Echoes adds depth and variety to exploration and problem-solving and for the first time ever steals the showlight from our hero Link. This may be the first time an isometric Zelda comes close to the classic A Link to the past.
Review in German | Read full review
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom wisely combines the format of the classic deliveries with the style of the modern ones; a link between the past and the future of the saga that also brings homegrown ideas full of possibilities and freshness. The princess has shown why she has always been HER legend.
Review in Spanish | Read full review